[Image above] Credit: ACerS

 

ENERGY

Aging reactors: Researchers verify the effect of radiation on concrete expansion

Researchers demonstrated what properties of concrete affect its structural characteristics under different neutron radiation loads. Their findings raise some concerns while reducing others; for example, quartz crystals in concrete can heal themselves, potentially allowing some reactors to run for longer than initially thought possible.

Testing shows BIPV using patterned glass performs better than expected

Researchers constructed a building-integrated photovoltaic system that uses patterned glass for its aesthetic qualities and analyzed it against a conventional module. Unlike previous studies that reported lower energy yields in building-integrated PV systems, this recent study’s findings showed only minimal loss.

Report: Recycling lithium-ion batteries delivers significant environmental benefits

Recycling lithium-ion batteries to recover their critical metals has significantly lower environmental impacts than mining virgin metals, according to a new Stanford University lifecycle analysis.

 

ENVIRONMENT

Floating solar increases greenhouse gas emissions on small ponds

In the first manipulative field study examining the environmental impacts of floating solar, Cornell University researchers found that floating solar panels increased greenhouse gas emissions on small ponds by nearly 27%.

Acid treatment enhances palygorskite clay for copper ion adsorption

Researchers showed that acid treatment significantly improves the adsorption capacity of palygorskite for copper ions. The findings are significant because increasing copper pollution poses threats to environmental and human health.

Study unveils dust patterns over time in the North Pacific

Researchers at the University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography reported on more than 40 years’ worth of important seasonal and annual patterns of dust transport over the North Pacific Ocean near Hawaii. This dust, rich with iron and other nutritious minerals, is critically important to ocean food chains and helps regulate the planet’s climate.

 

MANUFACTURING

Recycled silicon powder from end-of-life solar panels can be reused in anticorrosion coating

Researchers demonstrated a wet chemical process to recover silicon with high purity from end-of-life solar panels, which they used to make functionalized silica nanoparticles. Tests of the nanoparticles in anticorrosion coatings showed a corrosion protection efficiency of 99.5%.

Light-twisting materials created from nanosemiconductors

Cornell University researchers used meniscus-guided evaporation to transform symmetrical semiconductor particles into intricately twisted (chiral) materials with extraordinary light-bending properties. They say the technique will work with different nanocluster compositions.

 

OTHER STORIES

Nickel-based spinel oxides show exceptional self-lubrication at extreme temperatures

Virginia Tech researchers demonstrated a process by which an additively manufactured sample of the nickel- and chromium-based superalloy Inconel 718 is lubricated by spinel at temperatures exceeding 600°C. The superalloy formed lubricating spinel-based oxides and did not thicken or lose friction tolerance.

Multifunctional displays: Clay compounds allow integrated light emission and color control

By embedding luminescent europium(III) complexes and color-changing viologen derivatives in a layered clay matrix, Chiba University researchers achieved simultaneous control of light emission and color at low voltage in a display device.

Are trapped molecules the next big thing in quantum computing?

For the first time, physicists were able to trap molecules and get them to perform quantum operations, opening a new line of research for future ultrapowerful quantum computing.

Author

Lisa McDonald

CTT Categories

  • Weekly Column: “Other materials”