[Images above] Credit: NIST
NANOMATERIALS
1D material can take the temperature of nanoscale objects
University of California, Irvine researchers discovered a one-dimensional nanomaterial that changes color as temperature changes. Light yellow colors correspond to –190°C while red-orange colors correspond to 200°C. They are now testing other nanomaterials to possibly develop thermometers that measure a wider range of temperatures.
Morphable materials: Researchers coax nanoparticles to reconfigure themselves
Researchers at the University of Michigan and Indiana University developed an imaging technique that lets researchers watch how nanoparticles react to changes in their environment in real time. The approach combines an electron microscope, a small sample holder with microscopic channels, and computer simulations.
ENVIRONMENT
Device filters microplastics from water using ultrasound
Two teenagers from Woodlands, Texas, invented a device that uses ultrasound to filter microplastics from water. They won first place for their device at the Regeneron International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles. They hope the prize money can be used to improve their device and get it ready for large-scale manufacturing.
New liquids can safely extract nanoplastics from water
Researchers from the University of Missouri developed nontoxic, hydrophobic, eutectic solvents that can absorb nanoplastics from large volumes of water.
MANUFACTURING
New method could ease notoriously difficult chemical reaction
University of Chicago and University of Pittsburgh researchers introduced a new method for creating connections between carbon atoms using the nucleophilic vinylic substitution reaction. Their method involves a strain-release mechanism to relax molecular tension and using boron-based compounds to accelerate and guide molecular changes.
Hydrogen use could significantly reduce emissions from copper mining
As the demand for copper increases with the transition to clean energy technologies, hydrogen could help serve as fuel for heavy mining trucks, as a heat source for flash smelting furnaces, and as both a heat and reductant source for anode furnaces, according to an analysis conducted by Arizona State University researchers.
OTHER STORIES
A new approach to fine-tuning quantum materials
Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers demonstrated a new, ultraprecise way to tweak the characteristics of quantum materials, using a particular class of these materials, Weyl semimetals, as an example. To reach the necessary precision, they used MIT’s two-stage “Tandem” ion accelerator.
Lego bricks are making science more accessible
Scientists are using the iconic colorful bricks to build everything from bioprinters to microscopes—increasing the accessibility of science in the process.
