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Cotton threads: As good as a metal wire to conduct electricity?

A Cornell Univ. team has developed cotton threads that can conduct electric current as well as a metal wire can, yet remain light and comfortable enough to give a whole new meaning to multi-use garments.

Magnetic solders are a leap towards green alternatives

Magnetic solders are a leap towards green alternatives

Yale Univ. scientists have developed a magnetic solder that can be manipulated in three dimensions and selectively heated, and offers a more environmentally friendly alternative to today’s lead-based solders.

Producing multifunction nanodevices

A team led by Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison researchers has developed a new approach for creating powerful nanodevices, and their discoveries could pave the way for other researchers to begin more widespread development of these devices.

Toxicity of antimicrobial silver in products can be reduced

Chemists in Finland have made new polymer-stabilized silver nanoparticles that they say significantly reduce the exposure to silver encountered by those who use silver’s ability to neutralize microbial contaminants, for example in colloidal silver water filters. Though silver’s health benefits are well known, the long-term exposure effects of small amounts of the toxin are not entirely understood.

Material mimics bone to create better biomedical implants

Material mimics bone to create better biomedical implants

Researchers at North Carolina Univ. have developed a “metal foam” that has a similar elasticity to bone, which could mean a new generation of  biomedical implants that would avoid bone rejection that often results from more rigid implant materials, such as titanium.  

Caltech researchers develop nanoscale structures with superior mechanical properties

Caltech researchers develop nanoscale structures with superior mechanical properties

Researchers at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) have developed a way to make some notoriously brittle materials ductile—yet stronger than ever—simply by reducing their size.

Mismatched alloys are a good match for future development of thermoelectrics

Mismatched alloys are a good match for future development of thermoelectrics

Employing some of the world’s most powerful supercomputers, scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have shown that mismatched alloys are a good match for the future development of high performance thermoelectric devices. Thermoelectrics hold enormous potential for green energy production because of their ability to convert heat into electricity.

Hydrogen: A new superconductor?

Physicists have long wondered whether hydrogen could be transformed into a metal and possibly even a superconductor. High-pressure researchers have now modeled three hydrogen-dense metal alloys and found there are pressure and temperature trends associated with the superconducting state—a huge boost in the understanding of how this abundant material could be harnessed.

Gold nanoparticle-protein interactions can now be measured

Gold nanoparticle-protein interactions can now be measured

Gold’s non-toxic nature had led to much experimentation with nanostructures made from this metal. But until recent efforts by NIST scientists, there were no guidelines as to how nanoparticle size would affect interactions with proteins. These observations of behavior may help designers produce predictable effects in potential medical applications.

Squeezing more out of a MOF

Squeezing more out of a MOF

What’s an MOF? It’s a metal-organic framework--a combination of metal and organic materials with molecular-scale pores that boast a high surface area and great potential for catalytic activity. Argonne Lab research into one promising example, ZIF-8, shows that such structures can be tailored to specific purposes by exerting industrially-accessible high pressure, changing the compound’s structure.

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Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

I typically attend the annual Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy each year in pursuit of specific coverage. This year, I sought out candidates for coverage in a vacuum technology article, and pulled together some instruments for a spectroscopy guide. But as busy as that kept me, it wasn’t all mass spectrometers and vacuum pumps on the show floor.  

A clean energy America…is it coming or not?

A clean energy America…is it coming or not?

Almost a year ago, the buzz during the downturn was that the economic stimulus will help boost jobs in a sort of national improvement program reminiscent of the 1930s. Our coal would be phased out. Our grids would get smart. Our cars would get hybridized.

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NuGard Coating Ashburn Hill

NuGard Coating Ashburn Hill

NuGard First Response Protective Clothing are lightweight coveralls, jackets, and pants that provide protection from heat and flame while keeping the wearers body temperature constant.

Multi-Touch Music Maker

Multi-Touch Music Maker

Professor David Wessel shows his multi-touch interface that uses computer technologies that allow him to experiment with fine controls to "caress" the instrument.

New To Market

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Submersible FlowCAM catches particle images and data in-situ and real-time
Submersible FlowCAM catches particle images and data in-situ and real-time

Fluid Imaging Technologies recently introduced its Submersible FlowCAM particle and cell imaging and analysis system at Ocean Sciences 2010 in Portland, Ore. The remote sensing platform can be used for continuous, unattended monitoring tethered to research vessels or autonomous submersibles.

Daytime running light has just two LEDs

The new OSTAR Compact LED from OSRAM has been developed specifically for use in vehicle headlights. Despite drawing just 5 W, the device provides 300 lumens of power and meets ECE/SAE color binning requirements for use on motor vehicles.

Tools & Technology

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Voltage controlled oscillator ideal for digital radio apps
Voltage controlled oscillator ideal for digital radio apps

Crystek’s CVCO55CC-2580-2650 VCO (voltage controlled oscillator) operates from 2580 MHz to 2650 MHz with a control voltage range of 0.5V~4.5V. This VCO features a typical phase noise of -110 dBc/Hz@10KHz offset and has excellent linearity.

Metcar assemblies designed for fast cartridge replacement

Metallized Carbon Corp. now offers Metcar 100 Series and 300 Series Bearing Assemblies that are designed for use in gypsum board and ceiling tile continuous dryers.

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