Category Chemistry/Nanotechnology

SMART discovers the Science behind Varying Performance of Different Colored LEDs

An array of multi-colored LEDs periodically arranged to give off visible light; a combination of InGaN based red, blue, and green LEDs is essential to cover lighting demands efficiently

The findings pave the way for development of more efficient, next-gen LEDs covering the entire visible spectrum. Researchers have developed a new multifaceted method that can directly observe compositional fluctuations in indium gallium nitride, a semiconductor material used in LEDs. The method can be adapted and applied in other materials science studies to investigate compositional fluctuations.

Researchers from the Low Energy Electronic Systems (LEES) Interdisciplinary Research Group (IRG) at Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), MIT’s research enterprise in Singapore, togeth...

Read More

New Batteries give Jolt to Renewables, Energy Storage

This magnified image shows aluminum deposited on carbon fibers in a battery electrode. The chemical bond makes the electrode thicker and its kinetics faster, resulting in a rechargeable battery that is safer, less expensive and more sustainable than lithium-ion batteries.

Researchers have been exploring the use of low-cost materials to create rechargeable batteries that will make energy storage more affordable. Now, they have shown that a new technique incorporating aluminum results in rechargeable batteries that offer up to 10,000 error-free cycles.

The cost of harvesting solar energy has dropped so much in recent years that it’s giving traditional energy sources a run for their money...

Read More

Tires turned into Graphene that makes Stronger Concrete

Rice scientists optimized a process to turn rubber from discarded tires into turbostratic flash graphene.  Courtesy of the Tour Research Group

Optimized flash process could reduce carbon emissions. Rice University scientists have optimized a process to convert waste from rubber tires into graphene that can, in turn, be used to strengthen concrete.

The environmental benefits of adding graphene to concrete are clear, chemist James Tour said.
“Concrete is the most-produced material in the world, and simply making it produces as much as 9% of the world’s carbon dioxide emissions,” Tour said. “If we can use less concrete in our roads, buildings and bridges, we can eliminate some of the emissions at the very start.”

Recycled tire waste is already used as a component of Portland cement, ...

Read More

A simple way to Turn 2D Drawings into 3D Objects

A team of researchers affiliated with several institutions in South Korea has developed a simple method for converting 2D drawings to 3D objects. In their paper published in the journal Science Advances, the group describes their technique and possible uses for it.

Over the past several decades, 3D printing has become a popular way to create three-dimensional objects in a relatively simple manner. Such printing allows for on-demand supply of simple products. In this new effort, the researchers have developed another way to create 3D objects without the need for a printer.

The technique involves hand-drawing (or conventionally printing) a 2D image on an object using a special pen with special ink and then submerging the object in a tub of water...

Read More