Minnesota iron ore could be key to sustainable and lower-cost semiconductor

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have, for the first time, demonstrated that Minnesota’s abundant low-grade iron ore can be converted into semiconductor-quality pyrite, also known as iron sulfide or “fool’s gold.” The breakthrough could open the door to more cost-effective and sustainable electronic devices by transforming a widely available natural resource into […]

Metallic glass to be tested on the ISS: Materials research on levitating droplets in microgravity

A research team led by Saarland University materials scientist Ralf Busch is preparing its first space-based mission aboard the International Space Station, where researchers will remotely study metallic-glass alloys using hot, levitating droplets in a microgravity environment. Conducted in partnership with the European Space Agency and the German Aerospace Center, the experiments aim to generate […]

Rice researchers unlock new way to manufacture diamond composites, reveal dramatic response to impact

Rice University researchers have developed a method to keep diamond stable during high-temperature, low-pressure processing, enabling the creation of a durable bulk composite material. Their research also revealed that high-speed impacts can quickly transform diamond into graphite, providing new insight into how diamond absorbs energy and changes under extreme stress. Because diamond combines exceptional hardness […]