Scientists find new way to extract lithium from contaminated water
Anyone using a cellphone, laptop or electric vehicle depends on lithium.
The element is in tremendous demand.
And although the supply of lithium around the world...
This accordion-like device could expand 800% and still store energy
Some electronics can bend, twist and stretch in wearable displays, biomedical applications and soft robots.
While these devices’ circuits have become increasingly pliable, the batteries...
We are standing on a quadrillion tons of diamonds
There might be a quadrillion tons of diamonds 100 miles below Earth’s surface.
But the farthest we’ve traveled is 7 miles down, so how could...
Sand is the most used mineral in the world, but we are running out...
Houses, roads, glass, electronics.
Sand is a main component in large parts of modern civilization. But we are using it faster than nature can produce...
Scientists discover novel thermoelectric material
Researchers participating in a U.S. National Science Foundation-sponsored study have discovered a new material that is effective in fabricating thermoelectric devices that convert heat...
New sensor can detect valuable rare earth element in non-traditional sources
A new luminescent sensor can detect terbium, a valuable rare earth element, from complex environmental samples like acid mine waste.
The sensor, developed by researchers...
Scientists find compounds that give coffee distinctive ‘mouthfeel’
Coffee drinkers intuitively recognize the pleasure of swallowing a smooth, rich brew versus a watery one.
Aside from added cream or sugar, the coffee itself...
How is it raining plastic?
Every year, more than 1,000 tons of plastic rain down onto national parks and wilderness areas in the western U.S.
Where does that plastic come...
Scientists create self-healing 3D building blocks
Scientists have created 3D building blocks that can heal themselves in response to damage.
The engineered living materials (ELMs) exploit biology's ability to heal and...
Woven nanotube fibers could turn heat into power, shows study
Invisibly small carbon nanotubes aligned as fibers and sewn into fabrics become a thermoelectric generator that can turn heat from the sun or other...