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After millennia of mining, copper nowhere near 'peak'

Researchers from Monash University have compiled and analyzed worldwide copper resources, finding existing supplies can meet growing demand for a long time. The extensive database provides detailed information on ore grades, allowing for more informed geological exploration and improved industry practices.

SourceMonash University·JournalEconomic Geology·DateJul 3, 2013

Watching solar cells grow

Researchers have developed a new method to accelerate the growth of solar cells by optimizing the coevaporation process. This technique enables faster growth stages while controlling defect formation, resulting in improved efficiency and reduced material waste. The findings, published in Advanced Energy Materials, provide valuable insi...

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateJun 27, 2013

Research shows copper destroys norovirus

New research from the University of Southampton reveals copper can rapidly destroy norovirus on surfaces, potentially disrupting infection cycles and lowering outbreak risks. The virus can remain infectious on solid surfaces, but copper alloy surfaces containing over 60% copper prove highly effective in destroying it.

Researcher construct invisibility cloak for thermal flow

Scientists at KIT successfully demonstrated a method to influence the propagation of heat around objects by using specially arranged materials. By creating an annular structure with copper and silicon, they can control how heat flows around hidden areas, making it ideal for applications such as microchips and machines.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 8, 2013

Routes towards defect-free graphene

A new technique has been developed to grow graphene without defects, enabling the creation of larger sheets with aligned flakes and improved electron flow. This breakthrough has significant implications for industrial-scale graphene manufacturing and the development of graphene-based technologies in electronics, energy, and healthcare.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalACS Nano·DateFeb 1, 2013

Managing soil copper in crops irrigated with cattle footbath wastewater

Researchers found that alfalfa growth stops when soil copper sulfate levels exceed 500 ppm and beneficial bacterial activity declines above 50 ppm. Crops irrigated with cattle footbath wastewater can accumulate plant-available copper levels up to 63 ppm, posing potential harm to grazing livestock.

Urinary tract infections steal from hosts' defense arsenals

Researchers discovered that E. coli uses yersiniabactin to steal copper from host cells, allowing the bacteria to grow and reproduce. This finding could lead to new treatments for serious urinary tract infections. By blocking this thievery with a drug, patients' chances of fighting off infections may significantly improve.

SourceWashU Medicine·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateJul 8, 2012

'Nanocable' could be big boon for energy storage

Researchers at Rice University have created a tiny coaxial cable that is about a thousand times smaller than a human hair and has higher capacitance than previously reported microcapacitors. The nanocable, made with carbon and copper, could be used to build next-generation energy-storage systems.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 7, 2012

Yale paper finds arsenic supply at highest risk

A Yale University study has assessed the criticality of metals in the geological copper family, finding arsenic as the most vulnerable to long-term supply disruption. The research methodology evaluates supply risk, environmental implications, and vulnerability to supply restriction, highlighting the importance of considering these fact...

SourceYale University·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateFeb 16, 2012

Copper + love chemical = big sulfur stink

Scientists at Duke University Medical Center discovered that copper is essential for detecting sulfur-containing substances, which are responsible for strong odors. The research, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggests a possible link between copper and drug receptor responses.

SourceDuke University Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2012

USDA research demonstrates new breeds of broccoli remain packed with health benefits

A recent USDA study reveals that new varieties of broccoli retain the same levels of calcium, copper, iron, and other minerals as older cultivars, despite significant improvements in quality. The research suggests that breeders can rely on these nutrient levels when developing future broccoli strains.