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    Category Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Experiments Call Origin of Earth’s Iron into Question

    February 22, 2017, Categories  Chemistry/Nanotechnology, Environment/Geology, Astronomy/Space

    An infographic describing three theories on how the Earth got its iron signature.Designed by Laura Martin/The University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences. Images 1 and 2 from NASA/JPL-Caltech, Image 3 from X-Science, Earth from NASA/JPL.

    An infographic describing three theories on how the Earth got its iron signature.Designed by Laura Martin/The University of Texas at Austin Jackson School of Geosciences. Images 1 and 2 from NASA/JPL-Caltech, Image 3 from X-Science, Earth from NASA/JPL.

    New research from The University of Texas at Austin reveals that the Earth’s unique iron composition isn’t linked to the formation of the planet’s core, calling into question a prevailing theory about the events that shaped our planet during its earliest years.The research, opens the door for other competing theories about why the Earth, relative to other planets, has higher levels of heavy iron isotopes...

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    Scalable 100% yield production of Conductive Graphene Inks

    February 21, 2017, Categories  Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    We report the exfoliation of graphite in aqueous solutions under high shear rate [∼ 108 s–1] turbulent flow conditions, with a 100% exfoliation yield. The material is stabilized without centrifugation at concentrations up to 100 g/L using carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt to formulate conductive printable inks. The sheet resistance of blade coated films is below ∼2Ω/□. This is a simple and scalable production route for conductive inks for large-area printing in flexible electronics.

    We report the exfoliation of graphite in aqueous solutions under high shear rate [∼ 108 s–1] turbulent flow conditions, with a 100% exfoliation yield. The material is stabilized without centrifugation at concentrations up to 100 g/L using carboxymethylcellulose sodium salt to formulate conductive printable inks. The sheet resistance of blade coated films is below ∼2Ω/□. This is a simple and scalable production route for conductive inks for large-area printing in flexible electronics.

    Conductive inks are useful for a range of applications, including printed and flexible electronics such as radio frequency identification (RFID) antennas, transistors or photovoltaic cells...

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    Designing New Materials from ‘Small’ Data

    February 20, 2017, Categories  Physics, Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    Predictive materials discovery framework.

    Predictive materials discovery framework.

    A novel workflow combining machine learning and density functional theory calculations has been developed by Northwestern Engineering and Los Alamos National Laboratory to create design guidelines for new materials that exhibit useful electronic properties, such as ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity. Few layered materials have these qualities in certain geometries – crucial for developing solutions to electronics, communication, and energy problems – ie there was very little data from which to formulate the guidelines using traditional research approaches.

    “When others look for new materials, typically they look in places where they have a lot of data from similar materials...

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    New Hydronium-ion Battery presents opportunity for more Sustainable Energy Storage

    February 20, 2017, Categories  Technology/Electronics, Chemistry/Nanotechnology

    1. Simplified electrical grid with energy storage. Inset: Hydronium ion figures

    1. Simplified electrical grid with energy storage. Inset: Hydronium ion figures

    A new type of battery developed by Oregon State University shows promise for sustainable, high-power energy storage. It’s the world’s first battery to use only hydronium ions as the charge carrier. The new battery provides an additional option for researchers, particularly in the area of stationary storage. Stationary storage refers to batteries in a permanent location that store grid power – including power generated from alternative energy sources such as wind turbines or solar cells – for use on a standby or emergency basis.

    Hydronium, H3O+, is a positively charged ion produced when a proton is added to a water molecule...

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