Scientists have for the first time observed how atoms in magnesium oxide morph and melt under ultra-harsh conditions, providing new insights into this key mineral within Earth’s mantle that is known to influence planet formation. High-energy laser experiments—which subjected tiny crystals of the mineral to the type of heat and pressure found deep inside a rocky planet’s mantle—suggest the compound could be the earliest mineral to solidify out of magma oceans in forming “super-Earth” exoplanets. “Magnesium oxide could be the…

…for post-consumer recyclates in specific applications. Due to EU regulations and waste reduction targets, the use of recyclates has increased significantly. However, a major challenge is to ensure that post-consumer recyclates meet safety standards, especially in terms of flame retardancy. Upgrading with effective halogen free flame retardants is essential. Teams of experts at the Fraunhofer Institute for Structural Durability and System Reliability LBF are working intensively on EU regulations and the need for halogen free flame retardancy in specific applications….

It’s still just a plan, but a new telescope could soon be measuring gravitational waves. Gravitational waves are something like the sound waves of the universe. They are created, for example, when black holes or neutron stars collide. The future gravitational wave detector, the Einstein Telescope, will use the latest laser technology to better understand these waves and, thus, our universe. One possible location for the construction of this telescope is the border triangle of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands….

Together with industry partners, the University of Bremen has developed an innovative, AI-supported status monitoring system for port vehicles in the “KISS” research project. It uses state-of-the-art technologies to monitor the technical condition of vehicles in real time. In the joint research project “AI-Based Damage and Wear Detection System for Cloud-Based Condition Monitoring of Hybrid Container Vehicles” (“KI-Basiertes Schadens- und Verschleißerkennungssystem zur cloudbasierten Zustandsüberwachung von Hybrid-Container-Fahrzeugen“) – KISS for short – funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs…

… lock them into new shapes. Researchers from North Carolina State University have demonstrated miniature soft hydraulic actuators that can be used to control the deformation and motion of soft robots that are less than a millimeter thick. The researchers have also demonstrated that this technique works with shape memory materials, allowing users to repeatedly lock the soft robots into a desired shape and return to the original shape as needed. “Soft robotics holds promise for many applications, but it…

Researchers have for the first time demonstrated that a specific class of oxide membranes can confine, or “squeeze,” infrared light – a finding that holds promise for next generation infrared imaging technologies. The thin-film membranes confine infrared light far better than bulk crystals, which are the established technology for infrared light confinement. “The thin-film membranes maintain the desired infrared frequency, but compress the wavelengths, allowing imaging devices to capture images with greater resolution,” says Yin Liu, co-corresponding author of a…

Today, researchers are developing ways to accelerate discovery by combining automated experiments, artificial intelligence and high-performance computing. A novel tool developed at Oak Ridge National Laboratory that leverages those technologies has demonstrated that AI can influence materials synthesis and conduct associated experiments without human supervision. This autonomous materials synthesis tool uses pulsed laser deposition, or PLD, to deposit a thin layer of substance onto a base material. It then employs AI to analyze how the quality of the newly created material relates to…

Finely created interfaces offer new design strategies beyond conventional materials for applications in infrared optics, sensing and more, researchers say. If a material absorbs light, it will heat up. That heat must go somewhere, and the ability to control where and how much heat is emitted can protect or even hide such devices as satellites. An international team of researchers, including those from Penn State, has developed a novel method for controlling this thermal emission, with what they called promising…

(U)WBG Semiconductors and Information Technology are Revolutionizing Power Electronics. Wide-bandgap (WBG) semiconductor technology and artificial intelligence together are revolutionizing power electronics. A new class of intelligent power electronic systems is unlocking new performance and application areas. The high demands of system development impact the entire power electronics value chain. Specifically, this applies to semiconductor materials and devices as well as packaging and module technology. Extreme oper-ating and environmental conditions demand maximum reliability and ultra-high performance. At PCIM Europe 2024, Fraunhofer…

Powerful and energy-efficient electronic components are key to the energy transition. They contribute to making applications such as electromobility, or electronic air conditioning technologies viable for everyday use across the board. Fraunhofer IAF is supporting this transformation by developing novel technologies for lateral and vertical GaN transistors with blocking voltages above 1200 V. The institute will present the advantages and the current state of development of their GaN technologies at PCIM Europe 2024 from June 11 to 13, 2024 in…

UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering Asst. Prof. Chong Liu discovered the ideal particles for efficiently isolating lithium from seawater, ground water, or other dilute sources of the mineral. As the electric vehicle market booms, the demand for lithium — the mineral required for lithium-ion batteries — has also soared. Global lithium production has more than tripled in the last decade. But current methods of extracting lithium from rock ores or brines are slow and come with high energy demands…

A new type of pure synthetic leather meets the high requirements of the European Ecodesign Regulation. Made from a bio-based plastic, it is biodegradable and meets the requirements for a closed recycling process. Many synthetic leathers consist of a textile substrate to which a polymer layer is applied. The polymer layer usually consists of an adhesive layer and a top layer, which is usually embossed. The textile backing and the top coat are usually completely different materials. Woven, knitted, or…

Identifying crumbling infrastructure is sometimes as difficult as rectifying it. Yet, this process has been made easier thanks to an innovative new material developed by Tohoku University researchers. The material responds to mechanical stimuli by recording stress history through a luminescent effect called an afterglow. This information is stored for a long time, and by applying the material to the surfaces of structures, researchers can observe changes in the afterglow to determine the amount of stress the material has experienced….

Smart packaging for on-board charger that is small in size, but big on performance. On-board chargers are the great equalizers for electric vehicle charging – and can be a game-changer for the future of e-mobility. Fraunhofer IZM has managed to bring together some of the most innovative ideas in power electronics to pave the way for a new generation of on-board chargers. Twice the performance at half the size, bidirectional capabilities, and efficiently machine-made: The resulting on-board charger is the…

The research project “Flame retardant coating: ecological fire protection in rail vehicles” (FlamenCo) at the Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE) is investigating a new fire protection varnish in rail vehicle construction. The aim is to develop a fire protection coating that enables wood-based materials to be used more extensively. Wood is mainly used in rail vehicles as armrests or folding tables. Plastics and metals predominate as materials used in train interiors. There are high fire protection requirements to ensure…

Beta(β)-type titanium (Ti) alloys are renowned for their strength, formability and resistance to harsh environments. This, along with their excellent biocompatibility, has made them adequately suited for implants and prosthetics, from joint replacement to stents. However, under certain conditions a brittle omega phase can form, making the material prone to breaking. Whilst it is known that adding tin (Sn) negates this, and makes β-type Ti alloys stronger, the exact mechanics behind this has continued to puzzle scientists. That is until…