Articles tagged with "materials-science"
US battery breakthrough boasts 1,300 cycles and zero Chinese materials
Boston-based startup Pure Lithium, led by CEO Emilie Bodoin, has developed a lithium metal battery that promises significant advancements over conventional lithium-ion cells. The battery boasts over 1,300 charge-discharge cycles and eliminates reliance on critical minerals such as graphite, cobalt, nickel, and manganese—materials often sourced or processed in China. Instead, Pure Lithium uses a proprietary “Brine to Battery” process to extract pure lithium metal anodes directly from brine, paired with a vanadium cathode that enhances fire resistance and allows operation at temperatures up to 700°C. This design not only improves energy density but also reduces material costs and environmental concerns associated with traditional lithium-ion batteries. This innovation comes amid growing U.S. efforts to reduce dependence on China, which currently dominates around 90% of global rare earth production and supplies half of America’s critical mineral imports. Pure Lithium’s approach aligns with national priorities to secure domestic supply chains for clean energy technologies. The company is expanding its lithium production and
energylithium-batterybattery-technologymaterials-scienceenergy-storageclean-energysupply-chain-independenceA Deeper Look at Hidden Damage: Nano-CT Imaging Maps Internal Battery Degradation - CleanTechnica
The article discusses advances in understanding and improving lithium-ion battery recycling through high-resolution nano-CT imaging, led by researchers at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Lithium-ion batteries rely on scarce and valuable minerals such as lithium, nickel, cobalt, manganese, and graphite, with much of the global supply chain controlled by China. To reduce dependence on foreign markets and extend the lifespan of critical materials, direct recycling of battery cathodes within the United States is being explored as a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional recycling methods, which are energy-intensive and break materials down to their elemental forms. NREL’s nano-CT scanner, capable of 50-nanometer spatial resolution, allows nondestructive, real-time visualization of internal battery structures, revealing microscopic degradation that impacts battery performance. Researchers found that although end-of-life battery materials retained similar energy capacity to new cells, their charging rates were significantly reduced due to morphological damage—specifically, particle cracking within the cathode microstructure. This insight
energybattery-technologylithium-ion-batteriesnano-CT-imagingmaterials-sciencebattery-recyclingenergy-storageWorld's first test shakes 3D-printed homes to check earthquake safety
The University of Bristol has conducted the world’s first large-scale earthquake safety test on a 3D-printed concrete home using the UK’s largest shaking table. This experiment aimed to evaluate whether 3D-printed homes can withstand seismic forces, addressing concerns about the structural integrity of this emerging construction method. By subjecting a quasi-real-scale 3D-printed concrete unit to progressively intense shaking, researchers closely monitored its response to identify potential weaknesses such as cracking or displacement. The goal is to compare 3D-printed structures with traditional buildings, validate computational seismic models, and ultimately determine if 3D-printed concrete can meet current earthquake safety standards. The project, led by Dr. De Risi, seeks to optimize design parameters like layer bonding and reinforcement integration to improve seismic performance. These findings are intended to inform engineers, architects, and policymakers, potentially leading to new building codes that incorporate additive manufacturing technologies. As 3D printing gains popularity for its affordability and sustainability, this research addresses
3D-printingearthquake-safetyconstruction-technologymaterials-scienceconcrete-innovationseismic-testingadditive-manufacturingA new programmable platform decodes the selective spin of electrons
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have developed a novel programmable platform that replicates the conditions underlying the chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect, a quantum phenomenon where electrons exhibit spin-dependent transport when passing through chiral (twisted) molecules. This effect, first discovered in the late 1990s, has been observed in biological systems such as photosynthesis and cellular respiration but remained poorly understood due to the complexity and variability of real biomolecules. The new artificial system uses a layered material composed of lanthanum aluminate and strontium titanate, on which researchers "draw" spiral-like electron pathways using a microscopic probe that modulates voltage in sync with its movement, creating chiral waveguides that break mirror symmetry. This engineered platform allows precise control over the geometry and parameters of the chiral channels, enabling systematic study of spin-dependent quantum transport phenomena. Experiments revealed unusual conductance patterns and electron pairing behaviors consistent with theoretical models where spiral geometry induces spin-orbit coupling,
quantum-transportchiral-induced-spin-selectivityprogrammable-platformelectron-spinmaterials-sciencequantum-materialsenergy-applicationsShapeshifting perovskites can help make solar devices, LEDs more efficient
Researchers from the University of Utah have demonstrated that wafer-thin Ruddlesden-Popper (RP) metal-halide hybrid perovskites, a class of two-dimensional layered materials composed of alternating inorganic and organic sheets, exhibit temperature-dependent phase transitions that significantly influence their optical properties. These phase transitions, akin to changes between different solid states as seen in water, alter the structure of the inorganic layers through the melting and disordering of organic chains, thereby modulating the material’s light emission wavelength and intensity. This dynamic tunability enables the emission wavelength to be adjusted across a broad spectrum from ultraviolet to near-infrared, offering valuable control for optoelectronic applications such as LEDs and thermal energy storage. The study highlights that these perovskites’ optical properties shift continuously with temperature due to subtle structural distortions, revealing a strong interplay between organic and inorganic components that can be manipulated at the molecular level. Importantly, perovskites present a promising alternative to traditional silicon in solar cell
perovskitesmaterials-sciencerenewable-energysolar-technologyLEDsthermal-energy-storageoptoelectronicsNew approach allows to insert, monitor quantum defects in real time
Researchers from the UK’s universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Manchester have developed a novel two-step fabrication method that enables the precise insertion and real-time monitoring of quantum defects—specifically Group IV centers such as tin-vacancy centers—in synthetic diamonds. These quantum defects, created by implanting single tin atoms into diamond with nanometer accuracy using a focused ion beam, serve as spin-photon interfaces essential for storing and transmitting quantum information. The process is activated and controlled via ultrafast laser annealing, which excites the defect centers without damaging the diamond and provides spectral feedback for in-situ monitoring and control during fabrication. This breakthrough addresses a major challenge in reliably producing Group IV quantum defects, which are prized for their high symmetry and favorable optical and spin properties. The ability to monitor defect activation in real time allows researchers to efficiently and precisely create quantum emitters, paving the way for scalable quantum networks that could enable ultrafast, secure quantum computing and sensing technologies. The method’s versatility also suggests
quantum-defectsdiamond-materialsnanoscale-engineeringquantum-computingquantum-sensingmaterials-sciencequantum-technologyNew zinc-iodine battery retains 99.8% capacity after 500 cycles
Scientists at the University of Adelaide in Australia have developed a novel dry electrode technology for zinc-iodine batteries that significantly enhances their performance and stability. This breakthrough involves mixing active materials as dry powders and rolling them into thick, self-supporting electrodes, combined with adding 1,3,5-trioxane to the electrolyte. This chemical induces the formation of a flexible protective film on the zinc anode during charging, preventing dendrite growth—needle-like structures that can cause short circuits. The new electrodes achieve a record-high active material loading of 100 mg/cm², resulting in pouch cells retaining 88.6% capacity after 750 cycles and coin cells maintaining 99.8% capacity after 500 cycles. Zinc-iodine batteries are considered safer, more sustainable, and cost-effective alternatives to lithium-ion batteries for large-scale and grid energy storage, but have historically lagged in performance. This innovation addresses those limitations by reducing iodine leakage, minimizing self-discharge, and extending cycle life
energybattery-technologyzinc-iodine-batteryenergy-storagesustainable-energygrid-storagematerials-scienceAre Those Viral ‘Cooling Blankets’ for Real?
The article examines the popular concept of "cooling blankets" circulating on social media, clarifying that most marketed products do not truly cool the body. While these blankets may be more breathable and less heat-retentive than traditional blankets, they do not actively lower body temperature; in fact, simply having no blanket is generally cooler. The article explains the physics behind temperature and heat transfer, emphasizing that heat flows from warmer to cooler objects until equilibrium is reached, and that "coolness" cannot be transferred. Blankets function primarily as insulators, slowing heat exchange between the body and the environment. When a person is hot and uses a blanket, it usually traps heat and makes them feel warmer unless the surrounding air is hotter than body temperature. However, a blanket initially cooler than the body can absorb some thermal energy, providing a brief cooling effect until temperatures equalize. The article suggests that an effective cooling blanket would need a high mass and specific heat capacity to absorb more body heat and maintain a cooler temperature
energythermal-energyheat-transferspecific-heat-capacityinsulationcooling-technologymaterials-scienceSolid lithium-air battery delivers 4x energy, 1,000 lifecycles
Researchers at the Illinois Institute of Technology and Argonne National Laboratory have developed a solid-state lithium-air battery that achieves four times the energy density of traditional lithium-ion batteries, potentially rivaling gasoline in energy storage capacity. This breakthrough is enabled by a novel four-electron chemical reaction at room temperature, allowing the formation and reversible decomposition of lithium oxide (Li₂O), which stores significantly more energy than the lithium superoxide or lithium peroxide reactions used in previous lithium-air batteries. The battery employs a solid ceramic-polymer electrolyte embedded with lithium-rich nanoparticles, replacing flammable liquid electrolytes to enhance safety and electrochemical stability. A key component of this innovation is the trimolybdenum phosphide (Mo₃P) catalyst, which facilitates the stable four-electron transfer reaction over extended use. The battery demonstrated durability of at least 1,000 charge-discharge cycles at room temperature without significant degradation. Cryogenic transmission electron microscopy confirmed the reversible lithium oxide reaction, validating the approach. With an estimated energy density of 1,200 watt-hours per kilogram, this technology promises to dramatically extend electric vehicle range, reduce battery size and weight, and improve the safety and efficiency of renewable energy storage. Supported by major funding agencies, this advancement could pave the way for a new generation of high-capacity, safe, and sustainable batteries.
energylithium-air-batterysolid-state-electrolytebattery-technologyenergy-storageelectric-vehiclesmaterials-scienceBiology-inspired solid-state battery boosts EV range to 500 miles
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a novel solid-state battery that blends lithium with soft sodium metal, significantly reducing the high pressure typically required for solid-state battery operation. This breakthrough addresses a major limitation of solid-state batteries, which usually need heavy and bulky metal plates to maintain pressure, making them impractical for widespread use. By incorporating sodium, which is electrochemically inactive but very soft, the battery maintains better contact with the solid electrolyte under lower pressure, enhancing performance and potentially enabling lighter, longer-lasting batteries. The team drew inspiration from biology, specifically the concept of morphogenesis, to explain how the sodium-lithium combination adapts structurally during battery use. This biological analogy helped them understand the deformable nature of sodium within the battery, which adjusts to changes and improves stability. Funded partly by DARPA, the research promises significant advancements, including electric vehicles capable of traveling 500 miles on a single charge and longer-lasting phone batteries. While commercialization challenges remain, this innovation could mark a major leap forward in battery technology by making solid-state batteries more competitive with current lithium-ion standards.
energysolid-state-batterylithium-ionsodium-lithium-batteryelectric-vehiclesbattery-technologymaterials-scienceUS scientists develop real-time defect detection for 3D metal printing
Scientists from Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Virginia have developed a novel method to detect defects, specifically keyhole pores, in metal parts produced by 3D printing using laser powder bed fusion. Keyhole pores are tiny internal cavities formed when excessive laser energy creates deep, narrow holes that trap gas, compromising the structural integrity and performance of critical components such as aerospace parts and medical implants. The new approach combines thermal imaging, X-ray imaging, and machine learning to predict pore formation in real-time by correlating surface heat patterns with internal defects captured via powerful X-rays. This method leverages existing thermal cameras already installed on many 3D printers, enabling instant detection of internal flaws without the need for continuous expensive X-ray imaging. The AI model, trained on synchronized thermal and X-ray data, can identify pore formation within milliseconds, allowing for immediate intervention. Researchers envision integrating this technology with automatic correction systems that adjust printing parameters or reprint layers on the fly, thereby improving reliability, reducing waste, and enhancing safety in manufacturing mission-critical metal parts. Future work aims to expand defect detection capabilities and develop repair mechanisms during the additive manufacturing process.
3D-printingmetal-additive-manufacturingdefect-detectionmachine-learningthermal-imagingX-ray-imagingmaterials-sciencePrecisely built platinum-based catalyst oxidizes CO nine times better
catalystsplatinumceriumchemical-reactionsenergy-efficiencymaterials-sciencecarbon-monoxide-oxidation100% Solid-State EV Batteries Seal The Deal: No More Gasmobiles - CleanTechnica
energysolid-state-batterieselectric-vehiclessustainable-technologybattery-technologyautomotive-innovationmaterials-scienceNew water flow battery hits 600 high-current cycles with no capacity loss
energybattery-technologysolar-energyflow-batteriesmaterials-scienceresidential-energy-storagerenewable-energyPhotos: World's tallest 3D-printed tower blends tech, art, and climate
robotics3D-printingdigital-designarchitectureconstruction-technologyCO₂-capturematerials-scienceZEUS: US facility fires world’s most powerful laser at 2 petawatts
energylaser-technologymaterials-sciencequantum-physicsplasma-sciencescientific-discoveryhigh-field-scienceGM, Ford Tease New Game Changing LMR EV Batteries … But Where Is Waldo?
energyEV-batterieslithium-manganesematerials-scienceautomotive-technologyTeslaFordMeet the companies racing to build quantum chips
quantum-computingquantum-chipstech-startupstechnology-innovationqubitscybersecuritymaterials-science