clay

New model clarifies rheological properties of bentonite muds mixed with other clays during drilling operations

By Lisa McDonald / July 8, 2022

During borehole drilling operations, bentonite-based drilling mud mixes with excavated soil materials, which may drastically affect the mud’s rheological properties. Researchers in France developed a phenomenological model to quantify the yield stress of bentonite muds mixed with other clays.

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Clay locomotion and clean water

By Jonathon Foreman / June 17, 2022

Many of the world’s easily accessible freshwater sources are being drained faster than they are being replenished. In two recent papers, researchers led by Jilin University investigated the potential of a clay-based self-propelling nanomotor to purify water.

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Sensitivity coefficient may help manufacturers minimize loss when drying ceramics

By Lisa McDonald / June 7, 2022

When drying ceramics, many characteristics affect how the material will respond to moisture loss and contraction. Researchers in Brazil found that the drying sensitivity coefficient is a determining factor associated with loss content.

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Video: Tile manufacturers face clay shortages due to war in Ukraine

By Lisa McDonald / May 18, 2022

Disruptions in the energy market are not the only market forces affecting the European ceramics industry. The war in Ukraine is also driving a shortage in supplies of Ukrainian clay.

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Ceramic characterization reveals the practices of a late medieval brass foundry

By Lisa McDonald / March 11, 2022

Historical research on the trade of metal supplies and objects often overshadows studies on the practices, recipes, and supplies of clays used by metallurgists of the time. Researchers in Belgium and France characterized metallurgical ceramic samples from the remains of a Late Medieval Period foundry in Brussels and found the analyses, in conjunction with written sources, highlight the mobility of clay materials, not just metal.

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Evaluating the potential of clay soils for industrial applications: A case study in Mozambique

By Lisa McDonald / November 6, 2020

Clay soils are essential raw materials in the ceramics industry. But how do manufacturers determine the potential of soils for industrial use when scoping out a new clay pit? An open-access study by three researchers in Mozambique shows how they evaluated soil potential based on samples extracted from the Manjacazi district.

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No bones about it—clay-enhanced hydrogel shows promise for treating bone defects

By Lisa McDonald / September 13, 2019

For hydrogels to promote tissue formation, they must be suitably porous to allow transplanted cells to move around. Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles, created clay-enhanced hydrogels to increase pore size.

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Predicting macroscale friction in clay-like materials using microscale calculations

By Lisa McDonald / April 12, 2019

Japanese researchers found they could explain macroscopic friction in muscovite using theoretical calculations of microscale frictional forces. They hope to develop a theory that can explain frictional strength across a broad range of clay and clay-like minerals.

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Other materials stories that may be of interest

By Lisa McDonald / February 6, 2019

Detect ALS with graphene, lens-free holography, and other materials stories that may be of interest for February 6, 2019.

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Reducing air pollution: Insulating ceramic rocket stoves

By Lisa McDonald / January 8, 2019

Decreasing amounts of household air pollution is a crucial step toward improving the health of people living in developing countries. One engineer’s insulating ceramic rocket stoves could help achieve this goal.

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