Researchers used microwave-based 3D printing to create ceramic components with near-zero porosity and improved strength. The hybrid technique eliminates microscopic holes and traps gas bubbles, allowing for more bending force before breaking.
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.
Scientists at Chalmers University of Technology have created a new method for removing mercury from concentrated sulphuric acid, reducing levels by more than 90%. This innovation could lead to reduced mercury emissions and the production of high-purity, non-toxic products in industries such as mining and metal refining.
A new process recovers rhodium, palladium, gold and silver from electronic waste in seconds, producing a byproduct clean enough for agricultural land. The flash Joule heating method uses significantly less energy than traditional lab methods, making it an environmentally friendly alternative.
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Spanish invaders depended on Mesoamerican copper smelting technology to produce bronze artillery pieces. Indigenous experts shared their knowledge with European colonizers, allowing them to smelt copper and create essential armaments.
A team of international archaeologists has re-examined a c. 8,500-year-old by-product from metal smelting and found conclusive evidence of an incidental copper firing event. The discovery provides new insights into the origins of metallurgy in the Near East.
Researchers developed a novel smelting method for magnesium metal, utilizing an antenna structure to absorb microwave energy and reduce temperature, resulting in significant energy savings. The technique has the potential to be applied to other metal materials, helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and combat global warming.
Industrial air pollution from smelting and mining activities arrived at the South Pole in the late 19th century, decades before Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen's historic visit in 1911. The study, published in Scientific Reports, shows that lead concentrations peaked in 1900 and remained high until the 1920s.
A new book by UH history professor Monica Perales unearths the history of Smeltertown, a Southwest Border community that was home to generations of ethnic Mexicans. The book symposium will explore the significance of this forgotten community and its place in transnational capitalism.
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The study found that the inhabitants of Christopher Columbus' settlement in La Isabela, Dominican Republic, desperately tried to extract silver from lead ore brought from Spain. They discovered an improvised smelting process to separate the precious metal, but their methods were not efficient.
A new electrode design using fuel cell technology could potentially cut aluminum smelting costs by one-fourth and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by half. The proposed design would replace carbon anodes with zirconia tubes carrying natural gas, eliminating fluorocarbon production and reducing power consumption by 40%.