A research group at IBS invents contact-free annealing technique to convert polycrystalline metal foils into single crystals with superior properties. They successfully produced large single crystal metals up to 32 cm2, including copper, nickel, cobalt, platinum, and palladium.
A team from the University of Illinois has developed a new material and technique to study dislocation avalanches in metals. By observing how dislocations interact at the nanoscale, researchers gained insights into the mechanism behind catastrophic failure, which can aid in developing stronger materials.
Researchers have discovered an ultra-stripped supernova, a rare type of supernova believed to play a role in forming binary neutron star systems. The discovery advances understanding of gravitational waves and the origin of precious metals.
Physicists develop a new theory to predict complex dynamics of spin procession in materials subjected to ultra-short laser pulses. The approach takes into account internal spin rotation forces, making it applicable to a broader set of magnetic materials.
Researchers analyzed oxide films at atomic level to understand their impact on metal corrosion. The team found that the growth rate of oxide films determines their structure and composition, enabling new ways to protect metals.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a method to synthesize multimetallic clusters with precise control of size and composition, opening up new possibilities for advanced functional materials. The team successfully formed clusters composed of up to six metal elements, including platinum.
Researchers at RMIT University and UNSW have developed a rapid nano-filter that can clean dirty water up to 100 times faster than current technology. The filter harnesses naturally occurring nano-structures on liquid metals, making it sustainable, environmentally-friendly, scalable, and low-cost.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have demonstrated that special tetrahedron nanostructures composed of certain metals can exhibit a higher degree of symmetry than spherical atoms. This new type of symmetry may lead to unprecedented electrical and magnetic properties, enabling the creation of novel electronic materials.
Researchers are developing portable sensors that can detect toxic metals like manganese in a single drop of blood. The sensors will enable faster and cheaper research as well as rapid detection of neurotoxins affecting cognitive development and neuromotor function.
Researchers at Ural Federal University developed new adsorbents and enzymatic catalysts using modified halloysite nanotubular materials with unique functional properties. The breakthrough technology enables cost-effective extraction of non-ferrous metals and efficient biotechnological hydrolysis processes.
The study reveals that thermodynamic forces, specifically the difference of equilibrium electro-chemical potentials between metals, drive symmetry breaking in seed-mediated growth. This allows for the creation of asymmetric bimetal nano-heterostructures with unique properties and functions.
Researchers have developed a new approach to 3D printing metals, using metallic glasses, which can produce solid, high-strength metal components with minimal processing. The technique eliminates the need for expensive and complicated support structures, making it more practical and commercially viable than current methods.
A new method to create single-atom catalysts for fuel cells has been developed at Washington State University, potentially making clean energy technology more economically viable. The catalysts, made from iron or cobalt salts and glucosamine, show improved stability and activity compared to commercial platinum catalysts.
A comprehensive analysis found associations between exposure to toxic metals and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease. The study's authors call for attention to metals as a significant source of cardiovascular risk, highlighting the need for population-wide strategies to minimize exposure.
A comprehensive analysis of the evidence found exposure to toxic metals like arsenic, lead, copper, and cadmium to be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that these metals may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease, even at relatively low levels of exposure.
A systematic review and meta-analysis found exposure to arsenic, lead, cadmium, and copper increases the risk of coronary heart disease and cardiovascular disease. The study suggests that even low doses of toxic chemicals pose a significant risk to cardiovascular health, highlighting the need for policymakers to take action to reduce p...
Researchers found that a specific type of fish louse, Argulus japonicus, can accumulate high concentrations of metals, potentially serving as an early warning system for water quality. The lice's unique mechanisms for protecting themselves from toxins may hold the key to detecting metal pollution.
A Texas A&M team has developed a new method to analyze metal failures, identifying 10 microscopic structures that can strengthen metals and reduce susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement. This breakthrough could have a huge economic impact by enabling engineers to design stronger metals.
Researchers found high levels of toxic metals in drinking water, including nickel, copper, cadmium, and lead, leading to increased morbidity rates. The study also revealed a significant link between the accumulation of these metals in kidneys and livers, increasing the risk of malignant neoplasms.
A new study reveals that trace metals from aerosols affect biological productivity and change ocean ecosystems. Marine microorganisms like phytoplankton and bacteria take up metals, influencing the food chain.
Sandia National Laboratories engineers a platinum-gold alloy that surpasses diamond and sapphire in wear resistance, making it ideal for high-friction applications. The new alloy could save the electronics industry over $100 million annually by reducing material costs and improving durability.
Researchers from UNIGE have developed a new type of chemical sensor capable of detecting the presence of metals in the environment. The sensor forms a 3D structure with molecules that emit light when metal ions are present, making it easy to detect and identify different types of metals.
Researchers at ETH Zurich explore the coupling between heat and particle currents in a gas of strongly interacting fermionic atoms. They found an order of magnitude below predictions of the Wiedemann-Franz law, indicating separation of mechanisms responsible for particle and heat currents.
Researchers analyzed copper-based artifacts to understand provenance and production of Egyptian metal objects, finding signs of localized ore sources and diverse metal origins. The findings offer new insights into ancient Egyptian metallurgy and supply networks, highlighting the importance of ongoing research.
Researchers at Florida State University's National High Magnetic Field Laboratory have discovered that cuprates, known for their unique behavior, carry current in a non-conventional way. The study reveals that the electrons seem to cooperate as they move through the material, contradicting the widely accepted understanding of conventio...
Researchers used a novel experimental setup with quantum chemical calculations to understand organometallic catalysts. They were able to empirically test and validate calculations for oxidation and reduction processes on the entire molecule, providing new insights into redox processes in complex systems.
A new AI model developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo can accurately detect atomic structures in metals, leading to greater confidence in determining their integrity. The system uses deep learning and generates images of defects to produce a highly effective algorithm for identifying various types of crystal structures.
Researchers from Kanazawa University developed a method for rapid, high-precision on-site analysis of precious metals in wastewaters. The technique combines Liquid-electrode plasma-optical emission spectrometry (LEP-OES) with solid-phase extraction (SPE), achieving over 95% recovery of gold, palladium, and platinum.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a low-cost process to form smooth metallic circuits at the nanoscale using roll-to-roll newspaper printing. This technique enables the creation of touch screens and biosensors with improved performance.
A new study has proposed the maximum bioaccumulation level of 9 metals that poses no ecological risk to aquatic organisms. The study, conducted in mining areas in Asturias, has established ecological threshold concentrations for 7 metals and two metalloids, which are considered safe levels for conservation.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a low-tech solution to improve the machinability of 'gummy' metals, such as nickel, aluminum, and copper. By coating these metals with a suitable adhesive or ink, cutting forces are reduced, resulting in smoother, cleaner cuts.
Ming Tang, a Rice University materials scientist, is awarded a $150,000 annual grant to study morphological instability mechanisms in electrodeposition of active metals. The goal is to apply the findings to next-generation rechargeable batteries for lithium, zinc, sodium, and potassium.
Researchers identify chemically reduced iron species in brains affected by Alzheimer's, including a magnetic iron oxide called magnetite, which may contribute to disease toxicity. The study suggests that understanding these metals could lead to more effective therapies for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers at Princeton University have found a revolutionary approach using cobalt and methanol to produce an epilepsy drug, replacing toxic rhodium and dichloromethane. The new reaction is faster, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly, offering distinct advantages over traditional methods.
A Rutgers-led international team of scientists has verified a 53-year-old theory on ferroelectric metals, creating a new class of two-dimensional artificial materials that exhibit ferroelectric-like properties at room temperature. These findings have the potential to spawn a new generation of multi-functional devices and applications.
Researchers from the University of Virginia have established new guidelines for scientists mapping out the body molecule by molecule to better understand how cells use metals. The guidelines aim to prevent pitfalls that could compromise work in X-ray crystallography, a technique used to reveal small molecular structures.
Researchers have demonstrated the unique potential of carbon nitrides as hosts for isolated metal atoms, including palladium, in various crystalline forms. The study found that varying the lattice structure significantly impacts the strength of the metal-host interaction, leading to improved catalytic activity and selectivity.
Nebraska researchers have identified a simple equation to design less costly and more efficient catalysts for producing renewable hydrogen fuel. The team found that surrounding certain transition metals with specific environments can elevate their performance, making them viable alternatives to precious metals.
The Steel and Metals Institute at Swansea University will transform the UK iron and steel making industry into a low-carbon, resource-efficient sector. The research focuses on smart steel processing of high-value products, including sustainable packaging made from steel.
Researchers at HKU and Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences have developed a novel scientific method to derive water quality criteria (WQC) of metals for protecting different marine ecosystems. The new approach considers variable temperature and salinity regimes, improving protection for tropical marine organisms.
A new technique using sound waves to levitate water droplets improves the detection of heavy metal contaminants like lead and mercury. The method, combining laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS), can detect very low levels of contaminants in real-time on-site.
Researchers have found associations between esophageal cancer and lead-rich soils, lung cancer and copper-rich terrains, brain tumors and arsenic-rich areas. The study's findings suggest that the geochemical composition of soil could influence cancer distribution patterns in Spain.
Researchers have developed a hybrid system combining inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals with a molecular catalyst, achieving efficient hydrogen production. The system shows remarkable catalytic activity in water without the use of toxic metals like cadmium.
Researchers found that recovering gold, copper and other metals from e-waste is more cost-effective than obtaining them from mines. The study estimated that urban mining could save up to 13 times the cost of traditional mining methods.
Scientists have developed a method to combine up to eight different metals in a single nanoparticle, creating stable alloys with useful applications in the chemical and energy industries. The new technique uses shock waves to heat and cool the metals, producing homogeneous nanoparticles with broad catalytic properties.
A team of researchers found that an ultrathin layer of aluminum oxide can flow like a liquid, filling cracks and gaps as they form. This discovery could provide a protective barrier to prevent further oxidation and corrosion in metals, particularly in applications such as fuel-cell cars and nuclear power plants.
Researchers have developed a new method for removing heavy metals like lead and mercury from water using metal organic frameworks (MOFs). The MOF composite can quickly and selectively remove high amounts of toxic materials from real-world water samples, down to levels deemed drinkable by health organizations.
Researchers developed a water-stable MOF/polymer composite that can remove over 1.6 times its own weight of mercury and 40% of its weight in lead from contaminated water samples. The material was tested in solutions with lead levels similar to those found in Flint, Michigan, and reduced lead concentrations to 2 parts per billion.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have found that protactinium shares chemical similarities with both actinides and transition metals, revealing a unique intersection of their properties. This discovery could lead to novel applications for these elements and a deeper understanding of the periodic table.
A new database charts Europe's urban mine, revealing vast quantities of scarce metals in vehicles and electrical equipment. The EU's dependence on imported metals poses a strategic and economic risk, and recycling is crucial for the transition to greener technologies.
A study found that e-cigarette heating coils release potentially hazardous levels of lead and other toxic metals into the aerosols vapers inhale. Chronic exposure to these metals can cause lung, liver, immune, cardiovascular, and brain damage, as well as cancer.
Scientists have discovered a simple method to harness the thermoelectric effect by combining a graphite pencil with a conductive coating on paper. The resulting voltage is comparable to expensive nanocomposites, offering potential applications in flexible electronics and wearable devices.
A study by ISGlobal found high concentrations of mercury, cadmium and lead in people living close to the North Peruvian oil pipeline. The study, which assessed 130 individuals, revealed that 50% had mercury levels above safe threshold values, with children under 10 showing the highest risk.
Researchers have discovered a fundamental energy field guiding formation of complex patterns in materials that crystallize, altering current understanding of metal solidification. This finding has the potential to improve casting and welding processes, leading to stronger alloys and improved metallurgical process control.
Researchers at UC Riverside have developed methods to detect signals from spintronic components made of low-cost metals and silicon, overcoming a major barrier to wide application. This breakthrough enables the creation of spintronic computers that generate little heat and use relatively minuscule amounts of electricity.
Researchers have discovered the molecular processes that allow bacteria to extract valuable trace elements from heavy metal compounds without poisoning themselves. The process results in the formation of tiny gold nuggets.
Researchers at RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science found that moss Funaria hygrometrica can absorb up to 74% of lead from water. The moss's cell walls contain polygalacturonic acid, which is responsible for absorbing the metal.
KAIST researchers have developed a new technique to improve the chemical stability of electrode materials in solid oxide fuel cells. By employing a small amount of metals, they can extend the lifespan of these energy technology devices. This innovation has the potential to improve the long-term performance and durability of fuel cells.
Scientists have discovered a new process to layer metals under graphite, leading to unique mesas with potential applications in quantum computing and sensing. The formation of these structures could enable controlled magnetic and electronic properties.
Researchers have developed a new method for 3D printing metals that achieve exceptional strength and ductility. The breakthrough uses ultrafast cooling rates, resulting in non-equilibrium states that lead to improved mechanical properties.