Category: techxplore

Randomly aligned defects explain low thermal conductivity in some materials QUT researchers have identified why some materials can block heat more effectively, which is a key feature for energy conversion, insulation and gas storage. Go to techxplore

Unique resin allows 3D-printing method to add and subtract Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is normally a one-way street. In a digital light processing (DLP) printer, a structured pattern is projected onto a layer of liquid resin, which cures and solidifies. This builds an object up, layer-by-layer. But if the print isn’t exactly right, there’s…

‘Big brother’ system designed to monitor solar plants Using a network of synchronized sensors, a new system provides energy and meteorological data every tenth of a second to more accurately predict the performance of solar plants. Go to techxplore

New algorithm enhances Doppler resolution of unmanned vehicle radars A research team has developed an extrapolation-based Doppler resolution enhancement algorithm for frequency modulated continuous wave radars. The algorithm improves system performance, offering an advancement that is superior to existing ultra-high-resolution technologies. Go to techxplore

Spray 3D concrete printing simulator boosts strength and design Concrete 3D printing reduces both time and cost by eliminating traditional formwork, the temporary mold for casting. Yet most of today’s systems rely on extrusion-based methods, which deposit material very close to a nozzle layer by layer. This makes it impossible to print around reinforcement bars…

Once considered quality problems, substrate defects now enable precise control of semiconductor crystal growth A team led by researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) has made a breakthrough in semiconductor development that could reshape the way we produce computer chips, optoelectronics and quantum computing devices. Go to techxplore

Recycling technology achieves 99% purity of nickel and cobalt extracted from waste batteries A research team affiliated with UNIST has unveiled an innovative recycling technology capable of recovering more than 95% of nickel and cobalt from waste batteries with a purity exceeding 99%. This advanced method addresses the limitations of conventional wet recycling processes, which…

New recharge-to-recycle reactor turns battery waste into new lithium feedstock As global electric vehicle adoption accelerates, end-of-life battery packs are quickly becoming a major waste stream. Lithium is costly to mine and refine, and most current recycling methods are energy- and chemical-intensive, often producing lithium carbonate that must be further processed into lithium hydroxide for…

Green alternative for light-emitting materials in displays uses plant waste and amino acids Scientists have devised a way to create a green alternative to the light-emitting materials often used in TV, smartphones and other display technologies. Go to techxplore

Magnetic materials discovered by AI could reduce rare earth dependence Researchers at the University of New Hampshire have harnessed artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery of new functional magnetic materials, creating a searchable database of 67,573 magnetic materials, including 25 previously unrecognized compounds that remain magnetic even at high temperatures. Go to techxplore

Dual-level engineering strategy shows promise for high-performance lithium–sulfur batteries Carbon-supported single-atom catalysts with metal-N moieties are highly promising for lithium–sulfur batteries. They can enhance redox kinetics and suppress the dissolution of lithium polysulfides. However, carbon substrate structure optimization and catalyst coordination environment modulation must be done simultaneously to maximize the potential of these catalysts. Go…

Inexpensive materials transform waste carbon into energy-rich compounds Turning waste carbon into useful products is a vital part of sustainable manufacturing. Recycling carbon dioxide creates carbon monoxide, which through electricity can be converted into energy-rich compounds. However, existing devices for this process use anion exchange membranes that break down over time when exposed to organic…

A computational camera lens that can focus on everything all at once Imagine snapping a photo where every detail, near and far, is perfectly sharp—from the flower petal right in front of you to the distant trees on the horizon. For over a century, camera designers have dreamed of achieving that level of clarity. Go…

Fast, accurate drag predictions could help improve aircraft design Researchers at the University of Surrey have proposed a computational approach that can provide aerodynamic drag data more efficiently during the early stages of aircraft design. It is hoped that AeroMap could help develop safer and more fuel-efficient aircraft. Go to techxplore

Newly developed knitting machine makes solid 3D objects A new prototype of a knitting machine creates solid, knitted shapes, adding stitches in any direction—forward, backward and diagonal—so users can construct a wide variety of shapes and add stiffness to different parts of the object. Go to techxplore

Silicon carbide-based motor drive enables a smaller, lighter electric aircraft engine A hybrid Cessna 337 taxied down a Southern California runway and lifted into the air. The plane, a type commonly used as an air taxi between islands, had a traditional gas-powered motor in the nose and an electric engine in the back. The electric…

Fermented fibers could tackle both world hunger and fashion waste A fermentation byproduct might help to solve two major global challenges: world hunger and the environmental impact of fast fashion. The leftover yeast from brewing beer, wine or even to make some pharmaceuticals can be repurposed to produce high-performance fibers stronger than natural fibers with…

Concentration‑controlled doping turns a p‑type polymer semiconductor into its n‑type counterpart A South Korean research team has, for the first time, uncovered the molecular-level mechanism by which trace amounts of impurities—known as dopants—can reverse charge polarity in organic polymer semiconductors. Go to techxplore

Relocated Arctic town Kiruna is colder after urban planning missteps When mining forced Kiruna to relocate, the city planners took the opportunity to modernize. But with a large square, city streets and tall buildings located in a depression, residents have already begun to complain about the “new” city, according to a study from the University…

Microwave sintering slashes hydrogen cell production time and energy use Solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs), a key technology for producing green hydrogen without carbon emissions, require a high-temperature “sintering” process to harden ceramic powders. Researchers at KAIST, led by Professor Kang Taek Lee from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, have successfully shortened this process from…

Enhancing eco-friendly solar cells through simple temperature control A research team has discovered a technology that significantly enhances the efficiency of eco-friendly solar cells through simple temperature control. They found that rapidly increasing the temperature during material thermal processing leads to more orderly crystal growth and smoother charge transport. The study is published in the…

Plasma treatment strategy enhances semiconductor device performance A joint research team, led by Professor Byungjo Kim of the Graduate School of Semiconductor Materials and Devices Engineering at UNIST and Professor Jihwan An of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at POSTECH has pioneered a fabrication technology to improve the performance of semiconductor devices. Go to techxplore

Three-layer microfluidic cooling device can remove heat from small electronics more efficiently As electronic devices become increasingly powerful and compact, they can generate denser heat fluxes, or in other words, produce more heat in a smaller area. These heat fluxes raise the temperature of a device and can damage its underlying components, causing them to…

Heavier electric trucks could strain New York City’s roads and bridges, study warns New York City’s roads and bridges already incur millions in annual damage from oversized trucks, and a new study warns the shift to electric freight could intensify that burden. As electric trucks replace diesel models, their heavier batteries could increase the city’s…