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Not your grandfather's house, but maybe it should be

Experts are looking into alternative materials that can be used in building houses, focusing on local sources such as bamboo and straw bales, while also considering economic and environmental factors. Khanjan Mehta emphasizes the importance of scalability and finding suitable alternatives for cement, which is often scarce and expensive.

SourcePenn State·DateFeb 12, 2016

Doping powers new thermoelectric material

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new thermoelectric material that converts waste heat to electricity more efficiently than previous materials. By doping tin selenide with sodium, they increased the material's performance, enabling it to produce significantly more electricity from the same amount of heat input.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateNov 26, 2015

The future of electronics -- now in 2-D

Researchers from Ohio State University are working to turn germanium into a potential replacement for silicon. They have created forms of germanium called germanane, which has the potential to transmit electrons 10 times faster than silicon and absorb light more efficiently.

SourceOhio State University·DateFeb 14, 2015

Two case reports of rare stiff person syndrome

Two women with rare stiff person syndrome (SPS) have been successfully treated, one through auto-HSCT and the other through work and activity resumption. Both patients experienced significant symptom improvement, with the first patient no longer experiencing SPS symptoms after a year and the second able to return to work.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateAug 25, 2014
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.

Taking the lead out of a promising solar cell

Northwestern University researchers have developed a new solar cell with good efficiency that uses tin instead of lead perovskite. The low-cost, environmentally friendly solar cell can be made easily using 'bench' chemistry.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 4, 2014

Probing dopant distribution

Researchers have demonstrated that the distribution of dopants in semiconductor nanocrystals is crucial for controlling optical properties. By probing electron distribution using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, they found that surface-doped samples exhibit reduced activation of dopants and symmetric plasmon resonances.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMay 2, 2014

Surprising material could play role in saving energy

Tin selenide is the best thermoelectric material known for converting waste heat to useful electricity. Its simple structure provides exceptional properties, including low thermal conductivity and high electrical conductivity.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature·DateApr 17, 2014

Will 2-D tin be the next super material?

Researchers have predicted that a single layer of tin atoms, dubbed 'stanene,' will exhibit 100% electrical conductivity at room temperature. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce power consumption and heat production in future computer chips.

SourceDOE/SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 21, 2013
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Ultraviolet light to the extreme

Researchers have mapped and modeled EUV emission from a droplet-based plasma, uncovering a previously untapped source of extreme ultraviolet light. This discovery could improve the efficiency of semiconductor lithography, enabling the creation of smaller and more complex integrated circuits.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateOct 4, 2013

A battery made of wood?

Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a nanoscale battery using wood fibers that can last over 400 charging cycles, making it a promising alternative to traditional batteries.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 19, 2013

Unzipped nanotubes unlock potential for batteries

Rice University researchers have developed a new method to boost the efficiency of lithium-ion batteries using graphene nanoribbons and tin oxide. The new anodes showed initial capacities of more than 1,520 mAh/g, settling into 825 mAh/g after repeated charge-discharge cycles.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 13, 2013

Tin nanocrystals for the battery of the future

Researchers from ETH Zurich have created tin nanocrystals that can absorb and release lithium ions more effectively, leading to improved energy storage capacity. The smaller crystals are able to store more energy than larger ones, making them ideal for future lithium ion batteries.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateApr 8, 2013

Chemists advance clear conductive thin films

Researchers from Brown University and ATMI Inc. report the best-ever transparency and conductivity performance for an ITO made using a chemical solution, potentially offering a low-cost method for manufacturers. The team created conductive films with 93% transparency and comparable conductivity to glass plates.

SourceBrown University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 7, 2012
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.

Tin-100, a doubly magic nucleus

Physicists at TUM successfully created and analyzed tin-100, a doubly magic nucleus with the fastest beta decay rate. The experiment confirmed predictions made by theoretical physicists and aims to improve understanding of heavy element formation during compact star explosions.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature·DateJun 20, 2012

A bronze matryoshka doll: The metal in the metal in the metal

Researchers at TUM have developed a new way to create highly efficient catalysts using metal clusters with unusual symmetry. These clusters, similar to Matryoshka dolls, can serve as catalysts in chemical reactions, such as hydrogen transfer and hydration reactions.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateFeb 7, 2012
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers use carbon nanotubes to make solar cells affordable, flexible

A new material made of carbon nanotubes provides a cost-efficient alternative to current technology, boosting the long-term viability of solar power. The material's mechanical flexibility enables integration into fabrics and clothing, paving the way for portable energy supplies.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateSep 27, 2011

Graphene nanocomposite a bridge to better batteries

Berkeley Lab researchers have created a graphene and tin nanoscale composite material for high-capacity energy storage. The new material, dubbed a 'sandwich' structure, bolsters battery performance and enables quick charging and repeated cycling without degradation.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·DateJul 27, 2011

Researchers find replacement for rare material indium tin oxide

Scientists at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed a new transparent, conducting film made from commonly available materials, offering a rare metal-free alternative to indium tin oxide. The material, produced in water, has an important advantage over ITO: it is environment-friendly and suitable for flexible displays.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateApr 11, 2011
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.

Charging makes nano-sized electrodes swell, elongate and spiral

Researchers observed electrode wires made from materials used in rechargeable lithium ion batteries contorting and fatten as they become charged with electricity. This study suggests how rechargeable batteries eventually give out and might offer insights for improving battery performance.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateDec 9, 2010

Magical BEANs: New nano-sized particles could provide mega-sized data storage

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new class of phase-change materials, BEANs, that can switch between crystalline and amorphous states in nanoseconds. These nano-sized particles have the potential to revolutionize data storage and optical data storage technologies.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·DateSep 16, 2010

Rutgers nuclear physicists study 'magic' nature of tin

Researchers at Rutgers University studied the doubly magic isotope of tin with 50 protons and 82 neutrons, providing insights into its stability and potential formation in supernova explosions. The study's findings may also contribute to developing next-generation nuclear reactors and forensic analysis techniques.

SourceRutgers University·JournalNature·DateAug 6, 2010

Novel chemistry for ethylene and tin

Ethylene, a gas crucial for fruit ripening and industrial chemistry, can reversibly bind to tin atoms, according to a new UC Davis study. The discovery has implications for understanding catalytic processes, which are essential in both living cells and industrial settings.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalScience·DateSep 29, 2009
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.

NIST seeking cure for electronics-killing whiskers

Researchers identify columnar grain boundaries as cause of whisker and hillock formation. Alternative electroplating method aims to disrupt these structures, reducing environmental hazards and improving component reliability.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalActa Materialia·DateNov 17, 2005

Roman face cream discovered and reproduced

Scientists at Bristol University analyzed a Roman canister containing cosmetics and recreated the 'foundation' cream, finding it composed of refined animal fat, starch, and tin. The researchers concluded that tin was used as a pigment due to its non-toxic properties.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature·DateNov 3, 2004
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.

Brookhaven Lab researchers develop a new method for producing electrodes

Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new method for producing electrodes, allowing for the creation of novel alloy compositions and improving electrochemical reaction rates. The method uses hydrogen to form nanocomposite materials, making it more effective and practical than traditional methods.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·DateApr 29, 2002

Science'sNanotechnology Issue: 'Dancing' tin may promise new nanomotors

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories discovered that dancing tin crystals can convert chemical energy into forward motion, overcoming friction between tin and the copper surface. This phenomenon could lead to surprisingly efficient nanomotors that can be controlled externally and refueled.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 2000