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For refrigeration problems, a magnetically attractive solution

A novel alloy composed of manganese, iron, phosphorus and germanium has been found to exhibit exceptional magnetic cooling properties, making it a potential replacement for traditional gas-compression refrigerators.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review B·DateFeb 11, 2009

MIT: Solving the mysteries of metallic glass

Researchers at MIT have made significant progress in understanding the mysteries of metallic glass, a class of materials that has resisted analysis for decades. The discovery could lead to the rapid creation of useful new glasses made from metallic alloys with unique physical and magnetic properties.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateDec 22, 2008

Caltech scientists create titanium-based structural metallic-glass composites

Researchers from Caltech have developed new titanium-based structural metallic-glass composites that are lighter, less expensive, yet still maintain their toughness and ductility. The breakthroughs could significantly improve the performance of aerospace structures.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 19, 2008
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Hydrogen tank lighter than battery

A Dutch researcher has developed a new metal alloy that can absorb hydrogen, making it possible to store the gas in lighter tanks. This breakthrough could make hydrogen a cleaner alternative to battery-powered vehicles.

SourceNetherlands Organization for Scientific Research·DateNov 4, 2008

New research shows why metal alloys degrade

Researchers from the University of Michigan have discovered that metal alloys can degrade due to diffusion, a process where atoms hop through the material, changing its structure. This finding has significant implications for the development of longer-lasting alloys, particularly in electronic materials like solder.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 24, 2008
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.

New insight on superconductors

A team of researchers from UC Davis and Los Alamos National Laboratory have found a simple way to calculate the temperature at which the Kondo liquid emerges in heavy-electron materials, leading to new understanding of superconductivity. The discovery may help researchers find organizing principles of heavy-electron superconductivity.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature·DateJul 30, 2008

Slippery customer: A greener antiwear additive for engine oils

Researchers discovered a titanium compound that creates a wear-resistant nanoscale layer on engine parts, making it a potential substitute for traditional phosphorus-based additives. This breakthrough could lead to more environmentally friendly engine oils with improved wear resistance.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalTribology Transactions·DateJul 23, 2008

New process creates 3-D nanostructures with magnetic materials

Researchers at NIST created a method to build complex 3D nanoscale structures of magnetic materials like nickel using standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques. The technique enables the creation of sensors and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) with magnetic alloys.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateJun 26, 2008
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.

Can certain metals repel sharks from fishing gear?

A recent study by NOAA scientists shows that certain metals can repel sharks from fishing gear, potentially reducing bycatch and saving millions of animals. The study used a palladium neodymium alloy to alter the swimming patterns of juvenile sandbar sharks, temporarily deterring feeding in groups.

SourceNOAA National Marine Fisheries Service·DateApr 22, 2008

New aluminum-rich alloy produces hydrogen on-demand for large-scale uses

A new aluminum-rich alloy developed by Purdue University engineers can produce hydrogen on-demand for vehicles, power generation, and other applications, reducing costs and environmental impact. The technology is made possible by the controlled microscopic structure of the solid aluminum and gallium-indium-tin alloy mixture.

SourcePurdue University·DateFeb 19, 2008

Rough times: NIST's new approach to surface profiling

Researchers at NIST have developed a novel technique for measuring surface roughness, which could lead to more accurate models of deformation and lower tooling costs. The new method uses data from a scanning laser confocal microscope and challenges the traditional linear relationship between surface roughness and material deformation.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalMaterials Science and Technology·DateJan 9, 2008

Ames Laboratory beefing up magnets for electric-drive cars

Researchers have designed a high-performance permanent magnet alloy that operates with good magnetic strength at 200 degrees Celsius. The new alloy, which replaces pure neodymium with a mixed rare earth, has a lower temperature coefficient, making it suitable for electric drive motors in the automotive industry.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·DateJan 9, 2008
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.

Metal foam has a good memory

Researchers have developed a new class of magnetic shape-memory foams with improved strain capabilities. The porous alloy's structure amplifies the shape-change effect, making it suitable for tiny motion control devices or biomedical pumps without moving parts.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateDec 20, 2007

Platinum-rich shell, platinum-poor core

A team of researchers developed a new class of electrocatalyst that outperforms pure platinum in reducing oxygen. The catalyst features nanoparticles with a platinum-rich shell and a copper-cobalt core.

SourceWiley·DateOct 23, 2007

Engineers perfecting hydrogen-generating technology

The technology produces hydrogen by adding water to an alloy of aluminum and gallium, with the gallium component hindering the formation of an oxide skin that prevents oxygen from reacting with aluminum. This allows for the reaction to continue until all the aluminum is used to generate hydrogen on demand.

SourcePurdue University·DateAug 27, 2007
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Removing a hydrogen fuel-cell roadblock

The team is developing materials with similar properties to palladium, but cheaper and more readily available, to improve the efficiency of hydrogen fuel cells. The goal is to find a substitute for platinum, which is currently used as a catalyst in PEMs containing platinum.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·DateMar 26, 2007

Alloy of hydrogen and oxygen made from water

Scientists have successfully dissociated water at high pressure to form a solid mixture of molecular oxygen and molecular hydrogen, creating an alloy. The researchers used x-rays to cleave the O-H bonds in water, resulting in a stable alloy that withstood various tests.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalScience·DateOct 26, 2006

New 'metal sandwich' may break superconductor record, theory suggests

Duke University researchers propose a new 'metal sandwich' alloy that could be superconductive at a higher temperature than current materials. Lithium monoboride, a binary alloy of boron and lithium, may have the potential to break the record for highest superconducting temperature.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysical Review B·DateMay 8, 2006

The nanoworld of corrosion

Researchers from Max Planck Institute and European Synchrotron Radiation Facility study gold-copper alloy corrosion process, revealing protective surface layer and gold nano-islands. The discovery provides insights into preventing corrosion in alloys used in corrosive environments.

SourceEuropean Synchrotron Radiation Facility·JournalNature·DateFeb 9, 2006

Ames Laboratory innovation key to a 'lead-free' Europe

The European Union's ban on lead in electronic appliances has led to the widespread adoption of Ames Laboratory's lead-free solder, which was patented in 1996. The solder blend of tin-silver-copper alloy offers a lower melting temperature and greater strength than other alternatives.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·DateFeb 6, 2006
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.

£6m to develop new class of light alloys

A £6m grant has been awarded to develop new methods for processing, forming, joining, and surface engineering of aluminium, titanium, and magnesium. The project aims to create lighter, more environmentally-friendly vehicles using these materials.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·DateDec 13, 2005

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

'Quasicrystal' metal computer model could aid ultra-low-friction machine parts

Researchers at Duke University developed a computer model to study the effect of adsorbed gas on quasicrystal alloys, which could lead to improved low-friction properties for machine parts. The model suggests ways to control the transition from quasicrystalline to crystalline structures, preserving the alloy's high lubricity.

SourceDuke University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateSep 15, 2005

To make stronger platinum jewelry, add a little chromium

Student researcher Christopher Kovalchick used a low-cost technique to test tiny samples of four metal alloys and found that combining platinum with chromium resulted in the greatest strength. The findings are important because pure platinum is too soft for use in durable jewelry, but adding chromium improves its mechanical properties.

SourceJohns Hopkins University·DateJul 22, 2005
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.

An-Pang Tsai wins inaugural Dubois Award

An-Pang Tsai wins inaugural Dubois Award for his remarkable string of discoveries of new quasicrystalline phases, including five main families. His work has had a profound impact on the science of quasicrystals, enabling the preparation of large samples and fundamental property measurements.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·DateMay 18, 2005

'Brick wall' helps explain how corrosion spreads through alloy

Scientists have created a model that simulates how corrosion spreads through an alloy, inspired by the cracking of a brick wall. The research could help predict when preventive maintenance is needed for aircraft materials.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Statistical Planning and Inference·DateNov 15, 2004
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.

Tiny iron supplement has chilling effect

A small amount of iron adds 15-30% to the effective cooling capacity of a material, enabling improved near-room-temperature applications. The iron supplement eliminates hysteresis losses, allowing the material to perform at its peak potential.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·DateJun 23, 2004

Purdue engineers: Metal nano-bumps could improve artificial body parts

Researchers at Purdue University have created a new type of metal alloy with nanometer-scale bumps that can stimulate the body to regrow bone and other tissues. This technology has the potential to improve artificial body parts, such as hip replacements, by reducing the rate of rejection and failure.

SourcePurdue University·DateNov 3, 2003

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
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.

Tougher Than Silicon

Researchers have created an alloy that can handle high-power and high-frequency microelectronic devices better than pure silicon-carbide. The alloy conducts twice as much current, making it a promising material for next-generation electronics.

SourceOffice of Naval Research·DateMay 10, 1999

Superplasticity May Work Better In Smaller Packages

Researchers at UC Davis report a significant breakthrough in superplasticity, achieving the ability to stretch metal without breaking at lower temperatures. The discovery involves using nanostructured materials, which are 1,000 times smaller than microcrystals, resulting in stronger and more practical materials.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalNature·DateApr 21, 1999

For First Time In 40 Years National Jewish Researchers Report Chronic Beryllium Disease Caused By Extremely Low Levels Of Exposure

Researchers at National Jewish Health found cases of chronic beryllium disease in two people exposed to 2 percent beryllium copper alloy, a product used in toasters, bicycles, and electronics. Chronic beryllium disease is caused by inhaling beryllium dust into the lungs, leading to lung scarring and oxygen transfer issues.

SourceNational Jewish Health·JournalJournal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine·DateApr 19, 1999
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.

Metal Injection For Healthier Car Components

The new technology allows manufacturers to produce complex shapes out of high-strength and high-performance metals and alloys. Metal injection moulded parts are finding use in various industries, including office equipment, industrial machines, medical appliances, and household goods.

SourceInstitute of Materials·JournalMaterials World·DateApr 1, 1999

Dual X-Ray Technique Analyzes Structure Of Dental Alloys

A combination of XPS and XRD techniques reveals complex near-surface structures of oxidized palladium alloys, showing chemically bound water and microcrystals of gold and copper. The research provides new information on the mechanical properties and adherence to dental porcelain.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Materials Engineering and Performance·DateSep 1, 1998

Diamond Find: Carbon, Plus Germanium, Helps Silicon 'Shine,' UD Researchers Say

University of Delaware researchers have developed a silicon-based device that can convert some light into electricity using a germanium-carbon alloy. The device, which was tested with laser light, showed a conversion rate of 1.4 percent and demonstrated efficient rectification numbers. This breakthrough has the potential to bridge the ...

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalIEEE Electron Device Letters·DateAug 22, 1997
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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