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Light-directed nanofabrication technology for precise deposition of nanomaterials
Background
Nanofabrication is a pivotal technology in various high-tech industries, including electronics, biomedical devices, and materials science. The ability to precisely deposit colloids, compounds, and molecules enables the creation of intricate micro- and nano-scale structures essential for developing high-performance semiconductors, sensitive...
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Nozzle design for high-velocity deposition of ceramic nanoparticles
Background
The micro-cold spray (MCS) method offers a promising technique for producing dense metal and ceramic films with thicknesses ranging from 1 to 100 μm. Unlike conventional methods, MCS operates by aerosolizing particles (with diameters ranging from 200 nm to 5 μm) in a carrier gas, which are then accelerated through a nozzle into...
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Sustainable, low-cost, high-contrast electrochromic displays for smart windows
Background
Energy efficiency and sustainability are critical concerns in both residential and commercial buildings. Traditional windows, while essential for natural light and ventilation, are often a significant source of energy loss. They allow heat to escape during the winter and enable excessive heat gain in the summer, leading to increased energy...
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A general strategy for synthesizing molecularly functionalized biomass for atmospheric water harvesting
Background
Water scarcity remains a pressing global challenge, and conventional atmospheric water harvesting methods often struggle to balance efficiency with environmental sustainability. Existing technologies frequently rely on synthetic polymers or salt‐polymer hybrids that exhibit issues such as limited water uptake under low relative humidity,...
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Hydrogels with self-irrigation and slow‑fertilizer-release properties for sustainable agriculture
Background
Water scarcity and inefficient fertilizer use have long hindered sustainable agriculture, as traditional irrigation and nutrient delivery methods often fail to optimize resource utilization and prevent environmental harm.
Existing approaches typically provide static solutions that do not account for fluctuation in environmental conditions,...
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Thermoresponsive hydrogel technology for efficient atmospheric water harvesting
Background
Rapidly growing global water scarcity and the need for decentralized, energy-efficient water collection have driven the search for atmospheric water harvesting systems that can overcome limitations in conventional approaches.
Traditional fog capture or dew condensation methods often depend on high humidity levels, while existing sorbent-based...
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Infinite-dimensional integrated digital image correlation (IDIC)
Background
Digital image correlation (DIC) methods are common in laboratory experiments. Often termed two-dimensional digital image correlation (2D-DIC), the method uses a camera to acquire images of a planar object that is deforming nominally within the specimen surface plane that is being imaged. DIC algorithms typically perform the image registration...
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Self-limiting optoelectronic thinning for transition metal dichalcogenides monolayers fabrication
Background
Dr. Yuebing Zheng and his team have developed a self-limiting optoelectronic thinning (SOET) technique to prepare atomic monolayers of transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDC) in a commercially scalable manner. Dr. Zheng is the Temple Foundation Endowed Teaching Fellowship in Engineering #2 and an associate professor at UT Austin, with primary...
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Atmospheric water irrigation enabled by super moisture absorbent gels
Overview
The global population is projected to reach 9.6 billion people by 2025, requiring food production to increase by 70% to meet the demand of the huge population. Water is most limiting natural resource for agricultural production due to the freshwater shortage and enormous need for irrigation. Dry cropland accounts for 84% of the cultivated...
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Oxygen-tolerant photopolymer resins
BackgroundLight-driven polymerization methods for 3D printing are particularly attractive due to unparalleled speed and resolution, yet the reliance on high energy UV/violet light in contemporary processes limits the number of compatible materials due to pervasive absorption, scattering, and degradation at these short wavelengths. Such issues can be...
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