Collaborate Disseminate
City University of Hong Kong researchers have accidentally discovered a first-of-its-kind alloy that retains its stiffness instead of softening as the temperature rises. Indeed, high-entropy Elinvar appears to get stiffer and springier as temperatures … Continue reading Super-elastic alloy is first known metal to get springier as it heats up
A new study led by researchers from Penn State is outlining a number of strategies that should be employed by cannabis growers to mitigate the plant’s ability to absorb heavy metals from soil. The study indicates it is possible consuming cannabis conta… Continue reading Heavy metals in cannabis plants could affect human health, study finds
If you wanted to 3D print an object that was magnetic in some areas only, you’d typically have to print two separate items out of different metals, then join them together. A new take on an existing technique, however, allows for the printing of single… Continue reading Adapted 3D printing technique produces partially magnetic objects
Electronic waste (or e-waste) is not only a major pollutant in landfill, but huge amounts of useful resources are being thrown away. Engineers at Rice University have now shown that precious metals and rare earth minerals can be recovered by flash-heat… Continue reading Flash-heating efficiently recycles precious metals from e-waste
Although magnesium is known for being lightweight, riveting pieces of it together can be an involved, energy-intensive process. A new technique is claimed to make doing so much simpler, possibly opening up new uses for the metal.Continue ReadingCategor… Continue reading Friction-based riveting tech could make magnesium more useful
Engineers at ETH Zurich have developed a new, surprisingly simple method for merging two metals into one nanocrystal structure. The team says that this could allow almost any two metals to be combined, creating brand new types of “intermetallic nanocry… Continue reading Metals merged into amalgam nanocrystals in new manufacturing method
Researchers have created metallic water for the first time. Through a very careful experimental setup, the team grew a thin layer of a gold-colored metallic water on the outside of a droplet of liquid metal.Continue ReadingCategory: ScienceTags: Water,… Continue reading Metallic water created for the first time in golden experiment
Normally metals and insulators sit at opposite ends of a spectrum of conductivity, but researchers have discovered a material that can switch between those states freely, even at room temperature. The material, a compound of manganese and sulfide (MnS2… Continue reading Weird compound jumps from conductor to insulator and back under pressure
One hurdle standing in the way of a transition to renewable energy is the increased need for mining that these technologies bring. Now, Oxford scientists are investigating a new way to mine valuable metals trapped in hot brines beneath volcanoes – with… Continue reading Volcanic brine mines could be green sources of copper, gold and lithium
Engineers have found a way to make liquid metals switch between reflective surfaces or those that scatter light. The transition only requires a small zap of electricity and could be used to make mirrors that can be switched on or off.Continue ReadingCa… Continue reading Liquid metal mirrors switch reflectivity on and off with a zap