Archive for 2017
What’s really inside your smartphone: A pile of raw minerals and serious social consequences
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.
Read MoreSeCerS Advanced Ceramics and Applications V conference attracts more than 130 scientists
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.
Read MoreThe solar eclipse: Effects on the grid, plus 10 pieces of eclipse trivia to impress your friends
Planning on watching the eclipse? Learn how it might affect the grid—plus some interesting geeky trivia to share with and impress your fellow eclipse watchers.
Read MoreCelebrating ACerS 2017 awards and honors, plus more inside September 2017 ACerS Bulletin
The September 2017 issue of the ACerS Bulletin—featuring ACerS 2017 class of awards, an interagency report on ceramic coatings to improve engine efficiency, and a novel bauxite porcelain microstructure for high-voltage insulation—is now available online.
Read MoreVideo: Go big or go home—Navy creates first submarine hull on giant 3-D printer
The U.S. Navy created a submersible hull prototype on a giant 3-D printing machine in less than one week—saving the Navy 90% in production costs. This is the first step in building a fleet of submersibles that can withstand harsh ocean conditions.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest
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.
Read MoreRunning the air conditioner can help filter nanoparticles out of your car’s inside air
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.
Read MoreAluminum powder and water produce spontaneous hydrolysis to power fuel cell for soldiers in the field
Researchers have discovered a way to produce hydrogen to power a fuel cell, using hydrolysis without a catalyst. This “spontaneous hydrolysis” could provide soldiers with battery power in the field.
Read MoreNew smart window glass changes from clear to dark in nearly 30 seconds
Stanford University researchers have developed a smart window that can switch from transparent to dark in 30 seconds. The new smart glass has the potential to be used in buildings, automobiles, and even eyeglasses.
Read MoreSenvol database provides one-stop shopping for materials for additive manufacturing
The Senvol Database—the “first and most comprehensive database for industrial additive manufacturing machines and materials”—contains 1,292 fully and flexibly searchable materials, allowing manufacturers to quickly pinpoint the perfect material for each application.
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