Headline: Critical minerals recovery from electronic waste
■ Release Date: 2024.4.23
■ Published by: DOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
■ Keywords: manganese, dysprosium, neodymium
■ Abstract:
A nontoxic separation process recovers critical minerals from electronic scrap waste.
Headline: A simple 'twist' improves the engine of clean fuel generation
■ Release Date: 2024.4.24
■ Published by: University of Cambridge
■ Keywords: copper oxide, silicon, fuel
■ Abstract:
Researchers have found a way to super-charge the 'engine' of sustainable fuel generation -- by giving the materials a little twist. The researchers are developing low-cost light-harvesting semiconductors that power devices for converting water into clean hydrogen fuel, using just the power of the sun. These semiconducting materials, known as copper oxides, are cheap, abundant and non-toxic, but their performance does not come close to silicon, which dominates the semiconductor market.
Headline: Opening up the potential of thin-film electronics for flexible chip design
■ Release Date: 2024.4.24
■ Published by: KU Leuven
■ Keywords: silicon, chip, semiconductor
■ Abstract:
The mass production of conventional silicon chips relies on a successful business model with large 'semiconductor fabrication plants' or 'foundries'. New research by shows that this 'foundry' model can also be applied to the field of flexible, thin-film electronics.
Headline: Making diamonds at ambient pressure
■ Release Date: 2024.4.24
■ Published by: Institute for Basic Science
■ Keywords: gallium, nickel, silicon
■ Abstract:
Researchers have grown diamonds under conditions of 1 atmosphere pressure and at 1025 degrees Celsius using a liquid metal alloy composed of gallium, iron, nickel, and silicon, thus breaking the existing paradigm. The discovery of this new growth method opens many possibilities for further basic science studies and for scaling up the growth of diamonds in new ways.
Headline: Rubber-like stretchable energy storage device fabricated with laser precision
■ Release Date: 2024.4.24
■ Published by: Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)
■ Keywords: energy storage, graphene, supercapacitor
■ Abstract:
Scientists use laser ablation technology to develop a deformable micro-supercapacitor.
Headline: Towards novel promising perovskite-type ferroelectric materials: High-pressure synthesis of rubidium niobate
■ Release Date: 2024.4.25
■ Published by: Shibaura Institute of Technology
■ Keywords: ferroelectric, rubidium, perovskite
■ Abstract:
Researchers have pioneered a breakthrough in ferroelectric material development. They've engineered a novel displacement-type ferroelectric material boasting remarkable dielectric properties. Their achievement includes the successful synthesis of rubidium niobate (RbNbO3), a compound previously deemed challenging to produce under pressures exceeding 40,000 atmospheres. Additionally, they characterized how polarization changes across a wide temperature range during phase transitions. This breakthrough can lead to new design guidelines for ferroelectric materials.
Headline: Key to efficient and stable organic solar cells
■ Release Date: 2024.4.25
■ Published by: The University of Hong Kong
■ Keywords: solar cell, photovoltaics, polymer
■ Abstract:
A team of researchers has made a significant breakthrough in the field of organic photovoltaics.
Headline: New circuit boards can be repeatedly recycled
■ Release Date: 2024.4.26
■ Published by: University of Washington
■ Keywords: glass fiber, recycling, polymer
■ Abstract:
Researchers have developed a new PCB that performs on par with traditional materials and can be recycled repeatedly with negligible material loss. Researchers used a solvent that transforms a type of vitrimer -- a cutting-edge class of polymer -- into a jelly-like substance without damage, allowing solid components to be plucked out for reuse or recycling. With these 'vPCBs' (vitrimer printed circuit boards), researchers recovered 98% of the vitrimer and 100% of the glass fiber.
