A new approach to glass formation. Free Technical Library News

NEWS OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, NOVELTY IN ELECTRONICS
Free technical library / timeline

A new approach to glass formation

17.03.2018

It is known that lightning and volcanoes have one similar feature - they can create glass. This is exactly what people have used in their observations, creating glass from silicon dioxide since the most ancient times, but later industrialization taught us how to make it based on boron, polymers and metals. However, an international team of researchers has created a new family of glass based on metals and organic compounds, which, when combined, almost completely mimic the behavior of silicon in the formation of glass, while devoid of its main disadvantages, such as rapid crystallization and a sharp drop in temperature.

Glass itself is a liquid frozen as a solid material in nanocrystalline form, where it is very important to quickly defeat the crystallization process - this is traditionally used for rapid cooling. However, the specialists decided to go even further and replace silicon with zinc, which is also located at the crystalline level as a tetrahedral compound, like silicon. But unlike the silicon compound, where oxygen atoms are located on the sides, the zinc project uses imidazolate and benzimidazolate atoms - specially derived molecules that replace oxygen.

Thus, experts have developed a special zinc alloy called ZIF-62, whose properties cannot but surprise. In particular, it requires a much shorter cooling session and a lower temperature in order to avoid the crystallization process and thereby form glass, and this makes the process somewhat cheaper.

An article with the positive results of the project has already been published in the scientific journal Science Advances, where experts explained all the subtleties associated with the application of this new method in glass formation. Of course, they still have to conduct some more tests and experiments in order to discover potential vulnerabilities and new features of the zinc compound, but they are confident that the new method will make the glass formation process much easier and cheaper in the very near future.

<< Back: Weak immune memory makes bacteria stronger 18.03.2018

>> Forward: Renewable energy may not be enough for everyone 17.03.2018

Latest news of science and technology, new electronics:

The existence of an entropy rule for quantum entanglement has been proven 09.05.2024

Quantum mechanics continues to amaze us with its mysterious phenomena and unexpected discoveries. Recently, Bartosz Regula from the RIKEN Center for Quantum Computing and Ludovico Lamy from the University of Amsterdam presented a new discovery that concerns quantum entanglement and its relation to entropy. Quantum entanglement plays an important role in modern quantum information science and technology. However, the complexity of its structure makes understanding and managing it challenging. Regulus and Lamy's discovery shows that quantum entanglement follows an entropy rule similar to that for classical systems. This discovery opens new perspectives in the field of quantum information science and technology, deepening our understanding of quantum entanglement and its connection to thermodynamics. The results of the study indicate the possibility of reversibility of entanglement transformations, which could greatly simplify their use in various quantum technologies. Opening a new rule ... >>

Mini air conditioner Sony Reon Pocket 5 09.05.2024

Summer is a time for relaxation and travel, but often the heat can turn this time into an unbearable torment. Meet a new product from Sony - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-air conditioner, which promises to make summer more comfortable for its users. Sony has introduced a unique device - the Reon Pocket 5 mini-conditioner, which provides body cooling on hot days. With it, users can enjoy coolness anytime, anywhere by simply wearing it around their neck. This mini air conditioner is equipped with automatic adjustment of operating modes, as well as temperature and humidity sensors. Thanks to innovative technologies, Reon Pocket 5 adjusts its operation depending on the user's activity and environmental conditions. Users can easily adjust the temperature using a dedicated mobile app connected via Bluetooth. Additionally, specially designed T-shirts and shorts are available for convenience, to which a mini air conditioner can be attached. The device can oh ... >>

Energy from space for Starship 08.05.2024

Producing solar energy in space is becoming more feasible with the advent of new technologies and the development of space programs. The head of the startup Virtus Solis shared his vision of using SpaceX's Starship to create orbital power plants capable of powering the Earth. Startup Virtus Solis has unveiled an ambitious project to create orbital power plants using SpaceX's Starship. This idea could significantly change the field of solar energy production, making it more accessible and cheaper. The core of the startup's plan is to reduce the cost of launching satellites into space using Starship. This technological breakthrough is expected to make solar energy production in space more competitive with traditional energy sources. Virtual Solis plans to build large photovoltaic panels in orbit, using Starship to deliver the necessary equipment. However, one of the key challenges ... >>

New method for creating powerful batteries 08.05.2024

With the development of technology and the expanding use of electronics, the issue of creating efficient and safe energy sources is becoming increasingly urgent. Researchers at the University of Queensland have unveiled a new approach to creating high-power zinc-based batteries that could change the landscape of the energy industry. One of the main problems with traditional water-based rechargeable batteries was their low voltage, which limited their use in modern devices. But thanks to a new method developed by scientists, this drawback has been successfully overcome. As part of their research, scientists turned to a special organic compound - catechol. It turned out to be an important component that can improve battery stability and increase its efficiency. This approach has led to a significant increase in the voltage of zinc-ion batteries, making them more competitive. According to scientists, such batteries have several advantages. They have b ... >>

Alcohol content of warm beer 07.05.2024

Beer, as one of the most common alcoholic drinks, has its own unique taste, which can change depending on the temperature of consumption. A new study by an international team of scientists has found that beer temperature has a significant impact on the perception of alcoholic taste. The study, led by materials scientist Lei Jiang, found that at different temperatures, ethanol and water molecules form different types of clusters, which affects the perception of alcoholic taste. At low temperatures, more pyramid-like clusters form, which reduces the pungency of the "ethanol" taste and makes the drink taste less alcoholic. On the contrary, as the temperature increases, the clusters become more chain-like, resulting in a more pronounced alcoholic taste. This explains why the taste of some alcoholic drinks, such as baijiu, can change depending on temperature. The data obtained opens up new prospects for beverage manufacturers, ... >>

Random news from the Archive

hot imprint 02.12.2006

A new method for detecting fingerprints, which allows finding these traces on metal heated to 600 degrees Celsius, was proposed by employees of the University of Wales in Swansea (UK).

The slightest amount of sweat contained on the fingers causes micro-corrosion of metal, such as grenades, cartridge or shell casings, or explosive device shells. An electrochemical reaction with sweat as an electrolyte causes persistent changes in the electric potential of metal atoms that last up to several years. The probe of a special scanning electron microscope, which measures the slightest changes in the electrical potential of the metal surface, builds a three-dimensional image of fingerprints.

A new method to identify those who loaded a weapon or prepared an explosive device "works" on surfaces made of steel, iron, zinc, brass and aluminum, including curved surfaces.

See full Archive of science and technology news, new electronics

All languages of this page

Home page | Library | Articles | Website map | Site Reviews