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A fix for frost: Engineers use electricity to zap ice without heat or chemicals

Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed a new method for removing frost from surfaces using electrostatic defrosting (EDF), which can remove up to 75% of the frost without the need for heat or chemicals. The approach uses high voltage to polarize the frost, creating an electric field that detaches microscopic ice crystals.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalSmall Methods·DateNov 11, 2025

AI breakthrough unlocks 'new' materials to replace lithium-ion batteries

Researchers at NJIT used artificial intelligence to discover new porous materials capable of revolutionizing multivalent-ion batteries. The AI-driven approach uncovered five entirely new materials with large, open channels ideal for moving bulky multivalent ions quickly and safely. These findings offer a promising solution for the futu...

SourceNew Jersey Institute of Technology·JournalCell Reports·DateAug 1, 2025

Researchers obtain promising results against capacity loss in vanadium batteries

A computational study conducted by Brazilian researchers found that current density and active species concentration are the main variables affecting capacity loss. The approach successfully mitigated cross-contamination, providing an optimal flow between electrolyte tanks under different operating conditions.

SourceFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateNov 22, 2023
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.

New tool provides greater accuracy for medical biosensors

Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a new method using nanopores to advance discoveries in neuroscience and medical applications. The technique allows for real-time detection of dynamic aptamer-small molecule interactions, which can aid in understanding DNA and RNA diseases and drug discovery.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 8, 2023

Redox-based transistor as a reservoir system for neuromorphic computing

Researchers develop an ionic device utilizing redox reactions to achieve a high number of reservoir states, enabling efficient complex nonlinear operations. The device demonstrated remarkable performance in solving second-order nonlinear dynamic equations and predicting future values with low mean square prediction error.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 3, 2023

Cooking up plasmas with microwaves

Researchers at Kyoto University have successfully created stable plasmas using microwaves, a key step towards harnessing nuclear fusion's massive energy potential. The team identified three crucial steps in plasma production and used Heliotron J to generate the dense plasmas.

SourceKyoto University·JournalProblems of Atomic Science and Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 28, 2023
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Bilayer PET/PVDF substrate-reinforced solid polymer electrolyte improves solid-state lithium metal battery performance

A bilayer, nonwoven PET microfiber/polyvinylidene fluoride nanofiber membrane acts as a separator for LIB systems and prevents short circuits. The substrate significantly improves the mechanical and thermal properties of solid polymer electrolytes, enabling cells to operate over 2000 hours.

SourceShinshu University·JournalJournal of Power Sources·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 22, 2023

Controllable ‘defects’ improve performance of lithium-ion batteries

Researchers at North Carolina State University used a new laser technique to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The technique creates tiny defects in graphite material, which can enhance battery performance, increase current capacity by up to 20%, and reduce the risk of fires. However, excessive defects can lead to probl...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalCarbon·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 8, 2023

Opening new doors: First synthetic mechanosensitive potassium channel

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have successfully synthesized a synthetic mechanosensitive potassium channel, exhibiting stimuli responsiveness and selective ion transport. The new ion channel could lead to breakthroughs in therapeutic treatments for ion-channel related diseases.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 15, 2022
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.

Longer lasting sodium-ion batteries on the horizon

Researchers at PNNL have developed a sodium-ion battery with greatly extended longevity in laboratory tests. The new electrolyte recipe stabilizes the protective film on the anode and generates an ultra-thin protective layer, providing long cycle life and stability. This technology has potential for applications in light-duty electric ...

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2022

How to catch a perfect wave: Scientists take a closer look inside the perfect fluid

Researchers have discovered a new technique to locate the diffusion wake's signal in the quark-gluon plasma, a subatomic soup that flowed like a friction-free fluid after the Big Bang. This breakthrough may help scientists understand how matter emerged from this perfect fluid.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 16, 2021
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.

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.

Differentiating amino acids

Researchers from the University of Freiburg and US universities have developed a method to differentiate between individual amino acids in short peptides. They used an aerolysin nanopore to measure the ion current through the pore, enabling the sensitive measurement of peptide size and structure.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateDec 17, 2019

Smelling in tiny houses: how ciliary electric currents keep olfaction reliable

Researchers used mathematical modeling to understand how cells communicate effectively in highly constricted spaces like olfactory cilia. The model showed that relying on Cl- ions instead of Na+ provides advantages for odor detection, enabling reliable responses despite an unstable external environment.

SourceMonell Chemical Senses Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 31, 2018
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.

Even a shark's electrical 'sixth sense' may be tuned to attack

Researchers discovered that sharks' electrosensing organs react in an all-or-none manner to tiny electrical fields, unlike skates which respond with graded currents. The study suggests that genes controlling ion channels may be responsible for this difference.

SourceNIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke·JournalNature·DateMay 30, 2018

UMD engineers invent the first bio-compatible, ion current battery

Researchers at UMD developed a new battery type that produces ionic electrical energy used by humans, powering brain functions and muscle movements. The battery uses grass to store energy and can be run at any voltage, making it suitable for medical devices and potential applications in neuroscience.

SourceUniversity of Maryland·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 24, 2017

Study shows how skates, rays and sharks sense electrical fields

Researchers at UC San Francisco have cracked the mystery of electrosensation in skates, revealing new insights into how these animals detect prey. The study found that specific ion channels play a crucial role in this process, and that there are similarities between the skate's electrosensory system and the mammalian auditory system.

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature·DateMar 6, 2017

Graphene able to transport huge currents on the nano scale

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology demonstrated that graphene can transport extremely high currents when impacted by highly charged xenon ions. The material's rapid electronic response allows it to withstand extreme currents without damage, making it a promising candidate for ultra-fast electronics applications.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateDec 21, 2016

A novel battery design for making dual-ion batteries efficient

A novel 3D porous aluminum-graphite battery exhibits excellent long-term cycling stability of over 1000 cycles with 89.4% capacity retention at 2C current rate. The design features a uniform carbon layer, alleviating mechanical stress and surface reactions.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateOct 10, 2016
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.

NASA's Van Allen Probes reveal long-term behavior of Earth's ring current

New observations from NASA's Van Allen Probes have revealed the ring current behaves differently than previously thought. The high-energy protons in the ring current change in a completely different way from the low-energy protons, indicating a persistent ring current around Earth even during non-storm times.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateMay 19, 2016

Rhythm is it

Researchers have discovered that HCN channels, essential for the heart's electrical signals, are vital for normal repolarization. A new animal model showed a significant reduction in repolarization phase duration when one subtype of HCN channel protein was missing.

SourceLudwig-Maximilians-Universität München·JournalCirculation Research·DateSep 9, 2011

A supercharged metal-ion generator

Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have developed a powerful new sputter process that can deposit high-quality metal films in complex nanoscale patterns. The method, called 'self-sputtering far above the runaway threshold,' uses short high-power pulses to create a dense plasma of metal ions.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJan 28, 2009
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.

Researchers 'see' structure of open nicotinic acetylcholine ion channels

Researchers at the University of Illinois have mapped the interior of a key component of the relay system that allows acetylcholine to transmit its message. The muscle nicotinic receptor, a neurotransmitter-gated ion channel, responds to acetylcholine by opening its gate and allowing positively charged ions to flow into the cell.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateApr 7, 2008