A Case Western Reserve University researcher suggests that using platinum in fuel cells is inefficient due to energy loss, prompting the search for alternative catalysts. The ideal bonding strength between platinum and intermediate molecules can improve efficiency.
Engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have developed a catalyst that provides similar efficiency to platinum in microbial fuel cells but at 5% of the cost. The material, nitrogen-enriched iron-carbon nanorods, has potential for replacing platinum catalysts in hydrogen-producing microbial electrolysis cells.
Researchers at Stanford University have discovered a new type of carbon nanotube that can enhance catalytic activity without compromising electrical conductivity. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more efficient fuel cells and metal-air batteries, reducing reliance on expensive platinum catalysts.
A new study by the Commonwealth Fund found that 51% of Americans with individual market health insurance plans have 'tin' plans with poor coverage, which would not meet minimum standards. However, once the state-based exchanges launch in 2014, many will be able to purchase better plans with premium subsidies.
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Scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a new electrocatalyst that efficiently generates hydrogen gas from water without using platinum. The novel nickel-molybdenum-nitride nanosheet catalyst outperforms traditional non-noble metal compounds and has the potential to unlock sustainable energy alternatives.
A team of scientists has developed a technique to encapsulate liquids containing nanocrystals between layers of graphene, enabling the direct observation of chemical reactions at the atomic scale. This breakthrough allows for unprecedented studies of nanoscale phenomena in liquids.
Researchers at Brown University created a triple-headed metallic nanoparticle that generates higher current per unit of mass than any other nanoparticle catalyst tested, with good durability as well as good activity. The FePtAu nanoparticle removes carbon monoxide from the reaction, improving performance and stability.
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Chemists at UC Berkeley have developed a new, edge-based catalyst that can efficiently produce hydrogen from water. The breakthrough could lead to more affordable and efficient fuel cell technology, reducing emissions and increasing the use of clean-burning fuels.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a technique to create molecular analogs of the active part of molybdenite, a widely used industrial catalyst. This method holds promise for creating catalytic materials that can generate hydrogen gas from acidic water at lower costs and with greater efficiency.
The new electrocatalysts have high activity, stability, and durability while containing only about one tenth the platinum of conventional catalysts used in fuel cells. This reduction leads to lower costs and environmental benefits by producing no harmful emissions.
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Researchers discovered that cancer drug cisplatin binds up to 20-fold more to RNA than DNA, suggesting a new approach for reducing toxic side effects. The study found platinum was retained on RNA and bound quickly, with specific locations targeted.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a potential new radiation treatment that uses heavy metals and low-energy electrons to target cancer tumors. The method, called Resonant Nano-Plasma Theranostics (RNPT), has the potential to reduce radiation exposure to healthy tissue.
A team of scientists led by Professor Gregory Jerkiewicz discovered that platinum develops a water-repelling layer when used in hydrogen reactions, enabling fast and efficient energy release. This breakthrough could lead to cheaper synthetic alternatives for sustainable devices.
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The NTU School of Art, Design & Media building has received the Green Mark Platinum Award for its significant energy and water savings. The building features various eco-friendly features such as high-efficient lights, retrofitted air-conditioning systems, and rainwater collection with sensors.
Catalysts made of carbon nanotubes dipped in a polymer solution have been shown to equal the energy output and outperform platinum catalysts in fuel cells. The new process is simpler and cheaper, reducing the cost of fuel cells by up to 75%.
Researchers created a new catalytic material that is harder, more chemically active, and provides stability for fuel cells. The material combines graphene with metal oxide nanoparticles, resulting in improved performance and durability.
Scientists at the University of Warwick have discovered a new platinum-based compound that can be activated by normal visible blue or green light, leading to a highly potent cancer treatment. The compound is up to 80 times more effective than existing platinum-based anti-cancer drugs.
Researchers have developed a novel fuel cell catalyst that uses large spheres of gold instead of platinum, reducing the need for precious metals. The catalyst retains its converting power and produces electricity at top capacity for longer periods than traditional small-particle models.
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Scientists have developed a new fuel-cell catalyst with a palladium core that protects precious platinum and enhances its reactivity. The new catalyst maintains high levels of activity even after 100,000 cycles of testing, compared to conventional catalysts that lose nearly 70% of their reactivity.
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a new organic solvent process that selectively dissolves noble metals like platinum, palladium, and gold. This ability to preferentially dissolve these metals creates a customized system with high control over the process.
A new, less expensive catalyst for hydrogen purification has been discovered using platinum on standard support metal oxides. The research team developed a platinum-based catalyst that is highly active and stable at low temperatures, reducing the need for rare-earth elements like cerium.
Scientists at Cornell University have discovered a new catalyst that could make fuel cells more stable and conk-out free, using platinum nanoparticles on titanium oxide with added tungsten. The material is more stable and less expensive than pure platinum, allowing it to work with hydrogen fuels containing up to 2% carbon monoxide.
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Researchers have created giant pseudo-magnetic fields in graphene by applying the right amount of strain, revealing a new window into fundamental scientific discoveries and potential applications. The findings, published in Science journal, exceed the strongest magnetic fields ever sustained in a laboratory setting.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab found that high-pressure conditions can create nanoclusters of platinum, which may be more stable than single crystals. This discovery has implications for the future use of platinum in fuel cells and could potentially reduce costs.
Researchers have developed a unique core and shell nanoparticle that uses far less platinum yet performs more efficiently and lasts longer than commercially available pure-platinum catalysts. The new catalyst generates 12 times more current than existing models, offering a promising advance in fuel-cell technology.
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Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed three patents for fuel-cell catalysts that reduce costly platinum use and increase its effectiveness. The newly patented catalysts can greatly reduce the cost and increase the use of fuel cells in electric vehicles, making them a major source of clean energy.
Researchers have developed a new form of platinum that could make cheaper and more efficient fuel cells. The process, which uses a copper-platinum alloy, reduces the amount of platinum required in fuel cells from 100 grams to just 20 grams, potentially enabling widespread adoption.
A team of researchers at Penn State has discovered that certain combinations of elemental atoms can mimic the electronic signatures of other elements. By examining photoelectron spectroscopy data, they found similarities between titanium monoxide and nickel, zirconium monoxide and palladium, and tungsten carbide and platinum.
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Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh developed metallic nanoparticles that can withstand temperatures of over 850 degrees Celsius. By sacrificing weaker components as temperatures rise, these particles maintain their structure and continue to catalyze reactions efficiently.
Researchers at Max Planck Institute create a novel catalyst that efficiently converts methane to methanol, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. The breakthrough could help address global natural gas shortages and support the chemical industry.
The study shows that aluminum atoms in the supporting material anchor platinum atoms, allowing them to group into rafts that provide ample space for catalytic reactions. Increasing the number of penta sites by raising the temperature during catalyst synthesis can lead to better dispersion of the platinum atoms.
University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers have developed a computational model that optimizes fuel cell catalysts by increasing particle size, reducing degradation and extending the lifespan of fuel cells. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and cost-effective fuel cells for widespread use.
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Rice University chemists have developed a polymer-coated platinum-gold nanorod catalyst that can be used in organic solvents favored by the chemical and drug industries. The coated particles exhibit nearly 100% catalytic selectivity, making them attractive to industry.
Researchers have observed single colloidal platinum nanocrystals growing in solution using liquid cell in situ transmission electron microscopy. The study reveals complex growth trajectories, including steady and spurt-like growth driven by coalescence events.
Researchers found platinum content in komatiites gradually increased from 3.5 billion years ago to 2.9 billion years ago, indicating the deep source of komatiite was gaining platinum over time. This discovery has significant implications for understanding mantle processes and plate tectonics.
Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis developed a bimetallic fuel cell catalyst that is two to five times more effective than commercial catalysts. The novel technique enables a cost-effective fuel cell technology with potential for cleaner use of fuels worldwide.
Dartmouth researchers found a significant increase in rare element osmium worldwide, tracing it to platinum refinement and catalytic converters. The team measured osmium in precipitation, surface water, and deep water globally, with most of the findings linked to industrial processes.
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Researchers at Penn State have developed stainless steel brushes that can produce hydrogen at rates and efficiencies similar to those achieved with platinum-catalyzed carbon cloth. The new design reduces costs by five times compared to traditional platinum catalysts, while maintaining high current densities and energy recovery.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have devised a way to catalyze propane in a more environmentally friendly manner using platinum clusters. The discovery could lead to the development of energy-efficient and sustainable synthesis strategies, potentially replacing petrochemical feedstocks with abundant small alkanes.
Researchers at the University of Rochester have developed long, thin platinum nanowires that could improve the performance of fuel cells. The wires are designed to provide a larger surface area for catalysis, reducing the loss of platinum particles during fuel cell operation.
Researchers at UC Riverside have designed a catalyst that allows for the production of partially hydrogenated oils while minimizing the formation of trans fats. By controlling the shape of platinum particles, they achieved higher selectivity and reduced the creation of harmful trans fats.
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Researchers found that adding a subordinate elite tier to a top-tier program enhances perceptions of status, while diluting the perception of status occurs when too many elites are added. The study shows that customers value exclusive programs even if they don't qualify for the highest tiers.
The team's breakthrough design features a Goretex-coated air-electrode that is more economical, easily sourced, and outlasts traditional platinum cells. Testing has shown no degradation or performance loss over 1500 hours of continuous use.
Carbon nanotubes have been engineered to improve the properties of solar cells by introducing defects, resulting in increased catalytic activity and reduced costs. The new material has the potential to replace traditional layers used in solar cells, leading to improved performance and more affordable energy technologies.
Researchers from Carnegie Institution and University of Cape Town used diamonds to trace origin of platinum deposits, suggesting ancient parts of mantle beneath African continent as source. The study's findings may lead to better exploration models and strategies for similar ore deposits.
Scientists have created a new generation of nanomotors that are up to 10 times more powerful than existing motors, with top speeds reaching 94-200 micrometers per second. The innovation uses carbon nanotubes to boost the speed and efficiency of the motors.
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Fuel cells face challenges such as membrane degradation, carbon corrosion, and platinum instability, leading to reduced durability. Researchers are working to understand the fundamental failure mechanisms and develop new materials or system approaches to mitigate these issues.
Italian researchers propose that copper transport protein Ctr1 binds platinum ion from cisplatin, stabilizing the trimeric channel structure and enabling endocytosis. This process allows cisplatin to accumulate in organelles, including the nucleus, where it exerts its antitumor effects.
A University of Houston research team has discovered a method to make fuel cells more efficient and less expensive. This breakthrough could lead to the widespread adoption of fuel cell-powered vehicles, which are already two to three times more efficient than internal combustion engines.
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A team of researchers developed a new class of electrocatalyst that outperforms pure platinum in reducing oxygen. The catalyst features nanoparticles with a platinum-rich shell and a copper-cobalt core.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed new single-site catalysts that can increase hydrogen production at lower temperatures, potentially reducing costs. These catalysts offer improved thermal stability and protection from sulfur species, which are common byproducts in fuel reforming.
Researchers at Cardiff University are developing cost-effective methods to recycle platinum and other precious metals from road dust and vehicle exhausts. This innovative approach aims to produce clean fuel cells, minimizing waste and creating reliable, greener energy.
The American Society for Microbiology (ASM) received three honors at the 2007 Hermes Creative Awards, including a Platinum Award for its MicrobeWorld Radio audio and video podcasts. Its blog, Small Things Considered, won a Gold Award, while its website earned an Honorable Mention.
Researchers have developed a new form of platinum nanocrystals with improved catalytic activity, enabling more efficient fuel oxidation and hydrogen production. The nanocrystals, with tetrahexahedral structures, remain stable at high temperatures and can be controlled in size, making them suitable for industrial use.
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Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have discovered a way to use gold to prevent the destruction of platinum in fuel cell reactions, enhancing the metal's value. The new method, which involves adding gold clusters to platinum electrocatalysts, keeps the precious metal stable during accelerated stability tests.
Researchers have identified a new variation of a platinum-nickel alloy that significantly increases oxygen-reduction catalysis on the cathode in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. This breakthrough could eliminate existing limitations and make PEM fuel cell technology more viable for transportation applications.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory stabilized platinum electrocatalysts using gold clusters, maintaining stability in accelerated tests. This breakthrough raises promising possibilities for synthesizing improved platinum-based catalysts.
A team of researchers has successfully produced large, porous, hollow platinum spheres by using liposomes as blueprints. The spheres are made of continuous, branched platinum sheets and have potential applications in biomedical, catalytic, and optical fields.
Researchers have created iridium and platinum nitrides, which exhibit strong bonds that contribute to hardness and durability. These compounds may be used in durable coatings, substrates, conductors, and optoelectronic devices.
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Scientists have successfully created a novel class of metal nitrides made from noble metals, exhibiting unusual or unique properties. These new compounds may prove to be even more durable than current titanium nitrides used in the semiconductor industry.