Posts by Lisa McDonald
Perovskite solar cells charge ahead to record-breaking efficiencies
The potential of perovskites as a photovoltaic material, both in combination with silicon and alone, is gaining steam. This CTT overviews some of the biggest advancements in this field in recent months.
Read MoreVideo: Year-long simulated Mars mission taking place in 3D-printed concrete habitat
Materials are not the only challenge to carrying out a successful space mission—the toll on a crew’s cognitive and physical performance must also be anticipated. In June 2023, NASA announced the start of its first year-long simulated Mars surface mission, which will take place within a 3D-printed concrete habitat.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest for July 19, 2023
Keeping nanosurfaces clean, irregularly arranged crystal structures, and other materials stories that may be of interest for July 19, 2023.
Read MoreExploring the possibility of glaze-induced degradation of tea catechins
Ceramics and glass are often considered to be inert materials, but such stability is not always the case. Researchers in Japan demonstrated that certain ceramic glazes could potentially degrade the catechins found in tea under specific laboratory conditions, though future studies would need to confirm the results in a more realistic setting.
Read MoreCeramic and glass business news of the week for July 17, 2023
ASU and Applied Materials to create Materials-to-Fab Center, Şişecam signs gender equality initiative, and more ceramic and glass business news of the week for July 17, 2023.
Read MoreEmbodied carbon of concrete in buildings: Large-scale study calls for more consistency and accuracy in reporting of carbon impacts
Players in the cement and concrete sectors are working diligently to achieve a reduction in emissions. However, there are multiple gaps in knowledge about the extent of these emissions, which makes it difficult to determine how effective new initiatives are at reducing emissions. A group of researchers from several universities in the United Kingdom are conducting a large-scale study to help fill this knowledge gap.
Read MoreVideo: Proposed ban threatens budding agrivoltaic industry in the Netherlands
Despite the recorded benefits of co-locating solar panels and crops, the erroneous belief that photovoltaics and agriculture are an either/or situation remains a common perspective in governing bodies around the world. In the past month, two media announcements out of the Netherlands reveal how a proposed ban on solar deployments on agricultural land could severely hamper the country’s budding agrivoltaic industry.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest for July 12, 2023
Carbon fiber and composites recycling, fermion pair images, and other materials stories that may be of interest for July 12, 2023.
Read MoreEuropean Ceramic Society Conference attracts 1,300 to Lyon, the City of Lights
The European Ceramic Society held its biennial conference on July 2–6, 2023, in Lyon, France. About 1,300 people attended the conference, which featured 16 symposia, an exposition hall, and a gala dinner.
Read MoreEffects of expanded graphite content on the performance of magnesia carbon bricks
Magnesia carbon bricks are widely used in steelmaking because of their excellent thermal, chemical, and mechanical properties. These bricks can be fabricated using various carbon sources. In a recent paper, researchers at Changwon National University investigated the effects of expanded graphite content on MgO–C bricks.
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