Aug 22, 2022 (Nanowerk News) A bit of brushing may be the secret to making better rechargeable lithium batteries. The Rice University lab of chemist James Tour introduced a technique to tune the surface of anodes for batteries by simply brushing powders into them. The powder adheres to the anode...
From waste to fuel for less
Aug 22, 2022 (Nanowerk News) A plastics recycling innovation that does more with less, simultaneously increases conversion to useful products while using less of the precious metal ruthenium. “The key discovery we report is the very low metal load,” said Pacific Northwest National Laboratory chemist Janos Szanyi, who led the...
What are wormholes? An astrophysicist explains these shortcuts through space-time
Aug 22, 2022 (Nanowerk News) Imagine two towns on two opposite sides of a mountain. People from these towns would probably have to travel all the way around the mountain to visit one another. But, if they wanted to get there faster, they could dig a tunnel straight through the...
Ion physics on the femtosecond scale
Aug 22, 2022 (Nanowerk News) How do different materials react to the impact of ions? This is a question that plays an important role in many areas of research - for example in nuclear fusion research, when the walls of the fusion reactor are bombarded by high-energy ions, but also...
Scientists identify liquid-like atoms in densely packed solid glasses
Aug 22, 2022 (Nanowerk News) Metallic glass is an important advanced alloy, holding promise for broad engineering applications. It appears as a solid form in many aspects, with beautiful metal appearance, exceeding elasticity, high strength, and a densely packed atomic structure. However, this all-solid notion has now been challenged. Prof....
Seamlessly integrating energy devices and systems into smart homes, buildings and grids
Aug 22, 2022 (Nanowerk News) Digitalisation of the energy sector has resulted in favourable regulatory conditions and technological innovations that are opening up new markets for services. As a result, the sector is becoming more user-centric and market-driven. A major challenge is connecting smart homes, buildings and electric grids in...