[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
Finding the ‘magic angle’ to create a new superconductor
Researchers at The Ohio State University, in collaboration with scientists around the world, showed that graphene is more likely to become a superconductor than originally thought possible. They found graphene layers still superconduct around 0.9 degrees.
Molecular nanocarbons with mechanical bonds
Japan Science and Technology Agency researchers succeeded in synthesizing molecular nanocarbons with knots and catenanes by using a novel method involving silicon. The product of this research will be a big step toward the synthesis of nanocarbons with complex geometric structures.
Physicists unlock the mystery of thermionic emission in graphene
By carefully studying the electronic properties of graphene, researchers from the Singapore University of Technology and Design constructed a generalized theoretical framework that can be used to accurately capture the thermionic emission physics in graphene and is suitable for the modeling of a wide range of graphene-based devices.
ENERGY
Determining the activity of noble-metal-free catalyst particles
Chemists developed a new method with which they can characterize individual noble-metal-free nanoparticle catalysts. By using a stable internal standard, they eliminated the measurement inaccuracies and enabled long-lasting measurements under the given conditions with high throughput.
ENVIRONMENT
Bacteria trapped—and terminated—by graphene filter
Rice University scientists transformed their laser-induced graphene into self-sterilizing filters that grab pathogens out of the air and kill them with small pulses of electricity. The flexible filter may be of special interest to hospitals.
A University of Melbourne researcher invented a device that uses microwaves to control weeds, reducing the need for herbicides. The technology is not contingent on good weather and can be used year-round when required.
MANUFACTURING
Laser-assisted heating forms perfect corners in architectural glass
Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM developed a way of bending sheets of glass up to angles of 90° by heating the area of glass where bending takes place to just below the glass transition temperature.
Asphalt with fewer emissions: Better work climate in road construction
Empa researchers analyzed whether and how much harmful emissions are produced when regular “hot asphalt” or so-called warm asphalt is laid. The result: the more ecological warm asphalt also outperforms the conventional method in terms of emissions.
OTHER STORIES
Brick home tests show fire prevention starts outside
In a severe fire test conducted independently for the Brick Industry Association, firefighters report it takes about an hour and a half for a fire to breach a brick home. In contrast, vinyl siding burned after only 18 minutes and fiber cement failed in under an hour.
Researchers develop stronger concrete for desert and arctic conditions
Researchers at Brunel University London and Mutah University in Jordan showed how adding sodium acetate to concrete not only significantly increases concrete’s compressive strength in extremes of warm or cool weather, but also reduces the amount of water concrete absorbs.
A new polythene-B4C based concrete for shielding
A team at the ESS in Sweden added extra hydrogen into concrete (in the form of polyethylene beads) and boron carbide, and replaced some of the sand in the composition with B4C. The PE-B4C-concrete had an improved shielding performance in the MeV neutron energy range, letting 40% less neutrons through than standard concrete.
Mud Frontiers: Emerging Objects 3D prints four structures made from mud
Architects Ronald Rael and Virginia San Fratello, founders of the Emerging Objects studio, 3D printed four structures from mud-based material inspired by the historical Rio Grande river. The project, called Mud Frontiers, builds on their previous work with students from the University of Texas at El Paso to 3D print a series of 170 ceramic objects.
Tunable optical chip paves way for new quantum devices
Researchers created a silicon carbide photonic integrated chip that can be thermally tuned by applying an electric signal. The approach could be used to create reconfigurable devices such as phase-shifters and tunable optical couplers needed for networking applications and quantum information processing.