[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
New way to rid boron nitride nanotubes of impurities
Rice University researchers figured out how to get rid of hard-to-remove impurities in boron nitride nanotubes using phosphoric acid and fine-tuning the reaction.
ENERGY
Tailored nanograins enable greener ammonia production
Researchers tailored an electrocatalyst consisting of ultrafine molybdenum oxide nanograins anchored throughout nitrogen-doped carbon fiber supports. Advanced simulations revealed more than two times stronger nitrogen absorption on the oxygen vacancy-laden molybdenum oxide than regular oxide surfaces.
Using idle trucks to power the grid with clean energy
University of Waterloo researchers proposed paying drivers of fuel-cell-powered trucks to rest during rush hour and plug into a hydrogen refueling station or pipeline, allowing their trucks’ idle fuel cells to be used as generators to provide electricity to the grid.
MANUFACTURING
New approach to inserting single carbon atoms
Researchers led by the University of Münster and Texas A&M University presented a new approach in which a single carbon atom is inserted into the carbon skeleton of cyclic compounds in order to adjust the ring size. The method could be relevant for the production of active ingredients in new pharmaceutical products.
Integrating dimensions to get more out of Moore’s Law and advance electronics
Researchers at The Pennsylvania State University demonstrated feasible paths beyond scaling current tech to achieve both More Moore and More than Moore through monolithic 3D integration with 2D materials.
OTHER STORIES
Venus’ clouds have a UV secret—scientists might have cracked it
New research suggests that two iron-bearing sulfate materials called rhomboclase and acid ferric sulfate could be responsible for the patches and streaks seen in the clouds of Venus, visible in ultraviolet light.
Generating stable qubits at room temperature
Kyushu University researchers achieved quantum coherence at room temperature by embedding a chromophore, a dye molecule that absorbs light and emits color, in a metal-organic framework.
Next-generation memristive devices
Researchers developed a silver-dispersive chalcogenide thin film for resistance-switching in memristive devices, enabling low-power operation and showcasing human brain-like parallel processing. This innovation also achieves a 92% recognition rate in digit recognition databases.
Abnormal stress memory effect restrains stress relaxation in glass
Researchers at the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences observed an abnormal stress memory effect in glass, which can be applied to restrain the stress relaxation and improve the stability of glass under constant strain loading.