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Lasers write better anodes

Researchers at KAUST have developed a laser-based process to create three-dimensional hard carbon anodes with improved conductivity and capacity for sodium-ion batteries. This breakthrough enables the mass production of high-performance anodes, paving the way for widespread adoption of sodium-ion batteries in energy storage applications.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateJul 30, 2018

The changing shape of DNA

New research from the University of East Anglia shows that DNA's shape can be manipulated using various triggers including copper, oxygen, and a substance similar to Vitamin C. This discovery has potential applications in nanotechnology and DNA-based computing.

SourceUniversity of East Anglia·JournalNucleic Acids Research·DateMay 24, 2018

Ammunition with risks and side effects

A study by researchers at Technical University of Munich found that alternative shotgun ammunition materials containing copper and zinc can be highly toxic to water organisms, potentially threatening environmental protection. The study suggests a ban on these materials may be necessary to replace lead shot.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalKnowledge and Management of Aquatic Ecosystems·DateMay 18, 2018

A graphene roll-out

Researchers at MIT have developed a continuous manufacturing process to produce long strips of high-quality graphene. The team's results are the first demonstration of an industrial, scalable method for manufacturing high-quality graphene suitable for membrane applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 17, 2018

Splashdown: Supersonic cold metal bonding in 3-D

Researchers have developed a 3D temperature-based model to understand the CGDS film-growing process. The model connects particle impact velocity, energy transformation, and temperature rise in three dimensions, predicting how the average temperature of the particle impact zone will rise and subside.

SourceUniversity of Johannesburg·JournalJournal of Thermal Spray Technology·DateFeb 1, 2018

Copper will replace toxic palladium and expensive platinum in the synthesis of medications

Researchers have proven the effectiveness of copper nanoparticles as a catalyst for organic synthesis reactions, which is an ideal alternative to toxic heavy metal catalysts like palladium. The use of copper nanoparticles offers numerous benefits, including lower costs, improved selectivity and yields, and recyclability.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalCoordination Chemistry Reviews·DateDec 5, 2017

A quantum spin liquid

Scientists from Boston College and Harvard have successfully created a copper iridate metal oxide that meets the Kitaev model's standards, enabling a chemical entity known as a 'spin liquid' with free-flowing properties. The material's unique honeycomb structure disrupts natural magnetic order, producing geometric frustration.

SourceBoston College·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 24, 2017

Nanotube fiber antennas as capable as copper

Researchers at Rice University developed nanotube fiber antennas that match the performance of traditional copper antennas but weigh significantly less. The flexible fibers offer practical advantages for aerospace and wearable electronics applications, where weight and flexibility are crucial factors.

SourceRice University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 23, 2017

Aggressive UTI bacteria hijack copper, feed off it

E. coli bacteria hijack trace amounts of copper in the body to fuel growth and reproduce, a finding that could lead to new treatments for hard-to-treat UTIs. The 'nutritional passivation' strategy involves binding to metals like nickel, cobalt, and chromium to bring in controlled amounts of essential nutrients.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJul 24, 2017

Researchers find a surprise just beneath the surface in carbon dioxide experiment

A team of researchers used X-ray experiments and theoretical models to study the conversion of carbon dioxide into liquid fuels using copper catalysts. The findings revealed that oxygen atoms embedded near the surface of copper had a significant impact on the reaction, leading to more efficient reactions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 12, 2017

Researchers find a surprise just beneath the surface in carbon dioxide experiment

A team of researchers from Caltech and Berkeley Lab found that tiny amounts of oxygen beneath the copper catalyst's surface play a critical role in activating carbon dioxide for conversion to ethanol. The discovery sheds light on the atomic-level details of the reaction, enabling scientists to predict ways to improve efficiency.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 12, 2017

Copper-bottomed deposits

Scientists at Université de Genève studied over 100,000 combinations to establish a model predicting the amount of copper present in deposits. The researchers found that factors such as magma depth and duration determine the quantity of copper, with optimal conditions ranging from 20 km depth and 2 million years injection time.

SourceUniversité de Genève·JournalScientific Reports·DateMar 15, 2017