HEADLINES ARCHIVE
A Solution for Phantom Load
All electronics have switches that turn electrical flow on and off throughout the circuitry. But unlike a mechanical switch, these waste small doses of electricity while they are in a waiting state.
Detecting Exposure to Nuclear Materials
The goal of the research was to determine if hair, fingernail clippings and toenail clippings could be used to better detect uranium exposure.
Millennials and the Internet Changing the Way Materials are Purchased
A plethora of research on the topic reveals that Millennials rely heavily on technology tools for purchasing products, a trend that can very well seep into the material-sourcing world. View the full report here.
Wireless Device Alerts Drivers on Emissions
The device captures raw data from the vehicle’s engine and emissions systems and transmits it in real time to cloud servers, where it is processed into actionable information.
Wax Could Be Safe Storage Material for Hydrogen Vehicles
Scientists have shown that hydrocarbon wax rapidly releases large amounts of hydrogen when activated with catalysts and microwaves.
"Sensing Skin" Detects Damage in Structures
The skin consists of three layers, which can be painted onto the surface of a structure or pre-assembled and attached like wallpaper.
Increasing Energy Density in Lithium Batteries
When lithium batteries are charged the first time, they lose 5%-20% of their energy in that first cycle.
Accelerating the Pace of Materials Innovation
Two recent U.S. initiatives seek to accelerate the pace of materials discovery by bringing together federal agencies and national research laboratories to help develop and commercialize new materials.
Lithium-Ion Battery Grows Back Together
In contrast to conventional lithium-ion batteries, the lithium compounds cannot leak out of the electrodes, either while in use or after a break.
"Large Fraction" of Stream Methane Is Released into the Air
The method yields an understanding of the percentage of stream methane escaping into the atmosphere as emissions versus being consumed in-stream by bacteria and oxidized to carbon dioxide.
Improved Nitrogen Conversion Boosts Soybean Yield
Researchers have designed a method to increase the flow of nitrogen from specialized bacteria in soybean root nodules to the seed-producing organs.
Carpark Air Purification Reduces Particulates
Since the ventilation systems of underground carparks are in contact with the streets above, these garages have a considerable influence on the air quality in the city center.
Incompressible Carbon Nitride Compound Created
Compounds comprised of carbon and nitrogen are of great interest to materials scientists because they can be both superhard and very resistant to heat.
Smart Textile Moves in Response to Bone, Muscle Stimuli
The smart textile generates a mechanical work capacity and a power output higher than that produced by human muscles.
Turning Brewery Wastewater into Battery Power
Breweries use about seven barrels of water for every barrel of beer produced, and they can’t dump it into the sewer because it requires extra filtration.
Flooring That Harvests Power from Walking
After the fibers are chemically treated, they produce an electrical charge when they come into contact with untreated nanofibers, which can be harnessed to power lights or charge batteries.
Nanospike Catalysts Convert CO2 into Ethanol
Using a catalyst made of carbon, copper and nitrogen, the team applied voltage to trigger a complicated chemical reaction that essentially reverses the combustion process.
Fine-Grained Microstructure Could Toughen Coatings
If chromium nitride-based coatings are made with very fine grains, the force required to deform such materials increases dramatically.
Energy-Related CO2 Emissions Low
EIA attributes the decline to mild weather, a changing fossil fuel mix and increasing renewable energy consumption.
3D-Printed Elastomer Could Support Flexible Electronics
Traditional 3D printing is typically associated with rigid plastic structures made of polylactic acid or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, created one thin layer at a time.