[Image above] Credit: ACerS

 

NANOMATERIALS

How fluid-like flow of electrons in graphene could supercharge future tech

National University of Singapore researchers reported that when graphene is exposed to electromagnetic radiation of terahertz frequencies, the electrons in the material flow like a fluid, resulting in lower electrical resistance. Harnessing this effect, they developed a device that can sense changes in resistance extremely accurately and quickly.

Ultrathin film absorbs 99% of electromagnetic waves

Researchers at the Korea Institute of Materials Science developed an ultrathin film composite material capable of absorbing more than 99% of electromagnetic waves from various frequency bands. To create the material, they modified the crystal structure of ferrite and then incorporated it into an ultrathin polymer composite film along with a carbon nanotube thin film.

 

ENERGY

US nuclear reactor breakthrough unravels plutonium oxide’s secrets at 3,000 K

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory measured the structure of liquid plutonium oxide at temperatures up to 3,000 Kelvin by suspending tiny samples in a stream of gas. They discovered that the liquid structure was similar to cerium oxide, which can be used as a nonradioactive substitute.

Researchers grow green walls to generate energy

University of Waterloo researchers optimized the cavity between a building’s double-skin glass façade to expand the use of microalgae. They hope this change will enable buildings to become net producers of energy, self-sustainable, and independent of the power grid.

 

BIOMATERIALS

New solvent-free 3D-printing material could enable biodegradable implants

Duke University researchers invented a new solvent-free polymer for digital light printing. Besides eliminating a well-known issue of finished objects shrinking after printing, the lack of solvent also results in improved mechanical properties of the part while maintaining the ability to degrade in the body.

Using bioactive glass to rapidly stop bleeding for injuries in the field

In a recorded lecture, Missouri University of Science and Technology professor Mark Towler shared his journey as an inventor developing tantalum-based bioactive glass powder to stop severe bleeding in the field.

 

ENVIRONMENT

Gold extraction from e-waste gets more efficient with new sponge material

National University of Singapore researchers developed a new type of material that can extract gold from electronic waste more efficiently than previous adsorbents. The material is a type of sponge made of graphene oxide and chitosan.

Scaling up membrane-based PFAS filtration

University of Missouri researchers secured a significant grant to develop a modular, stand-alone, ceramic-based water treatment unit for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The unit features an iron oxide-coated ceramic membrane that not only removes contaminants but also catalyzes chemical reactions to degrade the PFAS compounds.

 

MANUFACTURING

Researchers unlock a new ‘synthetic frontier’ for quantum dots

Researchers replaced the organic solvents typically used to create quantum dot nanocrystals with molten salt. This substitution provides a higher heat tolerance and allows for the fabrication of materials which previously were unavailable through colloidal synthesis.

Amorphous nanosheets created using hard-to-synthesize metal oxides and oxyhydroxides

Nagoya University researchers pioneered a new technique for synthesizing amorphous nanosheets by employing solid-state surfactants. These ultrathin amorphous nanosheets can now be produced from various kinds of metal oxides and hydroxides.

Graphene-based memristors move a step closer to benefiting next-generation computing

Researchers from Queen Mary University of London and Paragraf Limited demonstrated a notable step forward in the development of graphene-based memristors. They used a multistep photolithography process to pattern and integrate graphene electrodes into memristors, producing reproducible results that point the way to large-scale production.

 

OTHER STORIES

Self-compliant memristive devices for neuromorphic computing

Dongguk University researchers developed a memristive device capable of self-compliance, multilevel operation, and a crossbar array for forming neural networks. The device has a layer of aluminum oxide/titanium-oxide on top of the insulating material layer.

Nanocrystal discovery could make TVs brighter and solar panels more efficient

Curtin University researchers investigated how the shape of zinc sulfide nanocrystals affect how well ligands stick to their surface. They determined that flatter, more even particles allow more ligands to attach tightly, which can help enhance the performance of optoelectronic devices.

Research effort twists halide perovskites from a distance

Research led by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Center for Hybrid Organic Inorganic Semiconductors for Energy, an Energy Frontier Research Center, discovered a new process to induce chirality in halide perovskite semiconductors. The key was in introducing a chiral molecule with a different headgroup into the perovskite.

Author

Lisa McDonald

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