Induction welding joins metal foams without cramping their style

Composite metal foams (CMFs) offer big advantages over traditional solid metal. And while the welding of CMFs usually poses some challenges, it has now been been discovered that the use of an alternative type of welding works like a charm.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingInduction welding joins metal foams without cramping their style

Impressive new plastic self-heals, can be recycled and feeds marine life

Japanese scientists have developed a new type of plastic that can easily break down on demand into its base components. In seawater it starts to break down into food for marine life, and just to top it off, it can self-heal and remember past shapes.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingImpressive new plastic self-heals, can be recycled and feeds marine life

World’s most water-repellent surface surprises its own inventors

Scientists have developed what they call the most water-repellent surface ever. By giving it a liquid-like coating that defies usual designs, water will roll off the surface at angles 500 times shallower than other superhydrophobic materials.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingWorld’s most water-repellent surface surprises its own inventors

Watery material makes windows selectively block light and/or heat

Windows are pretty basic necessities for letting in light and heat, but you don’t always want both at once. Now engineers at North Carolina State University have developed a new material that allows windows to easily switch between three modes.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingWatery material makes windows selectively block light and/or heat

Novel nanoribbons could improve battery & solar cell efficiency

Researchers have alloyed arsenic with phosphorus to create single-atom-thick ribbons that are highly conductive, making them ideal candidates for use in next-generation batteries, solar cells and quantum computers.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingNovel nanoribbons could improve battery & solar cell efficiency

Revolutionary “true zero carbon” cement uses electrolysis, not furnaces

Sublime Cement says it's ready to start scaling on the "world's cleanest cement," which meets industry performance standards relying on room-temperature electrolyzers in place of fossil-fueled furnaces, using a variety of zero-carbon input materials.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingRevolutionary “true zero carbon” cement uses electrolysis, not furnaces

Solar-heated nanowires de-ice surfaces with almost 100% efficiency

Ice build-up can pose a problem for roads, aircraft, wind turbines and power lines, among many other things. Now scientists have developed a new structure made of copper nanowires that can passively de-ice surfaces with an efficacy of close to 100%.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingSolar-heated nanowires de-ice surfaces with almost 100% efficiency

Waste coffee grounds make concrete 30% stronger

Researchers have made concrete 30% stronger by replacing a percentage of sand with spent coffee grounds, an organic waste produced in huge amounts that usually ends up in landfill. The method offers a greener approach to construction.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingWaste coffee grounds make concrete 30% stronger

Bizarre new high-strength glue can stick and unstick on command

An intriguing new glue can basically be switched on and off on demand. The adhesive sticks together when hit with one wavelength of light, and breaks apart with another, allowing it to be removed and reused easily – potentially, even underwater.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingBizarre new high-strength glue can stick and unstick on command

Bacterial cellulose used to create new edible packaging material

We may soon be finishing off a box of cereal and then eating the bag it came in. Researchers have turned to bacteria-produced cellulose to create a single-use packaging material that is sustainable, biodegradable and, what’s more, edible.

Source of Article

Continue ReadingBacterial cellulose used to create new edible packaging material