Tag: materials science

Perovskite solar cells: perfection not required!

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Experiments at BESSY II reveal why even inhomogeneous perovskite films are highly functional Metal-organic perovskite layers for solar cells are frequently fabricated using the spin coating technique. If you follow the simplest synthesis pathway and use industry-relevant compact substrates, the perovskite layers laid down by spin coating generally exhibit numerous holes, yet attain astonishingly high Read more about Perovskite solar cells: perfection not required![…]

supercapacitors

A new customizable, fabric-like power source for wearable electronics

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Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) have created a customizable, fabric-like power source that can be cut, folded or stretched without losing its function. Led by Professor Chen Xiaodong, Associate Chair (Faculty) at the School of Materials Science & Engineering, the team reported in the journal Advanced Materials (print edition 8 January) how Read more about A new customizable, fabric-like power source for wearable electronics[…]

Creating a new kind of metallic glass

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By shrinking samples of metallic glass to nanoscale size, Yale researchers have discovered they can create new materials with potentially new applications. The research, published today in Nature Communications, was conducted as part of Yale’s Center for Research on Interface Structures and Phenomena (CRISP), and led by Judy Cha, the Carol and Douglas Melamed Assistant Professor Read more about Creating a new kind of metallic glass[…]

Fast flowing heat in graphene heterostructures

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Nanoscale heat flow plays a crucial role in many modern electronic and optoelectronic applications, such as thermal management, photodetection, thermoelectrics and data communication. Two-dimensional layered materials are beginning to confirm their groundbreaking role in many of these applications. Perhaps even more promising are so-called van der Waals heterostructures, consisting of different layered two-dimensional materials stacked Read more about Fast flowing heat in graphene heterostructures[…]

More than EUR 6 Mil. goes to advanced materials for additive manufacturing

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Specific Challenge: Additive manufacturing (AM) is now applied in the processing of most industrial metals, ceramics, polymers and composites, albeit at quite different levels of industrial readiness. The challenge is to develop equipment that allows the additive layer manufacturing of multi-materials items and multi-functional materials (for research, transport including aeronautic, consumer customised goods, communications, biomaterials Read more about More than EUR 6 Mil. goes to advanced materials for additive manufacturing[…]

A super-elastic shape-memory properties in a material

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The U.S. Department of Energy’s Ames Laboratory has discovered extreme “bounce,” or super-elastic shape-memory properties in a material that could be applied for use as an actuator in the harshest of conditions, such as outer space, and might be the first in a whole new class of shape memory materials. Shape-memory materials “remember” their original Read more about A super-elastic shape-memory properties in a material[…]

Toshiba Develops Next-Generation Lithium-ion Battery with New Anode Material

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Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO: 6502), an industry leader in lithium-ion battery technology, today announced the development of its next-generation SCiBTM, which uses a new material to double the capacity of the battery anode. The new battery offers high- energy density and the ultra-rapid recharging required for automotive applications, and will give a compact electric vehicle (EV) Read more about Toshiba Develops Next-Generation Lithium-ion Battery with New Anode Material[…]

Scientists have invented a way to morph liquid metal into physical shapes

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Researchers at the University of Sussex and Swansea University have applied electrical charges to manipulate liquid metal into 2D shapes such as letters and a heart. The team says the findings represent an “extremely promising” new class of materials that can be programmed to seamlessly change shape. This open up new possibilities in ‘soft robotics’ Read more about Scientists have invented a way to morph liquid metal into physical shapes[…]

Researcher’s Nanomaterial Can Extract Hydrogen Fuel from Seawater

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It’s possible to produce hydrogen to power fuel cells by extracting the gas from seawater, but the electricity required to do it makes the process costly. UCF researcher Yang Yang has come up with a new hybrid nanomaterial that harnesses solar energy and uses it to generate hydrogen from seawater more cheaply and efficiently than Read more about Researcher’s Nanomaterial Can Extract Hydrogen Fuel from Seawater[…]

Superconductivity found in thin films of titanium oxide

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Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology (Tokyo Tech) have discovered superconductivity in thin films of titanium oxide (Ti4O7) and gamma-phase trititanium pentoxide (γ-Ti3O5). The achievement advances fundamental knowledge of nanomaterials that could one day be used in the development of ultrafast computers. Many of us are familiar with titanium dioxide (TiO2), a whitener commonly used Read more about Superconductivity found in thin films of titanium oxide[…]

Theoretical proof of the existence of a new class of materials

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A team of researchers from the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology (MIPT) and the Institute for Theoretical and Applied Electrodynamics (ITAE) of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), in collaboration with a colleague from RIKEN (Institute for Physical and Chemical Research in Japan), has provided theoretical proof of the existence of a new class of materials. It was suggested that such systems Read more about Theoretical proof of the existence of a new class of materials[…]

NASA Awards $14.3 Million to Small Businesses, Research Institutions to Develop Innovative Technologies

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NASA has selected 19 proposals from American small businesses and research institutions for Phase II of its competitive Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, totaling $14.3 million in awards. These selections are for the 2016 STTR program, which supports NASA’s future missions into deep space, while also benefiting the U.S. economy. The STTR program stimulates partnerships between Read more about NASA Awards $14.3 Million to Small Businesses, Research Institutions to Develop Innovative Technologies[…]