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Call for Papers—2015 MRS Fall Meeting
The abstract submission period for the 2015 MRS Fall Meeting ends this Thursday! Don't delay; visit www.mrs.org/fall-2015-technical-sessions today for details.
Abstract Deadline: June 18, 2015 |
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FREE Webinar: Biomineralization
Wednesday, June 24 | 12:00 - 1:30 pm (ET)
The presentations in this Webinar will cover some of the challenges in characterizing and replicating the biomineralization processes and the role of non-collagenous proteins in the biomineralization process, complementing the articles in the June 2015 issue of MRS Bulletin on this topic.
Attendance for this and all MRS OnDemand Webinars is FREE, but advance registration is required. |
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NEW MRS Member Benefit!
Effective July 1, 2015, MRS members will receive a FREE electronic subscription to Journal of Materials Research (JMR)—access to full-text articles from the Journal’s inception in January 1986 to the current issue. For a complete list of MRS Member benefits, visit www.mrs.org/member-benefits.
Join or renew your membership in MRS today and enjoy these valuable benefits. |
MATERIALS NEWS
Keep up with materials research news through MRS!
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Materials in Focus
Removing substrate effects from nanoindentation measurements |
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In soft materials such as polymers, a hard substrate can influence nanoindentation measurements, leading to an overestimation of the material’s modulus. This substrate effect can be removed by using alternative methods to model the data. Researchers at Northwestern University have compared several such models in a new report published online in the Journal of Materials Research to determine which model is most accurate for soft materials. |
Clear, anti-smudge coatings could keep electronics, buildings, and windows clean |
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A duo of chemists has come up with a simple technique to make invisible coatings that repel water, greasy organic liquids, inks, and fingerprints. The coatings can be sprayed or painted onto different surfaces. Such oil- and water-repelling coatings could be painted on buildings as an anti-graffiti measure. They could be applied to electronic gadgets and displays to keep them free of fingerprints, and could be used as protective stain-repelling layers on windows and windshields. |
Design of imperceptible plastic electronics make flexible electronic devices promising |
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The inside of a computer or a mobile phone contains a stiff circuit board; is green in color; is crammed with chips, resistors, capacitors, and sockets; and interconnected by a suburban sprawl of printed wiring. What if the circuit board was not still, but flexible enough to fold? Now an international research team has designed a highly reliable, flexible, and stretchable sub-2-μm sensor using organic conductors with similar electrical resistance as metals. |
Leak-sealing method plugs defects in single-layer, nanoporous graphene membrane |
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In the future, graphene could provide some relief for an increasingly water-starved world. In 2011, researchers proposed using single-layer, atom-thick sheets of graphene as desalination membranes; however, attempts to make these membranes have been stymied by defects that consistently spring up during manufacturing processes causing leaks. Now a leak-sealing method developed by an international research team might offer a solution to this problem. |
Micromotors power hydrogen-gas production for portable energy |
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Hydrogen-powered energy sources hold great potential, especially in the realm of portable energy generation. However, creating portable fuel cells that use hydrogen has been challenging; to date, the techniques used to create hydrogen gas suffer from destabilization and long-term inefficiency. In order to make hydrogen fuel viable, a new approach that could generate hydrogen gas consistently is needed. In a recent study researchers designed small microscale motors that stir their way through the liquid-phase hydrogen storage medium while creating consistent energy on the go. |
Glasswing butterfly wings inspire omnidirectional anti-reflective coatings |
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At first glimpse, you might miss the glasswing butterfly. Its transparent wings help it hide from predators—and inquisitive human observers. Researchers from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology in Germany have discovered that the butterfly’s unusual transparency is due to randomly arranged nanopillars on its wings that minimize the amount of light reflected from their surface. |
Large grain size may improve efficiency of perovskite solar cells |
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A research team from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) has created large grain perovskite photovoltaics that have power-conversion efficiencies of up to 18%. The films are defect-free, have high crystallinity and, significantly, show hysteresis-free device operation. |
High-speed x-ray tomography tracks heat failure in lithium ion batteries |
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Even rotating under a heat gun like a hot dog over a campfire, the lithium ion battery seems fine—at first. It’s gradually getting hotter inside, but that’s to be expected. Then suddenly, in a burst of light, the cell dramatically explodes. Now, a team of scientists has used high-resolution imaging technology to monitor what happens inside of a battery at its moment of thermal failure |
Materials fingerprints identified for informatics |
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Despite the vast amounts of data piling up in established materials databases, there has not been much success in forming quantitative relations between the properties and the overall function of a material. The ability to predict future materials and their properties from the information contained in these repositories is a much sought after goal in materials research. A team of researchers has now employed a set of novel materials fingerprints to quantify a material’s physical, electronic, and geometrical properties and to visually map the underlying similarities in the form of a materials cartogram. |
Industry Focus
Charge of the lithium brigade
The lithium-ion battery is steadily improving, but new research aims to turbocharge the technology.
Twists And Shouts: A Nanotube Story
Nanotechnology’s chiral superstars were overshadowed by hype, but researchers believe they still have potential.
Renewable Minigrids Should Be the End Goal for Rural Poor
Distributed energy solutions, such as rooftop solar, should be the electrification solution for the 1.1 billion people who are not plugged into a national power grid, not just a stopgap measure. That is the message from a new global industry group, Power for All, launched in New York City amidst the latest gathering of the United Nations’ universal energy access program.
CORPORATE PARTNER—News
METTLER TOLEDO: Webinar on Thermal Analysis of Nanomaterials
Nanomaterials are being used more and more frequently to obtain materials with special bulk properties. These new materials are employed in many different application fields. The four main techniques of thermal analysis, DSC, TGA, TMA, and DMA, can be used to measure the properties of the original nanomaterial or the modified bulk material as function of temperature or time over a wide temperature range, from –150 to 1600 °C.
In this Webinar, METTLER TOLEDO will show how thermal analysis is used to investigate nanomaterials and present some typical examples measured by DSC, Flash DSC, TGA, TMA or DMA. Register for the Nanomaterials Webinar here.
CAMECA SIMS: the reference for light elements analysis in semiconductors and metals
While common microanalytical and mass spectrometry techniques fail to accurately measure atmospheric species, the CAMECA IMS 7f-Auto Dynamic SIMS tool achieves ppm level detection limits and excellent reproducibility at high throughput on H, C, N and O light elements - making it the best tool for characterizing novel microelectronics materials and devices, as well as for studying diffusion and segregation in metals, alloys and nuclear materials.
Download our Light Elements application note and learn more on Dynamic SIMS applications in semiconductor, PV, LED, display, metallurgy and nuclear science.
A portion of the funds from the Corporate Partner Program supports the Materials Research Society Foundation®.
Policy Focus
Advanced manufacturing emphasized in US FY2016 budget request
According to the White House, the 2016 budget proposal calls for a total of $2.4 billion “for Federal R&D directly supporting advanced manufacturing at [the National Science Foundation, the Department of Defense, the Department of Commerce], and other agencies, consistent with the goals and recommendations of the National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing.” Among the institutes already in the network are the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation (Department of Energy), Lightweight Innovations for Tomorrow (DOD), Power America (with a focus on wide-bandgap semiconductors, DOE), and America Makes (with a focus on additive manufacturing, DOD).
Global research chiefs seek ways to foster serendipity
How can research funding agencies foster scientific breakthroughs? Funding agency heads conclude: Researchers need freedom and the flexibility that leads to serendipity, and they should be encouraged to take risks even if it leads to failure.
Plutonium studies begin at National Ignition Facility
When the U.S. Department of Energy built the $3.5 billion National Ignition Facility (NIF) at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), its major selling point to the public was to explore nuclear fusion reactions as a possible new energy source. The less-heralded reason was to perform experiments to inform another area: nuclear weapons research.
For more science policy news, follow @MaterialsSciPol
OF INTEREST TO THE MATERIALS COMMUNITY
Caressing the future at a “petting zoo for materials”
On the 17th floor of an office building near Rockefeller Center in New York City, Material Connexion has around 2,500 materials on display for clients to poke, prod, and bend. The library’s original creator called it a petting zoo for new materials. More.
Jeanologia launches laser technology competition in Spain to celebrate IYL 2015
Laser manufacturer Jeanologia (Valencia, Spain) has launched a laser design competition throughout Spain to celebrate the 2015 International Year of Light declared by the United Nations. With an award of 6000 Euros (nearly $6600), Jeanologia will lead the Project until the start-up of the company. The initiative aims to attract talent to optics and photonics. The registration period ends on June 30, 2015. More.
MEETINGS UPDATE
Critical Meeting Deadlines
PUBLICATIONS UPDATE
Critical Publications Deadlines
January 2016 - Journal of Materials Research 31(1)
Early Career Scholars in Materials Science |
Submission deadline:
7/1/2015 |
February 2016 - Journal of Materials Research 31(3)
Biomineralization & Biomimetics |
Submission deadline:
7/1/2015
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April 2016 - Journal of Materials Research 31(7)
Two-Dimensional Heterostructure Materials
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Submission deadline:
9/1/2015 |
June 2016 - Journal of Materials Research 31(11)
Advanced Materials and Structures for Solar Fuels
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Submission deadline:
11/1/2015
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July 2016 - Journal of Materials Research 31(13)
Advances and Challenges in Carbon-based Tribomaterials
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Submission deadline:
12/1/2015
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October 2016 - Journal of Materials Research 31(19)
Reinventing Boron Chemistry for the 21st Century
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Submission deadline:
3/1/2016
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Advertise in JMR.
JUST PUBLISHED
MRS Communications |
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This issue of MRS Bulletin highlights some of the challenges in characterizing and replicating biomineralization processes observed in nature, and the role of non-collagenous proteins in the biomineralization process. The seashells on the cover are representations of calcium carbonate that serves as the primary constituent of the protective armor that encases the soft bodies of mollusks and some bivalves. Biogenic calcite along with amorphous silica represent the two most common biominerals. The assembly of mineral phases achieved by living organisms is yet to be rivaled by any synthetic effort to date.
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Selected Theme Articles
Biomineralization: A confluence of materials science, biophysics, proteomics, and evolutionary biology
V. Prasad Shastri, Guest Editor
Microscopy techniques for investigating the control of organic constituents on biomineralization
Coit T. Hendley, IV, Jinhui Tao, Jennie A.M.R. Kunitake, James J. De Yoreo, and Lara A. Estroff
Circular dichroism: A powerful tool for studying biomineralization promoter proteins
Melika Sarem and Steffen Lüdeke
Technical Feature
Explaining and predicting the properties of materials using quantum theory
Marvin L. Cohen
2014 Von Hippel Award presentation
MRS Bulletin will present a free webinar on Biomineralization on Wednesday, June 24.
Advertise in MRS Bulletin.
Journal of Materials Research
June 2015, Volume 30, Issue 11
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From Volume 1670, 2014 MRS Spring Meeting, Symposium E/H – Advances in the Characterization, Performance and Defect Engineering of Earth Abundant and Thin-Film Materials for Solar Energy Conversion:
Development of Earth-abundant CZTS Thin Film Solar Cells with Sulfurization Technique
Hironori Katagiri, Kazuo Jimbo and Tsukasa Washio
From Volume 1672, 2014 MRS Spring Meeting, Symposium G – Photoactivated Chemical and Biochemical Processes on Semiconductor Surfaces:
Deep Surface Trap States at ZnO Nanorods Arrays
Christa Bünzli, David Parker, Kieren Bradley and David J. Fermín
From Volume 1674, 2014 MRS Spring Meeting, Symposium J – Physics of Oxide Thin Films and Heterostructures:
Novel Electrical Conduction of Insulators under Examination of Defects and Injection and Relationship to Theories of Ferroelectric Domains
Y. Watanabe, Y. Urakami, D. Matsumoto, S. Kaku, S.-W. Cheong, G. A. Thomas and S. Miyauchi |
IN PRINT — MRS Symposium Proceedings Series
From the 2014 MRS Spring Meeting, San Francisco, CA
Synthesis, Characterization and Applications of Functional Materials—Thin Films and Nanostructures
Editors: V. Craciun, M. Guilloux-Viry, M. Jain, Q. Jia, H. Kozuka, D. Kumar, S. Mathur, X. Obradors, K.K. Singh
Volume 1675
ISBN 9781605116525
For a complete list of volumes in the MRS Symposium Proceedings Series visit www.cambridge.org/us/mrsproceedings
SCIENCE AS ART
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Sunflower
by Son Tung Ha, Nanyang Technological University
The "flower" is CH3NH3PbI3 perovskite crystal grown on muscovite mica substrate.
A second-place winner in the Science as Art competition at the 2015 MRS Spring Meeting
Copyright for all Science as Art images belongs to the Materials Research Society. To request permission to re-use the images, please contact Anita Miller. |
EDITOR'S CHOICE VIDEO
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Google ATAP
Welcome to Project Jacquard
Project Jacquard is a new system for weaving technology into fabric, transforming everyday objects, like clothes, into interactive surfaces. It will allow designers and developers to build connected, touch-sensitive textiles into their own products. |
NEW PRODUCTS FOCUS
Intelligent Mass Flow Meters |
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Aalborg® Instruments’ recently introduced its new ZFM Mass Flow Meters which combine meter intelligence, user convenience, and outstanding flow performance. They are designed for multi-gas/multi-range functionality up to 8 bar (currently 6 gases) and standard accuracy of ± (0.5% RD + 0.2% FS) based on actual calibration. By connecting the instrument to the RS232/RS485 port of a PC or lap-top and running free “ZFM Configuration Utility” software, the user can select different gas types and flow ranges within a few minutes without removing the instrument from the installation.
[Contact: [email protected] or 845-770-3000] |
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Dedicated Graphene Inks Manufacturing Capability |
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Haydale, a leader in the development of optimised graphene inks for biosensor devices, printed electronics, flexible displays and smart packaging, has announced a new 230 m2 dedicated manufacturing area at its South Wales, UK facility to keep up with rapidly growing demand for these ground breaking materials. Haydale graphene inks are manufactured using plasma functionalised HDPlas® Graphene Nanoplatelets (GNPs) to deliver performance benefits including; metal-free, electrical conductivity, flexibility, and durability. Validated for consistency by the Welsh Centre for Printing and Coating (WCPC), Haydale graphene ink is formulated to be ready-to-use and can also be customised to be for individual applications. .
[Contact: [email protected] or 44-1269-842946] |
To suggest items for inclusion in Industry News and New Products Focus, please contact Mary Kaufold at 724-779-2755.
ABOUT MATERIALS360®
Materials360 is edited by Judy Meiksin, News Editor, and produced by Kirby Morris, Electronic Communications Assistant, Materials Research Society.
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© Materials Research Society, 2015. All rights reserved. |