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Category: transportation – Page 55

Catalyst design boosts performance of anion-exchange-membrane fuel cells

Fuel cells are energy-conversion solutions that generate electricity via electrochemical reactions without combustion, thus not contributing to the pollution of air on Earth. These cells could power various technologies, ranging from electric vehicles to portable chargers and industrial machines.

Despite their advantages, many fuel cell designs introduced to date rely on expensive materials and precious metal catalysts, which limits their widespread adoption. Anion-exchange-membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) could help to tackle these challenges, as they are based on Earth-abundant, low-cost catalysts and could thus be more affordable.

In recent years, many research groups worldwide have been designing and testing new AEMFCs. While some existing devices achieved promising results, most of the non-precious metals serving as catalysts were found to be prone to self-oxidation, which causes the irreversible failure of the cells.

New titanium-nickel alloy could enable shape-shifting aircraft

The material displays characteristics across a wide temperature range aiding versatile applications:

There is always a trade-off when balancing strength and flexibility. One is achieved at the cost of the other. While a flexible, shape-shifting aircraft can deliver benefits for higher energy efficiency and faster transportation, these cannot be achieved by risking the safety of the passengers using a material that lacks proper strength.

Researchers at the National Institute of Materials Science (NIMS) in Japan may have just found a way to achieve both strength and flexibility in a material without making any sacrifices on either.

Previous research in this area has identified that an alloy made from titanium and nickel has special properties, like stretching to limits far higher than those of other metallic alloys while keeping its new form. When the alloy’s temperature is increased, it can also return to its original form.

From Shale Gas to Sustainable Water: New Methods for Recovering High-Demand Metals

Dr. Wencai Zhang: “Our goal is to contribute to the supply chain of these critical materials while also making a positive environmental impact. We specifically aim to reduce the environmental consequences that can be associated with produced water.”

How can lithium, one of the most demanded minerals for clean energy products like electric vehicles, be harvested without harming the environment? This is | Technology.

New machine learning model developed to prevent EV battery fires

Researchers use AI and models to improve EV battery safety:

One of the electric vehicles’ most critical safety concerns is keeping their batteries cool, as temperature spikes can lead to dangerous consequences.

New research led by a University of Arizona doctoral student proposes a way to predict and prevent temperature spikes in the lithium-ion batteries commonly used to power such vehicles.

The paper “Advancing Battery Safety,” led by College of Engineering doctoral student Basab Goswami, is published in the Journal of Power Sources.

This Mixed Reality Game Turns Your Living Room into Little Town

Watch a cozy city full of miniature people grow right in your living room in Wall Town Wonders, an upcoming mixed reality game by Cyborn.

Help tiny characters expand their world by completing quests and mini-games in the game’s detailed environments and interact with your new neighbors like never before using your hands. You can “touch” the objects and even guide a virtual plane.

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