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New flexible material can make any window 'smart'

A new flexible smart window material can control both heat and light from the sun using an electric charge, aiming to save on cooling and heating bills. The material's unique nanostructure doubles its efficiency compared to conventional high-temperature processes.

Computer model predicts how people perceive softness of 3-D printed objects

Researchers developed a perceptual model to predict the perceived softness and stiffness of nonlinear elastic objects, replicating an object's feel despite material differences. The model was validated through experiments and shown to accurately predict how people perceive the softness of various materials.

'Dream Team' chosen to study basic science of nuclear waste

A team of researchers from top institutions, including PNNL and Washington State University, will study the chemistry of radioactive waste to accelerate cleanup efforts. The goal is to understand how radiation affects materials and constituents in waste tanks, ultimately reducing processing time and expense.

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.

Let there be light

University of Utah researchers have developed a theory that adding light during the manufacturing process can reduce defects in semiconductors, leading to more efficient solar cells and brighter LED bulbs. This breakthrough could unlock the potential of materials previously deemed unusable, such as cadmium telluride and gallium nitride.

UW team first to measure microscale granular crystal dynamics

The University of Washington team observed and analyzed collective interparticle vibrations in two-dimensional microscale granular crystals for the first time. This understanding allows for designing materials with unique properties, such as customizable impact energy absorption.

Ferrous chemistry in aqueous solution unravelled

Researchers have developed a method to analyze the electronic states of iron(II) in aqueous solution, revealing new insights into its interactions with surrounding solvent. This breakthrough could improve our understanding of electron interactions in catalytic and functional materials.

Machine learning accelerates the discovery of new materials

Researchers used machine learning to speed up the discovery of shape-memory alloys with low thermal hysteresis, critical for improving fatigue life in engineering applications. The framework iteratively guides experiments to find materials with desired target properties, cutting time and cost by half.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Spintronics for future information technologies

Researchers have successfully controlled spin currents in topological insulators using circularly polarised laser light, opening the door for ultra-energy efficient data processing. The findings, published in Physical Review B, demonstrate the potential of these materials for spintronic applications.

Progress of simulating dynamics in heterogeneous materials

The study uses coarse-grained modelings to probe multi-scale behaviors in heterogeneous materials, revealing dynamical similarities, invariants, and slow-varying quantities. The researchers develop new approaches to analyze complex structures and fields, leading to a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms.

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.

Replacement for silicon devices looms big with ORNL discovery

A new processing technique has been developed to create low-power, high-efficiency electronic devices using layered ferroelectric materials. This discovery could potentially replace silicon in some applications and enable the creation of flexible electronics.

Advanced energy storage material gets unprecedented nanoscale analysis

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a technique to track ion movement in the MXene material, revealing important insights into its energy storage properties. The study's findings suggest that ion insertion and diffusion play a crucial role in the material's exceptional performance.

New ORNL method could unleash solar power potential

Researchers at ORNL have developed a new method that provides unprecedented detail on energy flow in nanometer scale, enabling the improvement of solar cells' performance. The technique uses femtosecond transient absorption microscopy to extract images with single-pixel precision.

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.

Treeing it up: Research team documents design of wood-based polymers

A research team at the University of Delaware has designed softwood lignin-based polymers with improved thermal and flow properties, making them suitable for applications such as tires, running shoes, and gaskets. The development aims to reduce costs and environmental impact by utilizing waste from the pulp and paper industry.

Cornell opens $25 million NSF platform for discovering new materials

The Platform for the Accelerated Realization, Analysis, and Discovery of Interface Materials (PARADIM) enables scientists to design and create novel materials with extraordinary properties. These materials will impact various fields including national security, clean energy, and human welfare.

Paper skin sensors for environmental monitoring

Researchers at KAUST created a low-cost sensor using everyday materials to detect external stimuli. The 'Paper Skin' sensor performs well as an artificial skin application while integrating multiple functions using cost-effective materials.

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.

The odor of stones

Researchers discovered that diatoms are attracted to the smell of silicate minerals and move actively to areas with high concentrations. This ability allows them to colonize specific regions and is a key factor in their survival. Understanding this process could lead to the development of new materials resistant to algal colonization.

X-rays reveal details of plastic solar cell production

Researchers have observed molecular processes in real-time using X-rays, gaining insights into the printing process. This understanding can help control the arrangement of materials, improving the efficiency of organic solar cells.

A step towards quantum electronics

Researchers connected two materials with unusual quantum-mechanical properties through a quantum constriction, enabling clean materials with intriguing quantum-mechanical properties. This collaboration opens up a new research direction for ultrafast and robust electronic networks.

Professor Federico Rosei of INRS wins the John C. Polanyi Award

Professor Federico Rosei of INRS Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre has received the 2016 John C. Polanyi Award from the Canadian Society for Chemistry. He is known for his research on nanostructured materials and has earned several national and international awards.

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.

3-D laser printing of whispering-gallery-mode microcavities

Researchers have developed a method for creating high-quality whispering-gallery-mode microcavities using femtosecond laser 3D printing. The technique enables the fabrication of these microcavities with extremely high Q factors, which enhance interaction between light and matter, leading to promising applications in various devices.

Toward tires that repair themselves (video)

Scientists have created tire-grade rubber that can heal itself, potentially extending the lifespan of tires. The material, developed by Amit Das and colleagues, heals at room temperature and can withstand stresses of up to 754 pounds per square inch.

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.

Professor Federico Rosei elected ASM International Fellow

Professor Federico Rosei, a renowned researcher at INRS Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, has been elected ASM International Fellow. He is recognized for his exceptional work on synthesizing and characterizing multifunctional materials.

Clay sheets stack to form proton conductors

A new proton-conducting system created by Northwestern University professor Jiaxing Huang uses stacked clay sheets to concentrate protons for conduction. This breakthrough material has significant advantages over graphene-based sheets and other materials, including ease of production and high thermal stability.

Materials science researcher honored as Fellow by ASM International

Pranesh Aswath, a renowned materials scientist at the University of Texas at Arlington, has been recognized as a Fellow by ASM International for his groundbreaking research in ceramics. His work on functional ceramic films and biological applications has resulted in over 150 publications and numerous patents.

A new look at surface chemistry

A new analytical method using high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM) has resolved the unique atomic structure at the surface of a material for the first time. This breakthrough enables direct information on both surface and bulk atoms, improving understanding of critical reactions such as catalysis and corrosion.

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 new way to image surfaces on the nanoscale

A new imaging technique has been developed to determine the arrangement of atoms on surfaces at atomic resolution. The method could improve our understanding of corrosion and catalysis processes, leading to more efficient green energy production.

Nanomaterial self-assembly imaged in real time

A team of scientists has developed a new method to visualize the growth of complex self-assembled nanostructures in liquids, enabling detailed understanding of their formation. This breakthrough will facilitate future advances in nanotechnology.

Defects can 'Hulk-up' materials

A new technique uses high-energy alpha particles to transform thermoelectric materials into more efficient versions, even improving electrical conductivity and thermopower. The research could lead to significant advancements in clean energy and device cooling applications.

CLAIRE brings electron microscopy to soft materials

Researchers at Berkeley Lab develop CLAIRE, a technique for noninvasive nanoscale imaging of soft matter. This allows for high-resolution observation of dynamics behind nano-sized components in biomolecules, accelerating the development of technologies such as artificial photosynthesis and photovoltaic cells.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Comet Wild 2: A window into the birth of the solar system?

Researchers from University of Hawai'i - Mānoa discover that larger dust particles in comet Wild 2 are similar to rocks found in primitive meteorites called chondrites. The smaller-sized dust displays a range of oxygen isotopic compositions, deepening the mystery of Wild 2's past.

Toward a squishier robot

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh designed a synthetic polymer gel that can change shape and move using its own internally generated power. The SP-BZ gel combines the properties of two materials to enable self-bending, folding, and self-propelled motion.

See flower cells in 3-D -- no electron microscopy required

Researchers developed an optical sectioning–3D reconstruction method using compound fluorescence light microscopes to image plant cells without damaging them. This approach allows for bulk processing of samples, clear imaging months after collection, and higher resolution than SEM.

'Holey' graphene for energy storage

Researchers at the University of California - San Diego have discovered a method to increase electric charge storage in graphene, a two-dimensional form of carbon. The 'holey' structure introduces charged defects that increase capacitance by three-fold, making it useful for quick bursts of energy.

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.

Professor Federico Rosei receives prestigious honor as mentor

Professor Federico Rosei has received the AVS Excellence in Leadership Award, a first for a scientist working in Canada. He is recognized for his extensive training and mentoring initiatives, which have benefited over 100 young researchers from 30 countries.

Robotic materials: Changing with the world around them

Researchers develop robotic materials that can sense their environment and change their properties in response. Inspired by nature, these materials aim to create prosthetics, self-healing bridges, and adaptive vehicles. However, manufacturing techniques remain a challenge, and an education gap must be addressed.

Fluid-filled pores separate materials with fine precision

Researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have developed a novel system for separating materials using fluid-filled pores, which can precisely separate liquids, gases, and solids without clogging. The system harnesses dynamic control over a highly sensitive mechanism, allowing for efficient separation of complex mixtures.

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, useful feature of Moringa seeds revealed

Researchers at Uppsala University discovered that Moringa seed protein can be used to separate different materials from water, a process important in mining industries. The study found that the optimal amount of seeds needed varies depending on the material, allowing for more efficient separation.

Light in the Moebius strip

Scientists generate Moebius strip from laser light to process materials and manipulate microparticles, opening up new possibilities for nanotechnology. The optical tool could also be used to guide nanoparticles on complex paths using optical tweezers.

Chemists control structure to unlock magnetization and polarization simultaneously

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have successfully controlled a material's structure to generate both magnetisation and electrical polarisation, two contradictory properties. This breakthrough has significant implications for low-energy information technology applications, such as efficient information storage and logic devices.

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.

Solar cell polymers with multiplied electrical output

A team from Brookhaven National Laboratory and Columbia University has designed materials that can convert more absorbed light energy into useful electricity by producing two electrical charge carriers per unit of light. This approach enables easy manufacturing processes, including 'printing' solar-energy-producing material like ink.

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.

Stacking 2-dimensional materials may lower cost of semiconductor devices

Researchers at North Carolina State University discovered that stacking 2D materials can create semiconductor junctions with efficient charge transfer, even when the crystalline structures don't match. This discovery could make the manufacture of semiconductor devices an order of magnitude less expensive.

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.

New material makes water and oil roll off

Researchers have developed a new material, called fluoropore, that can repel both water and oil due to its super-repellent surface. The material has the potential to produce universal protective coatings against any type of staining.

Breakthrough in flexible electronics enabled by inorganic-based laser lift-off

A breakthrough in flexible electronics has been achieved using Inorganic-based Laser Lift-off (ILLO), which overcomes material and processing limitations. ILLO allows for the fabrication of ultrathin inorganic electronic devices on flexible substrates, enabling high temperature processes previously restricted by polymer materials.

DFG establishes 14 new Research Training Groups

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) is establishing 14 new Research Training Groups to support early career researchers, while extending seven existing groups. The RTGs will focus on topics like urban water circulation systems, parasitology, and cold controlled ensembles.

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.