Posts by Lisa McDonald
A toast to glass: The Glass of Wine book is full-bodied blend of wine and glass, finished with a hint of science
The Glass of Wine is a new book that takes you through the entire wine experience—focusing on winemaking, glass, and the science and technology behind the process of making both.
Read MoreVideo: How to turn sand into a liquid without melting
The melting point of a solid is the temperature at which the solid transforms into a liquid—but is it possible to lose structural rigidity without a change in temperature? Engineer and YouTuber Mark Rober has filled his hot tub with sand to give us the answer.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest
Chemists synthesize narrow ribbons of graphene using only light and heat, researchers make solid ground toward better lithium-ion battery interfaces, and other materials stories that may be of interest for December 13, 2017.
Read MoreSea urchin-inspired cement could enable more fracture-resistant concrete
Researchers at the University of Konstanz in Germany have shown that they can engineer stronger cement by giving the material a nano-level brick and mortar structure. Adding polymer binders into cement to control its nanostructure, the researchers developed a material 40–100 times more fracture resistant than standard concrete.
Read MoreBrittle starfish offers lessons in creating durable ceramics
Scientists have discovered that a brittle starfish has the capability to create a durable “tempered” ceramic material while underwater. Its process is similar to the creation of tempered glass, but without the heating and cooling process.
Read MoreThe road to REE independence: Rare-earth elements discovered in U.S. coal basins
A collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy, academia, and business has resulted in the discovery of high concentrations of rare-earth elements in several U.S. coal basins. The success of this discovery could eventually reduce the U.S.’s dependence on imported rare earths.
Read MoreOne flash spark plasma sintering to rule them all: Technique can densify most materials in mere seconds
Researchers at San Diego State University have developed a flash spark plasma sintering technique that can densify all kinds of materials, regardless of their electrical conductivity, in a matter of just seconds.
Read MoreVideo: 7 of Tesla’s unknown inventions that put him ahead of his time
You know Tesla the car. But do you know Tesla the inventor? Nikola Tesla was a brilliant inventor who developed dozens of ideas and innovations, many of which are used today. Watch the video to learn about some of his little-known inventions, some of which never saw the light of day.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest
Study shows potential for efficiently controlling 2-D materials with light, transfer technique produces wearable gallium nitride gas sensors, and other materials stories that may be of interest for December 6, 2017.
Read MoreDisorderly conduct: Insight into materials failure could lead to glasses that are less likely to break
An interdisciplinary group of scientists at the University of Pennsylvania have harnessed intense computation, data, and modeling power to determine how disordered solids fail, an understanding that could help engineer custom materials, such as glass that is less likely to break.
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