[Image above] Credit: ACerS
NANOMATERIALS
Fine tuning nanoscale heat flows in molecular materials
Researchers at the University of Michigan and the University of Augsburg found that swapping a single hydrogen atom in a single-molecule junction with halogens of increasing mass—fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine—systematically reduced heat flow without changing electrical conductivity.
ENERGY
Improved catalyst enhances the conversion of ethanol to hydrogen
Researchers at the Energy and Nuclear Research Institute in Brazil and Purdue University in the U.S. demonstrated that fine-tuning the processing of a perovskite-type ceramic catalyst is crucial for maximizing the conversion of ethanol into hydrogen through the process of ethanol steam reforming.
Quantum battery charges faster when it gets bigger
Researchers led by CSIRO showed that quantum batteries charge faster as they get larger. Specifically, the charging time decreases as 1∕√N, where N is the number of molecules in the battery.
‘Perfectly symmetrical’ 2D perovskites boost energy transport
Rice University scientists and collaborators engineered a multilayered 2D perovskite that exhibits no distortions, which means that energy can move through the material without getting trapped.
MANUFACTURING
Topology helps build more robust photonic networks
Researchers led by The Pennsylvania State University showed that multiple, information-carrying light signals can be safely guided through chip-based, reconfigurable networks using topology.
Amber glass project focuses on green electricity
Researchers at Freiberg University of Mining and Technology developed an all-electric melting process for the production of amber glass on a laboratory scale. They succeeded in identifying the factors that previously prevented the color carrier in the electric glass melting tank from reliably producing the brown color.
Method for creating perfectly smooth glass
Researchers proposed a method for polishing glass surfaces that leaves almost no scratches. The method is called electrolytic in-process dressing polishing and involves immersing the workpiece in an electrolyte. Under the influence of electric current and high temperature, free nanoparticles of iron oxide spontaneously form on the surface and do the polishing.
OTHER STORIES
Hidden features in X-rays could radically change how we measure and understand them
For more than 50 years, scientists relied on the assumption that a core parameter in the equation used to model X-ray absorption spectra is fixed and does not change. University of Melbourne researchers showed that these satellite features are not static—they evolve with increasing incident photon energy.
AI learns to read ancient Japanese pottery with 93% accuracy
Researchers led by Nagoya University developed a deep learning model that can classify pottery by shape with high accuracy, using 3D scan data rather than photographs or drawings. The model classified Japanese Sue ware with 93% accuracy while showing which parts of the objects drove its decision.
‘Brick Bonds’ book celebrates the skill and craft of bricklaying
Graphic designer Melissa Price shines a light on brick anatomy and the variety of bricklaying techniques used in construction in her book Brick Bonds.