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Categories: Energy: Technology, Mathematics: Puzzles
Published Mussel-inspired membrane can boost sustainability and add value to industrial wastewater treatment
(via sciencedaily.com) Engineers have developed a new kind of membrane that separates chemicals within wastewater so effectively that they can be reused, presenting a new opportunity for industries to improve sustainability, while extracting valuable by-products and chemicals from wastewater.
Published Social media algorithms exploit how humans learn from their peers
(via sciencedaily.com) In prehistoric societies, humans tended to learn from members of our ingroup or from more prestigious individuals, as this information was more likely to be reliable and result in group success. However, with the advent of diverse and complex modern communities -- and especially in social media -- these biases become less effective. For example, a person we are connected to online might not necessarily be trustworthy, and people can easily feign prestige on social media. Now, a group of social scientists describe how the functions of social media algorithms are misaligned with human social instincts meant to foster cooperation, which can lead to large-scale polarization and misinformation.
Published Faster thin film devices for energy storage and electronics
(via sciencedaily.com) An international research team reported the first realization of single-crystalline T-Nb2O5 thin films having two-dimensional (2D) vertical ionic transport channels, which results in a fast and colossal insulator-metal transition via Li ion intercalation through the 2D channels.
Published Scientists uncover a surprising connection between number theory and evolutionary genetics
(via sciencedaily.com) An interdisciplinary team of mathematicians, engineers, physicists, and medical scientists has uncovered an unexpected link between pure mathematics and genetics, that reveals key insights into the structure of neutral mutations and the evolution of organisms.
Published Cracking in lithium-ion batteries speeds up electric vehicle charging
(via sciencedaily.com) Rather than being solely detrimental, cracks in the positive electrode of lithium-ion batteries reduce battery charge time, research shows. This runs counter to the view of many electric vehicle manufacturers, who try to minimize cracking because it decreases battery longevity.
Published Energy-storing supercapacitor from cement, water, black carbon
(via sciencedaily.com) Engineers have created a 'supercapacitor' made of ancient, abundant materials, that can store large amounts of energy. Made of just cement, water, and carbon black (which resembles powdered charcoal), the device could form the basis for inexpensive systems that store intermittently renewable energy, such as solar or wind energy.
Published Scientists create novel approach to control energy waves in 4D
(via sciencedaily.com) Everyday life involves the three dimensions or 3D -- along an X, Y and Z axis, or up and down, left and right, and forward and back. But, in recent years scientists have explored a 'fourth dimension' (4D), or synthetic dimension, as an extension of our current physical reality.
Published A butterfly's first flight inspires a new way to produce force and electricity
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers have uncovered the promising capability of chitin as a sustainable smart biomaterial. Through water exchange with the environment, humidity-responsive chitinous films can generate mechanical and electrical energy for potential use in engineering and biomedical applications.
Published 'Quantum avalanche' explains how nonconductors turn into conductors
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source The study takes a new approach to answer a long-standing mystery about insulator-to-metal transitions.
Published Renewable solar energy can help purify water, the environment
(via sciencedaily.com) Chemists have demonstrated that water remediation can be powered in part -- and perhaps even exclusively -- by renewable energy sources.
Published Device makes hydrogen from sunlight with record efficiency
(via sciencedaily.com) Engineers have created a device that turns sunlight into hydrogen with record-breaking efficiency by integrating next-generation halide perovskite semiconductors with electrocatalysts in a single, durable, cost-effective and scalable device.
Published Aluminum materials show promising performance for safer, cheaper, more powerful batteries
(via sciencedaily.com) Researchers are using aluminum foil to create batteries with higher energy density and greater stability. The team's new battery system could enable electric vehicles to run longer on a single charge and would be cheaper to manufacture -- all while having a positive impact on the environment.
Published Researchers put a new twist on graphite
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Researchers report that it is possible to imbue graphite -- the bulk, 3D material found in No. 2 pencils -- with physical properties similar to graphite's 2D counterpart, graphene. Not only was this breakthrough unexpected, the team also believes its approach could be used to test whether similar types of bulk materials can also take on 2D-like properties. If so, 2D sheets won't be the only source for scientists to fuel technological revolutions. Bulk, 3D materials could be just as useful.
Published Dry manufacturing process offers path to cleaner, more affordable high-energy EV batteries
(via sciencedaily.com) Early experiments have revealed significant benefits to a dry battery manufacturing process. This eliminates the use of toxic solvents while showing promise for delivering a battery that is durable, less weighed down by inactive elements and able to maintain high energy storage capacity after use. Such improvements could boost wider EV adoption, helping to reduce carbon emissions and achieve U.S. climate goals.
Published Researchers achieve historic milestone in energy capacity of supercapacitors
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source In a new landmark chemistry study, researchers describe how they have achieved the highest level of energy storage -- also known as capacitance -- in a supercapacitor ever recorded.
Published Bifacial perovskite solar cells point to higher efficiency
(via sciencedaily.com) A bifacial perovskite solar cell, which allows sunlight to reach both sides of the device, holds the potential to produce higher energy yields at lower overall costs.
Published Board games are boosting math ability in young children
(via sciencedaily.com) Board games based on numbers, like Monopoly, Othello and Chutes and Ladders, make young children better at math, according to a comprehensive review of research published on the topic over the last 23 years.
Published How the brain processes numbers -- New procedure improves measurement of human brain activity
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Measuring human brain activity down to the cellular level: until now, this has been possible only to a limited extent. With a new approach it will now be much easier. The method relies on microelectrodes along with the support of brain tumor patients, who participate in studies while undergoing 'awake' brain surgery. This enabled the team to identify how our brain processes numbers.
Published Mathematicians solve long-known problem
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source Making history with 42 digits: Scientists have unlocked a decades-old mystery of mathematics with the so-called ninth Dedekind number. Experts worldwide have been searching for the value since 1991. Scientists arrived at the exact sequence of numbers with the help of the Noctua supercomputer.
Published Don't wait, desalinate: A new approach to water purification
(via sciencedaily.com) Original source A water purification system separates out salt and other unnecessary particles with an electrified version of dialysis. Successfully applied to wastewater with planned expansion into rivers and seas, the method saves money and saps 90% less energy than its counterparts.