Posts by Lisa McDonald
Video: Making guitars out of glass
Stringed instruments are traditionally made out of wood due to the material’s unique mechanical and acoustical properties. In recent years, musicians have experimented with materials besides wood, and today’s CTT looks at the work of one Florida-based musician who specializes in making guitars out of glass.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest
New 3D microbatteries, micromirror array in smart windows, and other materials stories that may be of interest for April 7, 2021.
Read MoreResearchers confirm existence of unique nonlinear optical response in nanocrystal-in-glass composites
Second-harmonic generation is a nonlinear optical process that allows for the creation of low-power and compact light sources. Researchers in China discovered nanocrystal-in-glass composites exhibit a similar but different phenomenon called transverse second-harmonic generation that would allow for the creation of light sources with expanded capabilities.
Read MoreCeramic and glass business news of the week for April 5, 2021
Baker Hughes acquires exclusive license for carbon capture tech, brain implant firm wins £12m funding with special nanotech, and more ceramic and glass business news of the week for April 5, 2021.
Read MoreMantis shrimp inspire tough composites and sophisticated optical sensors
Artists and scientists alike find inspiration in nature. But two recent scientific studies found inspiration in the same creature: the mantis shrimp. The creature’s incredibly tough materials and complex eyes inspired innovations that could lead to fracture-resistant biocomposites and highly advanced optical sensors.
Read MoreVideo: Ghanaians turn waste into art
Some countries that are significant importers of global waste do not have strong waste management infrastructures, which makes handling the waste difficult. In the absence of government programs, entrepreneurs have started their own initiatives to aid local communities in managing waste. Learn about two individuals in Ghana combating e-waste and glass waste, respectively.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest
Make quantum dots brighter, the secrets of printed electronics, and other materials stories that may be of interest for March 31, 2021.
Read MoreFrom 2D flake to stable 3D crystal: Researchers demonstrate potential of MXenes as additives in ultrahigh-temperature ceramics
MXenes hold potential as additives in ultrahigh-temperature ceramics to improve mechanical properties—but a gap in understanding the phase stability and transformation of MXenes at high temperatures limits this application. Researchers at Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis investigated these properties in titanium carbide MXenes.
Read MoreCeramic and glass business news of the week for March 29, 2021
O-I Glass announces expansion in the Andean market, British Glass hosts first UK Recycling Summit, and more ceramic and glass business news of the week for March 29, 2021.
Read MoreEndless Frontier Act: Will applied research become a main focus for the National Science Foundation?
The National Science Foundation is one of the main federal funding sources for basic science research—but China’s significantly increased investments in scientific research has led some U.S. senators to propose a bill that would reorganize NSF to support more applied research. Learn more about this proposal in today’s CTT.
Read More