Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Nanotwinned titanium forges path to sustainable manufacturing

Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have discovered a new path forward for processing titanium. Cryo-forging at ultra-low temperatures produces extra-strong nanotwinned titanium with improved strength and ductility. The material maintains its structure and properties at extreme temperatures, demonstrating its versatility.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2021

Anticorrosion coating sets new benchmark

Researchers created a sulfur-selenium alloy that outperforms traditional coatings in protecting steel from corrosion and oxidation. The material's self-healing properties allow it to recover from scratches and damage, making it suitable for infrastructure applications.

SourceRice University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 18, 2021

NTU Singapore scientists develop self-folding natural plant material for ‘intelligent’ green products

Researchers created a paper-like material that folds itself into new shapes in response to environmental humidity, with potential applications in self-folding envelopes and boxes. The material's ability to morph on demand could lead to the development of autonomous origami robots and other complex shapes.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 18, 2021

Story tips: Carbon goes to space, cybersecurity put to the test, fusion’s power trip, cost-cutting controls and fungal infusion

Researchers have developed a novel process to manufacture extreme heat-resistant carbon-carbon composites, which will be tested on a U.S. Navy rocket launching with NASA this fall. Additionally, they created a technology that more realistically emulates user activities to improve cyber testbeds and prevent cyberattacks.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 4, 2021

New nanomaterial for treatment of skin infections

Researchers at IOCB Prague have developed a novel antibacterial material called NANO-LPPO that can prevent infection and facilitate treatment of skin wounds. The material combines lipophosphonoxins with a nonwoven nanotextile, which releases active substances in response to bacterial presence.

Unbreakable glass inspired by seashells

McGill University scientists created a new glass and acrylic composite material mimicking nacre for exceptional strength and durability. The material is three times stronger and five times more fracture-resistant than regular glass, with potential applications in phone screens and other industries.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2021

Scientists have proposed effective ways to reduce metal cavitation damage

Researchers developed a WC-20CrC-7Ni coating with high anti-cavitation resistance, extending the life of aquatic environment mechanisms. The coating's fine structure increases surface area, requiring more energy for crack formation. This innovation can protect critical equipment parts in power engineering, metallurgy, and shipbuilding.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalJournal of Thermal Spray Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2021

New world record in materials research - X-ray microscopy with 1000 tomograms per second

Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have achieved a new world record in materials research by using X-ray microscopy to create 1000 three-dimensional images per second. This allows for the non-destructive study of fast processes in materials, enabling researchers to gain insights into material properties and behavior.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2021

An experimental loop for simulating nuclear reactors in space

Researchers at Penn State have developed a small-scale laboratory experiment known as a hydrogen test loop to investigate nuclear thermal propulsion. The simulation, which includes a stainless steel pipe and a heating element, successfully models the operation of a reactor in space. The study's findings could lead to more efficient and...

SourcePenn State·JournalFusion Science & Technology·DateSep 22, 2021

Researchers measure the bond strength of thin coatings

A research group employed ultra-small testing technologies to measure the interfacial bonding strength of coated materials. The study successfully measured the shear strength of a tungsten coating on ferritic steel, contributing to the safe application of multi-material technology in industrial components.

SourceTohoku University·JournalMaterials Science and Engineering·DateSep 17, 2021

Scientists explore method to produce composites with ‘shape memory’

Researchers investigated glass fiber-reinforced epoxy-based flat laminates with pultrusion, a fast and versatile composite manufacturing process. The study found significant promise for structural applications of these 'shape memory' composites in various industries.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalComposites Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2021

Quantum materials cut closer than ever

Researchers at DTU have developed a new method for designing nanomaterials with unprecedented precision, allowing for the creation of compact and electrically tunable metalenses. This breakthrough enables the development of high-speed communication and biotechnology applications.

SourceTechnical University of Denmark·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 13, 2021

The mystery of the flexible shell

A team of researchers from the Paul Scherrer Institute has discovered that the brachiopod shell can become extremely soft in water due to the absorption of liquid, allowing it to be folded without breaking. The transformation is reversible, and the shell returns to its hard state upon drying.

SourcePaul Scherrer Institute·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 10, 2021

Time to shine: scientists reveal at an atomic scale how chlorine stabilizes next-gen solar cells

Researchers have solved the mystery of chlorine's role in perovskite solar cells by imaging atoms at the surface. The team found that chlorine is incorporated into the material through grain boundaries, increasing stability and efficiency. An optimal concentration of chlorine was discovered to deliver high stability.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 10, 2021

Mining waste could be used as an ingredient for cheaper hydrogen fuel production

Researchers have discovered a way to use mining waste as part of a potential cheaper catalyst for hydrogen fuel production. The new catalyst triggers water splitting reactions using aluminosilicate minerals found in mining waste, which could lead to lower production costs and increased efficiency.

SourceQueensland University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Energy and Sustainability Research·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2021

New wave of electron research

Researchers at the University of Tokyo have made a surprising discovery about the behavior of electrons in iron-based superconducting materials. They found that the electrons form a nematicity wave, which could help them understand how electrons interact with each other in superconductors and lead to new discoveries.

SourceUniversity of Tokyo·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 2, 2021

Best of both worlds: Updating the chemical process to remove organic pollutants from water

Researchers from India and Saudi Arabia have combined oxidation and photocatalysis to create a heterogeneous photo-Fenton system that degrades phenols at higher rates than individual approaches. The system is highly photostable and reusable, making it promising for practical applications in wastewater purification.

SourceShoolini University·JournalJournal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

A solid favor for researchers: A new way to investigate the electric double layer effect

Scientists at Tokyo University of Science develop a new methodology to investigate the elusive electric double layer (EDL) effect in all-solid-state batteries. The study reveals that the EDL effect is dominated by the electrolyte's composition and can be suppressed through charge compensation, leading to improved performance.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalCommunications Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2021