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Science snapshots from Berkeley Lab -- April 1, 2021

Researchers used X-ray microscopy to analyze lithium batteries and employed machine learning to speed up the learning curve about process that shortens battery life. Infrared microscopy also goes off-grid with new technique, enabling time-sensitive experiments and broadening biological spectromicroscopy scope.

Physicists have developed new material for water desalination

Physicists have developed a new material for water desalination that can accelerate evaporation up to 2.5 times and detect hazardous substances. The material, made of titanium dioxide nanoparticles decorated with gold nanoclusters, absorbs light across the entire visible spectrum, converting it into heat.

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.

New study helps pinpoint when earth's plate subduction began

A new study from Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego and the University of Chicago sheds light on the hotly contested debate of when plate subduction began. The research suggests that this process started around 3.75 billion years ago, reshaping Earth's surface and setting the stage for life.

A molecule like a nanobattery

Researchers at University of Oldenburg develop complex molecular compound with high electron capacity, revealing new understanding of charge storage in metal centres. The model molecule functions as a 'mini segment of an energy storage material', paving the way for future design elements in molecular catalysts.

Microswimmers move like moths to the light

Researchers have discovered that synthetic microswimmers can change direction and swim back towards the source of light after being exposed, mimicking biological organisms. The behavior is triggered by Brownian motion, which sets in when the particles are no longer illuminated.

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.

A 40-year-old catalyst unveils its secrets

Researchers unveil titanium pair as catalytically active centre, contradicting long-held assumption of isolated titanium atoms. This breakthrough has significant implications for improving existing catalysts and developing new homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts.

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.

UCF researchers are working on tech so machines can thermally 'breathe'

Researchers at the University of Central Florida have developed a technology that enables large machines to breathe in and out cooling blasts of water, keeping their systems from overheating. The system uses pulsed water-jet cooling and has been found to be effective in cooling hot electronic devices and surfaces.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Avoiding food contamination with a durable coating for hard surfaces

Researchers have created a durable coating using titanium dioxide that can eliminate foodborne germs such as salmonella and E. coli on stainless steel surfaces. The coating, which is also food-safe, provides an additional layer of protection against cross-contamination in meat processing plants.

'Blinking" crystals may convert CO2 into fuels

Researchers at Rutgers University have created ultra-small nanoparticles that exhibit unusual blinking behavior, which could help produce methane and other fuels. The crystals, composed of titanium dioxide, stay charged for tens of seconds, enabling potential applications in environmental cleanups, sensors, and electronic devices.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Titanium oxide-based hybrid materials promising for detoxifying dyes

Researchers at Kazan Federal University developed stable organo-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites that can effectively degrade toxic dyes in water. The composites, combining titanium oxide and noble metals, show a synergistic effect, increasing photodegradation efficiency up to 94%.

Lighting the way to porous electronics and sensors

A straightforward fabrication method has been introduced by researchers from Osaka University to improve the gas sensing performance of common ceramic coatings. The new method involves depositing a thin, porous titanium dioxide film onto a surface using spin coating, resulting in a significant increase in detection speed and accuracy.

Scientists have created new nanocomposite from gold and titanium oxide

Researchers at ITMO University have successfully created a new nanocomposite from gold and titanium oxide by using lasers to tune its structure and properties. The technique enables better control over the nanocomposite's formation and has potential applications in industries such as air purification and fuel cells.

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.

Skoltech scientists developed a new cathode material for metal-ion batteries

Researchers created a commercially attractive advanced cathode material based on titanium fluoride phosphate, exhibiting high electrochemical potential and unprecedented stability at high charge/discharge rates. The discovery opens up new opportunities for practical applications of titanium-containing cathode materials.

First view of hydrogen at the metal-to-metal hydride interface

University of Groningen physicists have visualized hydrogen atoms at the titanium/titanium hydride interface, resolving a long-standing challenge in materials science. The new technique allows for the observation of both heavy titanium and light hydrogen atoms, shedding light on their interaction and properties.

To make amino acids, just add electricity

Researchers at Kyushu University have successfully synthesized several types of amino acids using abundant materials. The process uses electric energy generated from renewable sources and involves titanium dioxide as the electrocatalyst and an organic acid called alpha-keto acid as the key source material.

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.

Laser pulse creates frequency doubling in amorphous dielectric material

Researchers created excited electrons that briefly doubled the frequency of a beam as it bounced off an amorphous TiO2 slab. This breakthrough widens the range of optical materials useful for micro- and nanoscale optoelectronic applications, enabling new options for creating second-order nonlinear effects.

Adding copper strengthens 3D-printed titanium

Researchers at RMIT University have developed a new titanium-copper alloy that can be 3D printed with exceptional properties. The alloy's fully equiaxed grain structure reduces the risk of cracking or distortion, making it suitable for high-performance applications in medical devices and aerospace.

Chains of atoms move at lightning speed inside metals

Scientists have observed a phenomenon where chains of atoms move rapidly within the solid material of pure titanium, challenging current understanding of mass transport in metals. This discovery could lead to new insights into the properties and behavior of materials under different conditions.

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.

Study suggests French ban on food additive may be premature

Researchers from Michigan State University and University of Nebraska Medical Center found no evidence of negative health effects from titanium dioxide in rats. The study corrected flaws in the original French research, including inadequate testing methods and unrealistic rat exposure scenarios.

The challenge: Make and purify a medical isotope that must be used the same day

Scientists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have successfully produced and purified two rare medical isotopes, Sc-43 and Sc-47, which can be used for visualizing and destroying solid tumors. The team's innovative approach uses a combination of particle accelerators and purification techniques to overcome production challenges.

Chemical juggling with three particles

Chemists from Bonn University and Columbia University have discovered a novel catalytic method that can produce Markovnikov alcohols, previously thought to be impossible. The new mechanism uses two catalysts and strictly coordinated reactions to achieve the desired outcome without by-products.

Chemists 'print' sensors for nano-objects

Researchers from ITMO University create sensors that can detect and analyze nano-objects using inkjet printing technology. The sensors work by measuring changes in color caused by the attachment of nanoscale objects to a transparent film.

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.

Interdisciplinary collaboration yields hardest, thinnest coatings yet discovered

Researchers at Lehigh University have developed the hardest, thinnest coatings yet discovered using plasma-enhanced atomic layer deposition. These wear-resistant nitride films have been shown to outperform commercial coatings by orders of magnitude, offering a potential solution for industries experiencing losses due to friction and wear.

Layering titanium oxide's different mineral forms for better solar cells

A team of researchers from Kanazawa University has made a breakthrough in improving the efficiency of metal halide perovskite-type solar cells by layering different mineral forms of titanium oxide. The new approach, which combines anatase and brookite layers, enhances electron transport and reduces recombination, leading to increased s...

Orthopedic implants double the rate of bone lengthening in kids

Russian scientists developed advanced implants for the Ilizarov orthopedic system, which form part of the system's variation applied for lengthening and correcting deformities in children. The new implants reduced treatment terms by two times, accelerating bone regeneration and improving tissue density.

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.

Custom-made artificial mother-of-pearl

Researchers at ETH Zurich developed a method to produce artificial mother-of-pearl with tailored properties, similar to natural mussels. The material's structure is composed of tiny plates stacked on top of each other and interconnected with mineral bridges, which can be adjusted to achieve desired physical properties.

Multifunctional dream ceramic matrix composites are born!

Researchers created AI2O3/Ti composites with improved fracture toughness, electrical conductivity, and photocatalytic ability through percolation structure and chemical treatment. The composites also showed machinability like metals and antibacterial properties.

Alcohols as carbon radical precursors

Researchers have developed a method to convert alcohols into reactive carbon radicals, enabling the direct formation of C-C bonds. This approach allows the use of ubiquitous alcohols without complex pre-transformation steps.

Aluminum on the way to titanium strength

Researchers at NUST MISIS have developed a technology that doubles the strength of aluminum composites obtained by 3D printing, advancing them to titanium alloy quality. The new composite uses nitrides and aluminum oxides as precursors, increasing tensile strength and Brinell hardness.

New spheres trick, trap and terminate water contaminant

Rice University scientists develop micron-sized spheres that trap and destroy bisphenol A (BPA), a synthetic chemical used in plastics. The spheres utilize reactive oxygen species (ROS) to degrade BPA into harmless chemicals, showing 90% efficacy after just one hour.

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.

The world's cleanest water droplet

Scientists at TU Wien and Cornell University develop a novel method to create ultra-pure ice and apply it to titanium dioxide surfaces, revealing that smallest impurities are surprisingly significant. The study finds that two organic acids, acetic acid and formic acid, are the main culprits behind surface contamination.

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.

Granite crystallizes at temperature 200 degrees lower than previously thought

New research reveals granite crystallizes at 500 degrees Celsius, nearly 200 degrees lower than the prevailing accepted crystallization temperature. This finding impacts our understanding of molten rock at depth in the Earth's crust, influencing predictions for economically important ore deposits and active magmatic centers.

Possible link found between diabetes and common white pigment

A pilot study found crystalline particles of titanium dioxide in pancreas specimens with Type 2 diabetes, suggesting a possible link between the white pigment and the disease. The study suggests that increased use of titanium dioxide may contribute to the global rise in T2D cases.

MXene's tour de force

Researchers at Drexel University have found MXene to be the strongest material of its kind, with a high elastic modulus. The material's durability and strength make it suitable for applications such as composite materials, protective coatings, and membranes.

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.

New materials for sustainable, low-cost batteries

ETH Zurich scientists have discovered two new materials that could advance the development of aluminum batteries: a corrosion-resistant titanium nitride material and a flexible polypyrene material for the positive electrode. These advancements aim to improve the energy storage capacity, cost-effectiveness, and scalability of sustainabl...

Russian university's scientific groups receive a number of state grants

Ural Federal University has been awarded several state grants for its scientific research projects, with seven grants going to the Institute of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The university's scientific groups are working on various topics, including remote sensing of the atmosphere and development of new hydro-metallurgical processes.

A new way to atomically thin materials

Researchers developed a new production method for titanium carbide MXene by selectively etching silicon from titanium silicon carbide, resulting in flakes with unique properties. The process uses mixtures of hydrofluoric acid and an oxidizing agent to weaken silicon bonds and facilitate synthesis.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Researchers bring the bling to improve implants

Australian researchers at RMIT University have successfully coated 3D printed titanium implants with diamond, improving biocompatibility and reducing bacterial attachment. The breakthrough could lead to radical improvements in biomedical implants and orthopedic procedures.

New method to replicate harsh conditions for materials

A new method has been proposed to stress test materials subjected to harsh conditions, offering a faster and more accurate alternative to existing methods. Laser-accelerated proton beams can reproduce damage equivalent to several months of full operation of facilities producing a harsh environment for materials.

Super wood could replace steel

Researchers at the University of Maryland have created a new type of wood that is 10-12 times stronger than natural wood, making it a potential competitor to steel. The wood's mechanical properties are comparable to those of titanium alloys, but with improved toughness and reduced weight.

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Prediction of titanic nitride proved unsinkable

Researchers have successfully synthesized cubic, semiconducting titanium nitride (Ti3N4) with excellent mechanical and wear resistance properties. The material has a larger band gap than expected and is expected to exhibit improved optoelectronic properties, making it suitable for electronic devices.