Energy: Batteries
Published

X-rays reveal elusive chemistry for better EV batteries      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists used high energy x-rays to investigate the solid-electrolyte interphase, a chemical layer in batteries that's key to stabilizing lithium metal anodes. Chemists unraveled this complex chemical mechanisms that is crucial for boosting energy density.

Energy: Batteries
Published

New manufacturing process produces better, cheaper cathodes for lithium-ion batteries      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers have developed a new method for producing a key component of lithium-ion batteries. The result is a more affordable battery from a faster, less wasteful process that uses less toxic material.

Energy: Batteries
Published

A self-powered ingestible sensor opens new avenues for gut research      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Engineering researchers have developed a battery-free, pill-shaped ingestible biosensing system designed to provide continuous monitoring in the intestinal environment. It gives scientists the ability to monitor gut metabolites in real time, which wasn't possible before. This could unlock a new understanding of intestinal metabolite composition, which significantly impacts human health overall.

Energy: Batteries
Published

Stabilizing lithium-ion batteries with microbially synthesized electrolyte additive      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Lithium-ion batteries with high-energy-density cathodes are necessary to meet the energy demands of next-generation electronics and electric vehicles. At high voltages, however, the battery electrolyte undergoes excessive decomposition, compromising cathode performance. To tackle this, researchers have now synthesized a bio-based, non-toxic additive material that stabilizes the cathode by forming a passivation layer on its surface and suppressing its decomposition. Eco-friendly and low-cost, the novel compound could promote a wider utilization of bio-based resources.

Offbeat: Earth and Climate Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: Fossils
Published

Fossil overturns more than a century of knowledge about the origin of modern birds      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Fossilized fragments of a skeleton, hidden within a rock the size of a grapefruit, have helped upend one of the longest-standing assumptions about the origins of modern birds.

Ecology: Endangered Species Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Paleontology: Climate Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: Fossils
Published

Mammoth problem with extinction timeline      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Paleontologists say environmental DNA is not always helpful in identifying when animals like mammoths went extinct because genetic material found in sediment could have come from animals that died thousands of years earlier.

Geoscience: Geology Paleontology: Climate Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

The evolution of Asia's mammals was dictated by ancient climate change and rising mountains      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study compiles data on more than 3,000 species to show how climate and geologic changes across Asia over the last 66 million years have shaped the evolution of the continent's mammals.

Energy: Batteries
Published

Nanoengineers develop a predictive database for materials      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Nanoengineers have developed an AI algorithm that predicts the structure and dynamic properties of any material -- whether existing or new -- almost instantaneously. Known as M3GNet, the algorithm was used to develop matterverse.ai, a database of more than 31 million yet-to-be-synthesized materials with properties predicted by machine learning algorithms. Matterverse.ai facilitates the discovery of new technological materials with exceptional properties.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Planet's rarest birds at higher risk of extinction      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new study finds that bird species with extreme or uncommon combinations of traits face the highest risk of extinction.

Energy: Batteries
Published

Scientists convert waste paper into battery parts for smartphones and electric vehicles      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have developed a technique to convert waste paper, from single-use packaging and bags, and cardboard boxes, into a crucial component of lithium-ion batteries. Through a process called carbonisation which converts paper into pure carbon, the researchers turned the paper's fibers into electrodes, which can be made into rechargeable batteries that power mobile phones, medical equipment, and electric vehicles.

Energy: Batteries
Published

Engineers solve a mystery on the path to smaller, lighter batteries      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A new discovery could finally usher the development of solid-state lithium batteries, which would be more lightweight, compact, and safe than current lithium batteries. The growth of metallic filaments called dendrites within the solid electrolyte has been a longstanding obstacle, but the new study explains how dendrites form and how to divert them.

Energy: Batteries
Published

Understanding a cerium quirk could help advance grid-scale energy storage      (via sciencedaily.com) 

An explanation for why flow batteries using the metal cerium in a sulfuric acid electrolyte fall short on voltage could pave the way for better battery chemistry.

Energy: Batteries
Published

Putting the brakes on lithium-ion batteries to prevent fires      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used to power everything from smart watches to electric vehicles, thanks to the large amounts of energy they can store in small spaces. When overheated, however, they're prone to catching fire or even exploding. But recent research offers a possible solution with a new technology that can swiftly put the brakes on a Li-ion battery, shutting it down when it gets too hot.

Energy: Batteries
Published

Previously unseen processes reveal path to better rechargeable battery performance      (via sciencedaily.com) 

To design better rechargeable ion batteries, engineers and chemists have collaborated to combine a powerful new electron microscopy technique and data mining to visually pinpoint areas of chemical and physical alteration within ion batteries.

Energy: Batteries
Published

Water for drinking? Nope, water for batteries      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A research team develops aqueous rechargeable batteries based on zinc anodes. Polymeric artificial interphase to improve battery stability.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

More than one way to build a black bird      (via sciencedaily.com) 

For a species of flycatcher in the remote Solomon Islands, scientists have so far found at least two genetic pathways leading to the same physical outcome: all-black feathers. This change was no random accident. It was a result of nature specifically selecting for this trait.

Energy: Batteries
Published

2D nanosheets as anodes in Li-ion batteries: The answer is in the sheets      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers use titanium diboride nanosheets as anode material in lithium-ion batteries to enable fast charging and extend battery life.

Energy: Batteries
Published

Batteries without critical raw materials      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The market for rechargeable batteries is growing rapidly, but the necessary raw materials are limited. Sodium-ion batteries, for example, could offer an alternative. Researchers have investigated new combinations of electrolyte solutions and electrode materials for this purpose.

Energy: Batteries
Published

Researchers design next-generation electrolytes for lithium metal batteries      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A team of researchers has discovered a new mechanism to stabilize the lithium metal electrode and electrolyte in lithium metal batteries. This new mechanism, which does not depend on the traditional kinetic approach, has potential to greatly enhance the energy density of batteries.

Energy: Batteries
Published

Limits of lithium extraction from thermal water      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Pumping up thermal water, separating lithium, and using it to produce batteries for electric mobility -- the idea of lithium as an environmentally compatible and regionally available by-product of geothermal energy plants appears highly promising. However, it has not been clear so far whether domestic lithium extraction is really worthwhile. A team of researchers has now summarized the state of the art, analyzed raw materials markets, and assessed technologies.