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New magnesium superionic conductor towards lithium-free solid-state batteries

Researchers from Tokyo University of Science create a metal–organic framework-based magnesium ion conductor showing superionic conductivity at room temperature, overcoming the limitations of magnesium ion-based energy devices. The novel Mg2+ electrolyte exhibits a high conductivity of 10−3 S cm−1, making it suitable for battery applica...

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

CT algorithm for clear-cell renal cell carcinoma in small solid masses

A 5-tiered CT scoring algorithm, including mass-to-cortex corticomedullary attenuation ratio and heterogeneity score, showed substantial inter-observer agreement and moderate diagnostic accuracy for clear-cell RCC. The algorithm may represent a clinically useful tool for diagnosis in small solid renal masses.

SourceAmerican Roentgen Ray Society·JournalAmerican Journal of Roentgenology·TypeImaging analysis·DateJun 29, 2022

What do jelly and sand have in common?

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University found that falling beds of sand and melting gelatin exhibit similar destabilization behavior, characterized by fingering instabilities and fluidized interface regions. This study provides insights into the macroscopic physical behavior of granular materials and gels under gravity.

SourceTokyo Metropolitan University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 30, 2022

The next generation of robots will be shape-shifters

Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a new coating method for soft robots that allows them to change shape and movement through human-controlled activity. This breakthrough in active matter could lead to the creation of machines governed by individual units that cooperate to determine movement and function.

SourceUniversity of Bath·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 11, 2022

Doing photon upconversion a solid—Crystals that convert light to more useful wavelengths

Scientists discover a promising approach to creating solid materials for photon upconversion, which can transform wasted long-wavelength light into more useful shorter wavelength light. The new van der Waals crystal solution exhibits outstanding performance and efficiency, enabling the development of novel photonic technologies.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalMaterials Horizons·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 25, 2021

Supersolid in a new dimension

Researchers at the University of Innsbruck have successfully generated a two-dimensional supersolid quantum gas, a phenomenon previously observed only in one dimension. This breakthrough enables the study of vortices forming in the hole between droplets, furthering our understanding of superfluidity and its properties.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2021

Supercomputers and Archimedes' law enable calculating nanobubble diffusion in nuclear fuel

The new method makes it possible to create significantly more accurate fuel models for nuclear power plants. The researchers used atomistic models of the material comprising hundreds of thousands of atoms and supercomputers to calculate their trajectories over hundreds of millions or even billions of integration steps.

SourceMoscow Institute of Physics and Technology·JournalJournal of Nuclear Materials·DateApr 20, 2020

New polymer material may help batteries become self-healing, recyclable

Researchers at the University of Illinois have created a solid polymer-based electrolyte that can self-heal after damage and be recycled without harsh chemicals or high temperatures. The new material has potential as an effective battery electrolyte, but more work is needed to make it comparable to existing batteries.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 23, 2019

Solid fuel use in northern China

A study in northern China suggests replacing solid fuels with electricity or natural gas can substantially reduce air pollution emissions and wintertime indoor particulate matter concentrations. Successful replacement of 60% or more households could lead to significant health benefits, lowering PM levels from 209 μg/m3 to 125 μg/m3.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 5, 2019

A new 'twist' on 3D printing renders 'The Thinker,' and other objects

Researchers have developed a new 3D printing method that allows for the rapid rendering of complex objects by rotating photosensitive material in an evolving light field. This approach enables printing times of under two minutes and has potential applications in fields such as patient-specific medical devices, optics, and aerospace.

Smart fluorescent dyes

Scientists developed a unique organic fluorophore that changes its emission color in response to external stimuli. The dye exhibits two-color behavior, emitting green and orange light depending on its solid-state morphologies.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 16, 2018

When mixing granular matter, order among disorder

Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that mixing yield stress materials creates distinct regions of mix and non-mix, providing a fundamental understanding of designing mixing protocols. The study's findings have implications for industries such as pharmaceuticals and concrete manufacturing.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 14, 2018

With computation, researchers identify promising solid oxide fuel cell materials

A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison engineers has discovered new materials that could enable solid oxide fuel cells to operate at lower temperatures, increasing efficiency and reducing costs. The researchers used quantum mechanics-based computational techniques to screen over 2,000 candidate materials, yielding a list of 52 poten...

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateFeb 22, 2018

Killing it softly

UCSB mechanical engineer Daniel Gianola and colleagues use machine learning to predict material failure based on a new concept of softness. By analyzing disordered materials, they found that the size of correlated softness is identical to the number of particles in motion during failure.

Hidden properties of solids

Researchers at UCSB have successfully measured Berry curvature in solid matter for the first time using a unique laser experiment. This breakthrough has significant implications for designing new materials with optimized Berry curvature for applications in electronic and optical devices.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalPhysical Review X·DateNov 21, 2017

Dancing electrons lose the race

Physicists observe that electrons emitted from different initial states in a solid material arrive at the surface last, contrary to intuition. Theoretical models are revised to account for intra-atomic interactions, which affect electron motion and lead to a new understanding of photoemission.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalScience·DateSep 21, 2017

Sucking up spilt oil

Scientists from India develop a simple strategy to recover spilt oil by tightly binding it to a porous matrix, allowing for easy scooping and recycling. The cellulose-based system effectively absorbs oil without sucking in water, making it an environmentally friendly solution.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 7, 2017