[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
Developing nanomaterials using a bottom-up approach
Researchers from Friedrich Schiller University Jena and Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg exploit the fact that crystals often grow in a specific direction during crystallization to create worm-like nanostructures.
Peering into nanofluidic mysteries one photon at a time
Researchers at the University of Manchester and the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne showed how molecules in organic solvents can activate defects in sheets of hexagonal boron nitride, causing the defects to emit single photons and allowing the researchers to track the dynamics of the molecules.
ENERGY
Direct synthesis of fluorinated carbon materials for battery applications
Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology researchers designed a straightforward and relatively safe approach for scalable synthesis of fluorinated carbon materials through mechanochemical depolymerization of PTFE and fragmentation of graphite.
France taps nuclear know-how to recycle electric car batteries
In the cradle of France’s atomic program, researchers are using their nuclear know-how for a key project in the country’s energy transition: recycling the raw materials in old electric car batteries, solar panels, and wind turbines.
ENVIRONMENT
An intelligent control method reduces carbon emissions in energy-intensive equipment
Researchers from Northeastern University in China developed an innovative intelligent control method for the low-carbon operation of energy-intensive equipment. The method combines mechanism analysis with deep learning, linking control and optimization with prediction, and integrating decision-making with control.
MANUFACTURING
Fabricating fused silica optics with a high laser-induced damage threshold
Researchers in China developed a new laser-based process chain to fabricate fused silica optics with a high laser-induced damage threshold.
Ball milling provides high pressure benefits to battery materials
University of Birmingham researchers discovered that routine ball milling can cause high pressure effects on battery materials in just a matter of minutes, providing a vital additional variable in the process of synthesizing battery materials.
OTHER STORIES
Peeling back the kaolin clay mask to find hidden minerals
Researchers led by Australia’s national science agency CSIRO developed a technique to analyze ultrafine particles of kaolinite clay and reveal where precious metals and critical minerals may be found.
A cool solution for hot devices
Using magnetic fields to align and orient microscopic particles of boron nitride, Nanyang Technological University researchers channeled heat away to prevent 3D-stacked electronic devices from overheating.