Headline: New polymer membranes, AI predictions could dramatically reduce energy, water use in oil refining

■ Release Date: 2023.10.16

■ Published by: Georgia Institute of Technology

■ Keywords: polymer, crude oil, energy

■ Abstract:

Researchers describe a new kind of polymer membrane they created that could reshape how refineries process crude oil, dramatically reducing the energy and water required while extracting even more useful materials. The team also created artificial intelligence tools to predict the performance of these kinds of membranes, which could accelerate development of new ones.

Headline: Solar design would harness 40% of the sun's heat to produce clean hydrogen fuel

■ Release Date: 2023.10.16

■ Published by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

■ Keywords: solar, hydrogen, clean energy

■ Abstract:

Engineers have designed a system that can efficiently produce 'solar thermochemical hydrogen.' It harnesses the sun's heat to split water and generate hydrogen -- a clean fuel that emits no greenhouse gas emissions.

Headline: World may have crossed solar power 'tipping point'

■ Release Date: 2023.10.17

■ Published by: University of Exeter

■ Keywords: solar power, energy, fossil fuel

■ Abstract:

The world may have crossed a 'tipping point' that will inevitably make solar power our main source of energy, new research suggests.

Headline: New recipe for efficient, environmentally friendly battery recycling

■ Release Date: 2023.10.17

■ Published by: Chalmers University of Technology

■ Keywords: lithium, battery, recycling

■ Abstract:

Researchers are now presenting a new and efficient way to recycle metals from spent electric car batteries. The method allows recovery of 100 per cent of the aluminum and 98 per cent of the lithium in electric car batteries. At the same time, the loss of valuable raw materials such as nickel, cobalt and manganese is minimized. No expensive or harmful chemicals are required in the process because the researchers use oxalic acid -- an organic acid that can be found in the plant kingdom.

Headline: Wearable device makes memories and powers up with the flex of a finger

■ Release Date: 2023.10.18

■ Published by: RMIT University

■ Keywords: bismuth, wearable device, liquid metal

■ Abstract:

Researchers have invented an experimental wearable device that generates power from a user's bending finger and can create and store memories, in a promising step towards health monitoring and other technologies.

Headline: From a five-layer graphene sandwich, a rare electronic state emerges

■ Release Date: 2023.10.18

■ Published by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

■ Keywords: graphene, magnetism, ferro-valleytricity

■ Abstract:

When stacked in five layers in a rhombohedral pattern, graphene takes on a rare 'multiferroic' state, exhibiting both unconventional magnetism and an exotic electronic behavior known as ferro-valleytricity.

Headline: Cobalt-free battery for cleaner, greener power

■ Release Date: 2023.10.19

■ Published by: University of Tokyo

■ Keywords: battery, cobalt, lithium

■ Abstract:

High-capacity and reliable rechargeable batteries are a critical component of many devices and even modes of transport. They play a key role in the shift to a greener world. A wide variety of elements are used in their production, including cobalt, the production of which contributes to some environmental, economic, and social issues. A team now presents a viable alternative to cobalt which in some ways can outperform state-of-the-art battery chemistry. It also survives a large number of recharge cycles, and the underlying theory can be applied to other problems.

Headline: Electron-rich metals make ceramics tough to crack

■ Release Date: 2023.10.19

■ Published by: University of California - San Diego

■ Keywords: ceramics, niobium, tungsten

■ Abstract:

Engineers have developed a recipe to make a certain class of ceramics tougher and more resistant to cracking. The newfound toughness of these ceramics paves the way for their use in extreme applications, such as spacecraft and other hypersonic vehicles.

Headline: Researchers demonstrate a high-speed electrical readout method for graphene nanodevices

■ Release Date: 2023.10.20

■ Published by: Tohoku University

■ Keywords: graphene, quantum computers, reflectometry

■ Abstract:

Graphene is often referred to as a wonder material for its advantageous qualities. But its application in quantum computers, while promising, is stymied by the challenge of getting accurate measurements of quantum bit states with existing techniques. Now, researchers have developed design guidelines that enable radio-frequency reflectometry to achieve high-speed electrical readouts of graphene nanodevices.