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[Image above] Credit: NIST

 

NANOMATERIALS

UT engineers develop first-ever method for controlling nanomotors

In a breakthrough for nanotechnology, engineers at The University of Texas at Austin have developed the first method for selecting and switching the mechanical motion of nanomotors among multiple modes with simple visible light as the stimulus.

New nanoparticle superstructures made from pyramid-shaped building blocks

In research that may help bridge the divide between the nano and the macro, Brown University chemists have used pyramid-shaped nanoparticles to create what might be the most complex macroscale superstructure ever assembled.

 

ENERGY

After 150 years, a breakthrough in understanding the conversion of carbon dioxide to electrofuels

Engineers have observed how carbon dioxide is activated at the electrode-electrolyte interface. Their finding shifts the catalyst design from trial-and-error paradigm to a rational approach and could lead to alternative, cheaper, and safer renewable energy storage.

Super cheap earth element to advance new battery tech to the industry

As an alternative to using lithium in batteries, Purdue University researchers made a sodium powder to prevent sodium-ions from “getting lost” during the first few times a battery charges and discharges.

Dopant-free hole-transport material for perovskite solar cells

Researchers have designed a dopant-free hole-transport material based on an alternating copolymer, dithiophene–benzene, which can be easily synthesized in only two steps. Their work features an edge-on orientation, where π–π stacking occurs parallel to the perovskite layer.

Predicting calendar aging in lithium metal secondary batteries

Researchers have now used short-term, readily available characterization techniques to develop a simple power law model for predicting calendar aging, obviating the need for long-term experiments.

New battery gobbles up carbon dioxide

A new type of battery could be made partly from carbon dioxide captured from power plants. Rather than attempting to convert carbon dioxide to specialized chemicals using metal catalysts, this battery could continuously convert carbon dioxide into a solid mineral carbonate as it discharges.

 

ENVIRONMENT

Industry calls for move to less environmentally harmful processing methods of graphite

As demand for heavily-processed natural graphite (for electric vehicle batteries and other applications) continues to drive the graphite market, industry members outside China list greater environmental awareness among the most important changes needed to move the market forward.

Used batteries get second life in Japan

Several Japanese automakers jointly announced plans to launch an electric vehicle battery collection and recycling project. The project’s purpose is to establish an efficient and sustainable battery recycling system.

 

OTHER STORIES

How machine learning helps materials science

A research group in Japan has developed a machine learning method to analyze complex spectra in materials science. The team used theoretical calculations to construct a spectral database in which each spectrum had a one-to-one correspondence with its atomic structure, where all spectra contained the same parameters.

A fluorescent organic glass takes shape

A research team has developed a fluorescent organic glass with well-defined features that are easily synthesized and processed. Its properties include high thermal stability and low glass transition temperature; and rheological properties that allow for molding, blowing, and nanopatterning.

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