Headline: Microbial corrosion of iron

■ Release Date: 2023.8.14

■ Published by: Wiley

■ Keywords: iron, electrobiocorrosion, magnetite

■ Abstract:

Iron is well-known for rusting, but this doesn't just happen on contact with oxygen and water. Some bacteria are also able to able to decompose iron anaerobically in a process referred to as electrobiocorrosion. The sediment-dwelling bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens uses electrically conductive protein threads for this purpose. They produce magnetite from the iron, which promotes further corrosion in a positive feedback loop.

Headline: Researchers develop a unique quantum mechanical approach to determining metal ductility

■ Release Date: 2023.8.14

■ Published by: DOE/Ames National Laboratory

■ Keywords: metal, refractory, alloy

■ Abstract:

A team of scientists developed a new quantum-mechanics-based approach to predict metal ductility. The team demonstrated its effectiveness on refractory multi-principal-element alloys.

Headline: Chromium replaces rare and expensive noble metals

■ Release Date: 2023.8.14

■ Published by: University of Basel

■ Keywords: noble metals, chromium, solar energy

■ Abstract:

Expensive noble metals often play a vital role in illuminating screens or converting solar energy into fuels. Now, chemists have succeeded in replacing these rare elements with a significantly cheaper metal. In terms of their properties, the new materials are very similar to those used in the past.

Headline: Scientists discover novel way of reading data in antiferromagnets, unlocking their use as computer memory

■ Release Date: 2023.8.14

■ Published by: Nanyang Technological University

■ Keywords: antiferromagnets, chip, silicon

■ Abstract:

Scientists have made a significant advance in developing alternative materials for the high-speed memory chips that let computers access information quickly and that bypass the limitations of existing materials. They have discovered a way that allows them to make sense of previously hard-to-read data stored in these alternative materials, known as antiferromagnets.

Headline: Gold buckyballs, oft-used nanoparticle 'seeds' are one and the same

■ Release Date: 2023.8.15

■ Published by: Rice University

■ Keywords: gold, nanoparticle, buckyballs

■ Abstract:

Chemists have discovered that tiny gold 'seed' particles, a key ingredient in one of the most common nanoparticle recipes, are one and the same as gold buckyballs, 32-atom spheres that are cousins of the Nobel Prize-winning carbon buckyballs discovered in 1985.

Headline: Carbon-based quantum technology

■ Release Date: 2023.8.15

■ Published by: Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)

■ Keywords: graphene, electrodes, nanoribbons

■ Abstract:

Graphene nanoribbons have outstanding properties that can be precisely controlled. Researchers have succeeded in attaching electrodes to individual atomically precise nanoribbons, paving the way for precise characterization of the fascinating ribbons and their possible use in quantum technology.

Headline: Researchers design efficient iridium catalyst for hydrogen generation

■ Release Date: 2023.8.15

■ Published by: GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)

■ Keywords: iridium, catalyst, hydrogen

■ Abstract:

Proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers converts surplus electric energy into transportable hydrogen energy as a clean energy solution. However, slow oxygen evolution reaction rates and high loading levels of expensive metal oxide catalysts limit its practical feasibility. Now, researchers have developed a new tantalum oxide-supported iridium catalyst that significantly boosts the oxygen evolution reaction speed. Additionally, it shows high catalytic activity and long-term stability in prolonged single cell operation.

Headline: Cleaning water with 'smart rust' and magnets

■ Release Date: 2023.8.16

■ Published by: American Chemical Society

■ Keywords: iron oxide, nanoparticles, magnet

■ Abstract:

Pouring flecks of rust into water usually makes it dirtier. But researchers have developed special iron oxide nanoparticles called 'smart rust' that actually makes it cleaner. The magnetic nanoparticles attract different pollutants by changing the particles' coating and are removed from water with a magnet. Now, the team is reporting a smart rust that traps estrogen hormones, which are potentially harmful to aquatic life.

Headline: Scientists trap light inside a magnet

■ Release Date: 2023.8.16

■ Published by: City College of New York

■ Keywords: magnetic materials, magnets, magneto-optical

■ Abstract:

A new study shows that trapping light inside magnetic materials may dramatically enhance their intrinsic properties. Strong optical responses of magnets are important for the development of magnetic lasers and magneto-optical memory devices, as well as for emerging quantum transduction applications.