[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
Stories from the NNI—Himanshu Jain: nanotech’s role in solving societal challenges
As the National Nanotechnology Initiative begins to implement the 2021 NNI Strategic Plan, check out a snippet from the “Stories from the NNI” podcast, which features Lehigh University professor Himanshu Jain discussing nanotechnology’s role in solving global societal challenges.
ENERGY
Recycling already considered in the development of new battery materials
A new review article on battery recycling published provides an overview of the challenges of new material concepts for battery recycling and of “Design for Recycling” as a promising approach to a sustainable battery economy, as well as regulations and new battery directive demands in the United States, the European Union, and China.
Binder jetting and refractory materials: A winning combination for nuclear reactors
Ultra Safe Nuclear Corporation signed a partnership with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to use its novel additive manufacturing process to design certain components for nuclear reactors. It will use binder jetting and refractory materials to create complex shapes quickly and cost-effectively.
ENVIRONMENT
A dirt-cheap solution? Common clay minerals may help curb methane emissions
Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers developed an approach to controlling methane emissions using a common, inexpensive type of clay called zeolite. The approach involves treating zeolite clays with a small amount of copper, making it effective at absorbing methane from the air even at very low concentrations.
MANUFACTURING
3D printing clay bricks for construction
A new paper explores the development of novel 3D-printed clay bricks with complex internal geometries. The geometries were chosen based on their well-documented mechanical properties and efficient energy absorption.
OTHER STORIES
Study ‘cracks’ mystery of water-promoted fracture growth on glass
Pusan National University researchers examined the water-promoted cracking phenomenon in glass and found that the maximum length of crack growth was much lower in tempered glass than annealed glass. Subsequent analysis revealed the formation of radial cracks in annealed glass and lateral cracks in tempered glass.
Researchers discover unique properties of advanced materials
Researchers led by Rowan University examined the unique properties of a certain piezoelectric, lead indium manganate–lead magnesium niobate–lead titanate. They found when an electric voltage or pressure is applied to the material, all the small crystals form one big crystal and light can then travel through it.
Summer school: ECO-design of refractories
The European Ceramic Society and the Federation for International Refractories Research and Education are organizing a summer school called “ECO-design of refractories: E for Ecological, Economic, Eco-energetic” from June 28–30, 2022, in Aachen, Germany. Register by May 15 at this link for in-person or virtual attendance.
Building compassion and human bridges through research collaborations
Olivia Graeve, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at the University of California, San Diego, recently published an open-access perspective article on her ENLACE binational summer research program. View the article here, and learn more about Olivia’s work on the October 2021 episode of Ceramic Tech Chat.