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Machine-learning tool could help develop tougher materials

Engineers have developed an AI-based rapid screening system to test fracture resistance in vast arrays of candidate materials. The system uses machine-learning to analyze the propagation of cracks through a material's molecular structure, reducing testing time from hours to milliseconds.

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.

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.

New study takes the pulse of a sleeping supervolcano

Researchers from Uppsala University discovered that hot magma from inside the Earth is forcing its way into a giant reservoir, keeping the Andean supervolcano alive. The study provides new insights into how large volcanoes work and could help increase chances of survival in case of a future eruption.

Designing lightweight glass for efficient cars, wind turbines

A new machine-learning algorithm helps design lightweight glass compositions that are very stiff, suitable for next-gen materials in vehicles and wind turbines. The goal is to reduce weight while maintaining strength, leading to fuel efficiency improvements.

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.

Creating stretchable thermoelectric generators

Researchers at Linköping University have developed a soft and stretchable organic thermoelectric module that can harvest energy from body heat. The breakthrough was made possible by a new composite material with high electrical conductivity and good thermoelectric properties.

Made to degrade (eventually)

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a marine biodegradable plastic using starch and cellulose, demonstrating excellent water-resistance and high strength. The new material has the potential to significantly reduce marine debris accumulation and contribute to sustainable development goals.

IKBFU physicists keep improving 'smart' composites for biomedical sensors

Researchers successfully tested a new magnetic micro wire-based concept for 'smart' composite production, creating multiferroic-class materials with controlled magnetic and electric properties. The new composites are expected to enable the development of highly sensitive sensors for health monitoring devices.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Climate change: Modeling the problem, searching for solutions

Researchers unveiled new methods to decode climate system behavior, develop recyclable composites, and explore alternative energy sources. These advancements aim to improve climate predictions, provide cost-effective adaptation strategies, and promote sustainable practices.

An early warning system for damage in composite materials

A team at NIST has developed a tool to monitor changes in composite materials, allowing for the measurement of damage that occurs as they age. This technology enables early warning systems for structures like wind turbines and aerospace components.

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.

Science at the interface: Bioinspired materials reveal useful properties

Researchers at Arizona State University have developed bioinspired materials with tailored physical properties for various industries. The new materials are inspired by nature's mechanisms and can be custom-tailored to suit specific needs, offering a cheaper and more efficient alternative to conventional catalysts.

Smart materials are becoming smarter

A composite material was developed by researchers from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University to create smart implants with sensing capabilities. The material combines magnetocaloric properties, allowing it to change temperature in response to magnetic fields, making it suitable for biomedical applications.

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.

Nanomaterial fabric destroys nerve agents in battlefield-relevant conditions

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a composite material that can efficiently detoxify nerve agents, including VX and soman, under battlefield-relevant conditions. The material uses metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) integrated onto textile fibers, which can capture gases and vapors without the need for liquid water.

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.

Paving the way for spintronic RAMs: A deeper look into a powerful spin phenomenon

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a novel strategy to exploit spin-related phenomena in topological materials, achieving a giant unidirectional spin Hall magnetoresistance ratio of over 1%. This breakthrough could lead to the development of spintronics and outperform current storage devices with improved power cons...

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.

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.

First fully rechargeable carbon dioxide battery with carbon neutrality

UIC researchers have successfully developed a fully rechargeable prototype of a lithium-carbon dioxide battery, demonstrating its potential for advanced energy storage systems. The battery's efficiency and long-lasting cycle life are significantly improved due to the use of new materials and a hybrid electrolyte.

Thyme essential oil in corn starch particles combats Aedes aegypti larvae

Researchers developed a novel, biodegradable larvicide system using thymol from thyme essential oil, which is effective against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. The system uses microcapsules made of corn starch particles to control the release of larvicide, making it suitable for small water containers and reducing environmental harm.

How to discover new materials quickly

Researchers use combinatorial synthesis and thin-film material libraries to accelerate discovery of new materials. Automated data analysis enables machine learning and artificial intelligence to aid the search for new materials.

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.

Tuning the energy levels of organic semiconductors

Researchers found that adjusting a single molecular parameter, the molecular quadrupole moment, can tune the energetics in organic films. This effect enhances long-range Coulomb interactions in organic materials.

New material with magnetic shape memory

Researchers developed a new composite material with magnetic shape memory activated by magnetism, offering advantages in medicine and robotics. The material consists of polymer and droplets of magnetorheological fluid, increasing stiffness up to 30 times.

Robots activated by water may be the next frontier

Researchers have created a novel material that harnesses water to deliver force and motion, revolutionizing the development of soft robots. This new material is made from spores and adhesives, providing an alternative to traditional materials used in hard actuators.

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.

Scientists break record for highest-temperature superconductor

Researchers discovered superconductivity in lanthanum superhydrides at temperatures of about -23°C, exceeding the previous record by 50 degrees. The material exhibited zero electrical resistance and could potentially be used in advanced technologies like efficient magnetic levitation trains.

How to program materials

Ali Gooneie simulates atoms and molecules to explain material properties like smooth surfaces, flexibility, heat-conductivity, and insulation. His research uses the finite element method to predict macroscopic properties of composite materials.

UBC researchers create washable sensor that can be woven into materials

Researchers at UBC Okanagan have created a low-cost, washable sensor that can monitor human movement and detect deformations in composite materials. The sensor uses piezo-resistivity technology and has shown great promise for health-monitoring applications and the composites manufacturing industry.

Compositional design of multi-component alloys by high-throughput screening

Researchers used high-throughput screening to design new multi-component alloys for biomedical applications, achieving efficient composition optimization and improved mechanical properties. The study employed a novel approach combining co-sputtering technology with physical masks to create compositional gradients.

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.

Syracuse engineer receives top NSF career award for work in soft materials

Teng Zhang's NSF CAREER Award will support his research on interface mechanics in soft materials, aiming to develop better materials for wound healing, biological joint diagnosis, and underwater adhesives. The award also enables educational outreach and the integration of modeling simulation tools into Syracuse University's curriculum.

'Terminator'-like liquid metal moves and stretches in 3D space (video)

Researchers created a magnetic liquid metal that can move and stretch both horizontally and vertically without being fully immersed in liquid. The material exhibits high conductivity, low melting point, and deformability, making it suitable for use in soft robotics and flexible electronics.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Engineering living 'scaffolds' for building materials

Engineered living materials use living cells as scaffolds to create composite materials with unprecedented control and versatility. The team engineered a bacterium to attach nanomaterials to its cell surface, creating stable hybrid living materials with emergent properties.

Dental fillings could last twice as long

A new dental filling material made with thiourethane could significantly extend its lifespan, reducing the need for frequent fillings and related complications. The material has been shown to be two times more resistant to breakage than standard fillings.

Avoiding the crack of doom

Researchers at NIST have developed a new imaging technique that can observe the effects of strain at the single-molecule level, allowing for better design of composite materials. The technique uses super-resolution optical microscopy to track the alignment of molecules in response to applied force.

Fabric the reinforcer

Scientists at NUST MISIS have developed composite materials for aircraft brakes using carbon fabrics, demonstrating better resistance to crack propagation than existing materials. These advancements aim to improve the reliability and safety of aircraft operation while reducing maintenance costs.

Laser-induced graphene gets tough, with help

Researchers at Rice University have developed composites of laser-induced graphene that can be used for wearable electronics, heat therapy, water treatment, anti-icing, and antimicrobial surfaces. The new composites were created by infusing LIG with materials like plastic, rubber, and wood, and show improved mechanical robustness.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

3D printed tires and shoes that self-repair

Researchers at USC developed a new 3D-printed rubber material that can repair itself after damage, reducing manufacturing time and increasing product durability. The material was manufactured using photopolymerization and exhibits self-healing properties through the transformation of chemical groups.

Researchers gain control over soft-molecule synthesis

Researchers at the University of Illinois gained control over soft-molecule synthesis, enabling them to probe how shape, size, and composition influence function in soft materials. This breakthrough could lead to advances in virology, drug delivery development, and new material creation.

New composite advances lignin as a renewable 3D printing material

Researchers at ORNL created a lignin-nylon composite with improved printability and mechanical properties. The combination of lignin and nylon appears to have a lubrication or plasticizing effect on the composite, increasing room temperature stiffness while decreasing melt viscosity.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.