Headline: How to protect biocatalysts from oxygen

■ Release Date: 2023.10.30

■ Published by: Ruhr-University Bochum

■ Keywords: hydrogen, oxygen, enzyme

■ Abstract:

There are high hopes for hydrogen as the key to the energy transition. A specific enzyme group found in algae and in bacteria can produce molecular hydrogen simply by catalyzing protons and electrons. However, the enzyme group is so sensitive to oxygen that commercial use of the hydrogen produced by this process as a green energy source is not yet possible. Researchers have now increased the oxygen stability of a hydrogen-producing enzyme by genetically generated channel blockages.

Headline: Wireless device makes magnetism appear in non-magnetic materials

■ Release Date: 2023.10.30

■ Published by: Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona

■ Keywords: magnetism, cobalt nitride, biomedicine

■ Abstract:

Researchers have succeeded in bringing wireless technology to the fundamental level of magnetic devices. The emergence and control of magnetic properties in cobalt nitride layers (initially non-magnetic) by voltage, without connecting the sample to electrical wiring, represents a paradigm shift that can facilitate the creation of magnetic nanorobots for biomedicine and computing systems where basic information management processes do not require wiring.

Headline: Engineers develop an efficient process to make fuel from carbon dioxide

■ Release Date: 2023.10.30

■ Published by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

■ Keywords: carbon dioxide, fuel, formate

■ Abstract:

Researchers developed an efficient process that can convert carbon dioxide into formate, a nonflammable liquid or solid material that can be used like hydrogen or methanol to power a fuel cell and generate electricity.

Headline: Using lasers to 'heat and beat' 3D-printed steel could help reduce costs

■ Release Date: 2023.10.30

■ Published by: University of Cambridge

■ Keywords: steel, metal, 3D printing

■ Abstract:

Researchers have developed a new method for 3D printing metal that could help reduce costs and make more efficient use of resources.

Headline: How robots can help find the solar energy of the future

■ Release Date: 2023.10.30

■ Published by: Osaka University

■ Keywords: solar cell, semiconductor, silicon

■ Abstract:

To quickly and accurately characterize prospective materials for use in solar energy, researchers built an automated system to perform laboratory experiments and used machine learning to help analyze the data they recorded. Their goal is to identify semiconductor materials for use in photovoltaic solar energy, which are highly efficient and have low toxicity.

Headline: Efficient biohybrid batteries

■ Release Date: 2023.10.31

■ Published by: Wiley

■ Keywords: fuel cell, formic acid, biohybrid battery

■ Abstract:

Formic acid, which can be produced electrochemically from carbon dioxide, is a promising energy carrier. A research team has now developed a fast-charging hybrid battery system that combines the electrochemical generation of formic acid as an energy carrier with a microbial fuel cell. This novel, fast-charging biohybrid battery system can be used to monitor the toxicity of drinking water, just one of many potential future applications.

Headline: New designs for solid-state electrolytes may soon revolutionize the battery industry

■ Release Date: 2023.11.2

■ Published by: Institute for Basic Science

■ Keywords: solid-state battery, lithium, chloride

■ Abstract:

Researchers have announced a major breakthrough in the field of next-generation solid-state batteries. It is believed that their new findings will enable the creation of batteries based on a novel chloride-based solid electrolyte that exhibits exceptional ionic conductivity.

Headline: Stronger, stretchier, self-healing plastic

■ Release Date: 2023.11.2

■ Published by: University of Tokyo

■ Keywords: plastic, epoxy resin, polyrotaxane

■ Abstract:

An innovative plastic, stronger and stretchier than the current standard type and which can be healed with heat, remembers its shape and partially biodegradable, has been developed. They created it by adding the molecule polyrotaxane to an epoxy resin vitrimer, a type of plastic. Named VPR, the material can hold its form and has strong internal chemical bonds at low temperatures.