Long before the invention of artificial refrigeration, making ice by nocturnal cooling was common. Here, an apparatus consisting of a ceramic tray with a thin layer of water was placed outdoors, and on a clear night, ice would form as … Weiterlesen …

Graphene is a one atom-thick layer of carbon with two dimensional properties. It is a transparent and flexible conductor, and thanks to its extraordinary mechanical strength and excellent conducting properties, it is one of the most promising materials for an … Weiterlesen …

The energy density of hydrogen is roughly 120 MJ/kg, which is much greater than that of chemical, fossil, and biofuels. Water is also the only byproduct when hydrogen is used to produce electricity. Electrolysis could be used to provide high-quality … Weiterlesen …

The worldwide demand for energy is constantly increasing. Until now, oil and coal were still the main sources of energy, but the number of solar systems is growing everywhere. Therewith, also the demand for the materials used is rising. Silicon … Weiterlesen …

Pain is, of course, viewed as something negative, but it has a purpose in that it protects us. Pain is an alarm system that prevents further injuries. Now, researchers aim to transfer this natural alarm system to robots. Over the … Weiterlesen …

For quite some time, scientists have been promoting hydrogen as the energy source of the future, with applications in mobility and as a replacement of fossil fuels, e.g., for heating or for the chemical industry. Now it has found additional … Weiterlesen …

The production of steel is particularly CO2 intensive. To convert iron ore into steel, manufacturers must separate the oxygen bound in the ore from the iron using carbon, i.e. coke, to do this. In the blast furnace, oxygen forms carbon monoxide … Weiterlesen …

Future electronic applications, such as electric cars, power grids, and maybe even robotics, will require powerful batteries. In this arena, the rechargeable lithium metal battery is a true powerhouse compared to the more commonly used lithium-ion battery. But it has … Weiterlesen …

Our sense of smell has many functions, for example, it facilitates our choice of partner, helped us identify dangers in the wild, smell fire, and determine if food has spoiled. On average, humans can distinguish between 2,000 and 4,000 different … Weiterlesen …

Freshwater withdrawals have tripled over the last 50 years and demand for freshwater is increasing by 64 billion cubic meters a year. The world’s population is growing by roughly 80 million people each year and changes in lifestyles and eating … Weiterlesen …