Salt has long been used on roads and sidewalks to melt snow and ice, but it can destroy vehicles and the environment over time. Researchers have developed a method for melting snow and ice using paraffin, which is less expensive and environmentally-friendly.
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Environmental concerns and decreased demand have contributed to the decline of coal as a fuel source. The Oak Ridge National Laboratory is developing value-added products that may eventually revive the coal industry.
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A partnership between a research laboratory and a manufacturer has resulted in a new thermochromic window material that would save energy and automatically change its tint based on temperature.
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A research collaboration has resulted in a new desalination process, using carbon nanotube “straws” to filter out salt from seawater. It could prove to be the next step in getting clean water to underdeveloped countries.
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A research team may have solved the cigarette butt litter problem. By mixing discarded cigarette butts with asphalt concrete, they produced a material that can handle heavy traffic and reduce the urban heat island effect.
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According to a laboratory compositional analysis, the elemental recipe for a 129-g Apple iPhone includes about 24.1% aluminum, 15.4% carbon, 14.4% iron, and 14.5% oxygen by weight. And altogether, that pile of smartphone powder—ground from a $700 device—has a raw elemental value of about $1.03.
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More than 130 scientists and researchers from around the world attended The Serbian Ceramic Society’s annual conference to listen to leading experts and shared research on nanotechnologies, multifunctional materials, composite materials, and other ceramic-related topics.
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The air around major roadways is rife with particulate air pollution. However, new research from Washington University suggests there is a simple fix to help keep the air you breathe inside your car a little cleaner—and it only requires the click of a switch.
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Researchers have created a filter that can absorb nearly all heavy metals from water. The filter, made up of carbon nanotubes and quartz can be washed with vinegar and reused—making it affordable for communities that lack clean water.
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Can our footsteps generate enough power to light up the streets? A London company has installed energy-harvesting tiles that can generate electricity from pedestrians’ footsteps to power street lamps and air purifiers.
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