[Images above] Credit: NIST


NANOMATERIALS

Guiding a superconducting future with graphene quantum magic

Nagoya University researchers detailed the superconducting nature of magic-angle twisted bilayer graphene. Using theoretical methods, they found that nematic order originates from the interference between the fluctuations of a novel degree-of-freedom that combines the valley degrees of freedom and the spin degrees of freedom.

Nanotechnology in the Olympic Winter Games and beyond

In a recent paper, Tsinghua University researchers look at some of the nanomaterials used in competitive winter sports, including skiing and ice skating.


ENERGY

Scientists decide how to prove out perovskite panels for space power

A collaborative research team including scientists from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory laid out guidelines to test the radiation-tolerating properties of perovskites intended for use in space. They relied on simulations run through SRIM, a Monte Carlo simulation that models the passage of ions through matter.

​​Lithium’s narrow paths limit batteries

Rice University researchers analyzed nano- and microscale interactions within lithium iron phosphate cathodes using the transmission X-ray microscopy capabilities at Brookhaven National Laboratory and Argonne National Laboratory. Results suggest lithium batteries would benefit from more porous electrodes with better-aligned particles.

NREL explores the dynamic nature of wind deployment and land use

Through comprehensive spatial analysis of U.S. wind power facilities deployed over the past two decades, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory studied the emerging intersection of wind energy deployment and the environment.


ENVIRONMENT

Sapphire fiber could enable cleaner energy and air travel

University of Oxford researchers developed a sensor made of sapphire fiber that can tolerate extreme temperatures, with the potential to enable significant improvements in efficiency and emission reduction in aerospace and power generation.

Development of new magnet that reduces use of rare earth element by 30%

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Materials Science developed rare-earth-saving permanent magnets that can replace the 42M-graded commercial magnets while reducing the amount of neodymium by about 30%.

‘Smog-eating’ ceramic fins cover hospital in Milan

Large ceramic fins with a titanium dioxide coating that can break down smog particles cover the wave-like form of a hospital building in Milan, designed by local practice Mario Cucinella Architects.


MANUFACTURING

Researchers develop innovative 3D-printing technology for glass microstructures

Researchers from University of California, Berkeley and Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg expanded the capabilities of a 3D-printing process they developed three years ago—computed axial lithography—to print much finer features and to print in glass.

New self-cleaning optical fiber can help in monitoring environment and diagnosing cancer

Tampere University researchers successfully developed a novel optical fiber design with a self-cleaned beam allowing the generation of rainbow laser light in the molecular fingerprint electromagnetic region. The fiber consists of two types of lead-bismuth-gallate glass rods with different refractive indices drawn to yield a nanostructured core.

Making 3D printing truly 3D: eliminating need for 2D layering

Harvard University researchers describe a technique of volumetric 3D printing that goes beyond the bottom-up, layered approach. The process eliminates the need for support structures because the resin it creates is self-supporting.


OTHER STORIES

Predicting the most stable boron nitride structure with quantum simulations

An international research team used a first principles calculations framework to determine the most stable boron nitride structure. Notably, their results were in agreement with that generated by other refined computation methods, such as “coupled cluster.”

New explosive compound emerges from strange world of high-pressure chemistry

Researchers from Skoltech, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Howard University, the University of Chicago, and the CAS Institute of Solid State Physics synthesized K2N6, an exotic compound containing N6 groups and packing explosive amounts of energy.

Ancient Roman pottery workshop discovered in Egypt

Archaeologists in Egypt have discovered an ancient pottery workshop—with the remains of rounded vessels, coins, figurines and even a “ritual room”—dating to the beginning of the Roman period in Tabba Matouh, west Alexandria.

Solid State Studies in Ceramics Gordon Research Seminar 2022

The Solid State Studies in Ceramics Gordon Research Seminar is for graduate students, post-docs, and other young scientists. This year’s theme is “Fundamental phenomena in ceramics from the atomistic level to the microstructure.” Attendees who wish to be considered for an oral presentation should submit their application by May 8, 2022.

Author

Lisa McDonald

CTT Categories

  • Weekly Column: “Other materials”