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How slippery surfaces allow sticky pastes and gels to slide

Researchers at MIT have created liquid-impregnated surfaces that can significantly reduce friction for yield-stress fluids like gels and pastes. These coatings enable the efficient processing of materials in industries such as food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, reducing waste and improving product quality.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Increase in foreign body ingestions among young children

A new study found that foreign body ingestions among children under six increased by 91.5% between 1995 and 2015, with coins being the most common item ingested. The rate of ingestions per 10,000 children rose from 9.5 in 1995 to 18 in 2015.

Graphene coating could help prevent lithium battery fires

Researchers at University of Illinois Chicago found that graphene coating can reduce lithium battery fires by preventing oxygen release from cathode decomposition. The coating showed significant reduction in oxygen release under high heat, maintaining battery performance even after rapid cycling.

Study examines commercial hybrid-electric aircraft, reduced carbon emissions

A recent study at the University of Illinois examined the energy lifecycle of fuel/battery configurations to yield greatest reductions in carbon dioxide emissions. The most feasible configuration was a propulsion system with 50% electrical-power drivetrain, estimated to produce 49.6% less lifecycle CO2 emissions.

Powering devices -- with a desk lamp?

Researchers have developed special light harvesters that can convert ambient indoor lighting into usable energy, potentially powering wireless devices in homes and offices. The technology uses organic photovoltaics to optimize the use of artificial room lighting, which is abundant but often underutilized.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Novel technology aims to improve lithium metal battery life, safety

Researchers at Penn State have developed a novel solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) to improve the stability of lithium metal batteries, allowing for increased energy density and safety. The SEI is made from a reactive polymer composite that creates a stable bond between the lithium electrode and electrolyte.

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.

Tracking firefighters in burning buildings

Researchers have developed a motion-powered, fireproof sensor that can track the movements of firefighters and others in high-risk environments. The sensor generates power through triboelectric charging and has been successfully tested at temperatures up to 300C.

New research initiative will power up Europe's battery revolution

A large-scale research initiative called Battery 2030+ aims to invent the batteries of the future, providing European industry with cutting-edge technologies. The project will focus on establishing an acceleration platform for discovering new battery materials using machine learning and artificial intelligence.

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.

Powering a pacemaker with a patient's heartbeat

Scientists have designed a pacemaker that harnesses the energy of heartbeats to regulate heart rhythm. The device was successfully tested in pigs and shows promise for creating a self-powered cardiac pacemaker.

Better red than dread: Barrier keeps batteries safe

Rice University researchers have created a new method to detect and mitigate lithium dendrite growth, which can cause battery failure. A layer of red phosphorus acts as a signal to shut down charging when dendrites approach the separator.

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.

Engineers harvest heart's energy to power life-saving devices

A team of engineers at Dartmouth College has developed a dime-sized invention that converts the kinetic energy of the heart into electricity, powering implantable devices like pacemakers and defibrillators. The new technology could potentially replace batteries with surgery, reducing complications and costs.

Proton transport 'highway' may pave way to better high-power batteries

A team of researchers has found that diffusion may not be necessary to transport ionic charges inside a hydrated solid-state structure of a battery electrode. This discovery could lead to new design principles for electrodes and potentially improve the energy density and cycle life of high-power batteries.

The energy implications of organic radical polymers

Researchers have discovered a new class of polymer that can store and exchange electrons, leading to faster charging times for batteries. The organic radical polymers' unique structure allows rapid charge transfer during redox reactions.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Cartilage could be key to safe 'structural batteries'

Researchers created a damage-resistant rechargeable zinc battery with a cartilage-like solid electrolyte, extending flight time by 5 to 25 percent in drones. The batteries can withstand hard impacts and stabbing without losing voltage or starting a fire.

Researchers create first sensor package that can ride aboard bees

Engineers at the University of Washington have developed a sensing system that can ride on top of a bumblebee, allowing for long-term data collection without power constraints. The system uses a tiny rechargeable battery and a receiver to triangulate the bee's position, enabling precise location tracking.

How returning to a prior context briefly heightens memory recall

Researchers at MIT's Picower Institute discovered a mechanism the brain employs to make returning to a familiar context lead to vivid memories. The study found that brief re-exposure to the initial context increases the electrical excitability of 'engram cells,' which encode memory through specific neural connections.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

A major feat: room temperature electrochemical cycling of a fluoride-ion battery

Researchers developed a method for creating a fluoride-ion electrochemical cell capable of operating at room temperature using a chemically stable liquid fluoride-conducting electrolyte. The new study presents a breakthrough in achieving low-temperature operating FIBs, with potential applications in high-energy-density batteries.

Putting hybrid-electric aircraft performance to the test

Researchers created a flight-performance simulator to test the performance of a hybrid-electric drivetrain on a Tecnam P2006T aircraft. The study found that a parallel hybrid architecture can lead to substantial improvements in fuel efficiency, particularly for short-range missions.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Next-gen batteries possible with new engineering approach

Researchers developed a three-dimensional polymer sponge that promotes ion transfer while inhibiting dendritic growth in lithium metal batteries, potentially increasing cycle life and safety. The technology could enable more powerful and stable metal battery technologies for everyday use.

Pressure helps to make better Li-ion batteries

Scientists have discovered a new strategy to enhance the conductivity of lithium titanium oxide (LTO) anode materials for Li-ion batteries. By applying high pressure, LTO can transform into an amorphous phase that displays better conductivity. The findings provide insight into the relationship between structure and conducting properties.

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.

Nickel-hydrogen battery

The nickel-hydrogen battery boasts an energy density of approximately 140 Wh per kg and rechargeability over 1,500 cycles. With a potential cost of around $83 per kilowatt-hour, it could represent a low-cost option for long-term energy storage needs.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

AI tool automatically reveals how to write apps that drain less battery

A new AI tool called DiffProf helps developers identify and optimize energy-draining features in their apps, improving battery life. The tool analyzes 'call trees' of similar tasks to show why certain features consume more energy than others, providing actionable diagnosis and fixes for developers.

New electric car charger is more efficient, 10 times smaller than current tech

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new electric vehicle fast charger that is 10 times smaller and wastes 60% less power than existing systems. The technology, called medium voltage fast charger (MVFC), has an efficiency of at least 97.5%, reducing operating costs and increasing revenue for consumers.

New battery gobbles up carbon dioxide

A new type of battery developed by MIT researchers can convert carbon dioxide into a solid mineral carbonate as it discharges. This approach could potentially reduce the cost of carbon capture systems and make them more economically viable. The battery is made from lithium metal, carbon, and an electrolyte that incorporates captured CO2.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

A novel approach of improving battery performance

Researchers have developed a novel technology to improve lithium metal battery performance by coating the anode with a lithium silicide layer. The new approach overcomes dendritic growth issues, leading to improved rate capability and cycle stability.

JCESR receives Secretary of Energy's Achievement Award

The Joint Center for Energy Storage Research (JCESR) has received the Secretary of Energy's Achievement Award for its significant achievements in developing high-performance, low-cost energy storage technologies. The award recognizes the contributions of 29 individuals across multiple JCESR institutions.

Lithium-oxygen battery technology charges ahead

Researchers have developed a way to increase operating temperature and use alternative materials to overcome thermodynamic barriers in lithium-oxygen batteries. The resulting cell achieves nearly 100% coulombic efficiency, a significant step towards commercial adoption.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

A paper battery powered by bacteria

Researchers have developed a new type of battery made from paper and fueled by bacteria, which could overcome challenges of limited resources and commercial batteries. The paper-based bio-battery has shown to be effective in powering small devices like LEDs and calculators, with potential for improvement through further research.

Hybrid nanomaterials bristle with potential

Scientists at KAUST developed a controlled method to create triple-layered hollow nanostructures with electrocatalytic activity, suitable for renewable fuel production and water desalination. The hybrid materials outperform single substances in terms of properties.

Scientists create biodegradable, paper-based biobatteries

Researchers at Binghamton University have created a biodegradable, paper-based battery that is more efficient and easy to produce than previous designs. The hybrid paper battery uses a combination of paper and engineered polymers to give it biodegradable properties.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

EV charging in cold temperatures could pose challenges for drivers

New research from Idaho National Laboratory found that cold temperatures significantly impact EV charging efficiency, leading to longer charging times. The study analyzed data from a fleet of electric vehicles in New York City, revealing a decrease in battery state of charge with lower temperatures.

Looking inside the lithium battery's black box

Researchers at Columbia University have used Stimulated Raman Scattering microscopy to directly observe ion transport in electrolytes for the first time. They discovered a lithium deposition process with three stages: no depletion, partial depletion, and full depletion of lithium ions. The study also found a feedback mechanism between ...

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

When low batteries are a good thing

Researchers discovered that the mitochondria of gut-resident white blood cells have a different composition that reduces their energy production, keeping them in a controlled activated state. This knowledge can lead to new diagnostic markers and treatments for conditions like gut inflammations and infections.