Posts by Lisa McDonald
Carbon nanotubes help quartz fiber remove toxic metals from water
Researchers have created a filter that can absorb nearly all heavy metals from water. The filter, made up of carbon nanotubes and quartz can be washed with vinegar and reused—making it affordable for communities that lack clean water.
Read MoreGlass viscosity calculations definitively debunk the myth of observable flow in medieval windows
Glass scientists have taken a closer look at the urban legend of glass flow in medieval windows—combining theory and experimental techniques, the results definitely bust the myth and indicate the highest ever direct measurement of glass viscosity at low temperatures.
Read MoreVideo: Pedestrians’ footsteps generate power to light street lamps
Can our footsteps generate enough power to light up the streets? A London company has installed energy-harvesting tiles that can generate electricity from pedestrians’ footsteps to power street lamps and air purifiers.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest
Nanoparticles could spur better LEDs, invisibility cloaks, novel technique using graphene to create solar cells, and other materials stories that may be of interest for August 2, 2017.
Read MoreMXene electrodes could increase battery charging rates for electronics, electric vehicles
Researchers have designed battery electrodes using MXene, a highly conductive material, that could accelerate battery-charging times. The research could also solve the electric vehicle industry’s battery-charging challenges.
Read MoreHigh-tech methods confirm Pliny the Elder’s observations and reveal new insights into strength of Roman concrete
An international group of scientists recently found that the key to the strength of ancient Roman concrete is the presence of aluminous tobermorite, a mineral that slowly forms within voids and prevents cracks from traversing through the concrete.
Read MoreThin-film perovskites offer potential for flexible aerosol-jet printed solar cells
Researchers have created a perovskite solar cell that is printed on an aerosol-jet spray printer. Their method yielded a flexible cell that could lead to further improved efficiency and lower manufacturing costs for solar technologies.
Read MoreHow do ceramics compare? Comprehensive review stacks up recent lithium-ion battery research
A lithium-ion battery research review by Rice University scientists stacks up cathode, anode, and electrolyte materials against one another, focusing on how batteries perform across a wide temperature range.
Read MoreVideo: Engineering the world’s most super-soaking, 7-foot-long water gun
In a recent video, engineer Mark Rober demonstrated the amazing super-soaking power of the world’s largest water gun, a monster 7-foot-long creation that he engineered in the likeness of a Super Soaker (Larami Ltd.) to blast water out at a whopping 272 mph.
Read MoreACerS offers free journal articles to celebrate 100 years of JACerS
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Journal of the American Ceramic Society, ACerS is offering free access to nearly 40 journal articles through September 30. If you’re not already a member, consider joining to take advantage of all ACerS benefits, including its three peer–reviewed journals.
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