[Image above] Credit: ACerS
NANOMATERIALS
Light-powered breakthrough enables precision tuning of quantum dots
North Carolina State University researchers demonstrated a new technique that uses light to tune the optical properties of quantum dots. Existing methods rely on energy-intensive chemical modifications or high-temperature reactions, which can introduce inconsistencies in the final material properties.
Researchers find 2D carbon material is eight times tougher than graphene
Researchers at Rice University and National University of Singapore found that monolayer amorphous carbon is eight times tougher than graphene.
ENERGY
New world record: French nuclear fusion machine has longest plasma
A nuclear fusion machine in southern France has maintained a plasma for more than 22 minutes, beating the previous world record by nearly 5 minutes. The record-breaking fusion reactor is run by the French government-funded research organization, the Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission.
Concrete may last longer in nuclear power plants than previously thought
University of Tokyo researchers found that concrete could be more resilient to neutron radiation than previously believed. Their study involved using X-ray diffraction to measure how the rate at which neutrons hit the surface of quartz caused the material to expand.
ENVIRONMENT
A new solution to the problem of dwindling sand
Miners are being asked to extract sand from their ore processing to help alleviate the global sand crisis. Researchers say that this “nose-to-tail mining” approach should be regarded as a waste prevention and reduction strategy, not a waste reuse or repurposing strategy.
Novel carbon-based materials to remove hazardous ‘forever chemicals’ in water
Researchers from Institute of Science Tokyo synthesized a novel carbon-based adsorbent substance that can trap chemicals on its surface and developed a membrane distillation method to purify water contaminated with PFAS. They used lignin, a byproduct produced in the pulp and paper industry, and glucose as carbon sources.
Glass fertilizer beads could be a sustained nutrient delivery system
Researchers synthesized glass consisting of several micro- and macronutrients, such as phosphorus, potassium and calcium. They ground the glass and added it to either water or a buffer solution that mimicked soil conditions. They found that each nutrient in the glass diffused into the solutions steadily over 100 hours with minor fluctuations.
MANUFACTURING
Rapid yet accurate approach for composite material homogenization
Pusan National University researchers developed a faster yet accurate method for predicting composite material properties. Their reduced basis homogenization method speeds up numerical homogenization up to 1,030 times while maintaining high accuracy.
New approaches to metal matrix composite development
Recent tests using InssTek’s MX-Lab technology demonstrated exceptional capabilities in manufacturing aluminum–ceramic composites, achieving wear resistance properties that surpass those of standard aluminum alloys.
OTHER STORIES
Scientists uncover missing link in static electricity mystery
Researchers at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria revealed that a material’s contact history determines how it exchanges charge—a discovery that could finally bring order to the long-standing enigma of contact electrification.
Innovative coating of concrete to protect bridges
Researchers at the University of Luxembourg and Technical University of Darmstadt developed elastomers that can help detect and monitor potential cracks in concrete by changing color.
