The detector group at the Swiss Light Source at PSI has been one of the pioneers in the development of custom-made hybrid pixel array detectors (HPADs) for synchrotron applications. In a paper published recently [Jungmann-Smith et al. (2016). J. Synchrotron Rad. 23, 385-394; doi:10.1107/S1600577515023541], this group shows that it is now possible to develop HPADs with sufficient low noise to allow single-photon detection below 1 keV as well as to perform spectroscopic imaging. A commentary has also been written about the work [Graafsma (2016). J. Synchrotron Rad. 23, 383-384; doi:10.1107/S1600577516002721].
High-tech metal alloys are widely used in important materials such as the cladding that protects the fuel inside a nuclear reactor. But even the best alloys degrade over time, victims of a reactor’s high temperatures, radiation, and hydrogen-rich environment. Now, a team of MIT researchers has found a way of greatly reducing the damaging effects these metals suffer from exposure to hydrogen.
An international team of scientists led by Artem Oganov, Head of Computational Materials Discovery at MIPT, has proven that technetium carbide does not exist — what previous researchers had obtained was pure technetium that was mistakenly considered as carbide. This is important from the view point of chemistry of transition metal carbides which for many applications are considered as promising substances. The article was published in RSC Advances.
Precise control of an individual particle or molecule is a difficult task. Controlling multiple particles simultaneously is an even more challenging endeavor. Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method that relies on fluid flow to manipulate and assemble multiple particles. This new technique can trap a range of submicron- to micron-sized particles, including single DNA molecules, vesicles, drops or cells.
For three decades, glass expert Mark Ediger has been studying the basic properties of organic glass to discover new ways to regulate the placement of atoms or molecules and to slow down substance degradation, particularly substances that lack the stiffness of a crystal.
A decade ago, Donald Sadoway, a MIT professor, and his students developed liquid metal batteries, which now appear to be a potential solution to make renewable energy more affordable and practical. These batteries are capable of storing huge amounts of energy, and can balance the fluctuations of production and consumption of power. Ambri, a Cambridge-based startup company, is now in the process of commercializing these liquid metal batteries.
A significantly large magnitude elasto-optic effect has been discovered in ferroelectrics, an unusual class of materials. The discovery of this large magnitude phenomenon has potential for a number of devices that could be used in optical systems.
For the first time, polymer scientists from the University of Massachusetts Amherst have discovered the factors that control the final size and shape of chiral filament bundles that self-assemble into different architectures. The research team, which included Greg Grason, Isaac Bruss and Douglas Hall, along with Justin Barone from Virginia Tech, reported the experimental results that support their novel model. The study has been reported in the current issue of the Nature Materials journal.
The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) has developed a new processing technique for two-dimensional (2D) electronic devices. This new technique has the potential to reduce the power consumption of the devices, and to increase their efficiency and mechanical flexibility.
Around the world nuclear energy is a vital source of energy. It is needed because it is a clean energy source and reduces the carbon emissions from fossil fuels. However many people believe that the risk of nuclear accidents does not outweigh the advantages of using nuclear energy. Michael Tonks, assistant professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering at Penn State and director of the Microstructure Science and Engineering Laboratory at Penn State is involved with three projects through the Department of Energy’s Nuclear Energy University Program (NEUP). These projects aim to discover new materials for nuclear fuel, to make the existing light water reactors (LWRs) safer.
Terms
While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena
answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses.
Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or
authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for
medical information you must always consult a medical
professional before acting on any information provided.
Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with
OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their
privacy principles.
Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential
information.
Read the full Terms & Conditions.