Behind the label—study shows diamond rotary instruments marketed for removing zirconia restorations do not perform better than conventional ones

Removal of zirconia dental restorations is challenging and time consuming due to their high strength. Manufacturers offer diamond rotary instruments marketed specifically for removing zirconia restorations, but a new study reaffirmed that these instruments do not perform better or generate less heat than conventional ones.

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Video: First-of-their-kind drones can 3D print in flight

Using additive manufacturing to repair objects in difficult-to-access locations, such as at the top of tall buildings, is not convenient because the 3D-printing equipment cannot be transported there easily. An international team of researchers developed a swarm of cooperative, 3D-printing drones that can print materials for building or repairing structures while flying.

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Functionalized boron nitride-based nanofiltration membranes enhance treatment of semiconductor wastewaters

To improve separation performance of ceramic membranes, researchers currently are exploring modification of the membrane’s surface using 2D nanomaterials. Researchers led by Ewha Womans University demonstrated that coating a ceramic membrane with functionalized boron nitride improves separation performance for both particulate and organic contaminants in semiconductor wastewaters.

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Nanostructured diamond capsules maintain high-pressure samples for materials analysis

Preserving high-pressure states of novel materials at ambient conditions is a long-sought-after goal for fundamental research and practical applications. A recent joint project by researchers in China and the United States showed that properties of high-pressure materials can be maintained in free-standing, nanostructured diamond capsules without the support of traditional bulky pressure vessels.

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Next-gen spacecraft: In-development solid oxide fuel cells offer bipropellant enabled electrical power supply

Mass and volume limitations make it challenging to load a spacecraft with all the equipment needed for a mission. An effort led by the Air Force Research Laboratory is developing a solid oxide fuel cell that converts chemical energy in a spacecraft’s bipropellant into electricity, thereby allowing an existing spacecraft component to be used as an auxiliary power supply.

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