Microtexturing soft materials to remove aqueous microfoulants
The process of crystallization fouling is a phenomenon where scale forms on surfaces. It is widespread in nature and technology and affects the energy and water industries. Despite previous attempts, rationally designed surfaces with intrinsic resist.....»»
Advanced materials could provide more durable metals for fusion power reactors
For many decades, nuclear fusion power has been viewed as the ultimate energy source. A fusion power plant could generate carbon-free energy at a scale needed to address climate change. And it could be fueled by deuterium recovered from an essentiall.....»»
Neutrons illuminate environmental and biological mysteries
Neutron techniques have long been valued in various scientific fields for their ability to penetrate materials without altering their structure. However, their use in environmental and biological sciences has been limited. Complex systems like soil-w.....»»
New supramolecular polymer shows spontaneous unfolding and aggregation
In polymers, the competition between the folding and aggregation of chains, both at an individual level and between chains, can determine the mechanical, thermal, and conductive properties of such materials. Understanding the interplay of folding and.....»»
Specialized materials could passively control the internal temperature of space habitats
Areas of space have wildly different temperatures depending on whether they are directly in sunlight or not. For example, temperatures on the moon can range from 121 °C during the lunar "day" (which lasts for two weeks), then drop down to -133 °C a.....»»
Researchers shed light on how to make photopolymerization much more efficient
Polymers are materials made out of long, repeating chains of molecules, and it is the interaction between these chains that dictates most of a polymer's physicochemical properties. In accordance with this intuitive understanding of polymers, which da.....»»
Morphable materials: Researchers coax nanoparticles to reconfigure themselves
A view into how nanoscale building blocks can rearrange into different organized structures on command is now possible with an approach that combines an electron microscope, a small sample holder with microscopic channels, and computer simulations, a.....»»
Scientists uncover exciton behavior in van der Waals magnets
A research group led by scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory has uncovered details about the formation and behavior of mobile, microscopic, particle-like objects called "excitons" in a class of materials.....»»
New twist on synthesis technique promises sustainable manufacturing
James Tour's lab at Rice University has developed a new method known as flash-within-flash Joule heating (FWF) that could transform the synthesis of high-quality solid-state materials, offering a cleaner, faster and more sustainable manufacturing pro.....»»
Novel light transport model improves X-ray phase contrast imaging
Researchers at the University of Houston unveiled an advancement in X-ray imaging technology that could provide significant improvements in medical diagnostics, materials and industrial imaging, transportation security and other applications......»»
Recycling can help fill battery materials shortages
Battery manufacturing scrap and spent EV and electronic device batteries provide a ready supply of needed materials.....»»
Advanced microscopy method reveals hidden world of nanoscale optical metamaterials
Scientists from the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society have made a significant discovery in the field of nanotechnology, as detailed in their latest publication in Advanced Materials. Their paper,.....»»
A new approach to fine-tuning quantum materials
Quantum materials—those with electronic properties that are governed by the principles of quantum mechanics, such as correlation and entanglement—can exhibit exotic behaviors under certain conditions, such as the ability to transmit electricity w.....»»
AI will clean up your next video"s messy look and sound
Microsoft Clipchamp adds AI tools to suppress noise and remove backgrounds.....»»
Neutrons reveal the existence of local symmetry breaking in a Weyl semimetal
The first materials scientists might have been early humans who—through trial-and-error experiments—discovered the first "cutting-edge" technologies. They found that the best arrowheads and other tools could be made from certain types of natural,.....»»
Chrome, Edge users beset by malicious extensions that can’t be easily removed
A widespread campaign featuring a malicious installer that saddles users with difficult-to-remove malicious Chrome and Edge browser extensions has been spotted by researchers. “The trojan malware contains different deliverables ranging from sim.....»»
Are Taylor Swift concerts still safe after terrorist threat? Experts explain why stadiums can be "soft targets"
Authorities in Austria say they've subverted a planned terrorist attack targeting several of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concerts in Vienna, shows that would have drawn as many as 200,000 concertgoers to three stadiums......»»
3D laser printing with bioinks from microalgae
Microalgae such as the diatom Odontella aurita and the green alga Tetraselmis striata are especially suitable as "biofactories" for the production of sustainable materials for 3D laser printing due to their high content in lipids and photoactive pigm.....»»
New EV battery chemistries emerge even as solid-state technology advances
Scientists, battery companies and automakers try to develop safe batteries built with accessible materials that enable long driving range and fast charging......»»
Ability to track nanoscale flow in soft matter could prove pivotal discovery
For roughly 70 years, Play-Doh has been entertaining children with its moldable, squishy form. This familiar substance belongs to a broader category known as soft matter, which includes some foods (such as mayonnaise), 3D printer gels, battery electr.....»»
Increasing solid-state electrolyte conductivity and stability using helical structure
Solid-state electrolytes have been explored for decades for use in energy storage systems and in the pursuit of solid-state batteries. These materials are safer alternatives to the traditional liquid electrolyte—a solution that allows ions to move.....»»