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Recycling face masks into roads to tackle COVID-generated waste

A new road-making material is made by mixing shredded single-use face masks with processed building rubble, adding stiffness and strength. The study found that using this material can prevent up to 3 million masks from going to landfill.

SourceRMIT University·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateFeb 2, 2021

Tiny 3D structures enhance solar cell efficiency

Researchers created a new solar cell design using 3D nanocomposites, increasing efficiency by a factor of five. The unique architecture helps overcome material limitations, enabling easier manufacturing and improved durability.

SourceMartin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg·JournalNano Letters·DateFeb 2, 2021

Using zirconium as an additive in super-strong composite materials

Researchers from Nagoya University have developed a new class of super-hard composite materials by adding zirconium atoms to aluminum oxide and tungsten carbide. The resulting materials exhibit exceptionally high bending strengths greater than 2 gigapascals, making them stronger than previous CMCs.

SourceNagoya University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 28, 2021
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.

Solar material can 'self-heal' imperfections, new research shows

Researchers at the University of York have discovered a solar absorber material called antimony selenide that can self-heal broken bonds. This ability eliminates problematic electronic states and has important implications for applications in optoelectronics and photochemistry.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalAdvanced Electronic Materials·DateJan 26, 2021

Lasers create miniature robots from bubbles (video)

Researchers have used lasers to create bubble microrobots that can form inseparable shapes and control their movement. The robots can manipulate small pieces into interconnected structures with unbreakable connections.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 20, 2021
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

New metamaterial offers reprogrammable properties

Researchers have developed a new metamaterial that can be reprogrammed after creation, offering potential for dynamic materials with adaptive stiffness and strength. This breakthrough has far-reaching implications for industries ranging from healthcare to aerospace.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateJan 20, 2021

Nano-thin piezoelectrics advance self-powered electronics

A new type of ultra-efficient, nano-thin material has been developed by RMIT University that can convert mechanical pressure into electrical energy. The material is 800% more efficient than other piezoelectrics and can be easily fabricated through a cost-effective method using liquid metals.

SourceRMIT University·JournalMaterials Today·DateJan 19, 2021

Researchers resolve controversy over energy gap of Van der Waals material

A University of Wyoming research team has resolved the controversy over the energy gap of chromium tribromide, a van der Waals material, revealing an energy gap value of around 0.3 electron volts. The study uses scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy to measure atomic resolution images and electronic properties.

SourceUniversity of Wyoming·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateJan 15, 2021

2D compound shows unique versatility

A new 2D compound made of antimony and indium selenide exhibits unique properties depending on its polarization by an external electric field. This allows for potential applications in solar energy and quantum computing, with the material being relatively simple to make.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJan 11, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Analytical measurements can predict organic solar cell stability

Researchers at NC State University developed a framework to predict organic solar cell stability using elastic modulus and glass transition temperature. The most stable cells contain highly rigid materials with low miscibility, resulting in reduced diffusion and increased stability.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 11, 2021

Masks not enough to stop COVID-19's spread without distancing

Researchers tested mask materials' effectiveness in blocking droplets carrying coronavirus. While masks blocked most droplets, distances under 6 feet still allowed many to escape, posing a risk of illness. Masks can offer protection but not complete protection when combined with distancing.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateDec 22, 2020

Japanese art technique inspires new engineering technique

Engineers at Northwestern University have developed a new technique using kirigami cuts to create complex 3D structures and nanoscale tools. The technique, inspired by traditional Japanese paper-folding practices, enables the creation of unusual shapes and functions.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateDec 22, 2020

Still paying for broken smartphone display? Now, It is automatically fixed

A research team in South Korea developed a self-healing colorless polyimide material that can repair cracks and damaged functions without high-temperature heat. The material, created by mixing linseed oil-loaded microcapsules with silicone, offers advantages such as accelerated healing process and local damage repair at room temperature.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·DateDec 17, 2020
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.

Quantum insulators create multilane highways for electrons

Researchers at Penn State have created multilayered quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) insulators, enabling the realization of the QAH effect over a broader range of conditions. This allows for the construction of high-speed electronic highways with minimal energy loss, which could significantly improve information transfer speed.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateDec 16, 2020

Crowdfunding can affect consumer product choices -- especially when the products do good

A new study from the UBC Sauder School of Business finds that crowdfunding activates an interdependent mindset in consumers, making them more responsive to social good options. Researchers conducted experiments where participants were offered products with different benefits, including social good and performance benefits.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateDec 16, 2020

ARPA-E funds UVA-led team to develop new coating for turbine engin

A UVA-led team has been awarded $600,000 to develop a new coating that will enable a niobium alloy to perform at 1800°C. The HERO coating aims to increase the materials' temperature tolerance by 200 degrees Celsius, addressing a critical challenge in turbine engine technology.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateDec 15, 2020

Nanocylinder vibrations help quantify polymer curing for 3D printing

NIST researchers use atomic force microscopy with a nanocylinder tip to measure polymer curing rates and diffusion in 3D printing. The study reveals that controlling light exposure conditions is crucial to uniform part production.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalACS Applied Polymer Materials·DateDec 10, 2020
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.

Aquatic robot inspired by sea creatures walks, rolls, transports cargo

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a soft robotic material that can walk at human speed, pick up cargo, and transport it to a new location. The material is activated by light and responds to external magnetic fields, making it ideal for use in aquatic environments.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience Robotics·DateDec 9, 2020

Research develops new theoretical approach to manipulate light

Researchers from the University of Exeter have developed a new theoretical approach to force light to travel through electromagnetic materials without reflection. This discovery could pave the way for more efficient communications and wireless technology.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalNature Physics·DateDec 8, 2020

Trends in nature's contribution to human societies

Researchers report a 50-year review of nature's contributions to human societies, revealing an imbalance between agricultural growth and declining regulatory ecosystem services. The study highlights the need for adaptations and substitutes, but notes they come at a cost.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 7, 2020
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.

Reversible stickiness is something to smile about

Researchers at Tokyo Medical and Dental University have developed a cross-linker for dental cement that breaks down under UV light, making treatments easier to reverse. This breakthrough enables non-permanent adhesion to the tooth surface without damaging enamel.

SourceTokyo Medical and Dental University·JournalACS Applied Polymer Materials·DateDec 4, 2020

Research identifies nanoscale effect of water and mineral content on bone

Researchers Marco Fielder and Arun Nair found that water and mineral content variations significantly impact collagen fibril behavior, leading to bio-composites with improved mechanical stability. Composites with 40% mineralization were twice as strong as those without minerals, regardless of water content.

SourceUniversity of Arkansas·JournalInternational Biomechanics·DateDec 3, 2020

Study shows promising material can store solar energy for months or years

Researchers at Lancaster University have discovered a crystalline material that can capture and store solar energy for several months at room temperature. The energy is released on demand as heat, providing a promising solution for renewable heating systems and environmentally-friendly applications.

SourceLancaster University·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateDec 2, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

New glue sticks easily, holds strongly, and is a gas to pull apart

Researchers at Dartmouth College have discovered a class of molecular materials that can be used to make temporary adhesives that don't require force for removal. These non-permanent glues offer expanded design strategies for bonding surfaces together and can lead to new manufacturing techniques and pharmaceutical design.

SourceDartmouth College·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateDec 2, 2020

A shapeshifting material based on inorganic matter

Researchers at RIKEN develop a material that can change from soft to hard and back again in response to temperature changes, mimicking the properties of sea cucumbers. The material's structure is manipulated using electrostatic repulsion and gold nanoparticles, enabling rapid and reversible shape shifts.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 30, 2020

Math enables custom arrangements of liquid 'nesting dolls'

Princeton University researchers have developed a new method to design and control complex mixtures with multiple phases, mimicking the arrangement of Russian matryoshka dolls. This approach uses graph theory to predict final arrangements of phases in a mixture when surface energies are known.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 30, 2020

Separating gases using flexible molecular sieves

Researchers have discovered a class of flexible molecular sieves that can selectively separate gases, such as propylene from propane. This breakthrough has the potential to improve the efficiency of gas purification processes in the manufacture of high-quality plastics.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 30, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

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.

Scientists develop a magnetic switch with lower energy consumption

Researchers have created a magnetic switch that requires less energy to alter its orientation, a potential breakthrough in storing data in personal electronics. The new technology uses voltage instead of current to reorient magnetic materials, resulting in significant energy savings.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 18, 2020

Seeking the most effective polymers for personal protective equipment

Researchers developed a high-throughput approach to analyze interactions between materials and viruslike particles, identifying competitive adsorbents of Lassa and Rubella viruses. The study aims to expand to SARS-CoV-2 and evaluate viral infectious lifetime on the materials.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiointerphases·DateNov 17, 2020

Novel glass materials made from organic and inorganic components

Researchers have successfully developed a new class of hybrid glass materials that combine the properties of organometallic networks with those of conventional glasses. These materials exhibit improved mechanical properties, such as impact and fracture toughness, and can be tailored for specific applications.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 16, 2020

New green materials could power smart devices using ambient light

Researchers from Imperial College London and their colleagues have discovered new green materials that can convert indoor light into energy, potentially powering smart devices without toxic chemicals. The materials, inspired by perovskites, show promise for commercial applications and could enable battery-free wearables and IoT devices.

SourceImperial College London·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateNov 13, 2020
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.

AI speeds up development of new high-entropy alloys

A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a technique for predicting the phase and properties of high-entropy alloys using AI. The technique, which uses deep learning, improves the accuracy of phase prediction and provides guidance on key design parameters.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalMaterials & Design·DateNov 11, 2020

UChicago scientists uncover secrets to designing brain-like devices

Researchers at the University of Chicago have made significant breakthroughs in designing brain-like devices by predicting design rules for energy-efficient transition states. The study, published in npj Computational Materials, highlights the potential of oxide materials to mimic the behavior of neurons and synapses in the human brain.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateNov 10, 2020
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Optimizing the design of new materials

Researchers developed a new method to optimize materials exhibiting metal-insulator transitions (MIT) using Bayesian optimization and latent-variable Gaussian processes. The approach identified 12 previously unidentified MIT materials with optimal functionality and synthesizability.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·DateNov 6, 2020

From hard to soft: making sponges from mussel shells

Researchers have discovered a new form of calcium carbonate that is soft and absorbent, found in mussel shells. They tested its ability to absorb oils and dyes, finding it highly effective but limited by scalability and cost, for potential use in marine pollution cleanup.

SourceCell Press·JournalMatter·DateNov 5, 2020

Researchers unravel the secrets of how natural stone glows in the dark

Scientists at the University of Turku discovered that titanium is key to hackmanite's glow and developed a material with a longer afterglow. The study reveals complex composition differences in natural minerals and their role in luminescence, offering valuable insights for synthetic materials development.

SourceUniversity of Turku·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateNov 3, 2020
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.

NUS researchers invent flexible and highly reliable sensor

The National University of Singapore team developed a new sensor material called TRACE with significantly less hysteresis, enabling more accurate wearable health technology and robotic sensing. The breakthrough improves the reliability of data readouts, allowing for wider applications in healthcare and robotics.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2020

Advanced facade material for urban heat island mitigation

Researchers developed two analytical models to evaluate retro-reflective materials' reflection directional characteristics, achieving more accurate results than traditional methods. The study aims to mitigate urban heat islands and reduce building energy consumption.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·JournalEnergy and Buildings·DateOct 29, 2020
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.

Liquid nanofoam: A game changer for future football helmets

A liquid nanofoam material with nanopores creates a large surface area, making it pliable and deformable for effective protection. The material outperformed traditional foam in laboratory tests, offering potential to be used in helmets and other safety devices.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 28, 2020

Tailoring 2D materials to improve electronic and optical devices

Researchers at Penn State have developed new methods to enhance light emission and increase signal strength in 2D materials. By altering the atomic makeup and physical shape of these materials, they created new types of materials that can attract different molecules and induce superconductivity. These advancements have significant impl...

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateOct 27, 2020

Prasanna Balachandran shortcuts search for multi-functional materials

Balachandran's data-driven approach predicts which alloys will perform well in extreme environments, narrowing the search for high-performance materials. His work combines artificial intelligence with quantum mechanics to make the search more productive and cost-effective.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateOct 23, 2020
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.