Newswise Feature Channel: Materials Science

How One UIC Student Is Proposing to Advance Science of Superconductivity

University of Illinois Chicago — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 08:55:59 EST

Materials called cubic rare earth hydrides could be superconductors in everyday conditions

Scientists' 'Next-Generation' Space Materials Blast Off for Tests on ISS

University of Bristol — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 05:40:48 EST

A new generation of space materials left Earth this morning [02:29 GMT 05/11/2024] as they head to the International Space Station (ISS) to undergo testing in the brutal conditions of low Earth orbit.

Explaining Science Through Dance

University of California San Diego — Tue, 05 Nov 2024 05:00:00 EST

Science can be difficult to explain to the public. Explaining a theoretical science concept to high school students requires a new way of thinking altogether, which is precisely what researchers at UC San Diego did when they orchestrated a dance with high school students at Orange Glen High School in Escondido as a way to explain topological insulators. The experiment was led by former graduate student Matthew Du and UC San Diego Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry Joel Yuen-Zhou.

Sensor Protects Against Life-Threatening Complications of Abdominal Surgery

Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 02:45:44 EST

The Empa Innovation Award recognizes outstanding projects that bridge the gap between the laboratory and industry. This year, a team of researchers from Empa and ETH Zurich is being honored for an innovative sensor system: SensAL warns quickly and precisely of life-threatening complications after abdominal surgery.

A Single Step from Liquid Hydrogen Production to Safety Values Testing

National Research Council of Science and Technology — Mon, 04 Nov 2024 00:00:20 EST

The Hydrogen Electric Research Team at the Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) has developed the world's first integrated system capable of producing liquid hydrogen and evaluating the performance of safety valves in a single step.

FSU Chemist Awarded Department of Energy Grant to Study Platinum Group Elements

Florida State University — Thu, 31 Oct 2024 17:35:18 EST

A Florida State University chemist will use a three-year, $1.185 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to study platinum group elements, or PGEs, at the molecular level in order to identify more affordable and abundant alternatives.

Cool Run: Liquid Metal Polymers Heat Up Electronics Performance

Chinese Academy of Sciences — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 09:25:04 EST

In the quest for more efficient electronic devices, heat dissipation has become a critical issue. A new study presents a significant advancement in the preparation of thermal conductive polymer composites containing liquid metal, offering a solution to the persistent challenge of heat management in high-power electronics.

Impact of molecular symmetry on crystallization pathways in extremely supersaturated solutions

National Research Council of Science and Technology — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 09:00:28 EST

The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has become the first in the world to observe the structural evolution of solute molecules in extremely supersaturated aqueous solutions, revealing that changes in molecular symmetry impact on the formation of new metastable material phases.

Light Makes Special Materials Move at Ultrafast Speeds

Department of Energy, Office of Science — Fri, 25 Oct 2024 15:55:18 EST

Relaxor ferroelectrics have greatly enhanced electrical and mechanical properties that originate in the materials' domain structure. Knowing how quickly these materials' properties can change is critical to understanding them. However, scientists have not been able to measure how fast these materials can respond. This study measured this reaction speed using ultrafast electron diffraction at the atomic level to obtain snapshots of the evolving domain structure.

Enhanced Enzyme Immobilization on Plasma-Treated Surfaces

National Center For Scientific Research Demokritos — Thu, 24 Oct 2024 09:45:18 EST

UTRGV Part of a Groundbreaking Research Project That Repurposes Glass Waste, Potentially Fortify Coastlines, and Revolutionize Ag Practices

University of Texas Rio Grande Valley — Wed, 23 Oct 2024 10:30:48 EST

At The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, researchers are turning everyday glass waste into a possible innovative solution for coastal erosion and to be used in sustainable agriculture.

Argonne Materials Scientist Mercouri Kanatzidis Wins Award From American Chemical Society for Chemistry of Materials

Argonne National Laboratory — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 12:10:46 EST

Argonne materials scientist Mercouri Kanatzidis received the award for chemistry in materials from the American Chemical Society, the nation's leading professional society for chemists.

Researchers Develop Microwave Technology for Recycling One of Most Popular, Least Reusable Plastics

West Virginia University — Mon, 21 Oct 2024 09:05:37 EST

Polypropylene, a plastic used in everything from car parts and lawn chairs to food packaging and clothing, may soon become more environmentally friendly because of West Virginia University research.

ACI Report Offers "State of the Science" on In Vitro Methods for Cleaning Product Safety Assessment

American Cleaning Institute — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 10:15:01 EST

The use of in vitro new approach methodologies (NAMs) to assess the potential for respiratory irritation depends on several factors, including the specifics of exposure methods and cell/tissue-based test systems. A new workshop report co-authored by the American Cleaning Institute (ACI) examines this topic in the context of human health risk assessment for cleaning products as discussed at a 1-day public workshop held in March 2023.

Harnessing Vibrations: RPI-Engineered Material Generates Electricity from Unexpected Source

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 13:05:59 EST

Imagine tires that charge a vehicle as it drives, streetlights powered by the rumble of traffic, or skyscrapers that generate electricity as the buildings naturally sway and shudder. These energy innovations could be possible thanks to researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

WHOI Scientists Discover Fastest Degrading Bioplastic in Seawater

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution — Thu, 17 Oct 2024 08:10:00 EST

After years of testing, a new version of CDA was found to be the fastest degrading bioplastic material tested in seawater--and it's a promising replacement for other foam plastic materials, like Styrofoam, which can linger in the environment for many years.

Material Stimulated by Light Pulses Could Be Leap Toward More Energy-Efficient Supercomputing

Argonne National Laboratory — Wed, 16 Oct 2024 14:40:34 EST

In an Argonne-led project, researchers used X-ray microscopy to discover a ferroelectric material that tailors its response to controlled ultrafast external stimuli, such as light pulses. The material might be applicable to energy-efficient microelectronics.

Grant to Help Penn State Build Semiconductor Workforce in Pennsylvania

Penn State Materials Research Institute — Tue, 15 Oct 2024 17:05:16 EST

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded $600,000 to Penn State's Silicon Carbide Innovation Alliance (SCIA) to develop a series of educational courses, workshops, and paid academic and industrial internships focused on workforce development in Pennsylvania for the growing semiconductor industry.

New Light-Induced Material Shows Powerful Potential for Quantum Applications

Argonne National Laboratory — Mon, 14 Oct 2024 13:00:27 EST

Argonne researchers recently discovered a way to control electronic bonding in a semiconducting material using light and magnetic fields, paving the way toward new quantum devices.

New Open-Access Battery Lab Aims to Boost U.S. Manufacturing and Workforce Development for Electric Vehicles and Beyond

University of Washington — Fri, 11 Oct 2024 14:10:00 EST

Expansion of Washington Clean Energy Testbeds will enable fabrication of pouch cells to accelerate the next generation of faster-charging, higher-energy-density, and earth-friendly batteries.