[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
New research sheds light on nature of friction in multilayered graphene
Pusan National University scientists analyzed how surface structures like wrinkles and folded networks affect nanoscale friction in multilayered graphene. Their findings could help with the development of graphene-based solid lubricants and micro/nanoscale mechanical devices.
Researchers use flat lenses to extend viewing distance for 3D display
Researchers report that their nanostructured flat lens, which is just 100 microns thick, exhibits high efficiency and high color fidelity over viewing distances from 24 cm to 90 cm. Although the prototype exhibited a viewing angle of only 9 degrees, the researchers say this could be enlarged to almost 180 degrees.
Novel X-ray lens facilitates glimpse into the nanoworld
Paul Scherrer Institute researchers developed a ground-breaking achromatic lens for X-rays that will make it much easier to study nanostructures. The lens allows the X-ray beams to be accurately focused on a single point even if they have different wavelengths.
ENERGY
Safer, more powerful batteries for electric cars, power grid
Researchers led by Sandia National Laboratories found that, instead of liquid electrolyte making solid-state batteries unsafe, in many cases solid-state batteries with a little liquid electrolyte were safer than their lithium-ion counterparts.
ENVIRONMENT
Converting plastic waste into porous carbon for capturing carbon dioxide
Korea University researchers demonstrated a low-cost, environmental way to process polyethylene terephthalate plastic bottles into porous carbon for capturing carbon dioxide at an industrial scale.
OTHER STORIES
Using raw materials more sustainably
Researchers from Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society reassigned the vibrational spectrum of the catalyst vanadium pentoxide and thus were able to elucidate which centers are involved in activation of the oxygen molecule and oxidation of hydrocarbons.