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Microtexturing soft materials to remove aqueous microfoulants

The process of crystallization fouling is a phenomenon where scale forms on surfaces. It is widespread in nature and technology and affects the energy and water industries. Despite previous attempts, rationally designed surfaces with intrinsic resistance remain elusive due to a lack of understanding of how microfoulants adhere in dynamic aqueous environments.

In a study now published in Science Advances, Julian Schmid and a team of researchers in surface engineering in Switzerland and the U.S. studied the interfacial dynamics of microfoulants by using a micro-scanning fluid dynamic gauge system to demonstrate a rationally developed coating that removes 98% of deposits under shear flow conditions.

Reimagining Thermoelectrics: The Rubik’s Cube Structure Unlocks Heusler Potential

Scientists have created unique Slater-Pauling Heusler materials with semiconductor properties, offering significant potential in thermoelectric applications. Their research reveals these materials’ unique electron redistribution and thermal properties.

Recently, researchers from Hefei Institutes of Physical Science (HFIPS) of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) designed Slater-Pauling (S-P) Heusler materials with a unique structure resembling a Rubik’s cube. These materials showed potential in thermoelectric applications due to their semiconductor-like properties.

Unique Semiconductor Behavior

Lawrence Berkeley Lab Researchers Optimize Higher Density Copper Doping to Make LK99 Variant into a Superconductor

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab researchers use computational methods to describe an approach for optimizing the LK99 material as a superconductor.

Some will say, hey why is Nextbigfuture still covering LK99. Didn’t some angry scientists say that LK99 was not a superconductor? I have been covering science for over 20 years and there are a lot of angry scientists who believe many things will not work. Scientists going into experiments looking to debunk something will not be the ones who figure out how to make it work.

Lawrence Berkeley National Lab researchers spent time and worked on supercomputers to try to figure out how to make LK99 work. There computational work is showing promise.

Kidney Stones

A kidney stone is a solid piece of material that can form in one or both of your kidneys when high levels of certain minerals are in your urine. There are several different types of kidney stones with different causes and symptoms.

Berkeley Lab Researchers Explore Superconductivity Potential of LK99

In an exciting development, researchers at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have made significant strides in the exploration of a material known as LK99 and its potential for superconductivity. This innovative research, rooted in computational methods, has stirred the scientific community, despite initial skepticism. Their determined investigation into the optimization of LK99 as a superconductor holds promise for a scientific breakthrough, shedding light on the persistent nature of scientific research and the pursuit of knowledge.

Unraveling the Mysteries of LK99

Scientists at Berkeley Lab have been delving into the possibilities held by LK99, a material identified as a candidate for superconductivity. Their computational work suggests that through careful optimization, LK99 can indeed function as a superconductor. This breakthrough is the result of a relentless commitment to scientific exploration and the willingness to challenge conventional wisdom.

New insights on how light interacts with magnets for better sensors and memory tech

Professor Amir Capua, head of the Spintronics Lab within the Institute of Applied Physics and Electrical Engineering at Hebrew University of Jerusalem, announced a pivotal breakthrough in the realm of light-magnetism interactions. The team’s unexpected discovery reveals a mechanism wherein an optical laser beam controls the magnetic state in solids, promising tangible applications in various industries.

“This breakthrough marks a in our understanding of the interaction between light and magnetic materials,” stated Professor Capua. “It paves the way for light-controlled, high-speed memory technology, notably Magnetoresistive Random Access Memory (MRAM), and innovative optical sensor development. In fact, this discovery signals a major leap in our understanding of light-magnetism dynamics.”

The research challenges conventional thinking by unraveling the overlooked magnetic aspect of light, which typically receives less attention due to the slower response of magnets compared to the rapid behavior of light radiation.

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