a) Schematic: Metal foil inserted for internal heating and fast heat transfer to electrodes and electrolyte. Self-heating activated by switching off the connection between activation terminal and negative terminal. b) Evolution of cell voltage and temperature during activation at Vact = 0.4 V (inset) and subsequent 1C discharge at −20 °C. Battery temperature increases from −20 °C to 0 °C...
SEAS researchers have devised a multiscale strategy enabling particle-reinforced rubber to withstand high loads and deter crack propagation over multiple uses. In the image above, cracks expand in the left sample, whereas cracks in the right sample, crafted from the multiscale material, remain unchanged after 350,000 cycles. Credit: Suo Group/Harvard SEASResearchers at the...
The University of Amsterdam introduces RoboChem, an autonomous benchtop platform designed for rapid, precise, and continuous chemical synthesis. Credit: University of AmsterdamChemists at the University of Amsterdam (UvA) have introduced an innovative autonomous chemical synthesis robot called "RoboChem," which is equipped with an integrated AI-driven machine learning unit. Representing a breakthrough in the...
Credit: Unsplash.An international team of experts, led by Professor Shizhang Qiao from the University of Adelaide's School of Chemical Engineering, has successfully converted polyethylene waste (PE) into valuable chemicals using light-driven photocatalysis.This innovative approach provides an eco-friendly solution to address plastic pollution and harnesses renewable solar energy instead of relying on traditional fossil fuel-based...
Safeguarding Life's Foundations: Manganese Ions Potentially Shielded Early Building Blocks from Gamma Radiation.Image Credit: IgorZh/ShutterstockThe emergence of life on Earth is shrouded in mysteries, and one of the perplexing puzzles is how the essential molecules for life withstand the intense radiation prevalent during the early stages. While space harbors intricate chemistry, including amino acids...
The electrical current in this substance exhibits characteristics akin to the fluid dynamics of a liquid.Credit: Maxim Studio/ShutterstockResearchers have successfully constructed nanowires featuring a precise 1:2:2 ratio of ytterbium, rhodium, and silicon (YbRh2Si2), revealing an intriguing phase of matter known as the "strange metal." This quantum material defies conventional expectations, particularly regarding the unique behavior exhibited...
Washing the rice. Credit: Teste Cooking.Rice is a staple food for billions of people in Asia and Africa. It's also a versatile ingredient for many iconic dishes worldwide, including Greece's dolmades, Italy's risottos, Spain's paella, and the UK's rice puddings. In this publication, we'll unravel the scientific dilemma of whether or not to wash...
Graphene, a material derived from ordinary pencil lead when shaved down to atomic layers, has demonstrated an array of extraordinary properties over the years. When stacked into five layers in a rhombohedral pattern, graphene exhibits a rare "multiferroic" state, combining unconventional magnetism and a unique form of electronic behavior known as ferro-valleytricity. This discovery,...
Schematic Illustrating Solar-Driven Chemical Production from Engineered V. natriegens and Wastewater Contaminants for Sustainable and Efficient Processes. Credit: Nature Sustainability (2023).A groundbreaking study led by Prof. Gao Xiang from the Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Prof. Lu Lu from the Harbin Institute of Technology introduces an innovative method...
A striking view of Asteroid Itokawa, as captured by the Hayabusa spacecraft. This S-type asteroid, known for its distinctive peanut shape, boasts a diameter of roughly 1,100 feet and completes a full rotation every 12 hours. Credit: JAXA.A recent breakthrough in asteroid research by the Japanese Hayabusa spacecraft has profound implications for our understanding...
