[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
Bowtie resonators that build themselves bridge gap between nanoscopic and macroscopic
Technical University of Denmark researchers demonstrated a novel approach to fabricate a self-assembling cavity with an air void at the scale of a few atoms. This work constitutes the first steps toward a new generation of fabrication technology that combines atomic dimensions enabled by self-assembly with scalability of planar semiconductors.
ENERGY
New research identifies advantages of POE encapsulants in dual-glass solar modules
To better understand long-term effects of humidity on durability of glass–glass modules, Austrian researchers carried out lengthy damp-heat tests on double glass modules made with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) and polyolefin elastomer (POE) encapsulants. POE had several advantages, such as improved interfacial strength and less water uptake.
Disruptive offshore wind pyramid moves to real-world prototype testing
U.S. startup T-Omega Wind created a pyramid-shaped floating wind turbine design that can be used in both deep and shallow water. With wave tank testing done, the company has now launched its first real-world prototype.
BIOMATERIALS
In pigs, researchers show ultrasound could be used for 3D printing inside the body
Researchers at Duke University and Harvard Medical School showed an ultrasound-based 3D printer can be used to print biomaterials inside an organ. The process involves using a tiny catheter to deliver special “sono-ink” into the body and then an ultrasonic device morphs the material into the desired shape.
ENVIRONMENT
Veins of bacteria could form a self-healing system for concrete infrastructure
Drexel University researchers turned reinforcing fibers into a living tissue system that rushes concrete-healing bacteria to the site of cracks to repair the damage. The “BioFiber” system consists of a polymer fiber encased in a bacteria-laden hydrogel and a protective, damage-responsive shell.
Two new reports provide guidance for choosing healthier building products
Perkins&Will, in collaboration with Healthy Building Network, a nonprofit research organization, has posted online two reports aimed at changing the way architecture, engineering, and construction firms select sustainable, lower-carbon building materials.
MANUFACTURING
Researchers safely integrate fragile 2D materials into devices
Researchers led by Massachusetts Institute of Technology developed a new technique to integrate 2D materials into devices in a single step while keeping the surfaces of the materials and the resulting interfaces pristine and free from defects.
Carbon fiber plasma reactor enables extreme synthesis without compromise
University of Maryland researchers created a reactor based on carbon fibers that creates plasmas with temperatures of up to 8,000 K over several cubic centimeters that are also stable for 10 minutes.
OTHER STORIES
Pressure-induced glass phase transition leads to advanced phase-change memories
Researchers led by the University of Tsukuba found that the regular atom arrangement observed in glass under atmospheric pressure, called Peierls-like distortion, is suppressed with increasing pressure while the volumetric modulus of glass elasticity increases. These results may support the development of new materials for phase-change memory devices.
The challenges of working with legacy NMRs
Nearly a decade after Agilent Technologies stopped making nuclear magnetic resonance systems, the company still supports customers who bought their instruments. But once Agilent leaves the field completely, customers must either maintain systems themselves, find third-party companies to provide service, or upgrade to newer control consoles.
Ninety-foot-long kiln used to make iconic pottery 400 years ago in China
The ruins of the Baima kiln site in China were first uncovered in the 1950s, but systematic excavation of the site did not start until 2020. The kilns, workshops, and other production buildings spanned about 10 square miles and were used for making imitation Longquan celadon, an iconic style of Chinese porcelain.
TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo: June 17–19, 2024
The TechConnect World Innovation Conference and Expo is dedicated to bringing awareness to students and educators nationwide about the semiconductor industry. It will take place June 17–19, 2024, in Washington, D.C. Travel grant funding is available here for community college/undergraduate students and educators who apply by Dec. 15, 2023.
Student opportunity: Second São Carlos School on Glasses and Glass-ceramics
The São Carlos Center for Research, Technology, and Education in Vitreous Materials is organizing the second School on Glasses and Glass-ceramics from April 29–May 4, 2024. The school, which has no registration fee, will accept up to 60 Ph.D. students worldwide. Interested students must contact the organizers by email before Dec. 25, 2023.