[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
A template for fast synthesis of nanographenes
Researchers at Nagoya University developed a new method for quickly and efficiently synthesizing nanographenes through the APEX reaction, which uses polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons as templates to synthesize nanographenes.
Stretching changes the electronic properties of graphene
University of Basel researchers demonstrated how the electronic properties of graphene can be specifically modified by stretching the material evenly.
Visualizing atomic-scale structures with optical force
Researchers led by Osaka University, Osaka Prefecture University, and Nagoya University used photoinduced force microscopy to map out the forces acting on quantum dots in three dimensions, which allowed them to eliminate sources of noise and achieve subnanometer precision for the first time.
Technology only two atoms thick could enable storage of information in thinnest unit
Researchers from Tel Aviv University engineered the world’s tiniest technology, with a thickness of only two atoms. The new technology proposes a way for storing electric information by using quantum-mechanical electron tunneling, which through the atomically thin film may boost the information reading process much beyond current technologies.
ENERGY
Paving the way to artificial photosynthesis—effect of doping on the photocatalyst SrTiO₃
Researchers at Nagoya Institute of Technology looked into how doping with niobium affects the charge properties of strontium titanate crystals. Their findings can help to increase the efficiency of SrTiO₃ photocatalysts.
Better method to predict offshore wind power
Rutgers University researchers developed a machine learning model using a physics-based simulator and real-world meteorological data to better predict offshore wind power. They found waves play an important—if not the most important—role in predicting the second moment of wind power, i.e., its variation around the mean generation level.
ENVIRONMENT
Groundbreaking invention on battery recycling
Researchers at the University of Leicester developed a new method to recycle electric vehicle batteries using ultrasonic delamination, which effectively blasts the active materials required from the electrodes, leaving behind virgin aluminum or copper.
Speedy nanorobots could someday clean up soil and water, deliver drugs
University of Colorado Boulder researchers discovered that minuscule, self-propelled polymer or silica particles called “nanoswimmers” can escape from mazes as much as 20 times faster than other, passive particles, paving the way for their use in everything from industrial clean-ups to medication delivery.
Use of watermelon seeds can do crack healing of concrete
Researchers at Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology showed that biocementation using watermelon seeds can strengthen and heal cementitious materials. They reported around 22% increment in compressive strength and 19% reduction in water absorption in concrete blended with seeds as compared to conventional concrete.
MANUFACTURING
Using AI to predict 3D printing processes
University of Illinois and Apple engineers used the Frontera and Stampede2 supercomputers at the Texas Advanced Computing Center to develop physics-informed neural networks for additive manufacturing.
Molecular ‘speed bump’ adds function to new generation of printed objects
Dartmouth College researchers developed a new process that uses heat to change the arrangement of molecular rings on a chemical chain to create 3D-printable gels with a variety of functional properties.
OTHER STORIES
Novel heat-management material keeps computers running cool
Engineers at University of California, Los Angeles demonstrated successful integration of boron arsenide into high-power computer chips to reduce heat on processors and improve their performance.
New ternary hydrides of lanthanum, yttrium join the ranks of high-temp superconductors
A team led by a professor at Skolkovo Institute of Science and Technology studied the structure and properties of ternary hydrides of lanthanum and yttrium and showed that alloying is an effective strategy for stabilizing otherwise unstable phases YH10 and LaH6, expected to be high-temperature superconductors.
Flying car completes test flight between airports
A flying car prototype just completed a 35-minute test flight, traveling roughly 50 miles between the airports in Nitra and Bratislava, Slovakia. The AirCar is an unusual transforming hybrid that can drive around like a car before popping out its tail, unfolding its wings, and cruising down a runway to take flight.
World’s largest radio telescope to be built after almost 30 years of planning
Construction of the Square Kilometer Array observatory, which is set to become the largest radio telescope ever built, will finally commence after nearly 30 years of preparations. The telescope will listen to radio signals in the range of frequencies between 70 MHz to at least 25 GHz and will have a total collecting area of one square kilometer.