Articles tagged with Metals
A growing body of evidence links metal fumes to a heightened risk of bacterial lobar pneumonia in welders. New data shows welders are more than 3.5 times as likely to die from pneumococcal pneumonia compared to other workers.
The researchers created a two-dimensional metallic dielectric photonic crystal that absorbs virtually all wavelengths of light from the sun, but not much of the rest. The material can withstand extremely high temperatures and is made at large scales with cheaply manufactured technology.
A study by Solange Cadore and colleagues found that dark chocolates in Brazil contained high levels of lead and cadmium. The researchers tested 30 commercial samples and found that the highest amounts of these metals were present in dark chocolate products, posing a health risk to children who consume them.
A new technique can quickly screen products for mercury content, helping to identify those at risk of serious health problems. The method uses total reflection x-ray fluorescence and has been shown to be just as accurate as existing techniques.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a protective layer of interconnected carbon nanospheres to protect the unstable lithium from drawbacks, enabling the design of a pure lithium anode. The breakthrough could lead to more efficient and longer-lasting rechargeable batteries with improved capacity and reduced safety risks.
Researchers at NIST have clocked nanorods spinning up to 150,000 revolutions per minute, 10 times faster than any other nanoscale object in liquid. This discovery has opened up potential uses for nanomotors in medical treatments and industrial processes.
Researchers at the University of Oregon have created a novel, low-energy process to produce precursor materials for dense, defect-free thin films. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient electronics and solar devices with reduced manufacturing costs.
Scientists have discovered new fragmentation pathways that occur universally when DNA strands are exposed to metal ions, leading to the creation of charged intermediates. This finding could contribute to optimizing cancerous tumour therapy by improving understanding of how radiation interacts with complex DNA structures.
Researchers discovered how beryllium changes the shape of immune system proteins, triggering an inflammatory response in the lungs. The findings describe a new form of immune response that combines elements of allergic hypersensitivity and autoimmunity, with potential for new therapeutic strategies.
Researchers at IBS developed polymer nanocapsules with metal nanoparticles, offering high stability, dispersibility and catalytic activity in water. This technology replaces toxic liquid solvents with environmentally preferable ones, enabling sustainable catalysis.
Researchers have developed a new model that explains the interface losses between organic semiconductors and metals, enabling the introduction of an insulating layer to improve electrical contact. The model suggests varying energy barriers can lead to lower losses and more efficient organic electronic devices.
Researchers from LLNL and MIT have created ultra-lightweight and stiff mechanical metamaterials using additive micro-manufacturing processes. The new materials exhibit properties not found in nature, maintaining a nearly constant stiffness per unit mass density across more than three orders of magnitude in density.
Researchers from the University of Jyväskylä report a new method for building molecular cages that exploits intermolecular steric effects to control self-assembly. This allows for the creation of cages with vacant metal binding sites, enabling modifications to their properties.
Researchers at the University of Miami discovered a metal named lithium purple-bronze (LiPB) with extraordinary thermoelectric properties, which may revolutionize power generation and refrigeration. The material produces a large voltage for a given temperature difference, making it suitable for converting waste heat into electric power.
Researchers at Drexel University have developed a way to classify and predict the existence of rare polar metals, which are electrically conductive and have an asymmetric distribution of electrons. This discovery could lead to new materials with unique properties, such as superconductivity.
A study found lower risks of heart attack, death, and procedures to re-open the artery in patients receiving drug-eluting stents followed by individualized blood-thinning medication. The results challenge existing guidelines for prolonged anti-platelet therapy after stent placement.
This year's awards recognize Dr. Stephen H. White for membrane protein folding research, Dr. Judith Frydman for eukaryotic cell protein folding mechanisms, and others for their groundbreaking contributions to the field.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed tiny, degradable 'medicine factories' inside the body that can produce specific medicines in response to specific enzymes. The technology, funded by a €2 million ERC grant, has the potential to revolutionize pain relief and cancer treatment.
Researchers discovered bacteria that breathe toxic metals, which could be used to produce industrial products and remove pollutants from wastewater. The bacteria can produce high-quality antimony trioxide crystals without creating byproducts or requiring specialized equipment.
Transformation optics tackles challenges in plasmonic devices by transforming complex structures into canonical ones, facilitating accurate modeling and design. This enables the development of efficient light-harvesting nanostructures with strong near-field enhancements.
Scientists have developed MOFs that can conduct electricity by adding specific molecules, increasing conductivity by a million times. This breakthrough enables new applications in sensing, conformal electronics, and more.
A team of engineers has accurately modeled the whistling mechanism in a classic stovetop kettle, identifying two-mechanism process of whistle production and potential solutions to noisy plumbing issues. The study's findings reveal that swirling vortices create the siren sound, which could help eliminate annoying noises.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that high concentrations of tungsten are strongly linked with an increased occurrence of stroke. The research, conducted by the University of Exeter, analyzed data from a large US health survey and found that tungsten could be a significant risk factor for stroke, even in people under 50.
Researchers at MIT have discovered charged droplets that can improve power plant efficiency by repelling each other and applying an external electric field. This technology has the potential to enhance heat transfer on condensers and even generate electricity from ambient air.
Scientists at MIT have created tiny ceramic objects that can bend up to 7% without cracking, overcoming the material's brittleness. The flexible ceramics have potential for biomedical applications, such as triggering actions in microdevices.
Scientists have isolated and characterized a stable intermediate in a dirhodium metal complex reaction, allowing them to study its mechanism for the first time. The discovery opens new avenues for the field of catalysis and could lead to more efficient chemical reactions.
Researchers at Penn University have developed a computer model to optimize the properties of metal nanowire networks for flexible touchscreens. The model helps identify the optimal balance between transparency and electrical resistance, leading to improved device performance.
Researchers at the University of Minnesota have discovered a groundbreaking technique for manufacturing nanostructures, enabling smaller and better electrical and optical devices. The breakthrough involves using Scotch Magic tape to create extremely thin gaps through metal layers, with widths controlled on the atomic level.
Physicists from Bielefeld University have developed a new process to produce ultrathin carbon membranes, which can filter out fine materials and separate gases. The method allows for the creation of customized nanomembranes with specific properties, such as thickness, transparency, and elasticity.
Researchers demonstrated that using a continuum-based approach can explain the dynamics of liquid metal particles on substrates at nanoscales. The work has implications for self- and directed-assembly of metal nanoparticles on surfaces, particularly in solar cell devices.
Scientists have unexpectedly created two differently colored crystals from one chemical, revealing new insights into agostic bonds crucial for industrial catalytic reactions. The discovery provides valuable information for making plastics and fuels.
A team of researchers discovered that resonance frequency matching, alignment of the magnetic field, and impedance matching are crucial for efficient wireless power transfer. This technology could enable dynamic charging of electric vehicles on highways, increasing their driving ranges indefinitely.
New calculations predict hydrogen takes on a series of structures under high pressure, forming transparent metal layers that make detection difficult. The findings suggest the line between metal and non-metal in hydrogen is blurrier than previously thought, requiring advanced experimental techniques to detect.
Researchers at UNIST demonstrated a novel method for epitaxially synthesizing uniform and homogeneous III-V semiconductor nanowires on Si wafers. The high quality of the nanowires was achieved without using metal catalysts, opening up new possibilities for opto-electronic devices.
Researchers have discovered a new way to create stable three-dimensional magnetic vortices in nanometer-scale systems, which can be used as antennas for wireless data transmission. The discovery could lead to improved performance and stability in applications such as mobile communications and Wi-Fi.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have created a material that mimics the squid's beak to make medical devices safer and more comfortable. The new material has a mechanical gradient that acts as a shock absorber, reducing wear and tear on surrounding soft tissues.
A multi-center analysis shows fully covered self-expanding metal stents can effectively resolve painful and potentially life-threatening benign biliary strictures. The study found that 91.6% of patients had symptom relief after metal stent removal, with successful stricture resolution rates varying by patient group.
Researchers developed a new thin film technology that allows for simultaneous analysis of multiple substances, leading to faster and more efficient diagnostics. The device can detect changes in chemical composition using optical fingerprints, offering improved accuracy and reliability compared to existing state-of-the-art technology.
A team of researchers led by UC Riverside Professor Alexander A. Balandin has solved the long-standing issue of low-frequency electronic 1/f noise in materials and devices. By studying multi-layered graphene samples, they found that the origin of this signal is at the surface of electrical conductors, contrary to previous research.
Research at Arizona State University has found that children with autism have higher levels of several toxic metals in their blood and urine compared to typical children. The study's findings suggest a strong association between toxic metal levels and variations in autism severity.
A study of 7,500 British adults found strong links between jobs involving cleaning and cleaning agents and the development of adult asthma. Exposure to low-risk agents increased asthma risk by 20%, while high-risk exposure tripled it.
Researchers led by Nicolas Lehner found large quantities of cool gas with low heavy element content surrounding modern galaxies. This gas has not been strongly processed through stars, providing a substantial reservoir for fueling continued star formation in modern galaxies.
Ultrastable glasses have been produced in days or hours with properties matching those of thousands-year-old materials. These advancements could lead to stronger metals and faster-acting pharmaceuticals., Computer simulations confirmed the findings, revealing a correlation between molecular structure and physical properties.
Researchers discovered ancient wooden wells in eastern Germany, providing evidence of skilled carpentry among early European farmers. The tree rings preserved environmental data offering insights into climate and strategies used by these prehistoric settlers.
University of Illinois researchers have developed a new design for three-dimensional rolled-up inductors, reducing their footprint to 45 microns by 16 microns while maintaining performance. This breakthrough could lead to smaller, high-performance electronics and enable the development of new integrated circuit elements.
Researchers found high concentrations of gold in termite mounds, indicating a larger deposit underneath. These insects bring up small particles containing gold from the deposit's fingerprint and stockpile it in their mounds.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a simple and economic way to nearly triple the efficiency of organic solar cells using a nanostructured metal film called PlaCSH. The new technology also shows promise for increasing the efficiency of conventional inorganic solar collectors like silicon panels.
Researchers at Georgia Tech developed a new technique for connecting multiple shells of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to metal terminals using electron beam-induced deposition. This method reduces resistivity by 10-fold, making it suitable for integrating carbon nanotubes in conventional devices. The technique also has potential applic...
A recent study published in The Lancet found that hip resurfacing implants failed at a higher rate in women compared to men, particularly those with smaller head sizes. In contrast, men with larger femoral heads experienced comparable implant success rates to those who underwent total hip replacement.
A research team at Intel Corp. has developed a long-lasting ultrahigh-density probe storage device by coating probe tips with a thin metal film, reducing wear and increasing the device's lifetime to over 8 kilometers. The device features an array of 5,000 ultrasharp probes that write tiny bits of memory as small as a few nanometers.
Researchers developed a method to measure mercury and other toxic metals in fluids using nano-velcro, which can detect methyl mercury at record-breaking accuracy. The device is cheap, easy to use and may lead to safer foods on the dinner table.
University of Alberta medical scientists have made a groundbreaking discovery in understanding the structure of molybdenum, a critical metal in human health. The research reveals two forms of the molecule with distinct functions, providing new insights into diseases such as metabolic and respiratory disorders.
A study examined the long-term safety of two different types of drug-eluting stents, finding no significant difference in stent thrombosis rates over three years. However, differences emerged when dual antiplatelet therapy was used low, suggesting its importance for patients with these stents.
Researchers have developed a computational model that accurately simulates the interactions between flue gases and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for capturing greenhouse gases. The model enables the prediction of properties of open-site MOFs, which could dramatically lower energy costs in coal-burning power plants.
Researchers found that people agree more with claims when a photo is displayed, regardless of its accuracy. This phenomenon, known as 'truthiness,' has important implications for situations where people are influenced by visual cues.
Theoretical physicist Dima Shepelyansky found that energy flows from large to small scales can be prevented under specific conditions, similar to the way electron currents are stopped in disordered solids. This discovery links chaos theory and turbulence, highlighting a phenomenon where energy threshold plays a crucial role.
Scientists have developed a design that allows electronics to bend and stretch up to 200%, overcoming the major obstacle of rigid electronics. This breakthrough enables medical monitoring devices to track vital signs and transmit them wirelessly, opening up new possibilities for patient care.
Researchers at the University of Miami introduced a breakthrough theory that explains high-temperature superconductivity. The team found that specific quantum effects can generate superpositions of individual states, providing an effective glue to repair the system and allow superconducting behavior to emerge.
Harvard University researchers invent a way to keep metal surfaces free of ice and frost using ultra slippery anti-ice and anti-frost surfaces. The technology, called SLIPS, prevents ice sheets from developing on surfaces and allows for easy removal of ice with tilting or slight agitation.
University of Florida physicists achieved a groundbreaking 8.6% power conversion efficiency from a graphene solar cell created in their lab by chemically treating the graphene with trifluoromethanesulfonyl-amide. This breakthrough could make graphene solar cells a contender in the market if production costs are kept low.