Metal scar found on world-destroying star after its reign of terror

In a few billion years the Sun will destroy the solar system’s inner planets – and if it’s lucky it might get a big cool scar to brag about. That’s what happened to a white dwarf that astronomers have just found, which seems to have a bizarre metal sca… Continue reading Metal scar found on world-destroying star after its reign of terror

Nuclear SMR welding breakthrough: A year’s work now takes a day

Small Modular Reactor (SMR) construction shifts into high gear, as UK company Sheffield Forgemasters welds a full-size nuclear reactor vessel in under 24 hours instead of the usual 12 months. The rollout of this game-changing tech could be massive.Cont… Continue reading Nuclear SMR welding breakthrough: A year’s work now takes a day

Space firsts: Metal 3D printer & surgical robot on their way to the ISS

Among the more than 8,000 lb (3,600 kg) of cargo that blasted off from Cape Canaveral on the 30th of January, bound for the International Space Station, were two firsts: the world’s first metal 3D printer designed especially for use in orbit and the fi… Continue reading Space firsts: Metal 3D printer & surgical robot on their way to the ISS

“Iron snow” falling in the core gives planets wavering magnetic fields

The intensely hot interior of planets isn’t somewhere you’d expect to find snow, but scientists do suspect that “iron snow” falls on the Earth’s core. Now, a new study has modeled the dynamics in the lab and found that iron snow could make magnetic fie… Continue reading “Iron snow” falling in the core gives planets wavering magnetic fields

Induction welding joins metal foams without cramping their style

Composite metal foams (CMFs) are intriguing materials, offering several 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 wel… Continue reading Induction welding joins metal foams without cramping their style

Cheap drugs may be within reach thanks to copper chemistry discovery

Copper is not new to medicine, having been used in infection-fighting nanoparticles and implants, among many other innovations. However, it hasn’t quite been used in the way some chemists from the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) have achiev… Continue reading Cheap drugs may be within reach thanks to copper chemistry discovery

Lasers allow fine-tuning of 3D-printed metals without “heating & beating”

A team of researchers led by the University of Cambridge has developed a new technique that uses high-energy lasers to fine tune the properties of 3D-printed metal without compromising the complex shapes it forms.Continue ReadingCategory: Materials, Sc… Continue reading Lasers allow fine-tuning of 3D-printed metals without “heating & beating”

High levels of dangerous metals found in exclusive marijuana users

A new study has found that people who exclusively use marijuana have higher levels of potentially dangerous metals in their blood and urine than those who don’t. The findings suggest that marijuana may be an overlooked source of metal exposure, an impo… Continue reading High levels of dangerous metals found in exclusive marijuana users

“Demon particle” accidentally discovered, solving 67-year mystery

While studying a material that could help unlock the secrets of superconductors, scientists have accidentally discovered a “demon” particle that was first theorized almost 70 years ago, but had never been experimentally confirmed.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading “Demon particle” accidentally discovered, solving 67-year mystery

Metal found spontaneously healing itself like human skin

It’s long been assumed that when a metal structure like a bridge or an engine develops a crack, it will only get worse over time. But that might not be the case, based on what researchers have just observed happening in a tiny piece of platinum.Continu… Continue reading Metal found spontaneously healing itself like human skin