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[Images above] Credit: NIST


NANOMATERIALS

Kitchen temperature supercurrents from stacked 2D materials

An international team of researchers found a “stack” of 2D materials could allow for supercurrents at temperatures as warm as -3°C. They say that despite the new study being a theoretical proposal, it is designed to be feasible with present technology.

Do the twist: Making two-dimensional quantum materials using curved surfaces

Researchers at University of Wisconsin–Madison discovered a way to control the growth of twisting, microscopic spirals of materials just one atom thick. They did so by taking advantage of a type of imperfection in growing crystals called screw dislocations.

On-surface synthesis of graphene nanoribbons could advance quantum devices

An international multi-institution team of scientists synthesized graphene nanoribbons on a titanium dioxide surface using an atomically precise method that removes a barrier for custom-designed carbon nanostructures required for quantum information sciences.

Odds are good for unique 2D compound

Engineers at Rice University and Texas A&M University found a layered 2D compound of cesium, bismuth, and iodine is adept at storing the valley states of electrons, but only in the structure’s odd layers.

Materials scientists discover design secrets of nearly indestructible insect

Researchers led by University of California, Riverside investigated the nano- and microscale material components that make diabolical ironclad beetles so indestructible and demonstrated how engineers can benefit from these designs.



ENERGY

Detecting early-stage failure in electric power conversion devices

Osaka University researchers used acoustic emission during power cycling tests to monitor in real time the complete failure process—from earliest stages—in silicon carbide Schottky diodes.

Charging electric cars up to 90% in six minutes

Pohang University of Science & Technology researchers proved for the first time that when charging and discharging Li-ion battery electrode materials, high power can be produced by significantly reducing the charging and discharging time without reducing the particle size.

For the first time: Realistic simulation of plasma edge instabilities in tokamaks

After extensive previous work, researchers show it is now possible to identify the trigger responsible for the explosive onset of edge-localized modes by means of computational simulations and to reconstruct the course of several cycles, in good agreement with experimentally observed values.

A catalyst for faster, cheaper biodiesel

Researchers from numerous Australian and U.K. universities fabricated a micron-sized ceramic sponge that is highly porous and contains specialized active components. They say it is the first time that a multifunctional catalyst was developed that can perform several chemical reactions in sequence within a single catalyst particle.

Material properties for longer-lasting, more efficient solar cells

In a pair of studies, Florida State University researchers investigated the combined influence of light and elevated temperature on the performance of mixed-cation mixed-halide perovskites, and the link between voltage and the performance of perovskite materials.

Solar hydrogen: Let’s consider the stability of photoelectrodes

Researchers led by the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin Institute for Solar Fuels used a number of state-of-the-art characterization methods to understand the corrosion processes of high-quality bismuth vanadate photoelectrodes.


BIOMATERIALS

New graphene-based antibody test developed for detecting kidney disease

An interdisciplinary team of researchers from University of Manchester developed a new graphene-based testing system for disease-related antibodies, initially targeting a kidney disease called membranous nephropathy.


ENVIRONMENT

Trash to treasure: Sustainable recycling of electric vehicle batteries

Idaho National Laboratory researchers reported proof-of-principle for a new electrochemical battery recycling process, one that works at room temperature and significantly reduces the use of chemicals. A preliminary cost analysis indicated a roughly 80% reduction in energy and chemical costs as compared to present recycling techniques.

Ancient Maya built sophisticated water filters

University of Cincinnati researchers discovered evidence of a filter system at the Corriental reservoir, an important source of drinking water for the ancient Maya in what is now northern Guatemala. They identified crystalline quartz and zeolite imported miles from the city, minerals which are both used in modern water filtration.


MANUFACTURING

Concrete structure’s lifespan extended by a carbon textile

The Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology announced the development of an effective structural strengthening method using a noncombustible carbon textile grid and cement mortar, which can double load-bearing capacities of structurally deficient concrete structures and increase usable lifespan by threefold.


OTHER STORIES

New type of ceramics for laser applications

An international team of researchers developed new nanocomposite ceramics fabricated from yttrium oxide nanopowders with the addition of holmium and magnesium oxide that can be employed in high-capacity laser systems operating in the medium infrared range of 2–6 μm.

Collaboration sparks new model for ceramic conductivity

An interdisciplinary collaboration led by Cornell University updated the model for how conduction occurs in metal oxides. To get a detailed look at the way electrons move and how their occupation sites can affect the material’s conductivity, the researchers grew and characterized thin films of manganese-doped iron oxide.

Researchers develop new molecular ferroelectric metamaterials

A University at Buffalo-led research team reported a new 3D-printed molecular ferroelectric metamaterial made of imidazolium perchlorate.

Reviewing multiferroics for future, low-energy data storage

Researchers led by UNSW Sydney conducted a comprehensive review of the magnetic structure of the multiferroic material bismuth ferrite; in particular, when it is grown as a thin single crystal layer on a substrate.

Materials scientists borrow solar panel tech to create new ultrahigh-res OLED display

By expanding on existing designs for electrodes of ultrathin solar panels, Stanford University researchers and collaborators in Korea developed a new architecture for organic light-emitting diode displays that could enable televisions and smartphones with resolutions of up to 10,000 pixels per inch.

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