Scientists at Princeton University have made a groundbreaking discovery in quantum materials, revealing that electron energy levels in certain systems follow a fractal pattern known as Hofstadter’s butterfly. This phenomenon was first theorized in 1976 but had never been directly observed in a re
Lithium-6 is essential for producing nuclear fusion fuel, but isolating it from the much more common isotope, lithium-7, usually requires liquid mercury, which is extremely toxic. Now, researchers have developed a mercury-free method to isolate lithium-6 that is as effective as the conventional method. The new method is presented in the journal Chem.
“This is a step towards addressing a major roadblock to nuclear energy,” says chemist and senior author Sarbajit Banerjee of ETH Zürich and Texas A&M University. “Lithium-6 is a critical material for the renaissance of nuclear energy, and this method could represent a viable approach to isotope separation.”
The conventional method used to isolate lithium-6, called the COLEX process, involves liquid mercury and has been banned in the United States since 1963 due to pollution concerns.
Scientists have discovered a revolutionary way to control superconductivity by twisting ultra-thin layers of a superconducting material. This method allows precise tuning of the superconducting gap, a crucial factor for making quantum devices more efficient. Unlike previous approaches that focuse
A recent study evaluating garnet-type solid electrolytes for lithium metal batteries finds that their expected energy density advantages may be overstated. The research reveals that an all-solid-state lithium metal battery (ASSLMB) using lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZO) would achieve a gravimetric energy density of only 272 Wh/kg, a marginal increase over the 250–270 Wh/kg offered by current lithium-ion batteries.
Given the high production costs and manufacturing challenges associated with LLZO, the findings suggest that composite or quasi-solid-state electrolytes may be more viable alternatives. The work is published in the journal Energy Storage Materials.
“All-solid-state lithium metal batteries have been viewed as the future of energy storage, but our study shows that LLZO-based designs may not provide the expected leap in energy density,” said Eric Jianfeng Cheng, lead author of the study and researcher at WPI-AIMR, Tohoku University. “Even under ideal conditions, the gains are limited, and the cost and manufacturing challenges are significant.”
Using seawater, electricity and carbon dioxide (CO2), Northwestern University scientists have developed a new carbon-negative building material.
Concrete will be crucial for much-needed climate-resilient construction. But the cement industry must set out its plan for decarbonization.
Global cement manufacturing is responsible for about 8% of the world’s total CO2 emissions – here are four solutions to cut the carbon from concrete.
Researchers from Kyoto University have achieved a significant advancement in materials science by developing the world’s first three-dimensional van der Waals open frameworks (WaaFs). This innovation challenges the conventional belief that van der Waals interactions are too weak for open framework materials, demonstrating their potential for stable and highly porous materials.
Published in Nature Chemistry, the study presents a strategy using octahedral metal-organic polyhedra (MOPs) as building blocks to construct WaaFs. These frameworks exhibit high thermal stability, exceptional porosity, and reversible assembly, opening new avenues for applications in gas storage, separation, and catalysis.
WaaFs utilize van der Waals interactions, which were previously considered too weak, to form robust three-dimensional frameworks. These structures maintain their integrity at temperatures up to 593 K and achieve surface areas exceeding 2,000 m2/g, making them highly stable and efficient for various industrial applications.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool and the University of Southampton have used computational design methods to develop non-metal organic porous framework materials, with potential applications in areas such as catalysis, water capture or hydrogen storage.
In a study published in the journal Nature, the research team used inexpensive and abundant non-metallic elements, such as chloride ions, to design non-metal organic porous frameworks (N-MOFs).
The new materials offer an alternative to metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), a class of porous, crystalline materials made up of metals connected by organic linker compounds.
The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, employs advanced construction techniques designed to withstand wind, seismic activity, and its own massive weight. Among these techniques is the “Meta Column System,” which plays a pivotal role by strategically positioning large columns to resist lateral forces, thereby facilitating the construction of such a towering structure.
What if these advanced architectural techniques could be applied to material design?
Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are porous materials formed by the combination of metal ions and organic ligands, resulting in structures similar to rebar in buildings. The design principle underlying MOFs closely resembles architectural planning.