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Understanding the short circuit in solid-state batteries

Max Planck researchers have discovered how microscopic dendrites induce fractures in solid-state batteries, leading to short circuits. By understanding the counterintuitive phenomenon of dendrite formation, they've identified potential strategies to prevent or delay cracking.

Ultrasonic welding creates lithium-garnet interface in seconds

Researchers at Tohoku University's Advanced Institute for Materials Research developed an unprecedented method to bond lithium metal directly to garnet-type oxide electrolyte using ultrasonic welding. This technique reduces interfacial resistance and establishes direct solid-state contact without melting or thermal activation.

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.

Thorny issue plaguing lithium-ion batteries laid bare in new study

Researchers directly measured lithium dendrites' mechanical strength, finding they exhibit unexpectedly high strength and brittle behavior under stress. The study provides insights into how dendrites respond to physical stresses within a battery cell, shedding light on the challenge of scale and access that hindered previous research.

Anode-free battery doubles electric vehicle driving range

Researchers developed an anode-free lithium metal battery that delivers nearly double driving range using the same battery volume. The battery's volumetric energy density of 1,270 Wh/L is nearly twice that of current lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles.

A new quantitative rule for designing better batteries

Researchers have discovered a key factor that determines whether a lithium-ion battery can charge and discharge reversibly, enabling the rational design of electrolytes. The new metric enables efficient prediction of an electrolyte's suitability and accelerates improvements in battery performance.

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.

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.

Diagnosing a dud may lead to a better battery

A team of chemists from Virginia Tech found a way to visualize the intricate structure and chemical reactions of battery interfaces using an X-ray beam line. This breakthrough enables researchers to gain better control over these critical surfaces, potentially leading to cheaper, higher performance batteries.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

A rule-changer for ceramic fuel cells

Researchers develop novel function of semiconductor-ionic conductor (SIC) using Cu-Sm co-doping ceria, achieving superionic transport property and excellent fuel cell performance. The co-doped electrolyte features a denser grain network with smaller boundaries, improving ion mobility and supporting strong phase stability.

Leading the charge to better batteries

A team of researchers, led by Kelsey Hatzell from Princeton University, has made breakthroughs in developing anode-free solid-state batteries. These batteries have the potential to store more energy in less space and operate with high performance at a wider range of temperatures.

Researchers are cracking the code on solid-state batteries

University of Missouri researchers developed a solution to improve solid-state battery performance by understanding the root cause of issues. They used 4D STEM to examine atomic structures without disassembling batteries, ultimately determining the interphase layer was the culprit.

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.

Pinpointing hydrogen isotopes in titanium hydride nanofilms

A recent study published in Nature Communications has reported a method for determining the location of hydrogen in nanofilms. The researchers used nuclear reaction analysis and ion channeling to generate two-dimensional angular mapping of titanium hydride nanofilms, precisely locating both hydrogen and deuterium atoms.

Researchers drive solid-state innovation for renewable energy storage

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory are studying how a new type of battery fails to improve long-term storage of wind and solar energy. By analyzing the failure mechanisms, researchers can design more durable solid electrolytes that support storing renewable energy for longer periods.

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.

Discovery of promising electrolyte for all-solid-state batteries

Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a promising solid electrolyte for all-solid-state batteries, showing high conductivity and formability. The new electrolyte, Na2.25TaCl4.75O1.25, also exhibits superior mechanical properties and electrochemical stability.

Researchers illuminate inner workings of new-age soft semiconductors

Materials scientists at Stanford employed a novel electron microscopic technique to study the structural microstructure and electrochemical properties of organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors, revealing how they maintain electronic functionality despite swelling by up to 300%.

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.

Scientists reveal new design for cells turning carbon dioxide into a green fuel

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University developed a new electrochemical cell that converts bicarbonate solution into formate ions with high selectivity and efficiency. The cell boasts unrivalled performances rivaling energy-hungry gas-fed methods, promising to have a significant impact on climate change technology.

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.

BESSY II shows how solid-state batteries degrade

Researchers at HZB have developed a method to precisely monitor electrochemical reactions in solid-state batteries using photoelectron spectroscopy at BESSY II. The results show that decomposition products form at interfaces, hindering lithium ion transport and reducing battery capacity with each charge cycle.

Whoever controls electrolytes will pave the way for electric vehicles

Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology have developed a gel electrolyte-based battery that significantly reduces gas generation during charging and discharging processes. The new technology maintains its capacity even after 200 cycles, demonstrating enhanced safety and durability.

Research to enable cheaper and safer battery storage

Researchers developed a unique electrochemical ultrasonic force microscopy (EC-UFM) technique to observe sodium-ion battery interfaces during operation. The new method guides passivating layer formation, preserving charge carrier transport and enhancing battery performance.

Looking for a new battery platform? Focus on the essentials!

Researchers developed a novel air-handleable garnet-type solid electrolyte technology that improves surface and internal properties, preventing contamination layer formation. This innovation enables the creation of ultra-thin lithium solid-state batteries with high energy density and low weight.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Polymeric films protect anodes from sulfide solid electrolytes!

Researchers developed polymeric protective films to improve anode interface stability in sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries. The films, made from various polymers, showed improved interfacial stability and high-capacity retention rates after multiple cycles.

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.

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.

A battery’s hopping ions remember where they’ve been

In a groundbreaking study, researchers observed that battery ions change direction and return to previous positions before resuming their random travels. The 'fuzzy memory' of the ions lasts just a few billionths of a second but will help scientists predict ion behavior.

New material allows for better hydrogen-based batteries and fuel cells

Researchers have developed a solid electrolyte that allows for efficient hydride ion conduction at room temperature, enabling the creation of safer, more efficient hydrogen-based batteries and fuel cells. This breakthrough provides material design guidelines for the development of next-generation energy storage solutions.

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.

A step on the way to solid-state batteries

Researchers developed a sinter-free method for efficient, low-temperature synthesis of lithium ceramic, enabling the creation of solid-state batteries with higher power density and lower production costs. This breakthrough could accelerate the transition to electric vehicles by reducing the reliance on conventional lithium-ion batteries.

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.

Bio-inspired battery design

A team of Chinese researchers has developed a bio-inspired approach to improve the performance of flexible sodium-ion batteries. By methylating the structural polymer in the hydrogel electrolyte, they significantly increase the salt stability, leading to better battery capacity and cycling performance. The modified hydrogel can absorb ...

A new twist on rechargeable battery performance

Scientists discovered that solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer behaves like a semiconductor, causing electron leakage and leading to inferior battery performance. Minimizing organic components in SEI enables longer-lasting batteries.