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New design rule for high-entropy superionic solid-state conductors

Researchers from Tokyo Tech have developed a new strategy to produce solid electrolytes with enhanced lithium-ion conductivity, preserving their superionic conduction pathways. The proposed design rule enables the synthesis of high-entropy active materials for millimeter-thick battery electrodes.

An ingredient in toothpaste may make electric cars go farther

Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory discovered a new fluoride electrolyte that can protect lithium metal batteries against performance decline. The electrolyte maintains a robust protective layer on the anode surface for hundreds of cycles, enabling the battery to last longer.

Turning up the heat

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory discovered a method to press solid electrolytes, eliminating air pockets that block ion flow and increasing conductivity by nearly 1,000 times. This breakthrough enables unprecedented control over internal structure, paving the way for industrial-scale processing and more reliable batteries.

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.

Flexing crystalline structures provide path to a solid energy future

Researchers at Duke University have discovered a class of compounds called argyrodites that could lead to the development of safer and more efficient solid-state batteries. The materials' unique crystalline structures allow for fast ion conduction, making them promising candidates for energy storage applications.

New priming method improves battery life, efficiency

Researchers at Rice University developed a new priming method to optimize prelithiation in silicon anodes, improving battery life cycles by up to 44% and energy density. The method uses stabilized lithium metal particles with surfactants, enabling more stable SEI layer formation and reduced lithium depletion.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Stalactites and stalagmites in the battery?

Lithium dendrites grow in solid-state batteries after charging and discharging cycles, leading to internal short circuits. Researchers have investigated the starting point of this process using microscopy methods, finding that grain boundaries play a crucial role.

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.

New study takes close look at energy storage

Researchers analyze current state of solid-state battery technology, identifying key challenges such as developing solid electrolytes and anode materials. The study concludes that new approaches in material research are necessary to overcome these hurdles and achieve commercialization.

On the road to better solid-state batteries

A Berkeley Lab-led team has designed a new type of solid electrolyte consisting of a mix of various metal elements, resulting in a more conductive and less dependent material. The new design could advance solid-state batteries with high energy density and superior safety, potentially overcoming long-standing challenges.

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.

New sodium, aluminum battery aims to integrate renewables for grid resiliency

Researchers developed a new molten salt battery design using sodium and aluminum that can charge and discharge faster, operate at lower temperatures, and maintain excellent energy storage capacity. The battery's specific energy density could reach up to 100 Wh/kg, making it a promising solution for 10-plus hours of energy storage.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Designing better battery electrolytes

Scientists are rethinking electrolyte design for future battery generations, considering factors like interphases and solid-state electrolytes. They're using AI and automated laboratories to identify optimal electrolyte characteristics and reduce human error.

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.

Flameproofing lithium-ion batteries with salt

Researchers have created a non-flammable electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries by increasing the amount of salt in a polymer-based solution. This 'SAFE' electrolyte proves to be stable at high temperatures, allowing batteries to function safely and efficiently. The development could lead to improved performance, reduced space occupied ...

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.

In pursuit of better batteries

A team of University of Missouri researchers is working to understand why solid-state lithium-ion batteries struggle with performance issues. They will use a specialized electron microscope and thin film polymer coatings to study the interface between the battery cathode and electrolyte, with the goal of developing an engineered interf...

A little strain goes a long way in reducing fuel cell performance

Researchers found that a 2% reduction in atomic distance on the surface leads to a significant decrease in hydrogen ion conductivity, reducing fuel cell performance. Developing methods to mitigate this strain is crucial for improving high-performance fuel cells for clean energy production.

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.

New magnesium superionic conductor towards lithium-free solid-state batteries

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science create a metal–organic framework-based magnesium ion conductor showing superionic conductivity at room temperature, overcoming the limitations of magnesium ion-based energy devices. The novel Mg2+ electrolyte exhibits a high conductivity of 10−3 S cm−1, making it suitable for battery applica...

Novel strategy to make fast-charging solid-state batteries

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science discovered that microscopic voids in lithium anodes cause dendrite formation in solid-state batteries. By adding a thin layer of refractory metals to the electrolyte surface, they delayed dendrite growth and extended battery life.

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 new electrolyte for greener and safer batteries

A new material, sodium carbo-hydridoborate, improves the performance of solid-state sodium batteries, making them more sustainable and durable. The ideal pressure to be applied to the battery for efficient operation has also been defined.

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.

Scientists reduce all-solid-state battery resistance by heating it

Researchers from Tokyo Tech and AIST develop a strategy to restore the low electrical resistance in all-solid-state lithium batteries. By heating the interface between the positive electrode and solid electrolyte, they reduce the resistance to comparable levels of unexposed batteries.

Fueling the future with new perovskite-related oxide-ion conductors

Researchers have developed a new hexagonal perovskite-related oxide with excellent ionic conduction at intermediate and low temperatures, paving the way for efficient solid oxide fuel cells. The material's stability and ion conduction remain dominant in reducing atmospheres.

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.

Solvent effect on liquid-phase synthesis of lithium solid electrolytes

The study investigates the effect of solvent on liquid-phase synthesis of lithium solid electrolytes. The research team found that solvents with high dielectric constants enhance reactivity and lead to crystalline Li7P3S11 with high conductivity. Acetonitrile emerges as the best solvent for mass production of sulfide solid electrolytes.

New scalable method resolves materials joining in solid-state batteries

Scientists at ORNL developed a scalable, low-cost method to improve materials joining in solid-state batteries, resolving one of the big challenges in commercial development. The electrochemical pulse method increases contact at the interface without detrimental effects, enabling an all-solid-state architecture.

New material could pave way for better, safer batteries

Researchers develop solid-state battery material derived from trees, offering improved ion conductivity and potential solutions to safety concerns. The new material could enable the mass market adoption of solid-state battery technology.

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.

How to prevent short-circuiting in next-gen lithium batteries

Researchers at MIT have developed a way to prevent dendrite formation in solid-state lithium batteries, potentially unlocking the potential of high-powered batteries. The team created a semisolid electrode with a self-healing surface, allowing for high current densities without dendrites.

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.

Healing ceramic electrolyte degraded by Li dendrite

A research team at Toyohashi University of Technology and University of Calgary investigates the effect of post-annealing on a garnet-type Ta-substituted LLZO ceramic solid electrolyte degraded by Li metal penetration. The study reveals that annealed Ta-LLZO maintains high Li ion conductivity above 10^-4 S cm^-1 at room temperature, ma...

Core design strategy for fire-resistant batteries

Researchers at KIST have developed a breakthrough material design strategy to overcome the problem of high interfacial resistance between solid electrolytes and cathodes in all-solid-state batteries. The new approach improves charge transfer and stability by optimizing the crystal structure of the cathode material.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Making disorder for an ideal battery

Researchers at Université de Genève develop non-flammable solid electrolyte that operates at room temperature, transporting sodium instead of lithium. The new battery technology has potential to store more energy and is being used to create a new generation of stable and powerful batteries.