University of Delaware researchers have developed a self-healing membrane for fuel cells. Credit: Kathy F. Atkinson, University of Delaware

Self-healing membrane for hydrogen fuel cells have been developed by scientists. The membrane is typically made from a polymer called Nafion®. During fuel cell operation, it undergoes chemical and mechanical degradation, leading to cracks and pinholes that shorten its life. To address this issue, three members of the University of Delaware’s Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ajay Prasad, Liang Wang and Suresh Advani, have developed a membrane incorporating microcapsules prefilled with a Nafion® solution.

“The microcapsules are designed to rupture when they encounter defects in the membrane and then release the prefilled Nafion® solution to heal t...

Ying Zhang et al. High-capacity, low-tortuosity, and channel-guided lithium metal anode, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2017). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1618871114 Credit: University of Maryland

Inspired by the structure of wood, engineers at the University of Maryland have used modified wood as a unique architecture for the negative electrode of a lithium (Li) metal battery, seeking to prevent some of the key factors that lead to battery failure. Li-ion shuttling in rechargeable batteries provides energy to power your phone, laptop, or even just a light bulb. When the battery is charged, the negative electrode: Li metal expands; and when it is discharged, the Li metal deflates...

BV R color composite of PDS 11, with North up and East to the left. This 4′×4′ composite image is constructed from our observations with the HCT and is color coded as blue, green and red in B, V , R, respectively. The image is centered on PDS 11 binary system, with the northeastern component being PDS 11A. Credit: Mathew et al., 2017.

A team of Indian astronomers has recently studied a peculiar binary system, revealing new insights into the nature of its stars. The findings allowed the researchers to reclassify PDS 11 as an old, dusty, wide binary classical T Tauri system in which both components are actively accreting...

Mars Credit: NASA

A team of researchers with members from France, Italy and the U.S. has found what they believe is evidence of a giant tsunami occurring on Mars approximately 3 billion years ago due to an asteroid plunging into an ocean. In their paper published in the Journal of Geophysical Research, the group outlines the evidence and why they believe a tsunami is the most likely factor that led to the creation of some unique planetary formations.

Scientists have been investigating the possibility of oceans on Mars for several years, but have so far been unable to prove they existed. Also, other researchers have found evidence for tsunamis on Mars but have not been able to find an associated oceanic impact crater to go along with it...