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Some protective resin coatings may damage metal artifacts

Researchers developed a non-invasive fluorescence imaging strategy to detect early signs of corrosion on iron-containing metal artifacts. The technique confirmed its utility on ancient artifacts, revealing the impact of aging polymer coatings on these treasures.

Some protective resin coatings may damage metal artifacts

Researchers developed a non-invasive fluorescence imaging strategy to detect early signs of chemical reactions between polymer coatings and iron-containing metals. The technique revealed damaging carboxyl groups that can accelerate rusting on certain artifacts.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

NREL advances method for recyclable wind turbine blades

Researchers at NREL create a novel resin called PECAN that performs on par with industry standards and outperforms certain thermoplastic resins. The process allows for the complete breakdown of blades in six hours, making it possible to recycle and reuse components.

The application of Sapindus mukurossi extract in sebum-control shampoos

A decolorization process using resin adsorption and oxidative decolorization was developed to address color impact of Sapindus mukurossi extract in high-end products. The extracted SME exhibited stability with no significant color change during long periods at higher temperatures, showcasing sebum-control efficacy.

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.

Bio-based resins could offer recyclable future for 3D printing

Researchers from the University of Birmingham have designed a new type of recyclable resin made from biosourced materials for use in 3D printing applications. The feedstock is made from lipoic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid molecule, and can be recycled back into its constituent parts.

Research uncovers a rare resin fossil find: A spider that aspires to be an ant

Paleobiologist George Poinar Jr. presents an early record of an ant-mimicking spider in fossilized resin, shedding light on defense strategies and evolutionary processes. The specimen, Myrmarachne colombiana, has developed a remarkable transformation to resemble ants, with adaptations including modified body parts and behavior.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Ancient chewing gum reveals stone age diet

A new study of ancient DNA in chewed resin from Sweden's Huseby Klev site reveals the diets of 9,700-year-old teenagers, including deer, trout, and hazelnuts. The analysis also shows one individual had severe gum disease.

Researchers 3D print components for a portable mass spectrometer

MIT researchers successfully produced a miniaturized quadrupole filter using additive manufacturing, achieving precision comparable to commercial-grade filters at a fraction of the cost and weight. This breakthrough enables the development of portable mass spectrometers for rapid chemical analysis in remote settings.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Stronger, stretchier, self-healing plastic

Researchers at University of Tokyo developed a new plastic material called VPR, which can maintain complex shapes, repair itself with heat, and biodegrade in seawater. The material has improved toughness, shape memory, and recyclability.

New epoxy resin resists flames and reduces waste

Researchers from Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have developed a fully recyclable, flame-retardant epoxy resin-based plastic. The new material retains excellent thermomechanical properties while being reshaped like a thermoplast due to the addition of a special phosphonate ester molecule.

Deadly dust: engineered stone is making California workers sick

Workers cutting, grinding, and polishing artificial-stone slabs for countertops are developing silicosis due to high concentrations of silica and polymer resins. Researchers call for public health measures, including banning the product and improving worker safety.

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.

A novel green photoreactor for the synthesis of desirable chiral enantiomers

A team of Japanese researchers has successfully developed a recycling photoreactor that enables the synthesis of optically pure compounds with high yields, achieving an optical purity of 98-99%. The system uses a two-step rapid photoracemization process and can produce enantiomerically pure chiral sulfoxides in yields higher than 80%.

Reduced health risks with new epoxy resin monomer

Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have developed a new epoxy resin monomer based on isosorbide, a substance produced from glucose, to reduce contact allergies. The new monomer is far less allergenic and not based on Bisphenol A (BPA), a known endocrine disruptor.

Assessing the accuracy of artery models

Hokkaido University researchers evaluate a material used to build model arteries, finding it suitable for medical education and surgical practice. The study also highlights the potential for improved assessment of 3D printing technology in creating highly accurate models of individual patient's artery structure.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Affecting baseball friction with different substances

Rosin powder increases friction by over 20%, reducing variation in friction between participants and pitches. A wax-like sticky substance doubles this effect, potentially increasing ball spin rates. The study suggests MLB balls could be made less slippery for improved ball control.

Uncovering the link between epoxy resins and thermal conductivity

A University of Illinois team discovered liquid crystalline epoxy resins with high thermal conductivity, outperforming common polymers by up to 5 times. The breakthrough was achieved by precisely controlling the lengths of ethylene repeat units in the polymer structure.

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.

Researchers create biosensor by turning spider silk into optical fiber

A new light-based sensor harnesses the light-guiding properties of spider silk to detect and measure small changes in the refractive index of a biological solution, including glucose and other types of sugar solutions. The sensor is practical, compact, biocompatible, cost-effective, and highly sensitive.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Making 3D printing truly 3D

A group of researchers from Harvard University developed a novel technique to print entire volumes without support structures, eliminating the limitations of traditional layer-by-layer approach. By using an upconversion process and nano capsules, they create self-supporting resin that hardens in three dimensions.

Creating sustainable material from waste

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a low-pressure method to convert industrially processed biomass into high-performance plastics and valuable chemicals. The process uses glycerin as a solvent instead of methanol, reducing costs and environmental impact.

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.

Listening to the leaves: Adding bioinspired veins to foamed polymers

A research team at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology developed a chemical process to mimic trees' vascular systems in foamed polymers, adding structure and enabling directional fluid transport. The team discovered that increasing or decreasing gelation time enables direct control over the foam's cellular structure.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

How green is your plastic?

Researchers develop a one-pot process to synthesize polyacrylates and polymethacrylates from biobased materials, minimizing environmental impact. The new method reduces the E-factor by three quarters, making it more sustainable than traditional plastic production.

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.

The future looks bright for infinitely recyclable plastic

A new type of plastic, poly(diketoenamine), can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional plastics. The material's production and recycling processes are designed to be inexpensive and energy-efficient, making it commercially competitive with conventional plastics.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

3D-printed bioresorbable airway stent

A team of ETH Zurich researchers has developed a 3D-printed bioresorbable airway stent that can be customized to a patient's anatomy. The stents, made from a specially designed resin, are biocompatible and gradually dissolve after implantation.

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.

Cannabis strength soars over past half century -- new study

Over the past 50 years, cannabis strength has soared, with THC concentrations increasing by 14% in herbal cannabis and 24% in cannabis resin. This rise in potency is linked to an increased risk of problems such as addiction and psychotic disorders.

Water predictions: Telling when a nanolithography mold will break through droplets

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science developed a novel strategy to predict the lifetime of replica molds used in UV-NIL by analyzing changes in the contact angle of water on the mold surface. The method uses commercial camera-based systems and can accurately predict when a mold will break, reducing costs associated with UV-NIL.

"Immortal" in tree resin

An international team detected DNA from ambrosia beetles trapped in recent tree resin for less than seven years. The study challenges previous fails in finding DNA in older samples and opens up new possibilities for genetic research.

Salute the venerable ensign wasp, killing cockroaches for 25 million years

Researchers at Oregon State University have identified four new species of parasitic, cockroach-killing ensign wasps that became trapped in tree resin and fossilized into amber 25 million years ago. The discovery reveals the wasps' long history of controlling cockroach populations and sheds light on their behavior.

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.

Rapid 3D printing with visible light

Researchers have created photopolymer resins that speed up visible-light curing, enabling faster 3D printing of stiff and soft objects. The optimized mix allows build speeds of up to 1.8 inches per hour, opening up new applications for 3D printing.

Researchers 3D print tiny multicolor microstructures

The new method enables precision fabrication of optical components and multimaterial structures, eliminating assembling processes. It allows the production of devices with high precision and low cost, and could aid in the miniaturization of optical devices used for medical treatments and diagnoses.