Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Extending the life of low-cost, compact, lightweight batteries

Researchers at MIT have developed a new system to extend the shelf life of single-use metal-air batteries by introducing an oil barrier that protects the aluminum electrode from corrosion. The design has shown a thousandfold improvement in energy loss, enabling batteries to last up to 24 days without degradation.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateNov 8, 2018

Hyperspectral imaging helps conservation of outdoor bronze statue by Auguste Rodin

Researchers used hyperspectral imaging to analyze a bronze statue by Auguste Rodin, detecting corrosion products brochantite and antlerite. The technique revealed non-uniform distribution of the compounds, which could be missed with traditional sampling methods, providing valuable information for preservation.

SourceIM Publications Open LLP·JournalJournal of Spectral Imaging·DateOct 8, 2018
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Could climate change affect the development of Turkic Khaganate?

The study suggests that climate change, particularly volcanic activity and extreme weather events, contributed to the growth and decline of the ancient Turkic Khaganate. The researchers used tree-ring chronologies, ice core data, and Chinese dynastic chronicles to analyze the effects of climate change on the empire's development.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalClimatic Change·DateAug 6, 2018

Ground-breaking discoveries could create superior alloys with many applications

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have made significant breakthroughs in understanding how alloys behave at high temperatures. The new findings provide a better understanding of the role of reactive elements and water vapour in promoting the growth of an aluminium oxide scale, leading to faster-growing, nanocrystalline o...

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 19, 2018

In the beginning was the phase separation

A team at TUM has shown that phase separation is an efficient way of selecting and stabilizing chemical building blocks, allowing them to survive longer. This process can be used to create self-replicating information carriers with life-like properties.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 23, 2018
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.

Self-healing metal oxides could protect against corrosion

A team of researchers found that an ultrathin layer of aluminum oxide can flow like a liquid, filling cracks and gaps as they form. This discovery could provide a protective barrier to prevent further oxidation and corrosion in metals, particularly in applications such as fuel-cell cars and nuclear power plants.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 4, 2018

Combating sulphuric acid corrosion at wastewater plants

Researchers from Graz University of Technology have developed a holistic solution using geopolymer concrete to resist microbial induced concrete corrosion (MICC), a common issue in wastewater treatment facilities. This approach has shown promising results in reducing the lifespan of damaged systems and extending their service life.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalWater Research·DateFeb 23, 2018

Scientists poised to win the race against rust disease and beyond

Researchers have made breakthroughs in understanding how rust fungi infect crops and evolve virulence using latest genome sequencing technologies. The study uncovered high levels of genetic diversity between the two chromosome copies, which likely serves as the basis for rapidly evolving new rust strains.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalmBio·DateFeb 20, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Wheat disease breakthrough to help feed the world

Researchers have isolated the first rust pathogen gene that wheat plants detect to 'switch on' resistance, allowing for faster DNA testing and prioritizing resistance genes. The breakthrough could save crops from being destroyed by devastating diseases, threatening food security globally.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2017

Rust stemmed for wheat

A team of experts has identified a gene that triggers resistance in wheat to the devastating fungal pathogen Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici (Pgt). The breakthrough allows for DNA testing to identify whether a rust strain can overcome a resistance gene, enabling targeted treatment and reducing crop devastation.

SourceRothamsted Research·JournalScience·DateDec 21, 2017
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.

UTSA partners with SwRI on corrosion and energy projects

The University of Texas at San Antonio is partnering with Southwest Research Institute to develop innovative technologies for corrosion and energy projects. The two projects will focus on mitigating cracking and corrosion in piping and transportation systems.

SourceUniversity of Texas at San Antonio·DateDec 7, 2017

Freezing trees, finding answers

A team led by ecologist Lindsey Rustad sprays water over a portion of forest during an ice storm, simulating the event and studying its effects on forest health. They find that light icing can be beneficial for forests, thinning out branches and allowing new growth.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·DateDec 6, 2017

The revolt of the Rust Belt may explain Trump's election

The article attributes Trump's victory to a rejection of the Democratic Party by working-class voters in the Rust Belt, citing institutions like labor unions as key factors. The author argues that regional characteristics and institutions connected these voters to national politics, explaining unusual voting behavior in 2016.

SourceWiley·JournalBritish Journal of Sociology·DateNov 8, 2017

NREL investigates coatings needed for concentrating solar power

Researchers at NREL are developing nickel-based coatings to mitigate corrosion levels in CSP plants, which could improve system efficiency and extend lifespan. The coatings have shown a 96% reduction in corrosion rate compared to uncoated steel, with potential applications in thermal storage and heat-transfer fluid.

SourceDOE/National Renewable Energy Laboratory·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 18, 2017

Corrosion in real time

Researchers used the Surface Forces Apparatus to investigate crevice and pitting corrosion in confined spaces. They observed intense local corrosion resulting in sudden pit formation, highlighting the complexity of the process and its dependence on electric potential difference.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 14, 2017
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.

Soybean rust develops 'rolling' epidemics as spores travel north

Research suggests that soybean rust spores can travel long distances and reach the Midwestern crop earlier in the season, posing a threat to the region's soybean fields. Environmental factors like humidity, moisture, and wind speed influence short-distance movement of the disease.

SourceUniversity of Illinois College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences·JournalPhytopathology·DateAug 30, 2017

Analysis of a 'rusty' lunar rock suggests the moon's interior is dry

A new study from the University of California San Diego suggests that the moon's interior is likely very dry, contradicting recent findings of wetness. The researchers analyzed fragments of the 'Rusty Rock,' a lunar rock collected during the Apollo 16 mission in 1972.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 21, 2017

Formation of volatile-rich lunar surface

Researchers analyzed zinc, chlorine, and lead in 'Rusty Rock' to find volatile elements condensed during the moon's early formation. The findings suggest a depleted lunar interior with reduced volatile compounds, including water.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 21, 2017

New ultrathin semiconductor materials exceed some of silicon's 'secret' powers

Researchers at Stanford University have discovered two semiconductors that can form high-quality insulators when exposed to oxygen, a trait shared by silicon but not other semiconductors. The new materials can be shrunk to atomic thinness and require less energy than silicon circuits, making them ideal for future devices.

SourceStanford University·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 11, 2017
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.

'Missing lead' in Flint water pipes confirms cause of crisis

Researchers at the University of Michigan found a Swiss cheese pattern in Flint's damaged drinking water pipes, revealing a significant amount of missing lead. The team estimated that each lead service line released 18 grams of lead during the 17 months the city received Flint River water.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology Letters·DateJul 28, 2017

New approach improves ability to predict metals' reactions with water

Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a new computational method to predict metal reactions with water, enabling faster and more accurate predictions of corrosion. The method combines two techniques and can be applied to various applications, including bridge design and aircraft engine development.

SourceOregon State University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 16, 2017

Batteries from scrap metal

Researchers have developed a novel method to create stable and low-cost electrodes from discarded stainless steel mesh, ideal for potassium-ion batteries. The new electrode design uses a waste material to store potassium ions, overcoming the limitations of sodium ion batteries.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJun 9, 2017
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

A rusty green early ocean?

Researchers suggest ancient ocean had green rusty mineral, green rust, which could have delivered substantial proportion of iron to early ocean sediments. Green rust forms under low oxygen conditions and can transform into iron oxides over time.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalNature·DateApr 9, 2017

How best to stir a steel furnace, and beat corrosion

Swansea University has won two Royal Society awards for its innovative research on reducing corrosion in steel and improving furnace efficiency. The team developed a smart release coating that outperforms the current market leader in laboratory tests and can last up to 12 times longer in delaying corrosion.

SourceSwansea University·DateMar 31, 2017
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Three new uranium minerals from Utah

Researchers have identified three new uranium minerals, leesite, leószilárdite, and redcanyonite, found growing on the walls of old uranium mines in southern Utah. These minerals provide valuable insights into the chemistry and structure of uranyl compounds and their interactions with the environment.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalMineralogical Magazine·DateFeb 7, 2017

A closer look at what caused the Flint water crisis

Researchers analyzed galvanized iron pipes from Flint, Michigan's 'ground zero' house and found that high lead concentrations correlated with cadmium, zinc, and tin levels. The study suggests that corrosion inhibitors were necessary to prevent lead contamination, highlighting the need for long-term pipe replacement.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 1, 2017

A smarter, safer way to reduce corrosion

A team of researchers from Swansea University has made a breakthrough in reducing corrosion by developing a new method that outperforms existing products. The new coating lasts up to 12 times as long and is 20 times faster than current methods.

SourceSwansea University·DateDec 22, 2016

Meteorites reveal lasting drought on Mars

New evidence from meteorites on Mars indicates a lasting drought on the planet, making it difficult for life to exist today. The study calculates a chemical weathering rate that shows rust formation takes thousands of times longer on Mars than in driest deserts on Earth.

SourceUniversity of Stirling·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 11, 2016
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Researchers create method to evaluate profitability of service amenities

A study by the University of Maryland and Georgetown and Cornell Universities found that free amenities like Wi-Fi and bottled water can be profitable for hotel brands, but their effectiveness varies across brands. In contrast, fitness centers were found to have a negative ROI due to high installation costs.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateOct 19, 2016

Graphene cracks the glass corrosion problem

Researchers have demonstrated graphene coating can protect glass from corrosion, preserving transparency and strength. The graphene coating prevents the adsorption of water on the glass surface, reducing dissolution of silicate structures.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalACS Nano·DateOct 18, 2016

A boost for steel: A smarter and safer way to tackle corrosion

A team from Swansea University has developed a new 'smart release' corrosion inhibitor for coated steel products, outperforming hexavalent chromate in laboratory tests. The technology could lead to significant market share and is environmentally sound, economical, and safer.

SourceSwansea University·DateJun 14, 2016
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.

Making some of the world's most durable materials corrosion-resistant

Drexel materials scientists have created a boride material that resists oxidation at extremely high temperatures, thanks to its nanolaminated structure and protective aluminum oxide coating. The material's unique behavior has potential applications in harsh environments, such as combustion engines and cutting tools.

SourceDrexel University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 25, 2016

A new way to print 3-D metals and alloys

A team of Northwestern University engineers has created a new way to print three-dimensional metallic objects using rust and metal powders, expanding the types of metals, alloys, and architectures that can be additively manufactured. The method uses liquid inks and common furnaces, resulting in a cheaper, faster, and more uniform process.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJan 11, 2016

Bacteria engineered with synthetic circadian clocks

Researchers designed synthetic microbes to learn what drives the bacterial circadian clock and how it might be manipulated. The findings indicate that the cyanobacteria's clock can synchronize to metabolism outside of photosynthesis, suggesting potential applications in engineered microbes.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateDec 10, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Parasitic fungi and the battle against coffee rust disease

Researchers have identified more than 300 species of fungi living on coffee leaves, including 15 likely fungal parasites that could be used to combat coffee rust disease. The study suggests using natural enemies to prevent the spread of the disease rather than relying on chemical control.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology·DateNov 13, 2015
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Study: Atom-high steps halt oxidation of metal surfaces

Researchers discovered that aluminum atoms involved in forming oxide stripes come exclusively from the steps, not the terraces. The growing oxide stripes are confined to the flat terraces and must push the steps away as oxygen continues to grab aluminum atoms from the edges.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 29, 2014

WSU researchers explain mystery of cereal grain defense

Researchers at Washington State University have identified specific genes in barley that enable the plant to live longer and become more tolerant of stress, including disease. These findings could lead to the development of crop breeding programs that slow aging and increase yields without genetic engineering.

SourceWashington State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 15, 2014

NIST corrosion lab tests suggest need for underground gas tank retrofits

NIST lab tests reveal severe corrosion on steel alloy samples exposed to ethanol and acetic acid vapors, suggesting need for underground gas tank retrofits. The study's findings indicate that submersible pump casings made of steel or cast iron may need to be replaced sooner than expected.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalCorrosion Science·DateJul 31, 2014

Chinese mosquitos on the Baltic Sea

Ancient insect inclusions in Baltic Sea amber reveal a surprising similarity with Asian forms, dating back 40-50 million years. This discovery fills a long-standing gap in the understanding of species migration between continents.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalCurrent Biology·DateJul 30, 2014
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.

How to tell when a sewage pipe needs repair -- before it bursts

Researchers analyzed bacterial diversity and gas concentrations in sewer systems to determine which sites are at higher risk for corrosion. By monitoring hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide levels, wastewater utilities can prevent major damage and costly repairs.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateJun 4, 2014

JCAP stabilizes common semiconductors for solar fuels generation

Researchers at JCAP devise a method to protect common semiconductors like silicon and gallium arsenide from corrosion in solar-fuel generators. They use a process called atomic layer deposition to form a protective layer of titanium dioxide, allowing the materials to absorb light efficiently while preventing corrosion.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateMay 29, 2014
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.