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Optical ceramic meets metal-organic frameworks

Researchers from Sun Yat-Sen University have developed a new type of optical ceramic material using metal-organic frameworks, which can be transparent or optically clear. The material has been shown to have high optical transmittance and can be used for applications such as lasing gain medium and amplified spontaneous emission.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience China Materials·DateFeb 6, 2018

Federico Rosei becomes Academician of the World Academy of Ceramics

Dr. Federico Rosei, a renowned professor and researcher, has been invited to join the prestigious World Academy of Ceramics as an Academician in recognition of his groundbreaking work on nanoscale functional materials. His research has led to significant advances in solar, optoelectronic, and biomedical technologies.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·DateJan 31, 2018

Blast, bubble and brain injury

University of Texas researchers use supercomputer simulations to study how blast waves affect the brain's perineuronal nets, potentially leading to life-threatening injuries. They also explore materials for space shuttles, aiming to improve their durability and performance.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalJournal of the American Ceramic Society·DateJan 24, 2018

A new approach to rechargeable batteries

Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to rechargeable batteries using a metal-mesh membrane, which overcomes the limitations of previous ceramic membranes and enables cost-effective power storage for large-scale installations.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Energy·DateJan 22, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

White graphene makes ceramics multifunctional

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new ceramic material that combines the benefits of white graphene with calcium-silicates. The resulting composite has improved strength, toughness, and thermal conductivity, making it suitable for high-performance applications in construction, nuclear power plants, aerospace, and more.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 11, 2018

Brittle starfish shows how to make tough ceramics

Researchers discovered a unique process to create highly resistant lenses using calcite nanoparticles, mimicking the brittle starfish's ability to produce super-tough glass. This breakthrough could lead to improved materials for optical lenses, automotive turbochargers, and biomaterial implants.

SourceEuropean Synchrotron Radiation Facility·JournalScience·DateDec 7, 2017
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.

Fine felted nanotubes

Scientists from Kiel University and University of Trento create stable 3D network of carbon nanotubes using wet chemical infiltration process. The method retains beneficial properties of CNTs, enabling applications in battery technology, medical implants, sensors, and electronic components.

SourceKiel University·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 22, 2017

University of Florida, US Army develop model for lighter armor

Researchers created a new model that better describes the behavior of ceramic materials under impact stress, improving prediction of resistance to deep penetration. The improved model reduces the need for expensive experiments, guiding material design and multi-materials systems approaches.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·JournalInternational Journal of Solids and Structures·DateAug 17, 2017
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Freezing lithium batteries may make them safer and bendable

Researchers at Columbia University developed a new method using ice-templating to create solid electrolytes for lithium batteries, which are safer, have longer battery life, and are bendable. This approach could improve energy density by replacing the graphite layer with lithium metal.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 24, 2017

Mimicking nature's cellular architectures via 3-D printing

Scientists at Harvard and MIT have developed a new 3D printing method that can create lightweight structural materials with tunable porosity, inspired by natural cellular structures. The approach uses ceramic foam ink to produce materials with exceptional stiffness and multifunctional properties.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2017
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.

Tailor-made membranes for the environment

Researchers at Forschungszentrum Juelich have developed tailor-made ceramic membranes to efficiently separate gases, including harmful greenhouse gases, and produce high-purity hydrogen. The membrane's stability and hydrogen flow rate have been improved by inserting foreign atoms into the crystal lattice.

SourceForschungszentrum Juelich·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 30, 2016

Lowering the heat makes new materials possible while saving energy

Researchers at Penn State developed a cold sintering process (CSP) that combines ceramic and plastic materials at lower temperatures than traditional methods. The process allows for densification of materials to over 95% of their theoretical density in just 15 minutes.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 5, 2016

Personal cooling units on the horizon

Researchers at Penn State have developed a nanowire array that can cool about 5.5 degrees Fahrenheit using 36 volts, an electric field level safe for humans. The material is flexible, can be powered by a 500g battery pack for two hours, and could potentially be incorporated into firefighting gear or athletic uniforms.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 28, 2016

Making electronics safer with perovskites

Researchers at Hokkaido University are developing perovskite ceramic capacitors with improved insulating properties. The process involves sintering and annealing the material to exhibit ferroelectricity, a promising dielectric property for multi-layered ceramic capacitors.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateMar 16, 2016

New NIST method may find elusive flaws in medical implants and spacecraft

The new NIST method uses nonlinear acoustic measurements to detect cracks in ceramic capacitors before they cause electrical failure. This approach has shown promise in rejecting over 90% of sample capacitors with visible cracks and may help prevent failures in medical implants, spacecraft, and other mission-critical electronics.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·DateFeb 29, 2016
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

New technique offers strong, flawless 3-D printed ceramics

Researchers developed a method to create ceramic materials using 3D printing with minimal cracking, enabling complex shapes and high temperatures. The resulting silicon carbide material can withstand 1,400°C temperatures without cracking, making it suitable for hypersonic vehicles and jet engines.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateDec 31, 2015

Innovative components for an imaging system in the terahertz range

Researchers developed a terahertz imaging system using COC substrates, enabling the detection of objects hidden under clothing or skin, and improving image resolution. The system has potential applications in airport security, medical diagnostics and food industry inspection.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalMicrowave and Optical Technology Letters·DateAug 6, 2015
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Materials science researcher honored as Fellow by ASM International

Pranesh Aswath, a renowned materials scientist at the University of Texas at Arlington, has been recognized as a Fellow by ASM International for his groundbreaking research in ceramics. His work on functional ceramic films and biological applications has resulted in over 150 publications and numerous patents.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Arlington·DateJun 17, 2015
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.

Ceramics don't have to be brittle

Caltech materials scientist Julia Greer and her colleagues have developed a method to create ceramics with unusual properties, such as being strong, lightweight, and nonbreakable. The researchers used direct laser writing to produce three-dimensional nanolattices that can recover their original shape after deformation.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateSep 11, 2014

New digital fabrication technique creates interlocking 3D-printed ceramic PolyBricks

A new digital fabrication technique enables the construction of mortar-less brick building assemblies at greater scales using 3D-printed ceramic PolyBricks. The PolyBrick system allows for customized, prefabricated ceramic building blocks to interlock and assemble easily into larger units.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·Journal3D Printing and Additive Manufacturing·DateJun 19, 2014
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.

LLNL, MIT researchers develop new ultralight, ultrastiff 3D printed materials

Researchers from LLNL and MIT have created ultra-lightweight and stiff mechanical metamaterials using additive micro-manufacturing processes. The new materials exhibit properties not found in nature, maintaining a nearly constant stiffness per unit mass density across more than three orders of magnitude in density.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJun 19, 2014

NRL researchers develop harder ceramic for armor windows

The NRL research team has developed a method to fabricate nanocrystalline spinel that is 50% harder than current spinel armor materials, offering improved protection and weight savings. The new material demonstrates increased hardness even at extremely small grain sizes, making it suitable for high-performance applications.

SourceNaval Research Laboratory·JournalActa Materialia·DateApr 29, 2014

Engineers develop new materials for hydrogen storage

Engineers at UC San Diego have created new ceramic materials that can store hydrogen safely and efficiently. The compounds are manufactured using a simple, low-cost combustion synthesis method, reducing production time and cost compared to traditional methods.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·DateApr 15, 2014
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.

How to make ceramics that bend without breaking

Scientists at MIT have created tiny ceramic objects that can bend up to 7% without cracking, overcoming the material's brittleness. The flexible ceramics have potential for biomedical applications, such as triggering actions in microdevices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateSep 26, 2013

Made-to-order materials

Researchers at Caltech have developed a method to create nanostructured, hollow ceramic scaffolds with remarkable strength and resistance to failure. The small building blocks of the structure exhibit unusually high tensile strength despite being over 85% air.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 5, 2013

New nuclear fuel-rod cladding could lead to safer power plants

Researchers at MIT are developing a ceramic compound called silicon carbide (SiC) as an alternative to traditional zircaloy cladding for nuclear fuel rods. SiC shows promise in reducing the risk of hydrogen production by a thousandfold, while also potentially allowing for longer use of fuel rods and reduced spent fuel volume.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNuclear Technology·DateJul 25, 2013
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.

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.

Nanocrystals make dentures shine

Researchers from Jena University developed a new type of glass ceramic that can be used in dentistry due to its high strength and optical characteristics. The material, which is composed of nanocrystals, achieves a strength five times higher than comparable denture ceramics available today.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalJournal of Biomedical Materials Research·DateJan 5, 2012

Nanotubes key to microscopic mechanics

Carbon nanotubes have been used to increase the electrical conductivity of silicon nitride by 13 orders of magnitude, enabling the production of intricate micro-components without compromising production time or integrity. The resulting nanocomposite materials offer improved wear resistance and preservation of mechanical properties.

SourceElsevier·JournalMaterials Today·DateOct 25, 2011

Lehigh University ceramics researchers shed light on metal embrittlement

Ceramics researchers at Lehigh University have obtained unprecedented atomic-scale images of grain boundaries in metals, revealing a bilayer phase transition that weakens the material. This discovery paves the way for scientists to prevent liquid metal embrittlement by strengthening chemical bonds.

SourceLehigh University·JournalScience·DateSep 22, 2011

ORNL discovers amazing electrical properties in polymers

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered a non-polar polymer material exhibiting up to 10 times the measured electro-active response as compared to strong piezoelectric materials. This finding has the potential to revolutionize the field of electro-active devices, including sensors, actuators, energy storage devices,...

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 22, 2011

Parabolic mirrors concentrate sunlight to power lasers

A team of researchers has proposed a method to harness parabolic mirrors to drive solar-powered lasers, achieving an impressive 35% conversion rate. The new solar lasers would concentrate light with a small parabolic mirror, strike a ceramic disk, and emit laser light of a specific wavelength.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateSep 12, 2011
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Ceramic coatings may protect jet engines from volcanic ash

Researchers have discovered a new class of ceramic coatings that could offer jet engines special protection against volcanic ash damage. The coatings were tested and found to resist damage caused by ash deposits, with one coating offering sufficient protection against small amounts of ash ingested by the engine over time.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 13, 2011

Winners of inaugural defense fellowships to further research at NTU

Nanyang Technological University (NTU) has been awarded two inaugural defense fellowships to attract young and promising post-doctoral fellows to spearhead research in defense science and technology. The winners are Dr Oleg Vasylkiv and Dr Edwin Teo Hang Tong, who will pursue cutting-edge research at NTU.

SourceNanyang Technological University·DateDec 7, 2010

New forms of highly efficient, flexible nanogenerator technology

Researchers developed a bio-eco-friendly ceramic thin film nanogenerator that can convert tiny human movements into electrical energy without breaking down. The technology uses freely bendable piezoelectric ceramic materials to harness biomechanical forces produced by the body.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 11, 2010
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.

A step toward lead-free electronics

A new material has been found to have piezoelectric properties similar to lead zirconium titanate (PZT), a commonly used material in electronic devices. The development is significant as it could pave the way for 100% lead-free electronics, reducing toxicity and environmental concerns.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 4, 2010

Certain doped-oxide ceramics resist Ohm's Law

Researchers at the University of Sheffield discovered that certain doped-oxide ceramics exhibit non-Ohmic behavior, with electrical resistance changing in response to voltage. The effect is consistent regardless of temperature or atmosphere, but time and final-state resistance are temperature-dependent.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 21, 2010

Synthetic bone graft recruits stem cells for faster bone healing

Researchers have created a material for bone grafts that attracts stem cells and growth factors to promote bone regrowth and integration. The synthetic graft heals similarly to natural bone implants in animal tests, suggesting potential as a replacement for traditional grafts.

SourceQueen Mary University of London·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 2, 2010
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.

Printed origami offers new technique for complex structues

The University of Illinois team developed a novel method for creating complex three-dimensional structures using printed origami techniques. The technique allows for the rapid assembly of biocompatible devices, microscaffolding, and other microsystems, with potential applications in biomedical devices, electronics, and more.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 14, 2010

NC State research may revolutionize ceramics manufacturing

Researchers at NC State have developed a new way to shape ceramics using an electric field, reducing energy consumption and increasing efficiency. The process could lead to significant cost savings and reduced pollution in ceramics manufacturing.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalThe Philosophical Magazine·DateApr 7, 2010
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.