All articles tagged with #materials
NASA plans to ignite four solid-fuel samples inside a sealed chamber on the Moon to observe how flames spread in lunar gravity, measuring temperature, heat radiation and oxygen levels. The experiment aims to improve understanding of fire behavior in space and update material standards for crewed missions, since Earth tests don’t always mirror lunar conditions.
A design-focused forecast for 2026: six flooring trends are said to be out—cement/encaustic tile, polished concrete, cool gray tones, large-format high-gloss tiles, low-quality LVP, and bold patterned tile—while seven new directions gain momentum: stone inlay and mixed-material floors, darker moody woods, unconventional wood layouts, tonal layering over high contrast, authentic natural materials, matte/honed finishes, and continuous flooring across rooms to improve flow and warmth; experts caution about maintenance and encourage selecting higher-quality options.
The Hackaday column spotlights Dyneema rope as a near-magic, ultra-light, high-strength option for non-stretch cables in mechanical builds (notably cable robots), noting a 1 mm diameter with ~195 kg breaking strength and less than 1% stretch; it also mentions other niche ‘secret ingredients’ like high‑temperature tape, low‑temperature solder, and lightweight M3 PEEK screws, and invites readers to share their own go-to materials.
Analyst Tom Essaye warns that a sharp early-2026 rally in energy and materials stocks signals rising inflation risk, a dynamic that could foreshadow a 2022-style rout for traditional 60/40 portfolios as investors rotate toward value and smaller stocks. With December CPI at 2.7% and JPMorgan casting doubt on 2026 rate cuts (even hinting at a 2027 hike), the market faces potential inflation-driven headwinds and a tougher year than currently priced in.
Interior design in 2026 will favor 'curated calm' over superficial opulence, emphasizing restrained, authentic, and personal spaces with natural materials and layered textures, influenced by a move away from maximalism and driven by AI and sustainability considerations.
Using the microwave safely involves understanding which materials are appropriate; glass and ceramic are generally safe, while plastics should be carefully chosen and damaged containers discarded. Metals are never safe in microwaves, and decorative or damaged containers can pose risks. Always look for microwave-safe labels and avoid sudden temperature changes to prevent accidents and chemical leaching.
Scientists have developed a novel laser-based technique to 'draw' crystals precisely where needed in electronic devices using plasmonic heating of gold nanoparticles, potentially reducing costs and improving performance in applications like solar cells and sensors.
Researchers at Johns Hopkins have developed new materials and a process called chemical liquid deposition to create ultra-small, invisible circuits on microchips, potentially revolutionizing the production of smaller, faster, and more affordable electronics in the future.
Scientists from Korea and Japan have discovered a new metal oxide crystal that can repeatedly breathe in and out oxygen at low temperatures, potentially revolutionizing clean energy technologies like fuel cells and smart thermal devices by providing a stable, reversible, and practical material for controlling oxygen in various applications.
The article summarizes the latest rumors about the upcoming iPhone 17 Pro, including potential new colors like orange with Liquid Glass effects, and the use of titanium in the iPhone 17 Air. It also discusses expected hardware upgrades such as the A19 chip and new display features, along with the anticipated release date for the iOS 26 public beta. The author provides personal insights and questions about Apple's design choices and lineup strategy.
The upcoming iPhone 17 Air is rumored to feature a titanium frame, making it unique among the iPhone 17 series, which will predominantly use aluminum frames. This change may be driven by durability needs, contrasting with the lighter aluminum used in other models. The series is also expected to include design updates and new features, with official announcements anticipated in September.
Researchers at the University of Texas have developed a dual-light 3D printing method using resin that cures into different materials depending on the wavelength of light used, inspired by natural structures like bone and cartilage, allowing for tunable material properties within a single print.
Penn State researchers have used mathematical modeling to explain why electrons in lab experiments can exceed the energy expected from the applied voltage, a phenomenon observed since the 1960s. Their study reveals that an energy feedback process involving X-ray emissions and photon interactions is responsible. The research also shows that electrode shape and material affect this process, with flat electrodes maximizing the effect. These findings could lead to advancements in X-ray production, making machines faster and more compact.
MIT researchers have discovered that neutrons, despite being uncharged particles, are governed by the short-range strong force, rather than the electromagnetic force. This finding challenges previous understanding of neutron behavior and its interactions with materials.
Scientists have discovered a method to selectively observe Dirac electrons in materials using electron spin resonance, allowing for the determination of their scope of action and energies in a four-dimensional world consisting of positions (x, y, z) and energy (E). This advancement in understanding Dirac electrons reveals that their velocity is anisotropic and depends on their direction and location, rather than being a constant velocity of light, potentially leading to unprecedented electronic properties in materials for efficient computation and communication.