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New materials for more powerful solar cells

Researchers at INRS have developed a new class of multiferroic materials for solar cells, increasing conversion efficiency to 8.1%. The team's triple-layer coating captures different wavelengths of light, converting more light into electricity.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalNature Photonics·DateNov 12, 2014

Active, biodegradable packaging for oily products

The BIOMAT group has created a transparent, biodegradable container for oily products with enhanced barrier properties and natural antioxidant agents. This innovation aims to prolong the shelf life of packaged food while reducing environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalJournal of Cleaner Production·DateOct 30, 2014
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.

Three-dimensional metamaterials with a natural bent

Researchers at RIKEN have developed a method to manufacture highly symmetric, three-dimensional metamaterials with isotropic optical responses. The team created a large metamaterial, up to 4 mm x 4 mm2 in size, using a combination of top-down electron lithography and bottom-up self-folding mechanism.

SourceRIKEN·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateOct 24, 2014

Strengthening thin-film bonds with ultrafast data collection

Scientists have developed a new device that captures information about both temperature and crystal structure during extremely fast reactions in thin-film materials. This breakthrough will help researchers optimize the process of making advanced technologies, including state-of-the-art semiconductors.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateOct 22, 2014

Light bending material facilitates the search for new particles

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have designed a material that manipulates the Cherenkov cone to distinguish between common and rare particles. The material uses transformation optics to create distinct light cones for particles with high momentum, making it possible to efficiently separate and identify these particles.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateOct 16, 2014

$18 million NSF investment aims to take flat materials to new heights

The National Science Foundation has awarded $18 million in grants to research nine teams of scientists working on 2-D atomic-layer research and engineering. These researchers aim to create new devices for photonics, electronics, sensors and energy harvesting by exploring the properties of two-dimensional materials.

SourceU.S. National Science Foundation·DateSep 30, 2014
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.

New discovery could pave the way for spin-based computing

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a novel oxide-based magnetism that follows electrical commands, paving the way for spin-based computing. This breakthrough could lead to ultrahigh density storage and computing architectures by combining magnetic materials with semiconductors.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 25, 2014

Researchers uncover structure of enzyme that makes plant cellulose

Purdue researchers have discovered the structure of the enzyme responsible for producing cellulose, a key breakthrough in understanding plant cell wall composition. The findings could lead to improved methods for breaking down plant materials and creating sustainable biofuels.

SourcePurdue University·JournalThe Plant Cell·DateSep 25, 2014
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.

Molecular self-assembly controls graphene-edge configuration

A research team at AIMR has developed a new bottom-up fabrication method that produces defect-free graphene nanoribbons with periodic zigzag-edge regions. The method controls GNR growth direction and length distribution, enabling the potential for self-assembling single graphene devices at desired locations.

SourceAdvanced Institute for Materials Research (AIMR), Tohoku University·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 10, 2014

'Electronic skin' could improve early breast cancer detection

Researchers have developed an electronic skin device that can detect and image small lumps in the breast, allowing for earlier identification of breast cancer. The device has been tested on a silicone breast model and shown to be highly accurate, with a potential survival rate increase of over 94%.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateSep 10, 2014

Graphene gets a 'cousin' in the shape of germanene

A team of European researchers has successfully synthesized germanene, a 2D material with impressive electrical and optical properties. The material was synthesized by depositing individual germanium atoms onto a gold substrate under high temperatures and in an ultra-high vacuum, revealing its characteristic honeycomb structure.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNew Journal of Physics·DateSep 9, 2014

New infrared marker for bio-imaging

Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have created a novel fluorescent marker that excites in the far-red spectrum and emits in the infrared range, enabling better-quality images with advanced bio-imaging. This technology allows for the delineation of tumor and metastasis, tracking drug responses within whole-body imaging.

SourceHelmholtz Munich (Helmholtz Zentrum München Deutsches Forschungszentrum für Gesundheit und Umwelt (GmbH))·JournalPLOS ONE·DateSep 9, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

First-ever look inside a working lithium-ion battery

Using a neutron beam, researchers at Ohio State University track lithium atoms in real time as batteries charge and discharge. This technique, called neutron depth profiling, may help explain why rechargeable batteries lose capacity over time.

SourceOhio State University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateSep 8, 2014

Scientists craft atomically seamless, thinnest-possible semiconductor junctions

Researchers have developed the thinnest-possible semiconductor junctions, made in sheets only three atoms thick, allowing for flexible and transparent computing, LEDs, and solar technologies. The discovery enables new kinds of transistors, LEDs, nanolasers, and solar cells to be developed within a single atomic plane.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature Materials·DateAug 26, 2014

Anticipating experience-based purchases more enjoyable than material ones

New research suggests that anticipating experiential purchases can bring more enjoyable anticipation and greater happiness. Studies show that people tend to report higher levels of happiness when thinking about future experiential purchases compared to material ones.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateAug 25, 2014
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.

Researchers prove stability of wonder material silicene

A team of international researchers has successfully isolated thick multilayers of silicene and demonstrated its stability in the presence of oxygen for at least 24 hours. The breakthrough allows scientists to further explore the material's properties, which have made silicene a promising candidate for the electronics industry.

SourceIOP Publishing·Journal2D Materials·DateAug 12, 2014

Expecting to teach enhances learning, recall

A new study by Washington University in St. Louis found that students who were told they would later teach a passage performed better on recall and organization tasks than those expecting a test. The study suggests that instilling an expectation to teach may be a simple, inexpensive intervention with the potential to increase learning ...

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalMemory & Cognition·DateAug 8, 2014

Used-cigarette butts offer energy storage solution

Scientists from South Korea convert used-cigarette filters into a superior carbon-based material for supercapacitors, offering an eco-friendly solution to meet increasing energy demands. The material stores more electrical energy than commercially available options and has potential applications in various devices.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalNanotechnology·DateAug 5, 2014

The next graphene?

A team of UC Riverside engineers will characterize, analyze, and synthesize van der Waals materials for novel electronic devices, optical detectors, and energy conversion systems. The research aims to produce new material synthesis techniques and enable practical applications in ultra-thin film materials.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateAug 5, 2014
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.

The birth of topological spintronics

Researchers at Penn State and Cornell University have discovered a new material combination that can control magnetic memory or logic 10 times more efficiently than current methods. The discovery uses topological insulators to manipulate spin orientation, overcoming a key challenge in developing spintronics technology.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature·DateJul 23, 2014

Search for more accurate system reliability and failure prediction in auto industry

The research aims to improve the accuracy of failure and reliability prediction in ultra-high strength steel autobody manufacturing systems. By incorporating material microstructure and micro-damage information, the study may lead to solutions for manufacturers in reducing tool failures and improving product quality.

SourceWayne State University - Office of the Vice President for Research·DateJul 22, 2014

New method for extracting radioactive elements from air and water

Researchers at the University of Liverpool have successfully extracted atoms of rare or dangerous elements such as radon from the air using a material called CC3. This new method has potential applications in industries like lighting, medicine, and nuclear waste clean-up.

SourceUniversity of Liverpool·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 20, 2014

New material puts a twist in light

Researchers have developed a new breed of metamaterials that can twist light's polarization, orders of magnitude stronger than natural materials. The breakthrough could lead to the creation of compact opto-electronic devices, such as light-based computer chips.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 18, 2014
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.

Squishy robots

A phase-changing material developed by MIT researchers allows robots to transform between a rigid and soft state, enabling them to navigate through tight spaces without damaging organs or vessels. The material can also self-heal and repair damage, making it suitable for applications such as surgical robotics and search-and-rescue opera...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMacromolecular Materials and Engineering·DateJul 14, 2014

'Nano-pixels' promise thin, flexible, high resolution displays

Researchers at Oxford University have developed a new discovery of nano-pixels that can be electrically switched on and off to create high-resolution images. The tiny 'nano-pixels' are just 300 nanometres in size and can be used for applications such as smart glasses, synthetic retinas, and foldable screens.

SourceUniversity of Oxford·JournalNature·DateJul 9, 2014

Penn researchers: Consider the 'anticrystal'

Researchers at Penn University have proposed a new concept called the anticrystal, which is a theoretical solid with complete disorder. The study suggests that understanding the mechanical properties of materials can be improved by starting with the framework of the anticrystal and adding order.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalNature Physics·DateJul 7, 2014

Inspired by nature, researchers create tougher metal materials

Scientists have developed a method to create stronger and more ductile metal materials by adjusting the internal structure, similar to bone and bamboo. This technique can be customized for various applications, including improving industrial steel's strength and ductility.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 2, 2014

New ultrastiff, ultralight material developed

Engineers at MIT and LLNL have created a system to fabricate microstructured materials with great stiffness and strength at ultralow density. The new material has been tested using three engineering materials, metal, ceramic, and polymer, and shown comparable properties.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateJun 19, 2014
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

New manufacturing methods needed for 'soft' machines, robots

Researchers have developed a technique to produce soft machines made of elastic materials and liquid metals using a custom-built 3D printer. The technique enables the creation of strain gauges that can detect high strains and deform with almost any material, making it suitable for wearable technology and sensory skin.

SourcePurdue University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJun 18, 2014

Funky ferroelectric properties probed with X-rays

Researchers have developed a powerful imaging tool to study electrically anomalous regions called domain walls in ferroelectric materials. The technique, X-PEEM, reveals enhanced electronic conduction properties in tail-to-tail domain walls, which are crucial for improving solar panels and other applications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 10, 2014

JCAP stabilizes common semiconductors for solar fuels generation

Researchers at JCAP devise a method to protect common semiconductors like silicon and gallium arsenide from corrosion in solar-fuel generators. They use a process called atomic layer deposition to form a protective layer of titanium dioxide, allowing the materials to absorb light efficiently while preventing corrosion.

SourceCalifornia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateMay 29, 2014

Manmade artificial shark skin boosts swimming

Harvard scientists produce the first realistic simulated shark skin, which reduces drag and increases swimming speed by 6.6% while decreasing energy expenditure by 5.9%. The artificial skin's performance is comparable to that of real shark skin, with improved drag reduction at slower flow speeds.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateMay 14, 2014

Can money buy happiness? For some, the answer is no

Researchers at San Francisco State University found that material buyers who purchase life experiences are not happier due to a lack of identity expression. Similarly, spending money on material items does not improve their happiness levels either.

SourceSan Francisco State University·JournalJournal of Research in Personality·DateMay 1, 2014
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.

A small connection with big implications: Wiring up carbon-based electronics

Researchers create robust connections between carbon-based materials and metallic leads, revealing their electric and mechanical properties are representative of larger materials. The study paves the way for systematically classifying different metallic species for emerging carbon-based electronic devices.

SourceUniversidad del País Vasco·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 30, 2014

Use of frozen material for fecal transplant successfully treats C. difficile infection

Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have successfully treated C. difficile infection with frozen fecal material, achieving a 90% success rate and offering a safer alternative to traditional Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT). The treatment involves administering the frozen material through a nasogastric tube, which is as effec...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalClinical Infectious Diseases·DateApr 24, 2014

New self-healing plastics developed

Scientists at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have developed a chemical crosslinking reaction that ensures good short-term healing properties of the material under mild heating. The self-healing mechanism can be initiated by heat, light or chemical substance.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 11, 2014
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.

Earthquake research explores use of high-performance concrete

Researchers are studying ways to selectively use high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete in buildings, exploring its potential to improve strength without increasing costs. The approach focuses on using advanced materials only at vulnerable joints, such as beam-column connections, to enhance structural resilience.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateApr 2, 2014

Computing with slime

Researchers created logical circuits using living slime molds, which can process information and carry out Boolean logic operations. The slime mold-based system could potentially be used to build low-cost, biological computing devices and sensors.

SourceElsevier·JournalMaterials Today·DateMar 27, 2014

Researchers improve performance of III-V nanowire solar cells on graphene

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a novel solar cell architecture based on dense arrays of coaxial p-n junction InGaAs nanowires on InAs stems grown directly on graphene. The resulting ternary InGaAs NW arrays demonstrate a conversion efficiency of 2.51% under air mass 1.5 global solar illumination, representing ...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 24, 2014
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.

Researchers change coercivity of material by patterning surface

By patterning the surface of nickel ferrite (NFO) thin films, researchers have reduced coercivity by 30-80%, depending on film thickness. This technique improves device performance and reduces energy use in applications like sensors, microwave devices, and antennas.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Magnetics Letters·DateMar 17, 2014

First step towards 'programmable materials'

Scientists at Empa have developed a material that can adapt its vibration properties electronically, allowing for the precise control of wave propagation. This breakthrough enables the creation of mechanical components with freely programmable properties, revolutionizing fields like mechanical engineering and plant construction.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 5, 2014
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.

Frontiers launches a new open-access journal: Frontiers in Materials

The new journal Frontiers in Materials will utilize the unique Frontiers platform for open-access publishing and research networking. The mission is to empower researchers by promoting constructive criticism and fair evaluation of their work. Key sections for submissions include Biomaterials.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Materials·DateFeb 24, 2014

Study suggests ways to improve common furniture fire test

Researchers at NIST and American University suggest changes to the common furniture fire test to make it more realistic, focusing on air flow and foam materials. The modifications aim to identify upholstery materials most likely to prevent smoldering ignition, with potential implications for fire safety regulations.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPolymer Degradation and Stability·DateFeb 10, 2014

Vanadium dioxide research opens door to new, multifunctional spintronic smart sensors

Research integrates vanadium dioxide onto a silicon chip to create infrared smart sensors that are faster, more energy-efficient, and lighter than conventional sensors. This breakthrough paves the way for multifunctional spintronic devices with enhanced memory capacity, data transfer speed, and computational power.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 5, 2014

Gummy material addresses safety concerns of lithium ion batteries

Researchers at Washington State University have developed a gum-like lithium battery electrolyte that works as well as liquid electrolytes but doesn't create a fire hazard. The new material, which is a hybrid of liquid and solid, contains liquid electrolyte material suspended in solid particles of wax or a similar material.

SourceWashington State University·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateFeb 4, 2014
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.

A new wrinkle in the control of waves

Researchers at MIT have developed flexible materials with nanoscale wrinkles that can control the wavelengths and distribution of waves, including sound and light. This technology could lead to new diagnostic tools for diseases like cancer and enable advanced noise-cancellation systems.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 23, 2014

Students remember more with personalized review, even after classes end

A computer-based individualized study schedule has been shown to significantly improve students' memory of material presented months earlier. Personalized review helped students remember more material on tests given at the end of the semester and a month later, with benefits also seen in long-term educational outcomes.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science·DateJan 21, 2014

Longer service lives for European nuclear power stations

A European Union-funded project investigates how pressure vessels in nuclear power stations age and lose their toughness due to neutron radiation. The study highlights the need for monitoring and adapting procedures to ensure safe long-term operation.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·DateJan 20, 2014
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Energy storage in miniaturized capacitors may boost green energy technology

Researchers have discovered a new class of high heat-tolerant electronics using supercapacitors made from CCTO, which could compete with existing devices and operate at higher temperatures. The material's permittivity and loss tangent properties are linked, allowing for efficient energy storage.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateJan 17, 2014

Charge order competes with superconductivity

A team of scientists has discovered that charge carriers in cuprate high-Tc superconductors form nanostripes that can suppress superconductivity. The research uses synchrotron radiation to detect the elusive phenomenon of charge order and measure related nanostructures with high precision.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie·JournalScience·DateDec 20, 2013

UNL-led team finds less is more with adding graphene to nanofibers

A UNL-led team discovered that using small amounts of graphene oxide as a template improves carbon nanomaterials, leading to enhanced strength and other properties. The process could lower the cost of making composites significantly by requiring only small quantities of expensive nanoparticles.

SourceUniversity of Nebraska-Lincoln·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateDec 11, 2013
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Electricity from waste heat with more efficient materials

Researchers developed new thermoelectric materials with improved performance and reduced thermal conductivity, enabling more efficient conversion of waste heat into electricity. The study uses hybrid organic-inorganic compounds to achieve higher efficiency.

SourceAalto University·JournalJournal of Materials Science·DateDec 5, 2013