Posts by Lisa McDonald
Identify molecular ‘fingerprints’: Proposed graphene-based nanofocused sensor may improve molecular analysis
Mid-infrared spectroscopy is an important tool for nondestructive analysis of molecules, but it cannot analyze nanometric volumes very well. One way to improve nanometric analysis is through a technique called nanofocusing, and researchers in Spain and Russia proposed an improved nanofocusing technique using graphene.
Read MoreVideo: Vitrification of human tissue
Vitrification is the process through which a material turns into a glass or glasslike substance by undergoing rapid cooling. Though the discovery this year that a man’s brain vitrified during the Mount Vesuvius eruption surprised some people, vitrification of human tissue is actually a well-established practice in fertility treatment.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest
Changing the composition of brick, first manufactured noncuttable material, and other materials stories that may be of interest for July 22, 2020.
Read MoreHow effective is that mask? Depends on what materials it is made of
There is no shortage of options available when shopping for nonmedical face masks, yet most provide little information about their filter efficiency and breathability—important considerations for a mask that is both efficient and comfortable. But a recent study offers more complete data on the performance of an array of common materials.
Read MoreCeramic and glass business news of the week for July 20, 2020
Europe’s largest floating PV park gets local owners, sole U.S. rare earth miner goes public, and more ceramic and glass business news of the week for July 20, 2020.
Read MorePursuing a cobalt-free future: Nickel-manganese-aluminum cathodes for lithium-ion batteries
Many electric vehicles today use lithium-ion batteries that contain cobalt, an element with high ethical and environmental costs to its production. Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin explored the potential of a cobalt-free lithium-ion battery that features a nickel-manganese-aluminum cathode and found promising results.
Read MoreData-driven approaches to materials challenges, plus more inside August 2020 ACerS Bulletin
The August 2020 issue of the ACerS Bulletin—featuring data-driven methods to augment experimental methods—is now available online. Plus—USGS Mineral Commodity Summaries
Read MoreVideo: Forever eliminate ‘forever’ chemicals—boron nitride destroys PFOA, GenX
PFAS chemicals are notoriously difficult to destroy, giving them the moniker “forever” chemicals. But researchers at Rice University were recently surprised to discover that boron nitride serves as an efficient photocatalyst for degrading PFAS chemicals.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest
Strategies for recycling solar panels, vulnerabilities in 3D-printed carbon-fiber composites, and other materials stories that may be of interest for July 15, 2020.
Read MoreIsolating a better option—ceramic Faraday rotators improve optical isolator performance
Optical isolators traditionally use single crystals to polarize light—could transparent ceramics be used instead? Researchers in Japan created high-performing transparent ceramics using lanthanide rare-earth oxides, materials previously believed to not be suited for optical applications.
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