When grain sizes in ceramics become critically small, ceramics can appear to soften. Researchers led by the University of California, Davis, show this false impression is due to an extensive network of nanocracks caused by increased grain boundary energy.
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Solid oxide electrochemical cells offer a sustainable alternative to current fossil energy combustion technologies, if scientists can get them to operate well at lower temperatures. New research offers a step toward this goal.
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Researchers have demonstrated a new toughening mechanism for nanoceramics by studying weak interfaces in nanocrystalline ceramics. Their method could improve impact resistance without compromising functional properties.
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Atom-thick alloys with unanticipated magnetic properties, battery based on sodium may offer more cost-effective storage than lithium, and other materials stories that may be of interest for October 18, 2017.
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Researchers at Jožef Stefan Institute (Ljubljana, Slovenia), the National Institute of Chemistry (Ljubljana, Slovenia), and Stockholm University (Stockholm, Sweden) have developed a new method to rapidly and evenly densify nanoceramics, offering incredible potential to save a lot of time and energy in sintering processes.
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A team led by researchers at the University of California, Davis has published new research showing that diffusion isn’t the only consideration when it comes to controlling grain growth.
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Flatter materials have fewer imperfections and make for better solar cells and light sensors, new battery material goes with the flow, and other materials stories that may be of interest for August 16, 2017.
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By processing samples of silicon nitride under high pressure and heat, researchers at the Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron have converted an originally opaque hexagonal crystal structure into optically transparent cubic silicon nitride.
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A collaboration of researchers from Purdue University and beyond is using a $3 million grant to take an up close look at flash sintering in a massive effort to broaden applications of the technique.
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By further understanding the dependence between densification and grain growth, a University of California Davis team of researchers has devised a new process to fabricate fully dense ceramic parts with virtually no grain growth.
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