Headline: Flashing creates hard-to-get 2D boron nitride

■ Release Date: 2022.7.11

■ Published by: Rice University

■ Keywords: boron nitride, boron carbon nitride

■ Abstract:

Chemists use their flash Joule heating process to synthesize 2D flakes of boron nitride and boron carbon nitride, highly valued for lending thermal and chemical stability to compounds.

Headline: Nanoparticles can save historic buildings

■ Release Date: 2022.7.11

■ Published by: Vienna University of Technology

■ Keywords: silicate, nanoparticles

■ Abstract:

Buildings made of porous rock can weather over the years. Now scientists have studied in detail how silicate nanoparticles can help save them. Many historical buildings were built of sandstone. It is easy to work with, but does not withstand weathering well. It consists of sand grains that are relatively weakly bonded to each other. However, it is possible to increase the resistance of the stone by treating it with special silicate nanoparticles.

Headline: How environmentally responsible is lithium brine mining? It depends on how old the water is

■ Release Date: 2022.7.12

■ Published by: University of Massachusetts Amherst

■ Keywords: lithium-ion batteries, lithium brine

■ Abstract:

A groundbreaking new study comprehensively accounts for the hydrological impact of lithium mining. Since lithium is the key component of the lithium-ion batteries that are crucial for the transition away from fossil fuels and towards green energy, it is critical to fully understand how to responsibly obtain the precious element.

Headline: 3D printing nickel single crystals using laser additive manufacturing technology

■ Release Date: 2022.7.12

■ Published by: National Institute for Materials Science, Japan

■ Keywords: nickel single crystals, nickel powder 

■ Abstract:

Engineers have succeeded in fabricating a nickel single crystal with only a very few crystalline defects by irradiating nickel powder with a large-radius, flat-top laser beam (i.e., a laser beam whose intensity is uniform across a cross-section of the beam). This technique may be used to fabricate a wide variety of single-crystalline materials, including heat-resistant materials for jet engines and gas turbines.

Headline: Efficient, stable, and eco-friendly thermoelectric material discovered

■ Release Date: 2022.7.12

■ Published by: Hokkaido University

■ Keywords: barium cobalt oxide, thermoelectric

■ Abstract:

A thermoelectric metal oxide film with a thermoelectric figure of merit of ~0.55 at 600°C has been discovered, opening new avenues towards the widespread use of thermoelectric converters.

Headline: Researchers find the missing photonic link to enable an all-silicon quantum internet

■ Release Date: 2022.7.13

■ Published by: Simon Fraser University

■ Keywords: silicon, quantum

■ Abstract:

Researchers have made a crucial breakthrough in the development of quantum technology. Their research describes their observations of over 150,000 silicon 'T center' photon-spin qubits, an important milestone that unlocks immediate opportunities to construct massively scalable quantum computers and the quantum internet that will connect them.

Headline: Longer lasting sodium-ion batteries on the horizon

■ Release Date: 2022.7.13

■ Published by: DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

■ Keywords: sodium-ion batteries, electrolyte

■ Abstract:

A new longer-lasting sodium-ion battery design is much more durable and reliable in lab tests. After 300 charging cycles, it retained 90 percent of its charging capacity.

Headline: Photovoltaics: Fully scalable all-perovskite tandem solar modules

■ Release Date: 2022.7.14

■ Published by: Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)

■ Keywords: perovskite, solar

■ Abstract:

Optimized light paths, high-throughput laser scribing and the use of established coating processes paves the way to commercial viability.