The EU-funded INNOVATILE project aims to reduce the environmental impact of ceramic tile manufacturing through innovative technology, targeting a 10-20% decrease in raw material and water consumption. The project also focuses on using secondary raw materials and replacing critical resources with alternative resources.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
Scientists have created a vibrant blue pottery pigment using less cobalt, which retains high temperature stability and chemical resistance. The new pigment, derived from barium aluminosilicate, substantially reduces the need for cobalt ions, making it a more affordable and accessible option.
Researchers developed a simple, transparent coating that makes surfaces water-repellent, preventing bacterial growth in toilets. The coating, made from milled PDMS, inhibited 99.99% of bacterial growth and strongly repelled water, offering a practical solution for self-sanitizing public health applications.
Research on Chinese porcelain has uncovered evidence of international trade in cobalt-based blue pigment, suggesting a globalized industrial chain by the 15th century. The study found that blue-and-white porcelain from the Xuande Period exhibited a mixture of domestic and imported pigment particles.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
Two new porcelain crab species, Polyonyx socialis and Petrolisthes virgilius, have been discovered in the South China Sea and Colombian Caribbean. The species exhibit unique symbiotic relationships with other organisms, highlighting a long-term story of coexistence between distantly related taxa.
Researchers at STRI and JLU discovered a new species of porcelain crab, Pachycheles tuerkayi, found only along the coasts of Costa Rica, Panama, and Colombia. The new species has hairy claws and can be distinguished from another similar species, P. serratus, through its unique characteristics.
Researchers have created a simple process for producing high-quality red paints in traditional Japanese-style ceramics like akae. By mixing hematite, frit powder, and a solvent three times with a mortar and pestle, artisans can now easily replicate the distinctive color of these prized ceramics.
The invasive green porcelain crab is slowing the growth of small oysters, but not mussels, and may be competing with native crabs for food. The long-term effects on oyster reefs are uncertain due to the crab's rapid reproduction and potential predator shift.
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.