[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
New metasurface laser produces world’s first super-chiral light
Researchers led by University of the Witwatersrand created a new laser that can produce any desired chiral state of light thanks to nanometer-sized metasurfaces designed by Harvard University within the laser.
Scientists develop stable luminescent composite material based on perovskite nanocrystals
An international team of scientists developed a new composite material based on perovskite nanocrystals for the purpose of creating miniature light sources with improved output capacity. The introduction of perovskite nanocrystals into porous glass microparticles made it possible to increase their operating time by almost three times.
Twisting 2D materials uncovers their superpowers
A new method for transferring single-atom layers of molybdenum disulfide developed by Aalto University researchers and colleagues allows researchers to precisely control the twist angle between layers with up to a square centimeter in area, making it record-breaking in terms of size.
ENERGY
Ceramic solid electrolyte interphase slows electrolyte and silicon anode degradation
U.S. Army Research Laboratory and University of Maryland researchers designed a self-healing, protective ceramic layer in lithium-ion batteries that significantly slows down the electrolyte and silicon anode degradation process.
Engineers make a promising material stable enough for use in solar cells
A Purdue University-led research team found a way to make halide perovskites stable enough by inhibiting the ion movement that makes them rapidly degrade, unlocking their use for solar panels as well as electronic devices.
High-performance ceramic fuel cell operates on butane gas
Korea Institute of Science and Technology researchers developed a high-performance ceramic fuel cell that can operate on butane fuels. Because butane can be liquified and thus stored and carried easily, the new technology is expected to expand the application range of ceramic fuel cells to portable and mobile applications.
Stretchable lithium-ion battery based on new micro-honeycomb structure
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology developed a lithium-ion battery that is flexible enough to be stretched. It includes a reentrant-honeycomb shaped, graphene-based electrode that is assembled with stretchable gel electrolyte and stretchable packaging.
BIOMATERIALS
Healing spinal cord injuries with graphene
Researchers at the Materials Science Institute of Madrid in Spain are developing graphene-based foams that could be implanted in the spinal cord to act like a scaffold or trellis, assisting with the regeneration of neurological tissue within the healthy region surrounding the injury site.
ENVIRONMENT
3D-printed concrete to help build offshore wind energy infrastructure
Building wind turbines offshore is expensive, requiring parts to be shipped at least 30 miles away from a coast. Purdue University engineers are conducting research on a way to make these parts out of 3D-printed concrete, a less expensive material that would also allow parts to float to a site from an onshore plant.
MANUFACTURING
A great new way to paint 3D-printed objects
Rutgers University engineers found electrospray deposition, a technique used mainly for analytical chemistry, can be used for automated coating of 3D-printed parts with functional, protective, or aesthetic layers of paint.
Ultrafast high-temperature sintering method for ceramic manufacturing
Researchers at the University of Maryland developed an ultrafast high-temperature sintering method for ceramic materials. The method involves putting a pressed green pellet of ceramic precursor powders between two strips of carbon that quickly heat the pellet through radiation and conduction, forcing the ceramic powder to solidify quickly.
SLA 3D printing of high precision glass-ceramic parts
In a new study, Austrian researchers explored stereolithographic additive manufacturing of glass-ceramics, seeking ways to optimize applications like dental replacements. They fabricated one crown and the star support structure sample for comparison.
OTHER STORIES
No superconductivity in nickelates? It’s hydrogen’s fault
Last summer, it was discovered nickelates are promising superconductors. However, other research groups could not reproduce the results. Vienna University of Technology researchers found this failure is because some nickelates have additional hydrogen atoms in the material structure, which changes the material’s electrical behavior.
Scientists explore the power of radio waves to help control fusion reactions
Research by scientists at Princeton University and the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory points toward improved control of the troublesome magnetic islands in tokamaks. The new paper, based on a simplified analytical model, focuses on use of radio frequency waves to heat the islands and drive electric current that causes them to shrink and disappear.
Polymer membranes could benefit from taking a dip
Researchers discovered that by dipping polymer membranes in tannic acid first, they could then use atomic layer deposition to coat the membrane because the acid’s molecules provide nucleation sites. They demonstrated the technique by coating a water-resistant polymer membrane with titanium dioxide.