Enhanced Durability of Fire-Safe Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries via Electron Sponge Technology

- Dendrite suppression in aqueous zinc-ion batteries via anodic electron sponge for fast electron uptake

- Complete dendrite suppression achieves threefold durability and sustains over 2,500 charge-discharge cycles - Published in the January Issue of Nature Communications (IF 14.7), a leading international journal

Researchers Dr. Jung Hoon Yang and Dr. Chan-Woo Lee of the Energy Storage Research Department at the Korea Institute of Energy Research (President: Chang-Keun Yi, hereinafter referred to as ‘KIER’) have developed a novel copper oxide-based electrode material and successfully applied it to aqueous zinc-ion batteries, achieving a threefold improvement in durability.

If you haven’t heard of a tardigrade before, prepare to be wowed. These clumsy, eight-legged creatures, nicknamed water bears, are about half a millimeter long and can survive practically anything: freezing temperatures, near starvation, high pressure, radiation exposure, outer space and more. Researchers reporting in ACS’ Nano Letters took advantage of the tardigrade’s nearly indestructible nature and gave the critters tiny “tattoos” to test a microfabrication technique to build microscopic, biocompatible devices.

Conservators and museum technicians protect precious archaeological metal objects, such as tools and weapons, with clear coatings, leaving preserved and unobstructed views of these detailed treasures. However, researchers have reported in ACS Central Science that some of the resins used for these coatings react with iron-containing metals and can cause damage. The team developed a non-invasive fluorescence imaging strategy that reveals early signs of these damaging chemical reactions and confirmed its utility on ancient artifacts.  

Conservators and museum technicians protect precious archaeological metal objects, such as tools and weapons, with clear coatings, leaving preserved and unobstructed views of these detailed treasures. However, researchers have reported in ACS Central Science that some of the resins used for these coatings react with iron-containing metals and can cause damage. The team developed a non-invasive fluorescence imaging strategy that reveals early signs of these damaging chemical reactions and confirmed its utility on ancient artifacts.  

With EUR 10m in federal funding, Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) is enhancing its hydrogen infrastructure at Campus Inffeldgasse. The new electrolysis test centre and expanded testing facilities for fuel cells and high-temperature burners are sign