Advancements in Materials Science: New Discoveries in Magnetism, Energy Storage, and More

Researchers at the American Ceramic Society have unveiled a breakthrough in magnetism, achieved by using ultrathin flakes of chromium(III) phosphosulfide. This material exhibits regions with different magnetic properties due to the natural layering of atoms. Meanwhile, scientists in Spain and France have explored the use of 3D-printed ceramics to maximize thermal energy storage in molten salts, and a team at Rice University has developed a new glass coating that could help reduce heat loss from leaky windows. These innovations, along with several others, are pushing the boundaries of materials science and its applications.

Key Takeaways:

Researchers introduced a new method to precisely tune magnetism using ultrathin flakes of chromium(III) phosphosulfide, with regions of different magnetic properties due to the natural layering of atoms.
A team of scientists in Spain and France developed 3D-printed ceramics to encapsulate molten salts for concentrated solar power storage, achieving improved thermal energy storage.
Rice University researchers created a new glass coating made by weaving carbon into the atomic lattice of boron nitride, reducing heat loss from windows.
Northeastern University researchers developed a lightweight plastic-ceramic composite that conducts heat and can be used to cool advanced electronics more efficiently.
University of Pennsylvania researchers designed a 3D-printed concrete solution based on diatomaceous earth that captures more carbon dioxide and uses less cement than conventional mixes.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago developed a clay-based membrane technology that extracts lithium from water at a low cost.
Nanyang Technological University researchers upcycled solar panel glass waste as a filler in solid-state lithium-metal battery cathodes, achieving improved battery performance.
New York University Tandon researchers developed a new method for synthesizing metallic glass nanoparticles with refined control over size and composition.
Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and California Institute of Technology made breakthroughs in laser technology and the efficient calculation of Feynman diagrams, respectively.

Statistics:

142% more carbon dioxide captured by the new 3D-printed concrete solution developed by University of Pennsylvania researchers.
8.3% improvement in battery performance achieved by Nanyang Technological University researchers using upcycled solar panel glass waste.
$350 per ton, the cost of naturally abundant clay used in the clay-based membrane technology developed by Argonne National Laboratory and the University of Chicago.
80 charge cycles maintained by the solid-state lithium-metal battery cathodes developed by Nanyang Technological University researchers.

Sources:

American Ceramic Society news release, Researchers Introduce New Way to Precisely Tune Magnetism
ENVIRONMENT 3D-printed ceramics tested to maximize thermal energy storage in molten salts
Rice University news release, New coating for glass promises energy-saving windows
Northeastern University news release, Heat-conductive plastic-ceramic composite helps prevent electronics from overheating
University of Pennsylvania news release, Designing cleaner, greener concrete that absorbs carbon dioxide
Argonne National Laboratory news release, Clay-based membrane technology to extract lithium from water
Nanyang Technological University news release, Upcycling solar glass waste to use in solid-state lithium batteries
New York University Tandon news release, Electric pulse method yields precisely tuned metallic glass nanoparticles
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign news release, New research expands laser technology
California Institute of Technology news release, Adding up Feynman diagrams to make predictions about real materials