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[Images above] Credit: NIST


NANOMATERIALS

Unexpected quantum effects in natural double-layer graphene

An international research team led by University of Göttingen detected novel quantum effects in high-precision studies of natural double-layer graphene and interpreted them together with the University of Texas at Dallas using their theoretical work. The research provides new insights into the interaction of charge carriers and the different phases.


ENERGY

Lithium carbon battery from Allotrope Energy can recharge in 90 seconds

Allotrope Energy says it developed a lithium carbon battery for mopeds and scooters that can be recharged in as little as 90 seconds. The fast charging capacity is a result of the lithium carbon battery’s high specific power, which can exceed 15 kilowatts per kilogram, according to Allotrope. 10 kW per kilogram is the norm for other Li-ion battery chemistries.

3D-printed electrodes could help cut battery costs and increase performance

Researchers from Tohoku University and University of California, Los Angeles used stereolithography to make carbon microlattice electrodes for sodium-ion batteries.

Researchers develop new faster charging hydrogen fuel cell

Researchers from University of Technology Sydney and Queensland University of Technology developed a semi-cylindrical coil as an internal heat exchanger for solid-state hydrogen fuel cells. The hydrogen charging time was reduced by 59% when using the new semi-cylindrical coil compared to a traditional helical coil heat exchanger.

Scientists realize large-area organic solar cells that are low cost, flexible, and efficient

Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology replaced the indium tin oxide in organic solar cell electrodes with zinc oxide, which allowed them to overcome the hurdles of cost and scalability.


BIOMATERIALS

Graphene-infused mesh could keep rotator cuff injuries from recurring

University of Connecticut researchers created a therapeutic mesh that could be surgically embedded in muscle following a rotator cuff injury. The mesh consists of poly(l-lactic acid) nanofibers infused with graphene nanoplatelets. When the mesh was placed in the shoulder muscles of rats, the muscles grew back instead of being replaced with fat.


ENVIRONMENT

Glass engineering team creates winners’ medals out of recycled glass

Alfred University glass engineering faculty and students developed medals for the 2023 World University Games using recycled glass. To slice and polish approximately 800 glass medals, Alfred University partnered with two New York State Glass recycling companies: Hillcrest Companies Inc. and Potters Industries LLC.

Catching up with quicksilver: MXene material can counter mercury contamination

Researchers from Drexel and Temple University synthesized and used a surface-modified titanium carbide MXene for mercury removal. They treated the MXene flakes with chloroacetic acid, which increased the flakes’ surface negative charge, improving the ability of the flakes to attract and retain mercury ions.

Recycling energy in everyday life

Researchers at Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology developed a piezoelectric polymer/ceramic composite fiber with a cross-sectional form that is uniformly controlled to allow the use of energy harvesting technologies that can recycle energy wasted or consumed in everyday life.

What if we could recycle the energy remaining in discarded batteries?

Researchers in Taiwan demonstrated a new approach to recovering residual energy from discarded primary batteries. Their proposed method, called “self-adaptive pulse discharge,” can determine the discharge current from the discarded batteries. A high discharge current, simply put, amounts to a high amount of recovered energy.


OTHER STORIES

The first dual-mode piezotronics-based force sensor

Researchers from National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan reported a “dual-mode” piezo-gated thin-film transistor made of zinc oxide along with an analytical model explaining its mechanism. The transistor exhibits an unprecedented operation between two modes, namely depletion and accumulation, and a record gauge factor of 2780.

What a twist! Skoltech scientists twirl liquid light into time-periodic cluster

Researchers from Skoltech, University of Iceland, and University of Southampton demonstrated the formation of an odd never-before-seen entity from the realm of quantum physics: a cluster of optical vortices with periodic charge flipping.

Scientists just broke the world record for the most powerful stable magnetic field

The Chinese Academy of Sciences Steady High Magnetic Field Facility reported that a magnet achieved a steady magnetic field of 45.22 tesla. This value breaks the record of 45 tesla, held by the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory in the U.S. since 1999.

A climate-friendly blockchain might finally be around the corner

The long-delayed upgrade to the ethereum blockchain is currently planned to occur on September 15. If successful, the blockchain’s massive electricity requirements will fall by over 99% due to ethereum transitioning from a “proof of work” process to “proof of stake.” This transition will occur through merging two blockchains.

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