Jan 2021
The findings could help researchers understand the inner workings of carbon-rich planets
Diamond holds up at pressures more than five times those in Earth’s core
Aug 2020
Scientists have now mapped the structure of the unusual spinning blaze
Four types of flames join forces to make this eerie ‘blue whirl’
Oct 2021
The curvature of ice needles gradually pushes rocks into clusters that form patterns
Here’s how ice needles sculpt patterns into cold, rocky landscapes
Nov 2020
The result could help explain some of the weird properties of H20
Supercooled water has been caught morphing between two forms
Jan 2023
Calcium-rich rocks embedded in the material can heal cracks, experiments show
These chemists cracked the code to long-lasting Roman concrete
Jan 2021
Swapping out the electrolyte helps these energy-dense power sources last longer
Zinc-air batteries are typically single-use. A new design could change that
Jan 2024
Researchers at Baylor University are working on adapting lithophanes—an ancient artistic medium—for modern efforts to make scientific images accessible and understandable via touch. Lithophanes, which are thin, detailed engravings made from translucent materials, are thought to have originated in China as early as the seventh century and rose in popularity in Europe in the 1800s. The new lithophanes from the Baylor researchers are the first known examples of their kind and are intended for use as tactile learning tools for blind and visually impaired individuals. The new lithophanes can enable sightless or low-vision individuals to visualize microscopic and nanoscopic structures—for instance, in the subjects of anatomy and chemistry—with a greater level of detail and retainability than previously possible—and even at the same "resolution" as that of sighted individuals. See also: Learning; Visual impairment
3D-printed lithophanes can make science accessible for the visually impaired
Jan 2014
Advances in aluminum-air battery technology might allow electrically powered vehicles to become more realistic and competitive automotive options for many drivers.
Aluminum-air battery technology for electric vehicles
Jan 2014
The very weak attractive forces between neutral atoms and molecules are known as van der Waals forces. These forces are important for holding molecules together and influencing materials properties such as boiling and melting points, solubility, viscosity, and surface tension. Until recently, there had never been a direct measurement of the force between two atoms. However, in June 2012, L. Béguin and colleagues at the National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) in France reported they had measured the van der Waals force between two atoms at various controlled distances and found the results to be in very good agreement with theoretical calculations. See also: Intermolecular forces
First direct measurement of van der Waals force
Mar 2021
In recent years, researchers have made considerable progress toward producing renewable energy in the form of hydrogen fuel through the electrolysis of water. In the most basic electrolytic cell, an electric current drives a chemical reaction at two electrodes in contact with an electrolyte solution to split water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2). A more sophisticated photoelectrochemical cell under development, called an artificial leaf, splits water by using a silicon solar cell to absorb light and generate an electrical current and two electrocatalyst-coated surfaces to drive the same reaction. In all cases, efficient water splitting requires pure water to avoid damaging the electrodes. See also: Catalysis and catalysts; Electrochemistry; Electrolysis; Electrolyte; Hydrogen; Oxygen; Progress in developing an "artificial leaf" for hydrogen fuel generation; Solar cell; Water
Forward osmosis allows using untreated water for renewable hydrogen production