Game-changing molecule makes polymers more metal-like to up durability

Researchers have developed a molecule that, when added to a polymer, increases the material’s durability by making it more like metal in terms of its ability to withstand temperature fluctuations. They say it could increase the durability of everything… Continue reading Game-changing molecule makes polymers more metal-like to up durability

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

New treatment makes steel alloys both stronger and more flexible

Strength and flexibility are two opposites that usually need to be balanced in steel. But now engineers at Purdue University and Sandia National Labs have developed a new treatment that can be applied to steel alloys to make them both stronger and more… Continue reading New treatment makes steel alloys both stronger and more flexible

Heat-loving lightweight superalloy promises higher turbine efficiency

One factor limiting the output of today’s power stations is the metals used in the blades, bearings and seals of their steam turbines, which tend to soften and elongate well before their melting point. Solve these problems, and you could conceivably ra… Continue reading Heat-loving lightweight superalloy promises higher turbine efficiency

Rooftop wind system delivers 150% the energy of solar per dollar

Aeromine says its unique “motionless” rooftop wind generators deliver up to 50% more energy than a solar array of the same price, while taking up just 10% of the roof space and operating more or less silently. In independent tests, they seem legit.Cont… Continue reading Rooftop wind system delivers 150% the energy of solar per dollar

Ultrathin metasurface produces web of quantum entangled photons

Scientists at Sandia National Laboratories and the Max Planck Institute have developed a way to produce a web of quantum entangled photons using a far more simple setup than usual. The key is a precisely patterned surface 100 times thinner than paper, … Continue reading Ultrathin metasurface produces web of quantum entangled photons

Bacteria-made biofuel packs higher energy density than jet fuel

As effective as fossil fuels may be, their impact on the planet cannot be overstated. Now researchers at Berkeley Lab have coaxed bacteria into directly producing a new biofuel with an energy density significantly higher than jet fuel.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading Bacteria-made biofuel packs higher energy density than jet fuel

Sandia developing micro-grids to power future Moon base

To keep the lights on in NASA’s Artemis human lunar outpost, Sandia National Laboratories is developing electrical micro-grids to handle the power distribution from the Moon base’s mini nuclear reactors to the various living and support facilities.Cont… Continue reading Sandia developing micro-grids to power future Moon base

Seashell-inspired material makes for strong, light spacecraft shielding

Inspired by seashells, scientists at Sandia National Laboratories have engineered a versatile new material that’s incredibly inexpensive, strong, lightweight, and heat resistant. The material could find use in shielding for spacecraft or fusion facilit… Continue reading Seashell-inspired material makes for strong, light spacecraft shielding

“Titanium avocado” could provide GPS-grade navigation sans satellites

Sandia National Laboratories is developing an avocado-sized vacuum chamber made out of titanium and sapphire that could one day use quantum mechanical sensors to provide GPS-grade navigation without the need for satellites.Continue ReadingCategory: Tec… Continue reading “Titanium avocado” could provide GPS-grade navigation sans satellites