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Clemson researchers, "father of Thermoelectrics" team up to develop new method to evaluate thermoelectric materials

A team of Clemson researchers has developed a new method to evaluate the efficiency of thermoelectric materials, called the figure-of-merit (zT), which considers temperature, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity. The new method uses Peltier cooling to measure zT with higher resolution and accuracy.

SourceClemson University·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 9, 2023

A soft, stimulating scaffold supports brain cell development ex vivo

A new type of electrically conductive hydrogel scaffold has been developed to support brain cell growth and differentiation. The scaffold mimics the soft conditions of brain tissue and enables the creation of implantable biohybrid BCIs that integrate with a patient's brain tissue.

SourceWyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 5, 2023

Pusan National University researchers introduce an energy-efficient method to enhance thermal conductivity of polymer composites

Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a new, energy-efficient process to control the orientation of filler particles in thermally conductive polymer composites. This allows for improved heat dissipation in electronics and batteries, reducing energy costs and extending device lifespan.

SourcePusan National University·JournalPolymer Testing·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 30, 2022

Unveiling the mechanism of the metal-to-insulator transition in ruthenium phosphide suggests a new way of looking at solids

Researchers at Nagoya University have uncovered the mechanism behind ruthenium phosphide's transition from metal to insulator, revealing a unique crystal structure and molecular bonding. This discovery could lead to the development of faster responding sensors and smart windows that change light transmittance depending on temperature.

SourceNagoya University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateNov 29, 2022

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers demonstrate improved performance of transition metal oxide based organic photovoltaics

Researchers from Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology have developed a method to eliminate residual organic metal-binding ligands from transition metal oxide thin films, resulting in improved device stability and performance. The technique achieved a 20-fold enhancement in electrical conductivity and a 17.6% increase in efficiency.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 17, 2022

Modulating MoSe2 functional plane via doping-defect engineering strategy to develop conductive and electrocatalytic mediators in Li-S batteries

Researchers developed a conductive and electrocatalytic mediator for Li-S batteries by modulating the MoSe2 functional plane through doping-defect engineering. This approach improves lithium polysulfide adsorption, reducing the shuttle effect and enhancing overall battery performance.

Membranes help multiply microbial CO2 munching

Researchers at KAUST developed conductive membranes that stimulate microbial growth and separate biochemical products, reducing the CO2 conversion time from over 30 days to just one month. The membranes use nickel nanoparticles to catalyze hydrogen production, enhancing efficiency and stability in microbial electrosynthesis systems.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateSep 20, 2022

Simple technique ushers in long-sought class of semiconductors

Researchers from Osaka University developed a versatile method for preparing heterodimensional superlattices, exhibiting anisotropic electrical conductivity and the anomalous Hall effect at room temperature. This innovation promises to enhance data storage density, lighting efficiency, and electronic device speed.

SourceOsaka University·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 31, 2022

Scientists synthesize material for fuel cells

Researchers at Ural Federal University have synthesized a proton conductor with high electrical conductivity, which could become the basis for solid oxide fuel cells. The new material is potentially cost-effective and exhibits higher electrical conductivity than other solid-state conductors.

SourceUral Federal University·JournalInternational Journal of Hydrogen Energy·DateMay 30, 2022

Depletion of Iran's aquifers

Groundwater extraction in Iran has declined by an average of 18% due to physical limits, while deep well extraction has increased, leading to further depletion. The study reveals widespread aquifer depletion and salinization across all 30 sub-basins, posing significant risks to the country's water resources.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 14, 2021

Earth's deep mantle may have proton rivers made of superionic phases

A research group led by Dr. Qingyang Hu discovered a hydrous mineral that enters an exotic superionic phase, similar to water ice in giant planets. The team found that this superionic state may lead to a significant increase in electrical conductivity, potentially changing our understanding of Earth's mantle convection.

Research found a new way to make functional materials based on polymers of metal clusters

Researchers at the University of Jyvaskyla and Xiamen University have discovered a novel method for creating functional macroscopic crystalline materials. The material exhibits highly anisotropic electrical conductivity, with significant differences in behavior along its polymer direction versus perpendicular directions. Theoretical mo...

SourceUniversity of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 6, 2020

Outer tube-selectively boron-doped double-walled carbon nanotubes for thermoelectric applications

Researchers at Shinshu University have developed a method to selectively dope boron into the outer tubes of double-walled carbon nanotubes, increasing electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient. This advancement enables highly enhanced thermoelectric performance in boron-doped DWNTs for waste heat harvesting and other applications.

SourceShinshu University·JournalACS Applied Nano Materials·DateMay 2, 2020

Reusing waste energy with 2-D electron gas

Researchers at Hokkaido University developed a novel approach to improve thermoelectric material performance by harnessing high mobility two-dimensional electron gas. This enables efficient heat-to-electricity conversion, overcoming current limitations in industrial applications.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateNov 20, 2017

Shining rings: A new material emits white light when exposed to electricity

Scientists at Nagoya University developed a new material that conducts electricity and emits white light when exposed to electricity. The 'responsive porous host' method allows for predictable synthesis of stimuli-responsive materials with potential applications in memory devices, artificial muscles, and drug delivery systems.

SourceInstitute of Transformative Bio-Molecules (ITbM), Nagoya University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 24, 2017

Conductor turned insulator amid disorder

Researchers have discovered a multifractal spatial structure in disordered materials that can turn them from conductors to insulators. This finding has significant implications for understanding the behavior of disordered materials, which are found in amorphous solids like glass and biological tissue.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal B·DateDec 2, 2015