[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
Researchers discover ‘neutronic molecules’
Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers found that neutrons can actually be made to cling to particles called quantum dots, which are made up of tens of thousands of atomic nuclei, held there just by the strong force. The new finding may lead to useful new tools for probing the basic properties of materials at the quantum level.
Propelling atomically layered magnets toward green computers
Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers designed an atomically layered magnet that consists of a 2D van der Waals magnet (iron gallium telluride) interfaced with another 2D material (tungsten ditelluride). The magnet can be toggled between the 0 and 1 states simply by applying pulses of electrical current across the two-layer device.
Next-generation optoelectronic memory with tellurene
Dongguk University researchers developed a novel high-performance optoelectronic memory based on rhenium disulfide/hexagonal boron nitride/tellurene van der Waal heterostructures. Tests revealed that the device exhibits exceptional long-term stability, a high on/off switching ratio of the order of 106, and impressive data retention.
ENVIRONMENT
Cleaning up toxic dyes in wastewater with gold nanoparticles
Researchers led by Flinders University suggest that clusters of gold nanoparticles and titanium dioxide can degrade an acutely toxic dye called methyl orange. The gold helps with the catalytic process because titanium dioxide has the role of absorbing light but is, overall, a poor catalyst.
Subterranean storage of hydrogen
Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories are using computer simulations and laboratory experiments to see if depleted oil and natural gas reservoirs can be used for storing carbon-free hydrogen fuel.
MANUFACTURING
‘Tug of war’ tactic enhances chemical separations for critical materials
Oak Ridge National Laboratory researchers developed a method to select specific lanthanides. The technique combines two substances: one is water-loving and catches lighter lanthanides, while the other prefers oil and grabs heavier lanthanides.
A simple, inexpensive way to make carbon atoms bind together
Researchers at Scripps Research Institute showed it is possible to convert carboxylic acids and olefins, two major classes of chemical feedstocks, into quaternary carbons using a single, inexpensive iron catalyst.
Federal agency supports research to improve nanofiber production
Rowan University engineers developed novel technology for fabricating aligned nanofibers in continuous rolls of material. The project recently received a $511,931 Partnerships for Innovation grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation to improve the technology’s efficiency and determine the most optimal path toward commercializing the technology.
This 3D printer can figure out how to print with an unknown material
Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, and National Center for Scientific Research in Greece developed a 3D printer that can automatically identify the parameters of an unknown material on its own.
OTHER STORIES
‘Surprising’ hidden activity of semiconductor material spotted by researchers
An international team led by The Pennsylvania State University found that the substrate on which a semiconductor chip device is built responds to changes in electricity much like the semiconductor on top of it.
New granular materials flow but can still be compressed
Researchers from the University of Amsterdam and from Santiago in Chile designed new granular materials that can also easily be compressed but still flow easily, a result which could have great potential in applications such as shock dampening.