[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
Researchers create focus-free camera with new flat lens
Researchers from University of Utah and Oblate Optics, Inc. created a camera that does not require focusing by using a single lens that is about one-thousandth of an inch thick. The lens uses infrared light and relatively low numerical aperture, but the researchers plan to extend the lens to larger numerical apertures and the full visible light spectrum.
A pigment from ancient Egypt to modern microscopy
University of Göttingen researchers produced a new nanomaterial based on the Egyptian blue pigment, which is ideally suited for applications in imaging using near infrared spectroscopy and microscopy. They did so by exfoliating extremely thin layers from grains of calcium copper silicate.
ENERGY
Nature-inspired green energy technology clears major development hurdle
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory researchers developed an artificial photosynthesis system, made of nanosized tubes, that appears capable of performing all the key steps of the fuel-generating reaction. Each tube is made of three layers: an inner layer of cobalt oxide, a middle layer of silica, and an outer layer of titanium dioxide.
Pathways toward realizing the promise of all-solid-state batteries
In a review article, nanoengineers at University of California, San Diego describe four challenges that need addressed to advance all-solid-state batteries to commercialization, including creating stable solid electrolyte chemical interfaces, new tools for diagnosis and characterization, scalable and cost-effective manufacturability, and recyclability.
ENVIRONMENT
Electric jolt to carbon makes better water purifier
Nagoya University scientists developed a one-step fabrication process that improves the ability of nanocarbons to remove toxic heavy metal ions from water. They used a method called “solution plasma process” to create amino-modified nanocarbons.
New nano strategy fights superbugs
Rice University researchers used molecular-imprinted graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets to catch and kill free-floating antibiotic resistant genes found in secondary effluent produced by wastewater treatment plants.
OTHER STORIES
Room-temperature bonded interface improves cooling of gallium nitride devices
Researchers from Georgia Institute of Technology, Meisei University, and Waseda University used a technique called surface-activated bonding to place high thermal conductivity materials much closer to the active device regions in gallium nitride.
Machine learning technique sharpens prediction of material’s mechanical properties
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University Singapore, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Brown University developed and “trained” a neural network machine learning system to predict samples’ yield strength 20 times more accurately than existing nano-indentation methods.
Physicists propose new filter for blocking high-pitched sounds
University at Buffalo researchers used computational modeling to explore how well various materials would dampen incoming sounds with frequencies up to 20 kilohertz. The best set-up they found consisted of tapered chains of beads made from tungsten carbide, alternating with tapered chains of beads made from a plastic called Delrin.
Hollow-core fiber technology closes in on mainstream optical fiber
Researchers at the University of Southampton demonstrated a new leap in hollow-core fiber performance. Hollow-core fibers replace conventional glass cores with gas or a vacuum. The newest hollow-core fibers attenuate the light traveling through it by 50% less than the previous record, reported only six months ago.
Concrete made from clay may replace cement
Indian Institute of Technology Madras researchers say their new study shows concrete made from clay, fly ash, and limestone holds promise as replacement for cement. They identified the chemical composition of the blended cement system as a critical factor in the development of nanoscale pore structure, which is the key to concrete durability.
On demand glass is right around the corner
Researchers led by University of Trento created colloidal glasses characterized by unidirectional stress. Being able to control internal stress is a step toward controlling these forces in industrial applications.