[Images above] Credit: NIST

NANOMATERIALS

Sintering atomically thin materials with ceramics now possible

Researchers have created a nanocomposite of ceramics with a two-dimensional material that opens the door to new designs of nanocomposites with a variety of applications, such as solid-state batteries thermoelectrics, varistors, catalysts, chemical sensors, and much more.

ENERGY

KAIST team develops flexible blue vertical micro LEDs

A KAIST research team developed a crucial source technology that will advance the commercialization of micro LEDs— a low-cost production technology for thin-film blue flexible vertical micro LEDs (f-VLEDs).

Sodium- and potassium-based batteries hold promise for cheap energy storage

Researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have found new evidence suggesting that batteries based on sodium and potassium hold promise as a potential alternative to lithium-based batteries.

The science behind pickled battery electrolytes

Battery researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have discovered an important chemical reaction that resembles the method used to make pickles. The reaction provides key insights into the behavior of a common electrolyte additive used to boost performance.

Scientists use neutrons to take a deeper look at record boost in thermoelectric efficiency

Neutron facilities at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are aiding scientists in research to boost the power and efficiency of thermoelectric materials. These performance increases could enable more cost-effective and practical uses for thermoelectrics, with wider industry adoption.

Senate passes $145B spending bill, with boost to energy innovation programs

The Senate voted through a $145 billion spending bill, with provisions to fund the Energy Department in the 2019 budget year. The bill includes $1.2 billion for nuclear energy research and development. A total of $43.8 billion was set aside for energy and water programs.

Engineer creates new design for ultra-thin capacitive sensors

A researcher has created a workable sensor with the least possible resistance to motion. The thin and flexible sensor moves with the airflow made by even the softest noises and addresses issues with accelerometers, microphones and many other similar sensors.

Polymer professor develops safer component for lithium batteries

Researchers have developed a solid polymer electrolyte that can be used in lithium-ion batteries to replace the current liquid electrolyte to improve the safety and performance of lithium batteries.

A milestone on the path towards efficient solar cells

Scientists are currently working on generating more electricity from solar cells and conducting further research into so-called singlet fission, a process that could considerably boost the efficiency of solar cells.

Research shows graphene forms electrically charged crinkles

Researchers have discovered another peculiar and potentially useful property of graphene, one-atom-thick sheets of carbon, that could be useful in guiding nanoscale self-assembly or in analyzing DNA or other biomolecules.

ENVIRONMENT

Taming tornadoes at the nanoscale

Scientists have developed a system to enable in situ adjustments of vortex filaments in a superconductor, thereby altering the material’s properties directly. The new system may lead to applications in superconducting microelectronics and computing with vortex bits.

Electrospun sodium titanate speeds up purification of water based on selective ion exchange, effectively extracts radioactive strontium

With the help of this new method, wastewater can be treated faster than before, and the environmentally positive aspect is that the process leaves less solid radioactive waste.

OTHER STORIES

Best ever at splitting light, new material could improve LEDs, solar cells, optical sensors

A team of scientists and engineers led by the University of Wisconsin–Madison and University of Southern California have created a crystal that has a higher degree of optical anisotropy than all other solid substances on earth — especially for infrared light.

Carbon nanotube optics poised to provide pathway to optical-based quantum cryptography and quantum computing

Researchers at Los Alamos and partners in France and Germany are exploring the enhanced potential of carbon nanotubes as single-photon emitters for quantum information processing.

Author

Faye Oney

CTT Categories

  • Material Innovations
  • Weekly Column: “Other materials”