Headline: Study reveals a reaction at the heart of many renewable energy technologies

■ Release Date: 2024.1.16

■ Published by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

■ Keywords: fuel cells, energy, electrode

■ Abstract:

Chemists have mapped how proton-coupled electron transfers happen at the surface of an electrode. Their results could help researchers design more efficient fuel cells, batteries, or other energy technologies.

Headline: Squishy, metal-free magnets to power robots and guide medical implants

■ Release Date: 2024.1.16

■ Published by: University of Michigan

■ Keywords: magnet, carbon, robot

■ Abstract:

'Soft robots,' medical devices and implants, and next-generation drug delivery methods could soon be guided with magnetism -- thanks to a metal-free magnetic gel developed by researchers. Carbon-based, magnetic molecules are chemically bonded to the molecular network of a gel, creating a flexible, long-lived magnet for soft robotics.

Headline: Space solar power project ends first in-space mission with successes and lessons

■ Release Date: 2024.1.17

■ Published by: California Institute of Technology

■ Keywords: solar cell, energy, perovskite

■ Abstract:

A 10-month mission demonstrated three elements of the plan to beam solar power from space to Earth.

Headline: Ultrafast laser pulses could lessen data storage energy needs

■ Release Date: 2024.1.17

■ Published by: University of California - Davis

■ Keywords: energy, magnetic, laser

■ Abstract:

A discovery from an experiment with magnetic materials and ultrafast lasers could be a boon to energy-efficient data storage.

Headline: Long live the graphene valley state

■ Release Date: 2024.1.17

■ Published by: ETH Zurich

■ Keywords: graphene, valley, quantum

■ Abstract:

Researchers found evidence that bilayer graphene quantum dots may host a promising new type of quantum bit based on so-called valley states.

Headline: The metalens meets the stars

■ Release Date: 2024.1.17

■ Published by: Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences

■ Keywords: metalens, nanostructure, nebula

■ Abstract:

Researchers have developed a 10-centimeter-diameter glass metalens that can image the sun, the moon and distant nebulae with high resolution. It is the first all-glass, large-scale metalens in the visible wavelength that can be mass produced using conventional CMOS fabrication technology.

Headline: Chemists create a 2D heavy fermion

■ Release Date: 2024.1.17

■ Published by: Columbia University

■ Keywords: cerium, silicon, iodine

■ Abstract:

Researchers have synthesized the first 2D heavy fermion. The material, a layered intermetallic crystal composed of cerium, silicon, and iodine (CeSiI), has electrons that are 1000x heavier and is a new platform to explore quantum phenomena.

Headline: Cobalt-free batteries could power cars of the future

■ Release Date: 2024.1.18

■ Published by: Massachusetts Institute of Technology

■ Keywords: cathode, battery, cobalt

■ Abstract:

A new battery material could offer a more sustainable way to power electric cars. The lithium-ion battery includes a cathode based on organic materials, instead of cobalt or nickel.

Headline: Next-generation batteries could go organic, cobalt-free for long-lasting power

■ Release Date: 2024.1.18

■ Published by: American Chemical Society

■ Keywords: battery, cobalt, lithium-ion

■ Abstract:

In the switch to 'greener' energy sources, the demand for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries is surging. However, their cathodes typically contain cobalt -- a metal whose extraction has high environmental and societal costs. Now, researchers in report evaluating an earth-abundant, carbon-based cathode material that could replace cobalt and other scarce and toxic metals without sacrificing lithium-ion battery performance.

Headline: Researchers create faster and cheaper way to print tiny metal structures with light

■ Release Date: 2024.1.18

■ Published by: Georgia Institute of Technology

■ Keywords: nanoscale printing, metal, light

■ Abstract:

Researchers have developed a light-based means of printing nano-sized metal structures that is 480 times faster and 35 times cheaper than the current conventional method. It is a scalable solution that could transform a scientific field long reliant on technologies that are prohibitively expensive and slow. Their method is called superluminescent light projection (SLP).