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Heat transport property at the lowermost part of the Earth's mantle

Researchers used quantum mechanical computations to study the thermal conductivity of postperovskite at lower mantle conditions. The study found a significant jump in thermal conductivity associated with phase transition, which affects heat flux across the core-mantle boundary.

SourceEhime University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateFeb 13, 2020

Miniature double glazing

Researchers create a novel material with different thermal conduction properties depending on direction, combining the benefits of insulation and heat dissipation. The material's unique structure allows for efficient transfer of heat within layers while blocking it perpendicular to the layers.

SourceUniversität Bayreuth·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJan 17, 2020

Isotopically enriched cubic boron nitride reveals high thermal conductivity

Researchers confirmed the high thermal conductivity of isotopically enriched cubic boron nitride, a discovery that could lead to breakthroughs in cooling microelectronics. The team made the unique compound and measured its thermal conductivity, confirming theoretical predictions and opening up new avenues for research.

SourceBoston College·JournalScience·DateJan 13, 2020
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.

New heat model may help electronic devices last longer

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new heat model that can help improve the thermal conductivity and reduce defects in gallium nitride semiconductors. This could lead to longer-lasting electronic devices with improved reliability.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateDec 16, 2019

Heat transport through single molecules

Scientists have successfully measured thermal transport through single-molecule junctions for the first time, revealing that heat transfer is length-independent. The breakthrough uses custom-developed calorimetric-scanning-thermal-microscopy technique to determine thermal conductance, which originates from atomic vibrations or phonons.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalNature·DateJul 19, 2019
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.

Controlling thermal conductivity of polymers with light

Researchers have designed a novel polymer that can switch its thermal conductivity in response to light, enabling on-demand heat routing. The material's unique behavior has potential applications in managing heat for sensitive electronics and keeping electrical devices warm.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 11, 2019

UVA multidisciplinary engineering team designs technology for smart materials

Researchers at UVA have invented a material with the ability to switch between insulating and cooling, making it suitable for applications such as smart fabrics and active wear. This technology has potential game-changing applications in various fields, including athletics and energy production.

SourceUniversity of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 17, 2018

Thermal switch discovered in engineered squid-based biomaterials

Scientists have developed a new class of materials inspired by squid DNA that can control thermal conductivity, which could lead to improved fabrics for athletic wear. The materials' thermal conductivity increases dramatically when wet, allowing them to 'flip' a switch and remove heat from the body.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateAug 13, 2018

High-power electronics keep their cool with new heat-conducting crystals

Researchers at the University of Illinois and Texas have optimized boron arsenide crystal growth to create materials with excellent thermal properties. The new material can effectively dissipate heat, outperforming existing heat spreaders three times over.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience·DateJul 5, 2018
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers upend conventional wisdom on thermal conductivity

A UH-led team has reported synthesizing a crystal grown from boron and arsenic elements with far higher thermal conductivity than any other semiconductors and metals. The discovery could address technological challenges in cooling electronic devices, which is crucial for high power density electronics.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalScience·DateJul 5, 2018
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.

How to cool a smartphone

Scientists at NUST MISIS have developed composites that can efficiently remove heat from electronic devices, potentially replacing traditional materials like fiberglass. The new material has high thermal conductivity and mechanical properties, making it suitable for use in smartphones and other electronics.

SourceNational University of Science and Technology MISIS·JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds·DateApr 3, 2018

Engineers turn plastic insulator into heat conductor

A team of MIT engineers has developed a polymer thermal conductor that can dissipate heat more efficiently than traditional insulators. The new material is lightweight and flexible, conducting 10 times as much heat as most commercially used polymers.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 30, 2018

'Random walk' of heat carriers in amorphous polymers

The study investigates how chain conformation influences thermal conductivity in amorphous polymers, revealing that ultra-thin polymer nanofibers exhibit higher thermal conductivity due to aligned molecular chains. An empirical function is proposed to describe the diameter dependence of chain conformation.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateFeb 28, 2018
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.

System draws power from daily temperature swings

A novel system, called a thermal resonator, converts daily temperature swings into electrical power. The device takes advantage of the ambient temperature fluctuations that occur during the day-night cycle, making it suitable for remote sensing systems without requiring batteries or other power sources.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 15, 2018

Feel the heat, one touch a time

Scientists have developed a technique to map thermal conductivity at the nanoscale, enabling more efficient thermoelectric materials. This breakthrough uses scanning thermal microscopy to analyze three-phase thermoelectric materials and determine their local thermal conductivity.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateJul 6, 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.

Breakthrough with a chain of gold atoms

An international team of physicists has made a breakthrough in understanding heat transport at the nanoscale by studying a chain of gold atoms. The study confirms the validity of the Wiedemann-Franz law, which describes the relationship between electric and thermal conductance.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalScience·DateFeb 17, 2017

For this metal, electricity flows, but not the heat

Scientists have found that electrons in vanadium dioxide move in unison, making it a poor conductor of heat. The material's unique properties make it suitable for applications like thermoelectric systems and window coatings.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateJan 26, 2017
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.

Glass's off-kilter harmonies

Researchers have discovered that localized vibrations in amorphous silicon dioxide contribute substantially to the material's thermal conductivity, contradicting previous assumptions. This breakthrough could lead to more efficient forms of everyday materials and even superconducting materials.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 18, 2017

Researchers find way to tune thermal conductivity of 2-D materials

Researchers found an unexpected method to control the thermal conductivity of two-dimensional (2-D) materials by introducing disorder through lithium ions. This approach allowed for a significant increase in the material's thermal anisotropy ratio, making it more efficient at dissipating heat in electronic devices.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 21, 2016

Researchers design solids that control heat with spinning superatoms

Researchers discovered the cause of vastly different thermal conductivities in superatomic structural analogues, directly related to rotational disorder within those structures. This finding enables the creation of materials with potential applications in sustainable energy generation, energy storage, and nanoelectronics.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalNature Materials·DateSep 6, 2016

Ironing out the mystery of Earth's magnetic field

Researchers directly measured the thermal conductivity of iron at pressures and temperatures corresponding to planetary core conditions for the first time. The results, published in Nature, contradict theoretical calculations and resolve a long-standing debate about the so-called geodynamo paradox.

SourceDeutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron DESY·JournalNature·DateJun 1, 2016
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.

The missing 'recipe'

Researchers have developed a theoretical description of thermal conduction, accounting for both atomic and electronic behavior, allowing for accurate numerical simulations. This breakthrough enables scientists to study complex materials and processes, such as those found on planets, with unprecedented precision.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalNature Physics·DateOct 19, 2015

Is black phosphorus the next big thing in materials?

Researchers at Berkeley Lab discovered unique thermal properties in black phosphorus nanoribbons, with high directional anisotropy in thermal conductivity at temperatures greater than 100K. This finding has implications for designing energy-efficient devices, as the lattice orientation of patterns can affect thermal conductivity.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 16, 2015

Graphene-based film can be used for efficient cooling of electronics

Researchers developed a graphene-based film that efficiently cools electronics by increasing thermal conductivity to four times that of copper. The film can be attached to silicon components, overcoming previous adhesion issues, and has been tested with an additive creating stronger silane bonds, resulting in improved heat transfer.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJul 10, 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.

Sandia researchers first to measure thermoelectric behavior by 'Tinkertoy' materials

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have made the first measurements of thermoelectric behavior in a nanoporous metal-organic framework (MOF), a discovery that could lead to more efficient cooling and energy harvesting applications. The material, known as TCNQ@MOF, exhibits high Seebeck coefficient and low thermal conductivity.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMay 20, 2015

Phonons, arise!

Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have found a way to alter the thermal conductivity of widely used material PZT using a small electric voltage. This breakthrough could lead to new technologies where controlling phonons is necessary, and has potential applications in computing, global communications, and other fields.

SourceDOE/Sandia National Laboratories·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 22, 2015

Controlling thermal conductivities can improve energy storage

Scientists have developed a way to modulate the thermal conductivity of lithium cobalt oxide, a key material for rechargeable batteries. This breakthrough enables dynamic control of heat evolution and dissipation, leading to improved performance and safety.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 3, 2014
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Graphene for real-world devices

Researchers have found that graphene's thermal conductivity increases with the number of layers, but still falls short of idealized values. The team is exploring novel ways to support graphene, including three-dimensional interconnected foam structures and hexagonal boron nitride.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin, Texas Advanced Computing Center·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 6, 2014

Solving a mystery of thermoelectrics

Researchers have finally found a theoretical explanation for the differences in thermal conductivity between similar materials, which could lead to the discovery of new thermoelectric materials. The findings are reported in the journal Nature Communications and were partly supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 29, 2014

Heat-conducting polymer cools hot electronic devices at 200 degrees C

Researchers have developed a thermal interface material that can conduct heat 20 times better than traditional polymers, allowing for reliable operation at temperatures of up to 200 degrees Celsius. The new material could improve thermal management in electronic devices, such as servers and mobile devices.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMar 30, 2014

Thermal conductance can be controlled like waves using nanostructures

Scientists at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, have demonstrated that it's possible to change a material's thermal conductance by tuning the wave-like properties of heat flow. By fabricating a nanoscale mesh structure, they were able to reduce phonon thermal conductance by almost an order of magnitude.

SourceAcademy of Finland·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 19, 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.

Heat-based technique offers new way to measure microscopic particles

Researchers developed a new heat-based technique for counting and measuring microscopic particles, offering advantages in simplicity, affordability, and versatility. The technique has been tested effectively for objects in the 200 micron to 90 micron range and is expected to be able to measure individual cells.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalMicrofluidics and Nanofluidics·DateMar 13, 2014

Spider silk ties scientists up in knots

A team from the University of the Basque Country has repeated an experiment that previously found spider silk to be an excellent thermal conductor. Their results show a significant decrease in thermal diffusivity, with values up to 300 times smaller than those reported earlier.

SourceSpanish Foundation for Science and Technology·JournalMaterials Letters·DateJan 22, 2014

Deep Earth heat surprise

Researchers have successfully simulated pressure conditions in the deep lower mantle, measuring thermal conductivity and finding heat transfer to be lower than expected. The study estimates a total heat flow of 10.4 terawatts across the Earth, about 60% of human civilization's power usage.

SourceCarnegie Institution for Science·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 9, 2013

Oregon lab changes game for synthesizing new materials

Researchers at the University of Oregon have developed a game-changing approach to synthesize thousands of new compounds with ultra-low thermal conductivity. The team designed layered elemental precursors that self-assemble into metastable compounds with predictable nano-architectures and specific crystallographic orientations.

SourceUniversity of Oregon·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 31, 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.

An unlikely competitor for diamond as the best thermal conductor

Researchers from Boston College and Naval Research Laboratory discovered boron arsenide's unexpectedly high thermal conductivity, rivaling that of diamond. The material's unique vibrational properties allow for efficient heat conduction at specific frequencies.

SourceBoston College·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateJul 8, 2013

Is it alive or dead?

A Korean team of mechanical engineers has created a novel nanoscale biosensing technique to detect uniform heat signatures from individual cells. This innovation allows for the measurement of cell viability and may lead to early diagnosis of diseases like cancer based on differences in thermal properties.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 28, 2013

New insights into how materials transfer heat could lead to improved electronics

University of Toronto researchers have developed a new tool to measure the thermal and vibrational properties of solids, which could lead to more efficient electronic devices. The tool allows for a clearer picture of how an electronic device's ability to dissipate heat shrinks with its size.

SourceUniversity of Toronto Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 16, 2013

Nature Materials study: Boosting heat transfer with nanoglue

A team of researchers developed a new method to significantly increase heat transfer rate across different materials by sandwiching an ultrathin layer of 'nanoglue' between copper and silica. The approach demonstrated a four-fold increase in thermal conductance, promising new innovations in cooling and energy applications.

SourceRensselaer Polytechnic Institute·JournalNature Materials·DateDec 4, 2012

Liquid metals are in the focus of a new research alliance

The Helmholtz Alliance LIMTECH aims to increase the energy and resource efficiency of liquid metal technologies. Liquid metals are used in various industrial branches due to their high thermal conductivity and ability to store large quantities of energy.

SourceHelmholtz Association·DateJun 26, 2012
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.

Thermal conductivity of argon at high pressures and temperatures

Researchers used diamond anvil cells to apply extreme pressure to argon, heating it with microsecond laser bursts to 2,500 degrees K. The results confirmed kinetic theory as a better model for argon's thermal conductivity than Green-Kubo formalism.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJun 5, 2012

Researcher finds faster, cheaper way to cool electronic devices

A North Carolina State University researcher has created a more efficient cooling method for electronic devices using a copper-graphene composite. The new material cools devices up to 25% faster than current materials and reduces costs by replacing expensive copper with graphene.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalMetallurgical and Materials Transactions B·DateApr 9, 2012

Keeping electronics cool

Researchers at UC Riverside have made a significant discovery in graphene's thermal conductivity, showing that isotopically engineered graphene can conduct heat more efficiently than natural graphene. This finding has the potential to impact various applications, including electronics, photovoltaic solar cells and radars.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalNature Materials·DateJan 9, 2012
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.

Boron nanoribbons reveal surprising thermal properties in bundles

Researchers discovered that bundling boron nanoribbons can significantly increase their thermal conductivity. The flat surface structure of the nanoribbons allows for tighter contact between individual structures through van der Waals interactions, enabling efficient phonon transmission and enhanced heat transfer.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 20, 2011

Nature of bonding determines thermal conductivity

Phase change materials exhibit surprisingly low thermal conductivity in both crystalline and amorphous states. The researchers found that resonance bonding between atoms in the crystalline state impairs heat conduction. This property makes phase change materials suitable for developing fast, non-volatile, and energy-saving main memories.

SourceHelmholtz Association·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 3, 2011