Articles tagged with "advanced-materials"
China advances next-gen lighting with more stable perovskite LEDs
Chinese researchers led by Professor Xiao Zhengguo at the University of Science and Technology of China have developed an innovative all-inorganic perovskite film that significantly enhances LED performance. By introducing specially selected compounds and applying a high-temperature annealing process, the team engineered perovskite films with larger crystal grains and fewer defects. This structural improvement facilitates better charge transport, resulting in LEDs with unprecedented brightness of 1.16 million nits and an extended operational lifespan exceeding 180,000 hours. These advancements overcome previous limitations where perovskite LEDs had short lifespans and low brightness, making them unsuitable for practical applications. The new perovskite LEDs also demonstrate a luminous efficiency surpassing 22%, comparable to current commercial display technologies, and brightness levels far exceeding typical OLED and LED screens, which usually peak at a few thousand nits. Such high brightness and durability make these LEDs promising for outdoor displays and specialized lighting requiring strong visibility. When operated at a standard brightness of 100
materialsperovskiteLED-technologyadvanced-materialsenergy-efficient-lightingnanomaterialsdisplay-technologyChina's fast, clean microrobot targets tiny fluid tasks in medicine
Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the China Electric Power Research Institute have developed an advanced magnetic microrobot capable of manipulating tiny liquid droplets with unprecedented speed and precision. Utilizing a combination of neodymium magnetic particles, sugar, and a chemically stable polymer, the robot features a porous, hydrophilic surface that effectively attracts and controls fluids. Powered by strong neodymium magnets, this microrobot moves up to 20 times faster than previous models and can transport droplets nearly a milliliter in size, a significant capacity for microscale robotics. Its design emphasizes cleanliness and chemical stability, making it especially suitable for sensitive applications such as medical diagnostics and handling reactive chemicals. The microrobot demonstrates versatile fluid handling by merging droplets at low speeds to facilitate chemical reactions and splitting them at high speeds for diverse tasks. It operates effectively even in harsh chemical environments, including corrosive acids, without damage. This combination of speed, precision, and durability positions the microrobot as a valuable tool for automating small-scale chemical processes in laboratories, enhancing efficiency and safety, and potentially enabling minimally invasive medical procedures. The innovation addresses previous limitations in magnetic microrobotics, such as weak driving forces and contamination risks, through novel materials and engineering solutions.
microrobotsmagnetic-controlmedical-roboticsmicrofluidicsadvanced-materialschemical-stabilityprecision-roboticsInsects help scientists create powerful new materials from nanocarbons
Researchers at Japan’s RIKEN Pioneering Research Institute and Center for Sustainable Resource Science have developed an innovative technique called “in-insect synthesis,” which uses insects as living chemical reactors to create and modify complex nanocarbon molecules. Led by Kenichiro Itami, the team focused on tobacco cutworm caterpillars, leveraging their powerful digestive enzymes to perform precise chemical modifications that are difficult or inefficient in traditional laboratory settings. By feeding the caterpillars a nanocarbon molecule known as [6]MCPP, the insects converted it into a fluorescent derivative, [6]MCPP-oxylene, through an oxidation reaction catalyzed by two specific enzymes, CYP X2 and CYP X3. This enzymatic process was confirmed through advanced analytical techniques and genetic analysis, demonstrating a level of chemical precision not achievable by current lab methods. This breakthrough highlights the potential of using biological systems, such as insects, enzymes, and microbes, to manufacture advanced materials with high efficiency and specificity. The discovery that caterpillar enzymes can insert oxygen atoms into carbon–carbon bonds in nanocarbons opens new avenues for producing functional molecules for applications in aerospace, electronics, and battery technology. The research team envisions further optimization of this approach through genetic tools like CRISPR and directed evolution, enabling the programming of insects to synthesize a wide range of valuable compounds, from glowing sensors to pharmaceuticals. This novel strategy represents a paradigm shift in materials science, moving away from traditional chemical synthesis toward bioengineered production platforms.
materialsnanocarbonsinsect-enzymeschemical-synthesisadvanced-materialsnanotechnologybiotechnologyNext-gen nuclear reactors rely on solar salts for better heat control
energynuclear-reactorsthermal-energy-storagemolten-saltsadvanced-materialsradiation-resistancereactor-safetyUS Defense Department Launches Bioeconomy Plan Against Fossil Fuels
energybioeconomymaterialsindustrial-competitivenessadvanced-materialsbio-based-productsDefense-Department