[Image above] Credit: ACerS
ENERGY
New catalyst design boosts hydrogen efficiency while cutting costs
Researchers at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed a new structure for catalysts that significantly reduces the amount of expensive precious metals required for hydrogen production and fuel cells. They layered iridium nanosheets over titanium oxide, and the catalysts improved hydrogen production speed by 38% compared to commercial catalysts.
Physicists eye emerging technology for solar cells in outer space
University of Toledo physicists published a first-of-its-kind assessment exploring the promising characteristics of antimony chalcogenide-based solar cells for space applications. These cells exhibit superior radiation robustness compared to conventional technologies, but they will need to become much more efficient before they become a competitive alternative.
ENVIRONMENT
New enzyme-powered building material offers cleaner, faster alternative to concrete
Researchers at Worcester Polytechnic Institute developed a new building material that uses an enzyme to turn carbon dioxide into solid mineral particles. These particles are then bonded together and cured under gentle conditions. The process allows the material to be shaped into structural components within hours.
Isotope hydrology could improve water resource management in small islands
The International Atomic Energy Agency is inviting researchers to join a new research project focused on an integrated isotope study in Small Island Developing States to improve water resource management.
MANUFACTURING
New route to synthesize multiple functionalized carbon nanohoops
Tokyo University of Science researchers developed a method for creating highly functionalized carbon nanohoops, specifically [n]cycloparaphenylenes. The gold-mediated macrocyclization strategy developed by one of the authors enables the assembly of the strained nanohoop under mild conditions while preserving multiple reactive bromine sites.
One-step, etch-free patterning enables clean, low-resistance graphene electrodes
Chungnam National University researchers introduced a new fabrication technique that enables high-resolution patterning of large-area monolayer graphene with feature sizes smaller than 5 micrometers. In this process, monolayer graphene transferred onto a silicon dioxide substrate is brought into contact with a pre-etched glass substrate that defines the desired pattern.
OTHER STORIES
Excitons unlock new shortcut to quantum materials
Researchers led by Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology and Stanford University showed that by harnessing excitons, i.e., short-lived energy pairs that naturally form inside semiconductors, they can alter how electrons behave using far less energy than before.
Stacking up: A new take on diamond electronics
Argonne National Laboratory researchers found that placing a thin layer of molybdenum disulfide on diamond enables current flow at room temperature, opening a new pathway for diamond-based electronic devices.
Rational design principles achieve ultralow thermal conductivity in YbN-alloyed AlN thin films
Researchers led by Waseda University and The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology demonstrated that ytterbium nitride alloying in aluminum nitride can dramatically reduce its thermal conductivity to near-amorphous levels without disrupting the crystalline structure.