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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...

Researchers reveal reactive gallium-hydride species on gallium oxide surface

A research team from Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics has revealed the existence of reactive gallium-hydride species on the surface of gallium oxide using solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. The discovery provides comprehensive information on the structural configuration and formation mechanism of these special M-H species.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateSep 18, 2022

Recycling greenhouse gases

The TU Wien team has created a catalyst that can convert CO2 and methane into synthesis gas without the formation of carbon nanotubes. This approach, called dry reforming, has the potential to convert climate-damaging greenhouse gases into valuable products.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalApplied Catalysis·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2022

Amping up battery performance with black glasses grafted on micron silicon

Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a novel anode material consisting of black glasses grafted silicon microparticles, which shows great promise in enhancing lithium-ion battery performance and energy storage. The material exhibits high lithium diffusion ability, reduced internal resistance,...

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateAug 7, 2022

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...

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

A simple, cheap material for carbon capture, perhaps from tailpipes

Researchers have created a cheap and energy-efficient way to capture carbon dioxide from smokestacks using porous melamine material. The process is simple to make and requires primarily off-the-shelf melamine powder, making it a promising solution for scaling down carbon emissions from vehicle exhaust or other movable sources.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Building molecular bridges: New crystal engineering strategy to design ultrabright fluorescent solid dyes

A new study from Tokyo Institute of Technology introduces a novel crystal engineering strategy to design ultrabright fluorescent solid dyes. This approach allows for monomeric emission and suppressed intermolecular interactions, enabling the creation of highly dense crystalline structures with controlled electronic properties.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalChemistry - A European Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

Towards High-Quality Manganese Oxide Catalysts with Large Surface Areas

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel synthesis procedure to produce high-quality manganese oxide nanoparticles with large surface areas. The new approach enables the creation of ultra-small nanoparticles with excellent catalytic performance, outperforming previously reported methods.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 25, 2022

A four-stroke engine for atoms

Scientists have found a new phenomenon where an atomic switch has to be switched back and forth four times to return to its original state. The spin of gadolinium atoms performs one full rotation during this process. This discovery opens up possibilities for material physics and could potentially be used to store information.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2022

Let machines do the work: Automating semiconductor research with machine learning

Researchers use machine learning to automatically analyze Reflection High-Energy Electron Diffraction (RHEED) data, enabling faster and more efficient discovery of new materials. The study focused on surface superstructures in thin-film silicon surfaces and identified optimal synthesis conditions using non-negative matrix factorization.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalScience and Technology of Advanced Materials Methods·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 16, 2022

A new nanomaterial for precision medicine and the green transition

Researchers at Politecnico di Milano developed a new nanomaterial with a superfluorinated gold cluster, exhibiting unique optical and catalytic properties. The findings have potential applications in precision medicine and the green transition, including diagnostic and therapeutic applications and efficient production of green hydrogen.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 15, 2022

Ink could enable devices powered by heat

Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a thermoelectric coating that converts low-grade heat into electrical power, with potential to replace batteries in wearables and IoT devices. The coating can be applied to any surface that generates heat, enabling efficient energy harvesting.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJun 14, 2022

Study reveals nature of five-coordinated aluminum on γ-Al2O3 surface

Researchers used ultrahigh-field NMR spectroscopy to study the structure of Al(V) on γ-Al2O3. They found flexible structural features and hydroxyl groups that can be removed under high-temperature dehydration, leading to surface reconstruction. Most Al(V) species aggregate into domains rather than forming tetragonal pyramids.

SourceDalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy Sciences·JournalACS Central Science·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateJun 1, 2022

Topology is everywhere

A team of scientists discovered that over half of known 3D materials in nature exhibit at least one topological state, challenging the long-held idea that these materials are rare. The study also introduces a new concept called 'supertopological' and makes its data freely available to researchers.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalScience·DateMay 19, 2022

Safely storing dangerous gasses in pores

Scientists developed a new porous coordination polymer that can store and release acetylene, a highly flammable industrial gas, without using solvents. The material allows for the storage of large quantities of acetylene at pressures below 2 bar.

SourceKyoto University·JournalNature Chemistry·DateApr 21, 2022

A better way to separate gases

Researchers have developed a new type of membrane material that can significantly improve the efficiency of gas separation processes. The membranes, based on hydrocarbon ladder polymers, offer both high permeability and selectivity, making them outperform other polymer materials in many gas separations.

More efficient perovskite-based solar cells thanks to supramolecular chemistry. A study by the Politecnico di Milano

Researchers at Politecnico di Milano developed a new approach using additives that form halogen bonds with halide ions in perovskites, improving stability and efficiency. This technique enables the creation of hydrophobic and water-repellent perovskites, blocking trap states and increasing electrical energy conversion.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMar 15, 2022

Story tips: DNA in a drop, printing in the wind, drier air, revealing hidden biology and calculating better batteries

Researchers use environmental DNA to monitor aquatic species near hydropower facilities, while also developing a novel method for printing full-strength steel components using additive manufacturing. These advancements could lead to more efficient and cost-effective monitoring and renewable energy production.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·TypeImaging analysis·DateFeb 1, 2022

Bioengineered nanoparticles show promise for fibrinogen manufacture, says Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis study

Researchers developed a novel polymeric nanoparticle that selectively binds to fibrinogen in human plasma, offering a simpler and less expensive way to manufacture fibrinogen concentrate. This breakthrough could lead to the creation of more efficient fibrinogen-specific affinity reagents for drug development.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 13, 2022

SMART researchers discover novel way to perform ‘general inverse design’ with high accuracy

Researchers from Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have discovered a way to perform 'general inverse design' with high accuracy. This breakthrough enables the creation of materials with specific characteristics and properties, paving the way for revolutionizing materials science and industrial applications.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 6, 2022

Detective work on the fuel cell

Scientists have developed a unique measurement technique to study oxygen exchange pathways on pristine SOFC cathode surfaces, revealing that different materials follow the same mechanism. This breakthrough enhances understanding of defects and optimizes material performance.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2021

Oxidation-tolerant solid electrolyte provides high energy capacity for Li2S cathode

Researchers at Osaka Prefecture University create a high-capacity Li2S-based positive electrode using an oxidation-tolerant solid electrolyte, bringing all-solid-state batteries closer to reality. The study found that the electrochemical window of solid electrolytes must exceed 0.2V for high energy capacity.

SourceOsaka Prefecture University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeNews article·DateOct 28, 2021

Ferroelectrics everywhere?

Researchers have identified a new family of ferroelectric materials, including magnesium-substituted zinc oxide, that can be used for low-energy digital storage. These materials have the potential to revolutionize information and energy storage, offering improved performance and reduced power consumption.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateAug 31, 2021