HEADLINES ARCHIVE
LMU chemists find bacterial enzyme that can safely extract rare earth elements
Chemists at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) have discovered that a co-factor in a bacterial enzyme can extract rare earth elements (REEs) — which are vital ingredients in electronic devices — from mixtures.
Innovative heat trace solutions for thermal maintenance
In many industrial and commercial applications, a sufficient drop in temperature, especially when combined with precipitation, means unacceptable consequences.
Turning cigarette butts into bricks
Researchers from RMIT University in Australia have developed plans for transforming discarded cigarette butts into bricks.
Graphene and nanotubes combine to improve energy harvesting devices
Addition of graphene oxide to peptide-based nanotubes improved both the current and voltage output of the resulting nanogenerators.
Container ship company employs cleaning robots to eliminate biofouling
Shipping container firm Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is employing robots to clean the hulls of the company’s container ships to prevent biofouling.
Breathable material for wearable sensors
Researchers from Binghamton University created a material that can bind sensors and adhere them to surfaces to create wearables that can gather data even when the wearer is sweating.
Video: Antibacterial graphene face mask also deactivates coronavirus
A reusable face mask engineered with laser-induced graphene can kill bacteria and has demonstrated potential in deactivating two types of coronavirus.
Boron nitride films eyed as an alternative to antibiotics in implantology
Eyed as an alternative to antibiotics in implantology, otherwise known as the dental implant branch of the dental industry, the boron nitride nanofilm will be used to fight microbial infections, which are common in dental implants.
Pyrolysis process produces hydrogen from sewage solids
Biosolids generated as wastewater treatment byproducts can be repurposed as the basis for a new hydrogen fuel production scheme developed at RMIT University, Australia.
Sodium nanofluid helps heavy oil recovery
The high cost, environmentally damaging steam-based techniques now used to extract viscous reserves might be replaced with a nanofluid formulated at the University of Houston.
Aalto University develops an antimicrobial surface tool to prevent the spread of COVID-19
A laboratory technician from Finland’s Aalto University’s Design Factory has created a tool that lets users avoid contact with surfaces in public places amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Cut plastic tubing easier with the compact AutoCutPL® plastic tubing cutter
The AutoCutPL® plastic tubing cutter fits in the palm of your hand. Great for tight spaces.
The right grease for any industrial application
Numerous factors go into the selection of an appropriate grease, such as operating loads, temperature, speed and environmental conditions.
Virus-killing pen created by German manufacturer
A German pen manufacturer has developed what it calls the world’s first virus-killing ballpoint pen.
Video: Thermal storage blocks could be key to clean grid power
A new thermal storage material based on miscibility gap alloys has been engineered to enable intermittent renewable energy sources to provide base load electricity to the grid.
Electropolishing improves surface finish and corrosion resistance of metal parts
For a variety of alloys, electropolishing leaves surface metal 30x more corrosion resistant than passivation.
Fungi-based leather could be the most sustainable leather option
Researchers from the University of Vienna, Imperial College London and RMIT University in Australia created a leather made of fungi that could be the best option for leather-based on its sustainability and cost compared to animal or plastic-based leathers.
Sunflower a salve for oil and gas complications
Scientists from Kazan University (Russia), Russian Oil and Gas University, Shahid Beheshti University (Iran) and University of Isfahan (Iran) have demonstrated that sunflower oil-based inhibitors could potentially prohibit complications arising from oil and gas production.
Video: Wool waste repurposed as shape-memory material
Keratin fibers from leftover wool materials form the basis of a high-strength shape-memory material that is biocompatible and processable through fiber spinning and 3D printing.
CO2 refrigeration training goes to college
A carbon dioxide-focused curriculum for community college and trade school HVAC and refrigeration programs is under development to address a shortage of technicians trained to install and service natural refrigerant technologies.