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Cool satellites and flexible electronics

Researchers at Empa's Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures laboratory are working to improve the insulation material used in satellites and space probes. They have developed a new intermediate layer that makes the material more elastic and resistant to cracks and flaking, enabling better superinsulation for future satellites.

Engineers developing new protective coating for spacecraft

UT Dallas researchers are developing a material to protect spacecraft from atmospheric drag and erosion, which can damage vehicles in space. The new coating has shown promising results, withstanding atomic oxygen conditions better than those in space.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Mizzou researchers shine UV light on the future of computer chips

Researchers at the University of Missouri have created a more efficient method for manufacturing computer chips using ultraviolet-enabled atomic layer deposition (UV-ALD). This approach reduces the number of manufacturing steps, saving time and materials, while also minimizing the use of harmful chemicals.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Let machines do the work: Automating semiconductor research with machine learning

Researchers use machine learning to automatically analyze Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED) data, enabling faster and more efficient discovery of new materials. The study focused on surface superstructures in thin-film silicon surfaces and identified optimal synthesis conditions using non-negative matrix factorization.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Material research: New chemistry for ultra-thin gas sensors

Researchers have created a new process for depositing ultra-thin layers of zinc oxide, which can be used to produce high-quality gas sensors and barrier layers. The non-pyrophoric precursor allows for safe handling and low-temperature processing, enabling the coating of plastics.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Russian scientists to improve the battery for sensors

Researchers at Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University created a solid-state thin-film battery with high specific energy density, suitable for miniature devices like biosensors and smartwatches. The new technology uses Atomic Layer Deposition to produce lithium nickelate cathodes, improving performance and efficiency.

Polymer membranes could benefit from taking a dip

A team of researchers from Argonne National Laboratory has developed a simple pretreatment step that enables membranes to be enhanced using atomic layer deposition (ALD). The method involves dipping membranes in tannic acid, which provides nucleation sites for ALD coatings. This technique now opens up new possibilities for improving me...

New catalyst provides boost to next-generation EV batteries

A new composite catalyst has been developed to enhance the performance of metal-air batteries (MABs), which are considered a strong candidate for next-generation electric vehicles. The catalyst, combining two types of materials, improves charge and discharge efficiency by synergistically enhancing the reaction rates.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

A cheaper way to scale up atomic layer deposition

Scientists at EPFL have developed a cheaper way to scale up atomic layer deposition, reducing costs and increasing precision. The new liquid-phase method uses standard lab equipment and achieves coatings that are not possible with gas-phase ALD.

NASA's coating technology could help resolve lunar dust challenge

A new coating technology being tested on the International Space Station has shown promise in reducing electrical charges that can damage spacecraft electronics. The coating, developed using atomic layer deposition, could also help make spacesuits more conductive and reduce lunar dust's electrostatic charge.

Interdisciplinary collaboration yields hardest, thinnest coatings yet discovered

Researchers at Lehigh University have developed the hardest, thinnest coatings yet discovered using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition. These wear-resistant nitride films have been shown to outperform commercial coatings by orders of magnitude, offering a potential solution for industries experiencing losses due to friction and wear.

Data-transmitting light signal gets power boost from nanosized amplifier

A team of international researchers has developed a nanosized amplifier to boost light signals in microchips, significantly reducing signal attenuation. The breakthrough utilizes atomic layer deposition method and could lead to increased performance and energy efficiency in microcircuit systems.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

New mirror-coating technology promises dramatic improvements in telescopes

Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have developed a new coating technology using thin-film materials from the electronics industry to improve telescope mirrors. The technology uses atomic layer deposition to create a protective silver coating on large silver-based mirror surfaces, potentially increasing their efficiency and extending their l...

NRL reveals novel uniform coating process of p-ALD

Scientists at NRL devised a novel combination to achieve uniform nanometer-thick shell on core particles, regardless of core size. This breakthrough technology creates new designer core/shell particles for multifunctional nanocomposites.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Molecular-scale ALD discovery could have industrial-sized impact

Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new method for making thin films using atomic layer deposition (ALD), reducing waste and potentially cutting precursor costs. The technique involves pulsing gas into the chamber to free up blocked receptors, increasing efficiency in manufacturing processes.

Go ahead, dunk your cell phone in salt water

Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have developed a new way to produce better barrier films using atomic layer deposition, which can protect electronics in harsh environments such as salt water for months. The new coatings can extend the lifetime and reliability of electronic devices.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

NASA engineer achieves another milestone in emerging nanotechnology

A NASA team has successfully grown uniform layers of carbon nanotubes using atomic layer deposition, enabling the growth of these forests on three-dimensional components like baffles and tubes. This innovation promises to make spacecraft instruments more sensitive without enlarging their size.

Boiling breakthrough: Nano-coating doubles rate of heat transfer

A new nano-coating developed by Georgia Tech researchers doubles the rate of heat transfer in pool boiling, increasing efficiency and potential applications for electronics and energy systems. The coating enhances rewetting of the solid surface, allowing bubbles to carry away more heat.

Incorporating biofunctionality into nanomaterials for medical, health devices

Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a new technique to incorporate biological functionality into nanomaterials, enabling the creation of effective and affordable water purification devices. The technology has been shown to neutralize two common pathogens, E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, in membrane filters.

Butterfly wing scales provide template for complex photonic structures

Scientists at Georgia Tech have demonstrated a new technique for fabricating nanoscale optical waveguides and splitters using artificial butterfly wing scales. The replicas accurately replicated the physical features and optical properties of the natural wing scales, exhibiting similar shape, orientation, and distribution.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

New facility puts Ames lab on thin-film fast track

Researchers David Jiles and John Snyder will focus on mechanisms of clean, multi-element film growth and structuring of films at the atomistic to nano-length scale. Thin-films could replace semiconductor technology for nonvolatile computer RAM, boosting data storage capacity by 10-50 times.