Electronics

Video: Smartphone smoothie provides look at rare earth content of phones

By Lisa McDonald / March 27, 2019

University of Plymouth researchers put a smartphone in a blender to quantify the materials composition of an average phone. They hope to encourage greater recycling rates with their project.

Read More

Video: Say goodbye to brick-size wall chargers—and say hello to gallium nitride

By Lisa McDonald / March 6, 2019

Gallium nitride wall chargers are lighter, thinner, and, in most cases, cheaper than comparable silicon-based chargers. Verge Science takes a look at the potential this semiconductor holds to revolutionize the electronics industry.

Read More

The challenges of making foldable smartphones

By Lisa McDonald / November 13, 2018

Multiple companies released plans for foldable smartphones this year, but there are several challenges to making these phones perform as well as traditional smartphones.

Read More

Switchable dielectrics could help microwave systems avoid interference

By Lisa McDonald / November 9, 2018

Arizona State University researchers have created dielectrics that switch from “on” to “off” states in small magnetic fields. This finding could allow for more precise coordination of microwave communication systems.

Read More

Video: Accessorize your smartphone with a robotic finger

By Faye Oney / October 10, 2018

Have you ever considered adding an electronic finger to your mobile device? Watch today’s video to learn more about MobiLimb, a robotic finger that can perform a variety of functions when attached to your device.

Read More

Spray-on antenna is game-changer for future of Internet of Things

By Faye Oney / October 5, 2018

Researchers have created antennas out of MXene materials that can be sprayed on to a flexible surface. The spray-on antennas can be used in the next generation of the Internet of Things, especially wearables.

Read More

Range of topics inspire lively discussions, enthusiasm at MCARE 2018

By Jonathon Foreman / August 31, 2018

Nearly two hundred people from 25 countries converged in Vancouver, BC, Canada, August 20–23, for Materials Challenges in Alternative and Renewable Energy (MCARE 2018). The conference inspired a variety of discussions and a lot of enthusiasm.

Read More

Video: Solar takes over after lemons fail to power electric race car battery

By Faye Oney / August 22, 2018

Lemons are good for making low-voltage batteries, but not so much when powering a car. Mark Rober attempts to create a giant lemon battery before realizing he should have used another energy source.

Read More

Ceramic electrolyte in lithium batteries offers twice the performance, prevents dendrite formation

By Faye Oney / August 17, 2018

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a faster-charging solid-state lithium battery. The key is a ceramic electrolyte that stabilizes the surface and does not degrade over time.

Read More

JACerS Awards Symposium at MS&T18 features presentations of best ceramic science papers

By Jonathon Foreman / August 7, 2018

JACerS Awards Symposium will take place on October 17, 2018, at MS&T18 in Columbus, Ohio. The symposium features 13 presentations from invited authors of the best papers published in JACerS in the past two years.

Read More