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Rice membrane extracts lithium from brines with greater speed, less waste

A new membrane developed by Rice University selectively filters out lithium from brines, achieving high selectivity and using considerably less energy. The membrane's design can be adapted for other valuable minerals like cobalt and nickel, and its durability makes it suitable for large-scale synthesis.

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.

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.

Water’s density is key to sustainable lithium mining

A recent UMass Amherst study led by Daniel Corkran uncovers the physical mechanisms governing sustainable water usage in salares, overturning commonly held assumptions. The research suggests that companies should pump water from briniest patches, not freshwater portions, to minimize impact on wetlands and shores.

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.

Porous radical organic framework improves lithium-sulphur batteries

A team of researchers has developed a new material that enhances the capacity and stability of lithium-sulphur batteries by trapping polysulphides in open pores, reducing battery life shortening. The material improves Li-S battery performance to over 1,500 cycles with minimal capacity loss.

OU researcher earns NSF CAREER Award to engineer better EV batteries

University of Oklahoma mechanical engineering professor Dong Zhang is leading efforts to advance EV battery technologies, exploring advances in battery mechanisms and chemistries. His NSF-funded work aims to develop physics-based models to predict the performance of battery cells with silicon-graphite composite material.

Could a new method offer a sustainable solution for lithium recovery?

A new method uses narrow bandgap λ-MnO2 to extract lithium from salt water while desalinating it to generate freshwater. The method achieved high lithium selectivity and reduced energy demand by 87%, indicating its potential as a solution for both lithium recovery and water purification.

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.

Recycling process for dry processed cathodes developed

A team from the University of Münster has developed a method for recycling dry-processed lithium ion battery cathodes, separating materials and granulating them for reuse. The process is attractive not only for sustainability but also for cost efficiency.

Lithium-sulphur batteries with lean electrolyte: problem areas clarified

Scientists used operando neutron tomography to visualize the dynamic wetting of lithium-sulphur pouch cells, gaining insights into cell failure mechanisms. The study found that discharge/charge processes improve electrolyte homogeneity, promoting electrochemical activation and enhanced capacity.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Spent EV batteries turbocharge plastic upcycling

A new photothermal catalyst made from recycled EV battery materials boosts the efficiency of plastic upcycling, converting polyester into valuable monomers. The process demonstrates significant improvements in conversion rates and reduced energy costs compared to traditional methods.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

AI breakthrough unlocks 'new' materials to replace lithium-ion batteries

Researchers at NJIT used artificial intelligence to discover new porous materials capable of revolutionizing multivalent-ion batteries. The AI-driven approach uncovered five entirely new materials with large, open channels ideal for moving bulky multivalent ions quickly and safely. These findings offer a promising solution for the futu...

Carbon fiber boosts dry-processed battery performance

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new method to improve the strength and conductivity of dry-processed battery electrodes using long carbon fibers. The resulting batteries exhibit faster charging and discharging rates, reduced risk of overheating, and lower production costs.

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.

Confronting China’s grip on graphite for batteries

The US relies heavily on Chinese graphite for battery production, with prices twice as high as importing it from China. To address this, the STEER initiative proposes lowering costs through financing, technological innovation, and domestic recycling, but faces challenges including lengthy qualification timelines.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Solid-state batteries charge faster, last longer

Researchers have developed solid-state batteries that can charge in a fraction of the time and pack more energy into less space than traditional lithium-ion versions. These batteries use stable solid materials instead of liquid electrolytes, enabling faster charging, reduced safety risks, and improved efficiency.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Trisulfur radicals: A game changer for lithium–sulfur batteries

Researchers discover trisulfur radicals as powerful catalysts to boost electrochemical performance of lithium-sulfur batteries. The discovery addresses long-standing challenges, such as the shuttle effect and electrode passivation, making LSBs more viable for widespread adoption.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

EV battery recycling key to future lithium supplies

A new analysis from UC Davis suggests that lithium-ion battery recycling could play a big role in meeting growing global demand for lithium, potentially reducing the need for new mines. Recycling could mitigate supply constraints and reduce carbon emissions associated with combustion engine vehicles.

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.

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.

Runaway battery improves safety

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a simple and cost-effective method to test lithium-ion battery safety, enabling researchers to quickly screen battery effects on safety factors such as materials, design, storage conditions, and degradation. The innovative method uses miniaturized batteries that are intentionally un...

Charging electric vehicles 5x faster in subfreezing temps

Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a modified manufacturing process that enables high ranges and fast charging in cold weather. A stabilizing coating on an electrode, combined with microscale channels, solves the trade-off between range and charging speed, even in subfreezing temperatures.

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.

Don’t use your battery until it runs out!

A recent study identified a quasi-conversion reaction on the cathode surface during discharging, leading to accelerated battery degradation. High nickel content exacerbates this effect.

New sensor could help prevent lithium-ion battery fires and explosions

Researchers have developed a new sensor to detect hazardous gas leaks in lithium-ion batteries, which could prevent catastrophic failures and enhance the reliability of battery-powered technologies. The sensor detects trace amounts of ethylene carbonate vapour, targeting potential battery failures before they escalate into disasters.

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Amino acid assists in recycling rechargeable batteries

A Chinese research team has developed a new strategy for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries using a hydrometallurgical process in neutral solution. The addition of glycine improves the leaching efficiency, allowing for the extraction of valuable metals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, and manganese with high accuracy.

The future of batteries is in your closet

Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST) have discovered a way to increase the performance of lithium-metal batteries by incorporating nylon into the design. This breakthrough could lead to more energy-dense batteries with lower carbon dioxide emissions.

Researchers are cracking the code on solid-state batteries

University of Missouri researchers developed a solution to improve solid-state battery performance by understanding the root cause of issues. They used 4D STEM to examine atomic structures without disassembling batteries, ultimately determining the interphase layer was the culprit.

Innovative battery electrode made from tin foam

Researchers at HZB have developed a highly porous tin foam that can absorb mechanical stress during charging cycles, making it an interesting material for lithium batteries. The study showed that the morphology of the tin electrodes changes significantly due to inhomogeneous absorption of lithium ions.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Engineers discover key barrier to longer-lasting batteries

University of Texas at Dallas researchers have discovered why LiNiO2 batteries break down during charging and are testing a solution to remove the key barrier to widespread use. They developed a theoretical solution that reinforces the material by adding a positively charged ion, creating pillars to strengthen the cathode.

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.

Partnership working key to unlocking EV battery recycling problem

A new study highlights the need for collaboration among recyclers, manufacturers, and policymakers to develop efficient and sustainable lithium-ion battery recycling processes. Advanced techniques like direct recycling and upcycling could reduce costs by up to 40% while minimizing secondary pollution.