Materials Science

  1. Materials Science

    Perovskites power up the solar industry

    Perovskites are the latest hot materials in solar energy production.

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  2. Chemistry

    Chemistry controlled on tiniest scale can create hollow nanoparticles

    Oxidizing tiny iron particles from the inside out reveals how oxidation works and could offer new vehicles for drugs or energy.

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  3. Chemistry

    New tech harvests drinking water from (relatively) dry air using only sunlight

    A prototype device harvests moisture from dry air and separates it into drinkable water using only sunlight.

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  4. Materials Science

    Bone-inspired steel cracks less under pressure

    Steel that’s structured like bone resists cracks better that the traditional form of the heavy-duty building material.

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  5. Chemistry

    New, greener catalysts are built for speed

    Researchers are designing catalysts to move chemical reactions without using precious metals, or at least using less of them.

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  6. Materials Science

    Germanium computer chips gain ground on silicon — again

    Having pushed silicon to its limit, engineers are turning back to germanium.

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  7. Physics

    New claim staked for metallic hydrogen

    Scientists report transforming hydrogen into a metal at high pressure, but some experts dispute the claim.

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  8. Materials Science

    New ‘smart’ fibers curb fires in lithium-ion batteries

    To stifle battery fires, scientists create component with heat-release flame retardant.

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  9. Chemistry

    New molecular knot is most complex yet

    The knot is woven from 192 atoms of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen and forms a triple braid with eight crossing points.

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  10. Materials Science

    Graphene Silly Putty detects pitter-patter of spider footsteps

    Sensor made of graphene and Silly Putty can detect pulse, breathing — and spider feet.

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  11. Physics

    Despite lack of free electrons, bismuth superconducts

    Bismuth conducts electricity with no resistance at temperatures near absolute zero, despite lack of mobile electrons.

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  12. Materials Science

    Superflexible, 3-D printed “bones” trigger new growth

    New ultraflexible material could be the future of bone repair, but awaits human testing.

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