Articles tagged with Metals
Researchers discovered 86% of bare surface soil samples exceeded EPA's residential soil lead hazard level, with nearly 94% exceeding screening levels. In homes without interior lead-based paint, 80% of floor dust samples exceeded safety thresholds.
A new review reveals that microplastics can change the mobility, bioavailability, ecological toxicity, and food-chain transfer of heavy metals, but the direction and magnitude of these changes differ substantially among metals. Biodegradable plastics are not automatically environmentally safer in metal-contaminated soils.
Researchers have found that hydrogen-induced embrittlement can be twice as severe in Nickel-base superalloys at elevated temperatures, posing a challenge for gas turbine safety and reliability. The study suggests that designing temperature-specific alloys with tailored microstructures could help mitigate this issue.
Researchers found that plants absorb more elements with longer hydrated metal ion distances, suggesting a basic chemical influence on mobility. The metric may help estimate poorly studied contaminants and reduce reliance on complex variables.
Researchers created new metal alloys using AI-driven materials design, retaining strength under extreme conditions. The alloys, made of nickel, cobalt, and chromium, outperformed industry standards in properties such as puncture resistance and oxidation resistance.
Researchers created a hafnium-based scintillator that significantly improves light output, reduces optical crosstalk, and delivers ultrahigh resolution in X-ray imaging. The material's low defect density and optimized structure enable high sensitivity and excellent radiation stability.
Colorado State University researchers propose strategies to immobilize toxic metals and prevent plant uptake in rice grains, protecting food security and public health. The approach aims to reduce arsenic, cadmium, and mercury contamination in rice paddies using nanomaterials and chemical reactions.
Researchers discovered a maximum amount of electrical resistance that can occur due to electron collisions, offering insights into what causes resistivity at the microscopic level. The study found that when interactions between atoms become too strong, the resistivity caused by collisions eventually stops rising and saturates.
Researchers at MPI-SusMat discovered that adding specific metal oxides as catalytic precursors can double the reduction kinetics of hydrogen-based metal production, allowing for reduced energy use. This breakthrough enables lower reduction temperatures, shorter processing times, and reduced energy consumption.
A new study found that safe firearm storage can minimize children's exposure to lead, an environmental toxin. In homes where firearms are not stored or locked, dust lead levels are higher and blood lead levels in children increase by up to 20%.
Researchers found that repeated vaping can create harmful byproducts in high-puff electronic cigarettes, including methylglyoxal and glyoxal, which are associated with significant cell damage. The study suggests that users of heavily used devices may inhale higher levels of these compounds than those using fresh devices.
The FutuRaM project mapped Europe's 'urban mine', revealing a vast reservoir of metals and minerals essential for clean energy, digital technologies, and modern industry. By 2050, recovery systems could enable the EU to recover between 4.1 and 5.7 million tonnes of critical raw materials annually.
Researchers at the University of Rochester developed a solar-thermal desalination process that produces fresh water in an energy-efficient way, eliminating brine and requiring no chemical additives. The technology extracts nearly 100% of salts in solid form, producing table salt and precious minerals like lithium.
Researchers found that atoms on certain gold surfaces naturally rearrange themselves into protective patterns that suppress reactions with oxygen. This discovery helps explain why gold jewelry and objects can remain untarnished for centuries.
A research team has successfully removed the primary obstacle to post-silicon computing by creating a record-breaking electronic connection for atomic-thin materials. The new GaOx layer enables 'hybrid tunnelling' mechanism, reducing contact resistance and allowing transistors to operate at much lower voltages without sacrificing speed.
A team of researchers developed a machine learning framework to optimize laser settings for printing crack-susceptible superalloys. The algorithm reduced internal crack density by 99% and increased the metal's high-temperature strength, surpassing traditional cast components.
A new class of ultra-high strength and ductility steel has been created using machine learning, achieving a rare balance of extreme strength and ductility. The resulting metal resists corrosion and degrades slowly in salt-water tests.
Researchers developed a bespoke aluminum alloy specifically tailored to survive and thrive in 3D printing. The new material produces components with significantly higher strength and lower internal stress than current industry standards.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to recover nearly all critical minerals from spent lithium-ion batteries, including metals like lithium and graphite. The process uses microwave-induced plasma treatment with room-temperature solvents, resulting in high recovery rates and minimal environmental impact.
A study by researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology discovered that engineered disorder can amplify transverse electron transport in magnetic materials. The findings suggest that deliberately using disorder in materials design could lead to new opportunities in spintronics and thermoelectric energy-conversion technologies.
Researchers have created a carbon-fiber composite that swallows sound waves while retaining the strength of industrial load-bearing panels. The design achieves an average sound absorption coefficient of over 0.9 across a frequency range of 1,500 to 5,500 hertz.
A study by Jeonbuk National University researchers highlights the potential risks of chemical-enhanced primary treatment (CEPT) sewage sludge, but also shows that thermal treatment can lead to secondary heavy metal pollution. The team recommends using lower pyrolysis temperatures to enhance sustainability.
Scientists have developed a novel 2D multiferroic metal, bilayer CrTe2, with intrinsic room-temperature multiferroicity and strong magnetoelectric coupling. The material exhibits reversible out-of-plane polarization and demonstrates 'electrical writing and magnetic reading' capabilities.
Nagoya University researchers have developed an iron-based alternative to expensive chiral ligands in metal-based photocatalysts, achieving a precise radical cation cyclization and the first total asymmetric synthesis of (+)-heitziamide A using blue LED light and abundant iron.
Researchers at King's College London have developed highly reactive aluminium molecules that can break apart tough chemical bonds. The team discovered a new compound called cyclotrialumane, which exhibits unprecedented reactivity and retains its structure in various solutions.
Researchers at Penn State develop novel technology to isolate and recover dysprosium, a critical rare earth element used in semiconductors and other applications. The new approach uses cellulose-based nanocellulose to selectively separate dysprosium from other elements, promoting a more environmentally friendly and efficient method.
The US Department of Energy has launched a national research program on liquid metals for fusion, with Princeton University at the forefront. The program aims to develop liquid metal technology that can protect components from intense heat and improve fusion system performance.
Researchers at Harbin Institute of Technology in China report a method to fabricate transparent conductive films on curved surfaces. The technique, using multi-angle co-velocity fitting deposition model, produces smooth and continuous films with high transparency and low electrical resistance.
Researchers have created a process to produce clean hydrogen from freshwater and seawater using liquid metals powered by sunlight. The method avoids many obstacles in current hydrogen production methods, including the need for purified water and high costs. The team is working to improve efficiency for commercialization.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed carbon spheres filled with iron oxide, achieving promising results for environmentally friendly lithium-ion batteries. The material's storage capacity increases over time as the iron oxide is electrochemically activated, making it a potential solution for renewable energy storage.
A UCLA-led research team has discovered a new metallic material that conducts heat nearly three times more efficiently than copper, opening up new pathways for cooling electronics and AI hardware. The material, theta-phase tantalum nitride, boasts an ultrahigh thermal conductivity of approximately 1,100 W/mK.
The University of Birmingham has launched a new facility for separating and recycling rare earth magnets, reducing the UK's reliance on imports. The facility uses an innovative hydrogen-based process that can recover over 400kg of rare earth alloy per batch.
A team of researchers at Northern Arizona University discovered that fabricated gold, copper and iron nanocrystals exhibit pentagonal constructs resembling natural snowflakes, governed by emergence dynamics. This phenomenon holds key findings for controlling nanomaterial synthesis and advancing the field.
Researchers at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics created an active metal metamaterial that can bend and recover its shape, enabling aircraft wings to morph smoothly in flight. The material is lightweight, strong, and capable of adjusting its shape on demand.
Scientists develop corrosion-resistant alumina-forming ferritic alloys that exhibit outstanding mechanical properties and oxidation resistance, potentially transforming energy systems and nuclear reactors. These materials offer economic feasibility while maintaining high reliability and could accelerate adoption in practical applications.
Researchers at Pusan National University have discovered a new, faster method for treating lightweight magnesium metals using electropulsing technology. The technique, which involves applying electric pulses to the metal, can accelerate grain growth and improve mechanical properties.
A research team from the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed a confined crystallization strategy to improve spray-coated perovskite device performance. The approach enables precise control over nucleation behavior during film formation, resulting in low-defect, high-quality perovskite films.
Researchers at Chonnam National University have developed a new approach to thin-film solar cells using a nanometric germanium oxide layer, resulting in improved performance and device stability. The innovative design boosts power conversion efficiency by up to 4.81%.
Researchers at Nagoya University created a new aluminum alloy series optimized for high strength and heat resistance through 3D printing. The study used low-cost elements to produce recycling-friendly materials that can operate at elevated temperatures, leading to lighter vehicles and reduced emissions.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute present efficient and low-CO2 process to extract copper, nickel, and cobalt from deep-sea ore nodules. The method generates significantly less waste and deforestation compared to traditional land-based mining.
Scientists at Tsinghua University introduce a new technique to carve complex shapes on material surfaces, enabling more design freedom and efficiency in surface design. The method uses high-speed vibrations to create convex microstructures that can change how a surface interacts with its environment.
Researchers at the Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, have precisely detected quantum tunneling of hydrogen atoms in palladium metal. Hydrogen atoms can pass through energy barriers via quantum tunneling due to 'quantum' effects.
Researchers at MIT used CT scans to study 5,000-year-old slag waste from an ancient site in Iran, revealing fine details about structures within the pieces. The technique complements traditional methods of studying ancient artifacts, shedding light on materials used and technological sophistication of early metallurgists.
A new recycling process recovers nearly all valuable materials from used batteries with high purity, requiring less energy, chemicals, and costs compared to existing methods. The two-step flash Joule heating method separates lithium and transition metals quickly and cleanly.
A study from OIST shows that abrasion from common additives can lead to efficient reactions under mechanochemical conditions. Abrasive materials like tungsten carbide or diamond powder activate catalysts and drive coupling reactions. This finding changes the way researchers think about mechanochemical catalysts.
Researchers at UNH have created a searchable database of 67,573 magnetic materials using AI, including 25 previously unrecognized compounds. The Northeast Materials Database aims to reduce reliance on rare earth elements and lower the cost of electric vehicles.
Researchers have identified iron-manganese alloys as promising candidates for temporary bone fixation. These alloys combine strength, biocompatibility, and degradation properties, allowing them to support bone healing while degrading naturally. However, challenges remain, including controlling the release of manganese, which can pose t...
Global experts discuss the future of additive manufacturing in various applications, including bioprinting living tissues and creating smart consumer products. Researchers showcase advancements in machine learning, real-time sensing, and multi-material 3D printing.
A new post-processing route improves tensile strength and ductility in 3D-printed alloys by combining deep cryogenic treatment and laser shock peening. This method transforms the microscopic structure of 3D-printed metals, relieving internal stresses and enhancing mechanical resilience.
Researchers have developed flexible electrodes that mimic skin's softness and stretchability, enabling stable high-quality signals. Composite designs combining metallic systems are being explored to balance flexibility, conductivity, and transparency.
Researchers have developed Laser Ablation Dry Aerosol Printing (LADAP) that generates nanoparticles from solid targets using pulsed laser ablation, enabling the printing of metals and oxides without inks. The technique produces structures with fine-resolution microstructures and thick deposition within a high-throughput process.
A new project aims to develop a computationally efficient model that accurately predicts how additive manufacturing process parameters influence the solidification microstructure of binary alloy solidification. This will enable optimization of additively manufactured parts with confidence in critical industries.
Researchers at MIT have found a hidden atomic order in metals that changes their properties, including mechanical strength and heat capacity. The discovery reveals a new physical phenomenon explaining the persistent patterns and provides a simple model to predict chemical patterns in metals.
Researchers at MIT have developed a 3D-printable aluminum alloy that is five times stronger than traditionally manufactured versions. This breakthrough could lead to lighter and more efficient aircraft parts, such as fan blades in jet engines, reducing energy consumption and costs.
Researchers explain how iron nanoparticles form in water or on minerals, organic matter, and microbial biofilms, influencing ecosystem health and pollutant movement. Organic molecules and microbes also play major roles in nanoparticle growth and transformation.
Researchers have successfully grown the smallest stable carbon nanotubes, a breakthrough that could lead to advancements in nanoelectronics and cutting-edge technologies. The study uses rhodium-based catalysts to achieve a high yield of the (5, 4) nanotube, paving the way for future applications.
Atomically thin 2D metals exhibit unique properties, making them suitable for applications in electronics, electrochemistry, and catalysis. Five synthesis methods, including confinement techniques and van der Waals squeezing, are explored to fabricate 2D metals with distinct properties.
A multidisciplinary team led by Natasha Vermaak investigates developing structural materials resistant to high-frequency thermomechanical loads for rotating detonation engines. The project aims to address the lack of established materials solutions for extreme thermomechanical loadings, enabling advancements in propulsion systems.
Researchers develop flexible batteries with internal voltage regulation using liquid metal microfluidic perfusion and plasma-based reversible bonding techniques. This technology addresses limitations of traditional rigid batteries.
Researchers have introduced a novel electron localization strategy to create Ni-MXene composites with enhanced polarization, leading to boosted electromagnetic wave attenuation. The composites achieve an ultra-wide effective absorption bandwidth of 6.8 GHz and set a new benchmark for MXene-based EMW absorbers.