Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Quantum Computing
Published

Nanorings: New building blocks for chemistry      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Sandwich compounds are special chemical compounds used as basic building blocks in organometallic chemistry. So far, their structure has always been linear. Recently, researchers made stacked sandwich complexes form a nano-sized ring. Physical and other properties of these cyclocene structures will now be further investigated.

Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Cracking in lithium-ion batteries speeds up electric vehicle charging      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Rather than being solely detrimental, cracks in the positive electrode of lithium-ion batteries reduce battery charge time, research shows. This runs counter to the view of many electric vehicle manufacturers, who try to minimize cracking because it decreases battery longevity.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics
Published

How heat treatment affects a milk alternative made from rice and coconut water      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Whether they're made from soybeans, almonds, oats, or just sourced straight from the cow, milk products must go through heat treatment to prevent harmful bacterial growth and keep them safe. But understanding how these processes affect new, plant-based milk formulations could make the beverages more pleasant to drink as well. Researchers have discovered how pasteurization and sterilization affects the look and feel of one such drink made from coconut and rice.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Way cool: 'freeze ray' technology      (via sciencedaily.com) 

An unusual discovery is now being developed as an on-demand cooling solution for high-flying military electronics.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Materials science: How molecular entanglements determine the structure of polymers      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The structure of semi-crystalline polymers largely depends on how strongly their molecular chains are entangled. Following numerous experiments, researchers developed a new model to predict the microscopic structure of the materials as well as their properties. Polymers are long-chain molecules. Semi-crystalline polymers are a mixture of solid and liquid elements. They are often used in plastics and packaging materials.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Alternative Fuels Energy: Nuclear
Published

Fusion model hot off the wall      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Heat load mitigation is critical to extending the lifetime of future fusion device. Researchers have found a way to explain the rotational temperatures measured in three different experimental fusion devices in Japan and the United States. Their model evaluates the surface interactions and electron-proton collisions of hydrogen molecules.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Towards silver cluster-assembled materials for environmental monitoring      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Silver cluster-assembled materials (SCAMs) are emerging light-emitting materials with molecular designability and unique properties. However, due to their dissimilar structural architecture in different solvents, their widespread application remains limited. Now, researchers have developed two new SCAMs that exhibit excellent fluorescence and high sensitivity to Fe3+ ions in aqueous solutions, indicating their potential for environmental monitoring and assessment.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

New technology promises rapid and reliable development of new diagnostic tests      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new approach for designing molecular ON-OFF switches based on proteins which can be used in a multitude of biotechnological, biomedical and bioengineering applications.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

A novel approach for balancing properties in composite materials      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists are developing an approach to enhance multifunctionality and structural properties simultaneously by embedding patterned nanostructures in composite materials, which could result in more efficient energy systems enhancing everyday life.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Towards artificial photosynthesis with engineering of protein crystals in bacteria      (via sciencedaily.com) 

In-cell engineering can be a powerful tool for synthesizing functional protein crystals with promising catalytic properties. Using genetically modified bacteria as an environmentally friendly synthesis platform, the researchers produced hybrid solid catalysts for artificial photosynthesis. These catalysts exhibit high activity, stability, and durability, highlighting the potential of the proposed innovative approach.

Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Washable, transparent, and flexible OLED with MXene nanotechnology?      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Transparent and flexible displays, which have received a lot of attention in various fields including automobile displays, bio-healthcare, military, and fashion, are in fact known to break easily when experiencing small deformations. To solve this problem, active research is being conducted on many transparent and flexible conductive materials such as carbon nanotubes, graphene, silver nanowires, and conductive polymers.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics
Published

Novel thermal sensor could help drive down the heat      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Excess heat from electronic or mechanical devices is a sign or cause of inefficient performance. In many cases, embedded sensors to monitor the flow of heat could help engineers alter device behavior or designs to improve their efficiency. For the first time, researchers exploit a novel thermoelectric phenomenon to build a thin sensor that can visualize heat flow in real time. The sensor could be built deep inside devices where other kinds of sensors are impractical. It is also quick, cheap and easy to manufacture using well-established methods.

Biology: Microbiology Engineering: Nanotechnology Physics: Quantum Computing Physics: Quantum Physics
Published

Detection of bacteria and viruses with fluorescent nanotubes      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The new carbon nanotube sensor design resembles a molecular toolbox that can be used to quickly assemble sensors for a variety of purposes -- for instance for detecting bacteria and viruses.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics
Published

Catalyst can control methane emissions in natural gas engines      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A catalyst using a single or just a few palladium atoms removed 90% of unburned methane from natural gas engine exhaust at low temperatures in a recent study. While more research needs to be done, the advance in single atom catalysis has the potential to lower exhaust emissions of methane, one of the worst greenhouse gases that traps heat at about 25 times the rate of carbon dioxide. Researchers showed that the single-atom catalyst was able to remove methane from engine exhaust at lower temperatures, less than 350 degrees Celsius (662 degrees Fahrenheit), while maintaining reaction stability at higher temperatures.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Energy: Nuclear
Published

A non-covalent bonding experience      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Putting a suite of new materials synthesis and characterization methods to the test, a team of scientists has developed 14 organic-inorganic hybrid materials, seven of which are entirely new.

Energy: Technology Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Researchers put a new twist on graphite      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Researchers report that it is possible to imbue graphite -- the bulk, 3D material found in No. 2 pencils -- with physical properties similar to graphite's 2D counterpart, graphene. Not only was this breakthrough unexpected, the team also believes its approach could be used to test whether similar types of bulk materials can also take on 2D-like properties. If so, 2D sheets won't be the only source for scientists to fuel technological revolutions. Bulk, 3D materials could be just as useful.

Energy: Technology Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Researchers achieve historic milestone in energy capacity of supercapacitors      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

In a new landmark chemistry study, researchers describe how they have achieved the highest level of energy storage -- also known as capacitance -- in a supercapacitor ever recorded.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics
Published

Droplet levitation is a new way to explore airborne viruses and microorganisms      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers report achieving self-sustaining and long-term levitation of millimeter-sized droplets of several different liquids without any external forces. To get the droplets to levitate, they use solutocapillary convection, which occurs when a surface tension gradient is formed by nonuniform distribution of vapor molecules from the droplet at the pool surface. Further exploring the effects of various external conditions on self-sustained droplet levitation will reveal whether it can be harnessed and adapted for microbiology and biochemistry applications.

Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Engineers' storage technology keeps nanosurfaces clean      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Engineers have created containers that can keep volatile organic compounds from accumulating on the surfaces of stored nanomaterials. Their portable and inexpensive technology improves on a 50-year-old idea to address a ubiquitous problem in nanomanufacturing and materials science.