[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
‘Bogolons’ make graphene superconducting
Institute for Basic Science researchers showed that if graphene is placed in the vicinity of a Bose-Einstein condensate, the interactions between single bogolons and electrons are quite weak. However, once pairs of bogolons are involved, the graphene achieves robust, relatively high-temperature superconductivity.
Decades of research brings quantum dots to brink of widespread use
A new article in Science gives an overview of almost three decades of research into colloidal quantum dots, assesses the technological progress for these nanometer-sized specs of semiconductor matter, and weighs the remaining challenges on the path to widespread commercialization.
ENERGY
Green hydrogen: Why do certain catalysts improve in operation?
Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin researchers investigated erythrite, a mineral compound comprising cobalt and arsenic oxides, to understand why these catalyst materials increase their performance over time. They found the material becomes like Swiss cheese with many holes and a larger surface area where many more reactions can take place.
BIOMATERIALS
Toward a COVID-19 breathalyzer for kids
Researchers showed that children infected with SARS-CoV-2 also show breath metabolite changes, but they’re largely different from the ones in adults. The six biomarkers could predict infection with 91% sensitivity and 75% specificity.
Graphene binds drugs which kill bacteria on medical implants
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology developed a new method to prevent bacterial infections relating to medical implants by covering a graphene-based material with bactericidal molecules.
ENVIRONMENT
Novel plant design for agrivoltaics
A group of researchers from the University of Science and Technology of China developed a special design for agrivoltaic projects that, compared to other approaches, is claimed to reduce the shading effect of the photovoltaic installation and improve crops’ light environment and the crop growth process, yield and quality.
Using graphene foam to filter toxins from drinking water
Researchers led by Massachusetts Institute of Technology fashioned graphene foam into a device that can extract uranium and other heavy metals from tap water. The foam may be reused up to seven times without losing its electrochemical properties.
MANUFACTURING
New technology will allow important metals to be made more efficiently
University of Minnesota Twin Cities College of Science and Engineering researchers invented a cheaper, safer, and simpler technology to transform a “stubborn” group of metals and metal oxides into thin films. They increased the materials’ vapor pressures by adding organic ligands, which made evaporation easier at lower temperatures.
ArtSea Ink: A colorful, seaweed-based ink for 3D printing
Researchers developed a colorful new ink for 2D and 3D art made of mica pigments in alginate, a sugar from seaweed that forms a stable gel without heat. Although the alginate art currently isn’t stable over the long term, this could actually be an advantage because the material, unlike plastic, will biodegrade quickly if discarded.
OTHER STORIES
Natural mineral hackmanite enables new method of X-ray imaging
Researchers led by University of Turku discovered a new method of X-ray imaging based on the coloring abilities of the natural mineral hackmanite. They also found out how and why hackmanite changes color upon exposure to X-rays.
Kick-starting supersonic waves in antiferromagnets
A team of researchers led by a group from Delft University of Technology demonstrated a new technique to generate magnetic waves in antiferromagnets that propagate through the material at a speed much faster than the speed of sound.
Exotic property of ‘ambidextrous’ crystals points to new magnetic phenomena
Researchers from Skoltech, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Uppsala University predicted the existence of antichiral ferromagnetism, a nontrivial property of some magnetic crystals that opens the door to a variety of new magnetic phenomena.
Toward next-gen computers: Mimicking brain functions with graphene-diamond junctions
Nagoya University researchers designed graphene-diamond junctions that can mimic the characteristics of biological synapses and key memory functions, opening doors for next-generation image sensing memory devices.
US Navy developing solar-powered plane that can fly for 90 days
The U.S. Navy is developing an uncrewed solar-powered aircraft to fly for 90 days at a time. The Skydweller aircraft could be used as a communications relay platform or a constant eye in the sky to escort surface ships.
Labs and publishers partner to facilitate transgender name changes
All 17 Department of Energy national labs have partnered with 17 scientific publishing companies and organizations to assist authors in changing their name on past publications. The collaboration is specifically intended to reduce the “administrative and emotional” burden on transgender researchers who are engaging in the name-change process.