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...
Why boiling droplets could race across hot oily surfaces
When you’re frying something in a skillet and some droplets of water fall into the pan, you may have noticed those droplets skittering around...
This material inspired by chain mail could transforms from flexible to rigid on command
Engineers at Caltech and JPL have developed a material inspired by chain mail that can transform from a foldable, fluid-like state into specific solid...
Scientists find new way to quadruple microbatteries’ energy density
Weighing about as much as two grains of rice but with the energy density of a much larger, heavier battery, the researchers’ packing-free design...