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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.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature·DateFeb 7, 2018

Scientists successfully test new, safer titanium plate for bone tissue repair

Researchers at Shinshu University have successfully tested a new, safer titanium plate for bone tissue repair, eliminating the need for plate extraction and associated surgical risks. The titanium fiber plates share a similar measurement of stiffness with natural bone, reducing the risk of embrittlement.

SourceShinshu University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateFeb 7, 2018

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.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalPhysical Review Materials·DateJan 24, 2018
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.

Highly efficient photocatalyst capable of carbon dioxide recycling

Researchers at DGIST developed a highly efficient titanium dioxide-based photocatalyst that can convert carbon dioxide into methane. The newly created material shows the highest conversion rate of 12.49% and has been proven to increase methane conversion efficiency up to 29 times using platinum nanoparticles.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalMaterials Today·DateDec 1, 2017

3-D printing of aircraft parts out of titanium

Scientists at Tomsk Polytechnic University are creating hydrogen-resistant products from titanium alloys using additive manufacturing. They plan to print aircraft parts out of BT6 and BT9 titanium alloys, aiming to improve properties such as wear resistance and corrosion resistance.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·DateOct 12, 2017
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.

Does the titanium dioxide in food and nanomaterials affect the gut microbiome?

A new study published in Environmental Engineering Science found that titanium dioxide, commonly used in foods and coatings, can affect the types of bacteria present in the human gut and its pH. The study suggests that food-grade TiO2 produces different microbial responses compared to industrial-grade particles.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalEnvironmental Engineering Science·DateOct 3, 2017

Superconductivity found in thin films of titanium oxide

Scientists at Tokyo Tech have reported superconductivity in two types of higher titanium oxides grown as ultrathin films. The materials exhibit a high transition temperature of up to 7.1 K, making them promising for fundamental physics and potential applications in faster computers.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 2, 2017

Inferno world with titanium skies

A team of astronomers has detected titanium oxide in the atmosphere of WASP-19b, an exoplanet with a temperature of 2000 degrees Celsius. The discovery was made using ESO's VLT and allows for more accurate modeling of exoplanet atmospheres.

SourceESO·JournalNature·DateSep 13, 2017
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers devise a new way of producing hydrogen fuel

Researchers have devised a new way of producing hydrogen fuel by combining a photosensitive protein with titanium dioxide particles in nanodiscs. The process, which uses sunlight to generate energy, results in the production of hydrogen at an efficiency rate of 45% or more.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalACS Nano·DateSep 4, 2017

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles can exacerbate colitis

Researchers found that titanium dioxide nanoparticles can increase inflammation and damage to the intestinal mucosa in mice with colitis. Patients with colitis are recommended to avoid foods containing E171, a food additive made from titanium dioxide.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalGut·DateJul 19, 2017
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.

Cheap, energy-efficient and clean reaction to make chemical feedstock

Scientists have discovered a cheap and efficient way to produce olefins, the chemical feedstock for many products, using a titanium-based catalyst. The reaction can be performed at low temperature and has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and costs associated with traditional fossil fuel-based methods.

SourceInstitute for Basic Science·JournalNature Chemistry·DateJun 28, 2017

New photocatalyst speeds up the conversion of carbon dioxide into chemical resources

A new titania photocatalyst has been developed to convert carbon dioxide into methane three times more efficiently than existing catalysts. The photocatalyst's controlled band gap improves light absorption and charge separation, increasing the conversion rate of CO2 into methane.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalApplied Catalysis B Environment and Energy·DateMay 26, 2017

Advantage: Water

Scientists have determined that water is only slightly more likely to stay in one piece as it binds to the catalyst surface than it is to form hydroxyl pairs. This small advantage has significant implications for industries using titanium dioxide, including alternative fuel production and solar energy.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateApr 13, 2017

Switching oxygen on and off

Researchers at TU Wien have successfully switched individual oxygen molecules between a reactive and unreactive state using a force microscope. This process enables new possibilities for investigating the inner workings of photocatalysts.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 14, 2017
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.

Blood-repellent materials: A new approach to medical implants

Researchers have grown a new type of titanium surface that repels blood, potentially reducing the risk of rejection and complications in medical implants. The 'superhemophobic' material is made by altering the surface chemistry of titanium, which normally attracts blood.

SourceColorado State University·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateJan 18, 2017

Dental implants with antibacterial activity

Scientists at the University of the Basque Country have created coatings for dental implants that can prevent bacterial colonization and adhesion. The new coatings were developed using sol-gel synthesis and added antibacterial agents, achieving successful results in preventing osseointegration problems and infections.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalJournal of Non-Crystalline Solids·DateDec 26, 2016
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 + gold = new gold standard for artificial joints

Researchers have created a titanium-gold alloy that is four times harder than most steels, making it an ideal material for artificial knee and hip joints. The alloy's improved hardness and biocompatibility are due to its unique crystal structure, which is resistant to wear and tear.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateJul 20, 2016

Super-eruptions may give a year's warning before they blow

A new study suggests that super-eruptions can be predicted with a year's warning due to the growth of quartz crystals on their surface. The research found that most rim growth times are less than one year, indicating a one-year warning period before an eruption occurs.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalPublication Library and Information Science·DateJul 20, 2016

Surface tension can sort droplets for biomedical applications

Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a simple and inexpensive device that can sort droplets of liquid based solely on their varying surface tensions. The device uses a tunable surface chemistry to manipulate its repellency to different liquids, enabling the sorting of droplets by surface tension.

SourceColorado State University·JournalLab on a Chip·DateJul 19, 2016
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.

Low-cost and lightweight

Researchers at PNNL have developed a stronger titanium alloy using a novel nanostructure, with potential applications in lightweight vehicle parts. The alloy achieved a 10-15% increase in strength, making it suitable for high-strength-to-cost ratio and greater fuel economy.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 1, 2016

Thermal microscopy of single cells

A team of researchers developed a new imaging approach that provides images of a single cell with micrometer resolution using a contrast based on the cell's thermal properties. This technique allows for unprecedented sensitivity in detecting diseased conditions at the sub-cell scale and may aid in optimizing cryopreservation processes.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateDec 29, 2015

Chinese rover analyzes moon rocks: First new 'ground truth' in 40 years

The Chang'e-3 mission provided 'ground truth' for lunar volcanism, with basalts found to be unlike those returned by Apollo and Luna missions. The findings suggest the Moon's upper mantle is composed of diverse minerals, providing clues to its formation and evolution.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 22, 2015

CWRU researchers tailor power source for wearable electronics

Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have created flexible, wire-shaped microsupercapacitors that can be woven into garments to power wearable electronics. The capacitors increase energy density and capacitance by coating a titanium wire with aligned carbon nanotubes, allowing for more efficient charging and discharging.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·JournalEnergy Storage Materials·DateDec 16, 2015
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

NASA's beach ball coronagraph

Scientists at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center are developing a beach ball-sized titanium occulter to study the sun's corona and predict solar flares. The mission aims to improve scientists' understanding of coronal mass ejections, which can disrupt electronics and power grids.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateNov 10, 2015

Researchers find way to make metals stronger without sacrificing ductility

Researchers at North Carolina State University and Chinese Academy of Sciences have developed a technique to make titanium stronger while maintaining its ductility. The new material combines ultrafine-grained strength with coarse-grain ductility, enabling the creation of strong yet flexible materials for vehicle manufacturing.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 9, 2015

Cancer patient receives 3-D printed ribs

A 54-year-old Spanish man received a revolutionary new implant made from 3D printed titanium alloy, designed to replicate the intricate structures of his sternum and ribs. The innovative prosthesis was created by medical device company Anatomics in collaboration with CSIRO's 3D printing facility Lab 22.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalEuropean Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery·DateSep 11, 2015

Titanium rings proving problematic for emergency care doctors

Rings made of titanium are difficult to remove from swollen fingers due to their resistance to cutting methods. A new solution has been developed by plastic surgeons using bolt cutters, which work in under 30 seconds and can be performed solo without damaging the finger.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalEmergency Medicine Journal·DateAug 13, 2015
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

'Yolks' and 'shells' improve rechargeable batteries

Researchers at MIT have developed a novel electrode made of nanoparticles with a solid shell, and a yolk that can change size without affecting the shell, improving cycle life and energy storage. The use of aluminum as the key material has proven to be high-rate champion among high-capacity anodes.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 5, 2015

New limb-lengthening technique is less cumbersome for patients, study finds

A new study has found an alternative limb-lengthening technique that significantly reduces the amount of time patients spend in the external fixator, from 11 months to seven months. The technique combines an internal titanium rod with the external fixator, resulting in good-to-excellent outcomes for trauma patients.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalClinical Orthopaedics and Related Research·DateJul 17, 2015

Are current water treatment methods sufficient to remove harmful engineered nanoparticle?

A study suggests that traditional water pretreatment methods such as coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation are insufficient to remove titanium dioxide nanoparticles from water. The results highlight the need for improved treatment processes to address emerging engineered nanoparticle risks.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalEnvironmental Engineering Science·DateMar 10, 2015
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.

Study reveals how oxygen is like kryptonite to titanium

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, found that oxygen causes titanium to become brittle by acting as bumps in the road for dislocations. This discovery has the potential to open up more practical uses of titanium in various applications, including construction and aerospace industries.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience·DateFeb 5, 2015

Breaking benzene

Researchers develop a novel catalyst to cleave aromatic carbon-carbon bonds in benzene at relatively mild temperatures, offering unprecedented mechanistic details on hydrocracking. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient and selective production of valuable materials from natural resources.

SourceRIKEN·JournalNature·DateAug 27, 2014

Bringing the bling to antibacterials

Shanghai researchers create a new antibacterial material by coating titanium with gold nanoparticles, which effectively kills bacteria and promotes bone growth. This innovative approach may lead to improved implant surfaces and reduced surgical complications.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 1, 2014

Cleaning the air with roof tiles

Researchers created a titanium dioxide roof tile coating that breaks down 21 tons of nitrogen oxides daily, equivalent to an 11,000-mile car drive. The coating costs only $5 per roof, making it a cost-effective solution for reducing smog in the region.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·DateJun 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.

Advance brings 'hyperbolic metamaterials' closer to reality

Hyperbolic metamaterials, created by Purdue University researchers, offer promising advances in optics and electronics. The ultra-thin crystalline films, composed of metal and dielectric materials, could lead to powerful microscopes, quantum computers, and high-performance solar cells.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 14, 2014

Tiny step edges, big step for surface science

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have discovered that tiny step edges on titanium oxide surfaces enable the accumulation of electrons, allowing oxygen atoms to attach more strongly. This finding offers opportunities for creating more efficient solar cells and catalysts.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateApr 9, 2014

Titanium clubs can cause golf course fires, UCI study finds

A recent study published in the journal Fire and Materials found that titanium alloy golf clubs can ignite fires when striking rocks in the rough. The researchers discovered that sparks from these clubs can reach temperatures of over 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit, posing a significant risk to dry foliage.

SourceUniversity of California - Irvine·JournalFire and Materials·DateMar 19, 2014

UT part of $140 million White House advanced manufacturing initiative

The University of Tennessee at Knoxville is leading a national research effort focused on developing new lightweight materials for fuel-efficient cars and aircraft. The initiative aims to improve vehicle performance, safety, and energy efficiency by reducing material weight while maintaining strength.

SourceUniversity of Tennessee at Knoxville·DateFeb 25, 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.

New optimized coatings for implants reduce risk of infection

Researchers developed a coating that reduces stress and bacterial adhesion, minimizing the risk of infection. The new coating combines hydroxyapatite and beta-tricalcium phosphate, improving cell proliferation and implant integration.

SourceAalto University·JournalJournal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials·DateDec 18, 2013

Feds fund concept for cheaper, better titanium made in US

A low-cost, energy-efficient method to extract titanium from ore has been selected by ARPA-E, promising a 60% reduction in titanium costs. The CWRU team's direct electrolytic process eliminates the need for expensive reducing agents, simplifying production and boosting domestic titanium manufacturing.

SourceCase Western Reserve University·DateOct 3, 2013

Making a common cosmetic and sunblock ingredient safer

Researchers found that a less reactive form of titanium dioxide, rutile, is easier to wash off and causes less skin damage than the more common anatase form. This discovery aims to produce safer cosmetic and pharmaceutical products.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical Research in Toxicology·DateSep 25, 2013

New coating may help joint replacements bond better with bone

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new coating for medical implants that can boost bone cell growth by nearly 80%, potentially leading to faster healing of joint replacements and broken bones. The coating, made of tiny metal oxide wires, allows bone cells to cling more easily and form a stronger bond with the implant.

SourceOhio State University·JournalCeramics International·DateJul 29, 2013
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.

Purple sunlight eaters

A protein found in ancient microorganisms that live in desert salt flats has been combined with semiconducting nanoparticles to create a system that uses light to spark a catalytic process creating hydrogen fuel. This bio-assisted hybrid photocatalyst outperforms many other similar systems in hydrogen generation.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·DateJul 19, 2013

Scientists solve titanic puzzle of popular photocatalyst

Researchers at University College London have uncovered a groundbreaking explanation for the properties of mixed-phase titania catalysts, revealing that anatase has lower energy levels than previously thought. This discovery will aid in developing more efficient photocatalysts with applications in clean energy and self-cleaning coatings.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 8, 2013

New low-cost, transparent electrodes

Researchers have created a sturdy, transparent, and indium-free electrode from silver (Ag) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) that could replace indium-based electrodes. The new electrode has a low sheet resistance and high optical transmittance, necessary for high-performance devices.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAPL Materials·DateJun 27, 2013
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.

Artificial forest for solar water-splitting

Scientists have developed an artificial forest of semiconductor light absorbers, interfacial layers, and co-catalysts to mimic natural photosynthesis. The system achieved a 0.12-percent solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency, but further improvements are needed for commercial use.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNano Letters·DateMay 16, 2013