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Faster friction - less wear

At extremely high speeds, friction decreases wear due to uneven heat distribution on the surface. The outermost layer of metal is damaged while deeper regions remain intact. This effect has implications for high-speed applications such as E-mobility and aircraft.

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.

Keeping bulk magnesium diboride superconducting at higher current densities

Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology developed an optimized recipe to retain superconductivity in bulk MgB2 by enhancing its critical current density. By combining sintering conditions with controlled addition of nanometer-sized amorphous boron and dysprosium oxide, the team achieved a superior critical current density.

Chip-scale metamicroscope for high-performance imaging

A newly developed polarizer-embedded metalens microscope system achieves high-quality, wide-field imaging with a large depth-of-field, significantly expanding human eyesight to the microworld. The chip-scale device offers a thousand-fold reduction in volume and weight compared to traditional microscopes.

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.

Thermal insulation for quantum technologies

Scientists at HZB created sintered porous silicon-aluminum nanomaterials with reduced thermal conductivity using a novel process. The resulting materials have tiny pores, crystalline nanoparticles, and domain boundaries that suppress heat conduction.

Spintronics: How an atom-thin insulator helps transport spins

Researchers have discovered a way to mitigate significant losses in spin current transport by integrating an atom-thin insulator between materials. This innovation has important implications for energy-efficient and ultra-fast storage technologies, as well as applications in terahertz emitters and other spintronic devices.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Self-propelled, endlessly programmable artificial cilia

Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a single-material, single-stimuli microstructure that can outmaneuver even living cilia. These programmable structures could be used for soft robotics, biocompatible medical devices, and dynamic information encryption.

Electronics can grow on trees thanks to nanocellulose paper semiconductors

Osaka University researchers have created a nanocellulose paper semiconductor with 3D network structures that can be tuned for use in various sustainable electronic devices. The treatment process allows for heat-induced conductivity without damaging the nanostructure, enabling flexible macro-scale structures and detailed designs.

New technology 3D-prints glass microstructures with rays of light

Researchers at UC Berkeley have developed a new way to 3D-print glass microstructures using computed axial lithography (CAL), which produces objects with higher optical quality and design flexibility. The CAL process enables smooth surfaces and complex geometries, making it ideal for manufacturing microscopic glass objects.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Ductile-regime vibration texturing: Create structural colors on brittle silicon

Researchers have successfully created high-quality, crack-free microstructures on silicon surfaces in the ductile regime using elliptical vibration cutting. The technique allows for high-aspect-ratio feature generation with minimal interference, enabling structural coloration and potential applications in displays, sensing, and more.

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.

A longstanding mystery in manufacturing has been solved

Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a simple analytical model to predict chip formation and optimize surface finish in manufacturing processes. The study reveals the critical cutting depth for almost every material, tool geometry, and running conditions, minimizing tool wear and improving product quality.

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.

Understanding mouthfeel of food using physics

A team of researchers used CARS microscopy to analyze the fat arrangement in foie gras and duck pâté. They found that foie gras had a harder, more brittle texture due to its irregularly shaped fat network. The study provides new insights into the relationship between microstructure and food texture.

Some polycrystal grain boundaries feel the heat more than others

The study found that certain grain boundaries in strontium titanate exhibit enhanced thermal expansion, leading to potential material failures. This discovery highlights the importance of grain boundaries in material properties and has implications for selecting suitable materials for various applications.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Researchers shrink camera to the size of a salt grain

The new system can produce high-quality images comparable to those of conventional cameras, with a compact design suitable for minimally invasive endoscopy and full-scene sensing. This breakthrough could revolutionize medical imaging and robotics with size and weight constraints.

Spintronics: Exotic ferromagnetic order in two-dimensions

Researchers from Germany and Spain successfully create a uniform two-dimensional material with exotic ferromagnetic behavior known as easy-plane magnetism. This discovery opens up new possibilities for spintronics, a technology that uses magnetic moments instead of electrical charges.

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.

Refuting a 70-year approach to predicting material microstructure

Researchers have found that a conventional model for predicting material microstructure does not apply to polycrystalline materials. They used near-field high energy diffraction microscopy (HEDM) to study grain boundaries, revealing that the model's predictions are inconsistent with experimental data.

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.

Studying thermophoresis in space

A multidisciplinary team of Lehigh University researchers will conduct experiments on thermophoresis in complex fluids for bioseparations at the International Space Station. The team hopes to understand how temperature gradients affect particles and improve virus separation techniques with potential societal impact.

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.

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.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Altered microstructure improves organic-based, solid state lithium EV battery

Researchers have developed an improved organic-based, solid-state lithium EV battery by altering the electrode microstructure using ethanol. The new design increases energy density to 300 Wh/kg, a significant improvement over previous batteries with a utilization rate of nearly 98%. This breakthrough aims to reduce reliance on scarce t...

Neural nets used to rethink material design

Rice University engineers have developed a new technique using neural networks to predict the evolution of microstructures in materials, which can be used to design new materials with desired properties. The method has been shown to speed up computations significantly, making it easier to create novel materials.

Creating patterns spontaneously in synthetic materials

The team developed a spontaneous patterning method that mimics biological processes, producing resins with regular ridges and controlled height and spacing. By adjusting the initial temperature of the solution, they created materials with patterns of color and stiffness, paving the way for creating new 'smart' materials.

Taking microelectronics to a new dimension

Researchers from Fraunhofer ITWM and Technische Universität Kaiserslautern create a new photosensitive material that enables the fabrication of highly conductive microcomponents via direct laser writing. The approach demonstrates high material density and on-chip compatibility, offering vast potential for improving antenna performance.

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.

Lithium niobate crystal film for integrated photonic applications

The article reviews progress in microstructure engineering and domain engineering of lithium niobate photonics, including photonic modulation and nonlinear photonics. High-efficiency wavelength converters using optical waveguides involve nonlinear integrated photonics.

Snake micro scales reveal secrets of sidewinding and slithering

Researchers discovered a unique microstructure on the bellies of sidewinding snakes, which improves performance when using lateral undulation for movement. The findings shed light on the functionality of these structures and their role in convergent evolution.

New technique extends next-generation lithium metal batteries

Researchers at Columbia University discovered that adding potassium ions to conventional lithium battery electrolytes prevents lithium microstructure proliferation, ultimately limiting the growth of dendrites that can cause short-circuiting and fires. This breakthrough enables stable lithium metal batteries with improved performance.

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.

Single-atom alloy: Superb cocatalyst for photocatalysis

Researchers have developed a single-atom alloy co-catalyst that significantly enhances photocatalytic hydrogen production activity. By precisely controlling the Pt content in the Pd@Pt/MOF composite, they achieved an exceptionally high photocatalytic activity, surpassing its counterparts.

Novel photoresist enables 3D printing of smallest porous structures

Scientists from KIT and Heidelberg University have developed a photoresist for two-photon microprinting, enabling the creation of three-dimensional polymer microstructures with cavities in the nano range. The novel material allows for controlled porosity and affects light scattering properties.

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.

Aerogel - the micro structural material of the future

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology have successfully produced stable, well-shaped microstructures from silica aerogel using a 3D printer. The printed structures exhibit excellent thermal insulation properties, making them ideal for thermally insulating small electronic components and shie...

How soft hair deforms the sharpest steel blades

Studies using realistic shaving experiments and in situ electron microscopy found that differences in cutting angle, microstructural variation, and location of variations contribute to blade failure. Implementing homogeneous microstructures at the cutting edge could be achieved through nanostructured alloys.

When Dirac meets frustrated magnetism

The discovery of KV3Sb5, a material hosting Dirac physics and metallic frustrated magnetism, has led to the observation of one of the largest anomalous Hall effects (AHEs) ever seen. This unique combination enables scientists to study the interaction between these exotic properties.

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.

'Spear and shield' inspire high toughness microstructure

A team of scientists designed a discontinuous fibrous Bouligand architecture to create exceptional fracture toughness and crack orientation insensitivity. The study reveals the origin of biomimetic microstructures for high-performance advanced composite materials.

Why toothpaste and cement harden over time

Researchers found that contacts form between particles, stabilizing microstructure and stiffening materials. This discovery explains age-related changes in paste materials and has implications for industries using similar materials.

Capturing 3D microstructures in real time

Researchers have developed a machine-learning based algorithm for quantitatively characterizing materials with features as small as nanometers. The tool can detect faults and cracks, predict lifetimes under different stresses and strains, and track the evolution of microstructures in real time.

Water-repellent leaves

Researchers report that the leaves of the floating fern Salvinia molesta can efficiently recover air mattress trapped in microstructures due to interconnected wedge-shaped grooves. Artificially fabricated leaf surfaces also exhibit air mattress recovery and could prove useful in various underwater applications.

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.

Industrial bread dough kneaders could use physics-based redesign

Researchers have used physics-based redesign to optimize the industrial bread dough kneading process. Their simulations showed that radial mixing in a spiral kneader is more effective than vertical mixing, leading to improved bread quality. The findings could lead to enhanced mixing performance and reduced over- or under-kneading.