Thermal management

Flash spark plasma sintering: Harnessing thermal runaway to densify silicon carbide in seconds

By April Gocha / October 11, 2016

Researchers at San Diego State University now report that they have developed an ultra-rapid method of flash spark plasma sintering, called flash hot pressing, that can really quickly densify even hard-to-deform materials such as silicon carbide.

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Video: Lithium-ion hacks to keep your smartphone battery charged and explosion-free

By April Gocha / September 14, 2016

A new Reactions video from the American Chemical Society explains the science behind exploding lithium-ion batteries, in addition to three hacks to keep lithium-ions lasting longer.

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New wearable tech swaps batteries for body heat to power more precise health-monitoring devices

By Stephanie Liverani / September 13, 2016

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new design for harvesting body heat and converting it into electricity for use in wearable health-monitoring devices without the need for batteries.

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New tough, flexible spray-on plastic coating stands up to the elements

By Stephanie Liverani / September 9, 2016

Scientists at the Australian National University developed a new spray-on, plastic-based coating that could be used to waterproof cell phones, prevent ice formation on airplanes, and protect boat hulls against corrosion.

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NASA Glenn materials engineer Valerie Wiesner explores potential of ceramic matrix composites

By April Gocha / September 1, 2016

ACerS member Valerie Wiesner, a materials engineer at NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, is one of the many scientists trying to fully unlock the potential of ceramic matrix composite materials.

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Crystalline films, next-gen electronics, 2-D semiconductors—Latest graphene research shows promising scale-up potential

By Stephanie Liverani / August 30, 2016

Researchers continue to make strides in the mission to commercialize graphene so the advanced material can be put to work in real-world ways. Check out these three graphene-related research developments generating buzz this week.

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Transparent wood windows could be key to better energy efficiency

By Stephanie Liverani / August 19, 2016

Engineers at the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland say that windows made of transparent wood might provide more even and consistent natural lighting and better energy efficiency compared to glass.

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Awards, Materials Genome Initiative, flash spark plasma sintering, combination furnaces, and more—all inside September ACerS Bulletin

By April Gocha / August 19, 2016

The September issue of the ACerS Bulletin—featuring ACerS 2016 awardees, an update to the Materials Genome Initiative, designing unique combination furnaces, and a novel flash spark plasma sintering process—is now available online.

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Video: Piezoelectric power—GE and ORNL pioneering appliance efficiency with ultrasonic clothes dryer

By April Gocha / August 17, 2016

GE Appliances (Louisville, Ky.) and Oak Ridge National Lab (Oak Ridge, Tenn.) together are developing the next generation of laundry appliance that can dry in half the time and use 70% less energy than your current clothes dryer.

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New issue of Nature Materials features Nitin Padture on advanced ceramics for aerospace propulsion

By April Gocha / August 9, 2016

ACerS member and Fellow Nitin Padture penned one of three commentaries for a new aerospace-centered issue of Nature Materials. Padture’s article, “Advanced structural ceramics in aerospace propulsion,” details the vital role of advanced structural ceramics in ever-advancing vehicle propulsion systems.

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