[Image above] Credit: ACerS

 

ENERGY

Discovery of promising electrolyte for all-solid-state batteries

Osaka Metropolitan University researchers achieved high conductivity at room temperature by adding tantalum pentoxide to a previously developed solid electrolyte consisting of tantalum chloride and sodium chloride.

Revamping an old technique to see battery design in a new way

Researchers at The Pennsylvania State University and industry researchers developed a new, improved version of electrocapillarity to observe the interface between a battery’s electrode and electrolyte at a higher resolution.

Researchers study 3D printing tungsten parts for extreme conditions in nuclear reactors

Iowa State University researchers are studying the possibilities of using additive manufacturing to create shields and components that could be used in nuclear reactors. Their current focus is 3D printing tungsten-based alloys using laser powder-blown directed-energy deposition.

 

ENVIRONMENT

Solar farms can protect habitats and biodiversity

Researchers examined two solar farms in Minnesota and the impact they had on local pollinators and other insects. The study found that over five years, insect abundance tripled both sites.

Lotus-inspired tech convert CO₂ to fuels and chemicals

University of Central Florida researchers designed a nature-inspired filtration and conversion system that extracts carbon dioxide gas from the atmosphere to create fuels and chemicals. The device captures carbon dioxide with a microsurface comprised of a tin oxide film and fluorine layer.

By-products from lithium production can be used to produce cement

Researchers from Rock Tech Lithium Inc. and the German Lithium Institute found that leached spodumene concentrate, which is generated during lithium production, can be used to replace fly ash in the production of cement.

 

MANUFACTURING

New technique prints metal oxide thin film circuits at room temperature

North Carolina State University researchers demonstrated a technique for printing thin metal oxide films at room temperature. It involves filling the space between two glass slides with liquid metal so that a small meniscus extends beyond the slide ends. When the meniscus is moved across a surface, metal oxide in the meniscus sticks to the surface and peels off.

ELC and SMI announce cosmetic glass recycling case study findings

The Estée Lauder Companies and Strategic Materials, Inc. published the findings from a multiyear case study that aimed to identify key criteria for designing recyclable cosmetic glass packaging.

 

OTHER STORIES

Webinar series on building better batteries starts October 16

Wiley is hosting a webinar series on building better batteries that starts on October 16. Learn from numerous experts about batteries, including Nobel Prize Winner in Chemistry Sir Michael Stanley Whittingham.

Light-based microcapillary monitoring sparks innovation in manufacturing and biotechnology

Researchers developed a technology that uses light to visualize nanoscale glass microcapillary tips, enabling precise and delicate contact with other objects.

Customizable ceramics for next-gen technologies

Lehigh University researchers are using solid-state synthesis to try and form an entropy-stabilized ceramic that is thermodynamically stable at high temperatures.

Author

Lisa McDonald

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