Engineering: Graphene
Published

Smooth sailing for electrons in graphene      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Physicists have directly measured, for the first time at nanometer resolution, the fluid-like flow of electrons in graphene. The results have applications in developing new, low-resistance materials, where electrical transport would be more efficient.

Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology Geoscience: Environmental Issues
Published

From plastic waste to valuable nanomaterials      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists create carbon nanotubes and other hybrid nanomaterials out of plastic waste using an energy-efficient, low-cost, low-emissions process that could also be profitable.

Computer Science: General Computer Science: Virtual Reality (VR) Engineering: Graphene
Published

Virtual and augmented reality: Researchers pioneer process to stack micro-LEDs      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers are using emerging technology to demonstrate a process that will enable more immersive and realistic virtual and augmented reality displays with the world's smallest and thinnest micro-LEDs.

Ecology: Extinction Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: General
Published

Scientists develop new index based on functional morphology to understand how ancestors of modern birds used their wings      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Scientists have compared the relationship among the strength of flight bones, body mass, and the way modern birds fly to better understand the evolution of flight in birds and extinct animals, such as the Pteranodon.

Engineering: Graphene Space: Exploration
Published

New research computes first step toward predicting lifespan of electric space propulsion systems      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

Electric space propulsion systems use energized atoms to generate thrust. The high-speed beams of ions bump against the graphite surfaces of the thruster, eroding them with each hit, and are the systems' primary lifetime-limiting factor. Researchers used data from low-pressure chamber experiments and large-scale computations to develop a model to better understand the effects of ion erosion on carbon surfaces -- the first step in predicting its failure.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Novel device enables high-resolution observation of liquid phase dynamic processes at nanoscale      (via sciencedaily.com) 

In situ observation and recording of important liquid-phase electrochemical reactions in energy devices is crucial for the advancement of energy science. A research team has recently developed a novel, tiny device to hold liquid specimens for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation, opening the door to directly visualizing and recording complex electrochemical reactions at nanoscale in real-time at high resolution. The research team believes that this innovative method will shed light on strategies for fabricating a powerful research tool for uncovering the mysteries of electrochemical processes in the future.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Superconductivity switches on and off in 'magic-angle' graphene      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Physicists have found a new way to switch superconductivity on and off in magic-angle graphene. The discovery could lead to ultrafast, energy-efficient superconducting transistors for 'neuromorphic' electronics that operate similarly to the rapid on/off firing of neurons in the human brain.

Chemistry: Thermodynamics Engineering: Graphene
Published

Researchers can 'see' crystals perform their dance moves      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers already knew the atoms in perovskites react favorably to light. Now they've seen precisely how the atoms move when the 2D materials are excited with light. Their study details the first direct measurement of structural dynamics under light-induced excitation in 2D perovskites.

Computer Science: Quantum Computers Engineering: Graphene Offbeat: Computers and Math Physics: Quantum Computing
Published

Scientists observe 'quasiparticles' in classical systems      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Quasiparticles -- long-lived particle-like excitations -- are a cornerstone of quantum physics, with famous examples such as Cooper pairs in superconductivity and, recently, Dirac quasiparticles in graphene. Now, researchers have discovered quasiparticles in a classical system at room temperature: a two-dimensional crystal of particles driven by viscous flow in a microfluidic channel. Coupled by hydrodynamic forces, the particles form stable pairs -- a first example of classical quasiparticles, revealing deep links between quantum and classical dissipative systems.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Physicists solve mystery of two-dimensional quasicrystal formation from metal oxides      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The structure of two-dimensional titanium oxide brakes-up at high temperatures by adding barium; instead of regular hexagons, rings of four, seven and ten atoms are created that order aperiodically. A team has now solved the riddle of two-dimensional quasicrystal formation from metal oxides.

Energy: Batteries Energy: Technology Engineering: Graphene
Published

Recyclable mobile phone batteries a step closer with rust-busting invention      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Mobile phone batteries with a lifetime up to three times longer than today's technology could be a reality thanks to a recent innovation.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Electronic nose: Sensing the odor molecules on graphene surface layered with self-assembled peptides      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Graphene-based olfactory sensors that can detect odor molecules based on the design of peptide sequences were recently demonstrated. The findings indicated that graphene field-effect transistors (GFETs) functionalized with designable peptides can be used to develop electronic devices that mimic olfactory receptors and emulate the sense of smell by selectively detecting odor molecules.

Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Offbeat: Plants and Animals Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: General
Published

Researchers uncover 92 fossil nests belonging to some of India's largest dinosaurs      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The discovery of more than 250 fossilized eggs reveals intimate details about the lives of titanosaurs in the Indian subcontinent, according to a new study.

Ecology: Extinction Offbeat: Paleontology and Archeology Paleontology: Dinosaurs Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds Paleontology: Fossils Paleontology: General
Published

Fossils reveal dinosaurs of prehistoric Patagonia      (via sciencedaily.com)     Original source 

A study is providing a glimpse into dinosaur and bird diversity in Patagonia during the Late Cretaceous, just before the non-avian dinosaurs went extinct. The fossils represent the first record of theropods -- a dinosaur group that includes both modern birds and their closest non-avian dinosaur relatives -- from the Chilean portion of Patagonia. The researchers' finds include giant megaraptors with large sickle-like claws and birds similar to todays ducks and geese.

Engineering: Graphene Engineering: Nanotechnology
Published

Discovery of a new form of carbon called Long-range Ordered Porous Carbon (LOPC)      (via sciencedaily.com) 

The most well-known forms of carbon include graphite and diamond, but there are other more exotic nanoscale allotropes of carbon as well. These include graphene and fullerenes, which are sp2 hybridized carbon with zero (flat-shaped) or positive (sphere-shaped) curvatures. Researchers now report the discovery of a new form of carbon formed by heating fullerenes with lithium nitride.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Humidity may be the key to super-lubricity 'switch'      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A material state known as super-lubricity, where friction between two contacting surfaces nearly vanishes, is a phenomenon that materials researchers have studied for years due to the potential for reducing the energy cost and wear and tear on devices, two major drawbacks of friction. However, there are times when friction is needed within the same device, and the ability to turn super-lubricity on and off would be a boon for multiple practical engineering applications.

Paleontology: Early Mammals and Birds
Published

Here today, gone tomorrow: How humans lost their body hair      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Orangutans, mice, and horses are covered with it, but humans aren't. Why we have significantly less body hair than most other mammals has long remained a mystery. But a first-of-its-kind comparison of genetic codes from 62 animals is beginning to tell the story of how people -- and other mammals -- lost their locks.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

Researchers discover new process to create freestanding membranes of 'smart' materials      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A team has developed a new method for making nano-membranes of 'smart' materials, which will allow scientists to harness their unique properties for use in devices such as sensors and flexible electronics.

Engineering: Graphene Offbeat: Computers and Math
Published

Human brain organoids implanted into mouse cortex respond to visual stimuli for first time      (via sciencedaily.com) 

A team of engineers and neuroscientists has demonstrated for the first time that human brain organoids implanted in mice have established functional connectivity to the animals' cortex and responded to external sensory stimuli. The implanted organoids reacted to visual stimuli in the same way as surrounding tissues, an observation that researchers were able to make in real time over several months thanks to an innovative experimental setup that combines transparent graphene microelectrode arrays and two-photon imaging.

Engineering: Graphene
Published

At the edge of graphene-based electronics      (via sciencedaily.com) 

Researchers developed a new graphene-based nanoelectronics platform compatible with conventional microelectronics manufacturing, paving the way for a successor to silicon.