Boron nitride nanotubes: A review of recent progress on purification methods and techniques
Adesewa O. Maselugbo, Haley B. Harrison, Jeffrey R. Alston
Open Access
Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) could be the next big leap for nanocomposite advanced applications; however, significant scientific challenges must be addressed. Large-scale synthesis techniques are immature. Production requires careful characterization, analysis, and purification. Impurities lead to difficulty studying chemical modification and translation of BNNT properties. The authors synthesize relevant literature and state-of-the-art techniques regarding purification methods of BNNTs and discuss synthesis methods and future research directions. 10.1557/s43578-022-00672-5
The rise of boron nitride nanotubes for applications in energy harvesting, nanoelectronics, quantum materials, and biomedicine
Dongyan Zhang, Nazmiye Yapici, Rodney Oakley, Yoke Khin Yap
The electrically insulating nature of BNNTs once hindered applications in energy production and electronic devices, but recently researchers have demonstrated applications based on unique properties, such as electric current generation induced by salinity gradients across the tubular channel of BNNTs, and single-electron transistors based on electron tunneling between gold nanoparticles on BNNTs. The authors review emerging applications and provide perspective for future work. 10.1557/s43578-022-00737-5
Understanding toxicity associated with boron nitride nanotubes: Review of tocixity studies, exposure assessment at manufacturing facilities, and read-across
Vamsi Kodali, Jenny R. Roberts, Eric Glassford, Ryan Gill, Sherri Friend, Kevin L. Dunn, Aaron Erdely
Different methods of producing boron nitride nanotubes lead to variances in physicochemical characteristics and impurities that can alter the toxicity profile. Understanding the potential pathological implications of this high aspect ratio nanomaterial is critical as new approaches to synthesize and purify in large scale are developed. The authors discuss factors of production that influence its toxicity followed by summarizing toxicity findings from in vitro and in vivo studies. 10.1557/s43578-022-00796-8
Unveiling oxidation mechanism of bulk ZrS2
Liqiu Yang, Subodh C. Tiwari, Seong Soon Jo, Sungwook Hong, Ankit Mishra, Aravind Krishnamoorthy, Rajiv K. Kalia, Aiichiro Nakano, R. Jaramillo, Priya Vashishta
Open Access
Recently emerged transition-metal dichalcogenides have demonstrated remarkable electronic and optical properties not observed in other materials. In the study of oxidation dynamics of transition-metal dichalcogenide ZrS2, the authors report on a first-principles-informed reactive force field for Zr/O/S. Results suggest faster oxidation dynamics on (210) surface than on (001) surface and indicate a diffusion-controlled oxidation mechanism on both surfaces based on the calculated oxide growth dynamics. 10.1557/s43580-021-00007-2
Second harmonic generation enhancement of ITO-based ENZ materials and metasurfaces
Evan M. Smith, Christopher E. Stevens, Chris Munley, Joshua R. Hendrickson, Carl Liebig, Stefan Nikodemski, Shiva Vangala
Transparent conductive oxides are semiconductors with a uniquely wide bandgap and highly tunable static properties, and this class of materials has great potential for applications in optoelectronic devices. Owing to its high conductivity and optical transparency, indium tin oxide (ITO) is one of the most commonly used transparent conductive oxides. The authors realize the multilayer ITO–SiO2 metastructure and measure the second harmonic generation in this structure. 10.1557/s43580-022-00353-9
Magnetic nanoarrays on flexible substrates
Guinevere Strack, Yassine AitElAoud, Richard M. Osgood III, Alkim Akyurtlu
The authors demonstrate properties of a two-dimensional array of magnetic nanoparticles realized using nanosphere lithography. Gold-cobalt nanoparticles positioned on a flexible polyimide substrate are subjected to superconducting quantum interference device measurements. The authors emphasize the importance of accounting for the residue of cobalt in the polymeric material as well as properties such as nanoparticle shape, arrangement, and positioning with respect to the magnetic field. 10.1557/s43580-021-00193-z
Simulating microgalvanic corrosion in alloys using the PRISMS phase-field framework
Vishwas Goel, Yanjun Lyu, Stephen DeWitt, David Montiel, Katsuyo Thornton
Open Access
The authors highlight the effective use of simulations for predicting corrosion properties in alloys. They use a high-performance phase-field modeling framework effectively. This method can be adopted for various phase conditions in multi-alloy compositions. 10.1557/s43579-022-00266-6
Thin film rheology via focused laser spike thermocapillary dewetting
Tianxing Ma, Alex Liu, Michael P. Nitzsche, Yi Jin, Kyle Buznitsky, Adithya Sridhar, Zahra Fakhraai, Jonathan P. Singer
The authors demonstrate the creation of thermocapillary induced trench dredge morphologies with a focused laser deserting method. This illustrates specific principles of patterning in glass and related materials. It should have applications in future metrology tools. 10.1557/s43579-022-00270-w
Nanomaterials in diagnostics, imaging and delivery: Applications from COVID-19 to cancer
Neelkanth Bardhan
Open Access
The author reviews new nanomaterial classes and fabrication methods specifically for diagnostics, therapy, drug development, and monitoring of patient response, with a particular focus on COVID-19. Work on bio-templated nanomaterials is of much interest for high-resolution imaging applications in diagnostics and theranostics. Their application for early cancer detection and treatment is also highlighted. 10.1557/s43579-022-00257-7
Recycling routes of lithium-ion batteries: A critical review of the development status, the process performance, and life-cycle environmental impacts
Ronja Wagner-Wenz, Albert-Jan van Zuilichem, Laura Göllner-Völker, Katrin Berberich, Anke Weidenkaff, Liselotte Schebek
Open Access
The authors showcase an evaluation of the various battery recycling technologies for stakeholders in politics, industry, and research. They evaluate over 200 publications and compare three major recycling routes. This review contributes to an understanding of the tradeoffs for various technologies and initiates a meaningful discussion as to what is the “best” recycling route when targets conflict. 10.1557/s43581-022-00053-9
The economics of firm solar power from Li-ion and vanadium flow batteries in California
Diarmid Roberts, Solomon Brown
The authors determine the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) achievable by optimal combinations of PV and batteries at a range of self-sufficiency ratios (SSR). Lithium-ion batteries (LIB), vanadium redox flow batteries (VFB), and hybrid systems of the two technologies are modeled. A VFB is more likely to give lower LCOE at lower SSR, and LIB is favored at high SSR as the cycle rate drops as SSR increases. 10.1557/s43581-022-00028-w
A perspective on the design and scale up of a novel redox flow battery
Nicholas S. Sinclair, Robert F. Savinell, Jesse S. Wainright
The authors summarize some of the technical challenges encountered for developing a novel redox flow battery. This project was sponsored by a commercialization-focused government agency (ARPA-E), and the authors point out some constraints and expectations of attracting commercial funding sources that hindered the development. The lessons learned will be applicable to other commercialization-driven projects sponsored by government agencies in the United States and elsewhere. 10.1557/s43581-022-00046-8