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New light-powered catalysts could aid in manufacturing

Researchers at MIT have designed a new type of photoredox catalyst that can be used to coat plastic tubing and perform chemical transformations on reactants as they flow through the tube. This breakthrough could enable the use of light-driven reactions in manufacturing processes, increasing efficiency and reducing waste.

How to build an ‘explainable AI’ framework to speed up the innovation process

A team from the University of Missouri is using artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery process in materials science. By integrating machine learning algorithms and AI into traditional laboratory processes, they aim to reduce time and cost while increasing the rate of material development. Associate Professor Derek T. Ander...

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.

Engineers enlist AI to help scale up advanced solar cell manufacturing

A new machine learning-based system developed by MIT and Stanford researchers enables the rapid development of optimized production methods for perovskite-based solar cells. The system has already led to the manufacturing of cells with an energy conversion efficiency of 18.5 percent, a competitive level for today’s market.

Graphene gets enhanced by flashing

Rice University researchers have developed a customizing method for producing doped graphene with tailored structures and electronic states. The doping process adds elements to the 2D carbon matrix, making it suitable for use in nanodevices such as fuel cells and batteries.

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.

Tracking real-time atomic movement between crystal grains in metals

Scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology observe unprecedented atomic processes that dictate mechanical behavior in metals. They develop novel methods to visualize grain boundary sliding, revealing previously unknown movements and accommodating transferred atoms through adjusting grain boundary structures.

Could we make cars out of petroleum residue?

Researchers at MIT have developed a way to create lightweight fibers out of petroleum residue, offering advantages over traditional carbon fiber materials. The new process uses heavy waste material left over from refining, reducing production costs and enabling the creation of load-bearing applications.

Celebrating Singapore’s first two artworks in space

Two Singapore-designed artworks are orbiting the Earth on the ISS as part of Moon Gallery, a project consisting of 64 artworks from around the world. The artworks were successfully launched into space and will come back to Earth after 10 months, allowing scientists to study their behavior in microgravity.

A new, inexpensive catalyst speeds the production of oxygen from water

Researchers at MIT have developed a new, inexpensive catalyst material that can produce oxygen from water, potentially replacing rare metals and reducing the cost of producing carbon-neutral fuels. The material, made of abundant components, allows for precise tuning and matches or exceeds the performance of conventional catalysts.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Basis for next-gen bioprocesses

Researchers at TUM have successfully produced succinic acid using the marine bacterium Vibrio natriegens, which has rapid growth and substrate uptake rates. The team is now working to optimize the process for industrial-scale production using renewable raw materials.

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.

World-first: Speed of sound used to measure elasticity of materials

Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a groundbreaking technology to measure the microscopic elasticity of materials. By analyzing the speed of sound across the material's surface, they can reveal the orientation and inherent stiffness of small crystals, which is essential for material performance.

Rare earth elements await in waste

Rice University scientists have developed a method to extract rare earth elements from fly ash, bauxite residue, and electronic waste using flash Joule heating. This process improves yields and reduces the use of strong acids, making it a more sustainable solution for recycling these materials.

Towards self-sensing soft robots with electrochemically driven pumps

A team of researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology has developed a transducer powered by electrochemical reactions to drive fluid pumps without cumbersome parts in soft robots. The ECDT enables self-sensing technology, enhancing the multifunctionality of soft robots and allowing for miniaturization.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Controlling how “odd couple” surfaces and liquids interact

Researchers at MIT have developed a method to control the interaction between liquids and solids, allowing for the creation of surfaces with high or low wettability. This breakthrough has potential applications in various industries, including thermal management, protective coatings, and heat pipes.

Organic aggregates: new insights on white light

Research reveals organic aggregates can emit polychromic and white light with high efficiency, opening up new avenues for OLEDs and encryption. However, more work is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and improve performance.

Shellac for printed circuits

Scientists have created a versatile carbon-loaded shellac ink suitable for disposable printed electronics. The ink achieves high electrical conductivity while maintaining stability and biodegradability. Its practical applications include conductive tracks and sensor elements in sustainable devices.

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.

UMass Lowell scientist pioneers new class of semiconductors

A new class of faster and more powerful semiconductors is being developed by UMass Lowell scientists to enhance wireless communication and digital imaging. The $1.7M NSF project aims to improve infrared optoelectronic devices, enabling better intracellular imaging, night vision, and quantum and 5G communication.

NTU Singapore scientists give new lease of life to e-waste plastics

Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a new use for e-waste plastics by repurposing them as an alternative to laboratory cell culture containers. The team found that over 95% of human stem cells seeded on e-waste plastics remained healthy after a week, comparable to cells grown on conventional plates.

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.

Magnetic material 3D-printed from nonmagnetic powder

Researchers at Skoltech and their colleagues have successfully created a magnetic material by 3D printing a gradient alloy from nonmagnetic powders. The resulting alloy exhibits ferromagnetic properties, opening up potential applications in machine engineering, such as electrical motors.

Innovative design of titanium alloy with supreme properties by 3D printing

Researchers from City University of Hong Kong created a new titanium-based alloy using additive manufacturing, boasting unprecedented structures and properties. The alloy exhibits high tensile strength, excellent work-hardening capacity, and is up to 40% lighter than stainless steel, making it suitable for various structural applications.

Under arrest: Using nanofibers to stop brain tumor cells from spreading

A team of researchers from Japan has developed a platform using nanofibers to capture and control the migration of brain tumor cells, including glioblastoma multiforme. The study found that varying fiber densities can slow or speed up cell movement, leading to the creation of 'cell traps' that can restrict tumor cell growth.

Accelerating the discovery of new materials for 3D printing

Researchers at MIT develop a data-driven process using machine learning to optimize new 3D printing materials with multiple characteristics. The system lowers costs and lessens environmental impact by reducing chemical waste and suggesting unique chemical formulations that human intuition might miss.

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.

Army backs bid to ‘flash’ waste into useful materials

The Army has pledged $5.2 million to Rice University's research on flash Joule heating, a process that turns waste into graphene and other valuable materials. The technology can recover precious metals from electronic waste and toxic metals from contaminated soil.

Microbial plant bioprocessing – what can we learn from the cow?

Microbiologists at Stellenbosch University suggest utilizing the rumen microbiome in anaerobic digestion processes to break down organic waste into its building blocks. The aim is to produce high-value products such as industrial important organic acids and bioplastics.

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.

New research advances clean energy solutions

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a synthetic diiron-containing porphyrin that can efficiently catalyze the conversion of radiant energy from the sun into chemical energy. This breakthrough has potential applications in creating non-fossil-based fuels and electrochemical cells for renewable energy storage.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Layered graphene with a twist displays unique quantum confinement in 2-D

Scientists detected electronic and optical interlayer resonances in bilayer graphene by twisting one layer 30 degrees, resulting in increased interlayer spacing that influences electron motion. This understanding could inform the design of future quantum technologies for more powerful computing and secure communication.

On the road to faster and more efficient data storage

Researchers have discovered a way to induce magnetic waves in antiferromagnets using ultrafast laser pulses, potentially leading to faster and more efficient data storage. This technology could endow materials with new functionalities for energy-efficient and ultrafast data storage applications.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Harnessing sunlight to fuel the future through covalent organic frameworks

Researchers highlight the potential of covalent organic frameworks (COFs) in solar-to-fuel production, converting sunlight into hydrogen and other fuels. COF-based photocatalysts have shown promising properties, including improved catalysis and electron delocalization, making them a viable solution for future energy needs.

Rice expert: Using carbon is key to decarbonizing economy

Pasquali proposes splitting hydrocarbons to produce clean hydrogen energy and solid carbon materials, which could replace materials with large carbon footprints. This transition would generate robust growth in manufacturing jobs and improve production efficiency.

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.

Eco-friendly plastic from cellulose and water

Göttingen University researchers have developed a new type of hydroplastic polymer called cellulose cinnamate (CCi) that can be molded using little more than water at everyday temperature and pressure. The bioplastic exhibits high quality mechanical properties, making it suitable for various applications.

Understanding the physics in new metals

Researchers developed a new X-ray study method to understand correlated metals, promising for superconductors and quantum computers. The method, resonant inelastic X-ray scattering (RIXs), excites electrons, providing information about electronic structure.

DNA barcoding of animal tool materials

Researchers employed DNA barcoding techniques to identify plant species used by wild New Caledonian crows to fashion complex hooked stick tools. The study found that Mimusops elengi was the primary raw material used, providing insights into variation in crows' preferences and plant availability.

Falling in line: The simple design and control of MOF electric flow

A team from Osaka Prefecture University has developed a method to design and control the path of electron flow in a polycrystalline material, enabling high conductivity in a controllable direction. This breakthrough paves the way for the creation of next-generation thin-film smart devices.

Multi-material multi-photon 3D laser micro- and nanoprinting

Researchers reviewed approaches to multi-material multi-photon micro/nano-printing, enabling targeted structures with diverse material properties. Automated systems are rapidly developing for combining multiple primary materials within a single machine tool.

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.

Food scraps get a bold new life

Researchers at The University of Tokyo have developed a new method to recycle discarded fruit and vegetable scraps into strong construction materials. The process uses vacuum-dried, pulverized food scraps, such as seaweed and cabbage leaves, and produces materials that are at least as strong as concrete.

The birth of a subnanometer-sized soccer ball

Researchers successfully captured a video image of the bottom-up synthesis of fullerene C60, an allotrope resembling a soccer ball. The process was observed using single-molecule atomic resolution real-time electron microscopy (SMART-EM), revealing a kinetically and thermodynamically controlled cyclodehydrogenation reaction.

Building a foundation for high-power tech

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are working on new soft magnetic materials and manufacturing processes to enable ultra-high frequency power electronics switching devices. The four-year project aims to establish a foundation for ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor materials in novel power electronics switching devices.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Skoltech scientists find a way to make pultrusion faster

Researchers found that processing additives significantly impact the speed of polymerization in pultrusion, enabling faster production and improved efficiency. The study's findings have potential applications for enhancing profitability while maintaining quality in composite structures.

Homing in on the smallest possible laser

Scientists have successfully generated a Bose-Einstein Condensate out of exciton-polaritons, enabling the creation of the smallest possible solid-state lasers. This phenomenon holds promise for technological advancements in optoelectronic circuits.

New material could better protect soldiers, athletes and motorists

A new process has led to the development of high-performance energy absorbing systems that can be used in various applications, including vehicle crash safety, military armoured vehicles, and human body protection. The material's unique nanoscale mechanism enables it to absorb more mechanical energy per gram with good reusability.