Basic science

‘Superbowl of STEM’ brings together big names to spark students’ interest in science

By Jessica McMathis / March 12, 2014

Some of the biggest names in science (and Hollywood!)—along with an additional 350,000 visitors, many of them K-12 students—are expected to attend the 3rd USA Science & Engineering Festival (USASEF), April 26–27, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.

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Cosintering commercially available glass frit and phosphors to convert blue LED light into warm white light

By Eileen De Guire / March 12, 2014

Cosintering commercially available glass powders with Ce3+:YAG phosphors converted LED blue light into warm white light.

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Other materials stories that may be of interest

By Eileen De Guire / March 11, 2014

Other materials stories that may be of interest

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Doped yttrium silicate ceramics perform antibacterial upconversion magic trick

By April Gocha / March 11, 2014

Scientists have created antimicrobial ceramics from yttrium silicate that can perform photon upconversion to kill bacteria on the ceramic’s surfaces.

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Other materials stories that may be of interest

By Eileen De Guire / March 4, 2014

Other materials stories that may be of interest

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Other materials stories that may be of interest

By Eileen De Guire / February 25, 2014

Other materials stores that may be of interest

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Move over, polymers—silica nanoparticles may be the new adhesive for hydrogels and tissues

By April Gocha / February 24, 2014

French scientists show that simple surface adsorption of silica nanoparticles can glue together gel-like materials, including biological tissues.

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A graphene sequel (Spoiler: molecular sieves, atomic layer films, the origins of life, antithrombotic films, and artificial graphene inside)

By April Gocha / February 20, 2014

Graphene is more than an awesome electron conductor–new reports detail its potential use in fine molecular sieves, boron nitride atomic layer films, explanations of the origins of life, antithrombotic biomedical films, and the inspiration of artificial graphene from semiconductor crystals.

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Nonflammable paper developed from ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires

By April Gocha / February 20, 2014

Chinese scientists have developed flexible and nonflammable paper out of ultralong hydroxyapatite nanowires that may have applications for archival storage of important documents.

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Video: Engineering anarchy? Termite robots build complex structures without a leader

By April Gocha / February 18, 2014

Harvard engineers designed termite-like robots that can work together to build complex structures without a leader, and other robot advances inspired by nature.

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