Quantum Server Newsletter on the latest news in Materials Science research

Published: July 30, 2025 | By Quantum Server Networks Once heralded as a miracle fiber for its softness, versatility, and natural origins, viscose —also known as rayon—now finds itself at the center of environmental scrutiny. Despite its wood-based source, this semi-synthetic fiber’s production process involves complex chemical steps that raise sustainability concerns. In a recent article from AZoM , the evolution of viscose is explored, examining its industrial appeal, ecological drawbacks, and innovations aiming to make it greener. What Is Viscose, and Why Has It Become So Popular? Viscose is a cellulose-based fiber derived from wood pulp—often from fast-growing trees such as eucalyptus, acacia, or bamboo. It sits in a unique category: neither fully natural nor fully synthetic. Its soft texture, dyeability, breathability, and drapeability have made it a staple in textiles used for everything from socks and shirts to luxury dresses and bathrobes. Unlike polyester, viscose i...

Published: July 30, 2025 | By Quantum Server Networks In an unprecedented breakthrough in clean chemistry, Chinese researchers have developed a low-temperature, solar-powered method for converting propane into propylene—a critical industrial feedstock—by using a novel copper-based single-atom catalyst. This new process operates at near-room temperature and relies on light and water, eliminating the need for the extremely high temperatures (typically over 600 °C) required in traditional propane dehydrogenation (PDH). The original article is published in SciTechDaily : Chinese Scientists Develop Breakthrough Catalyst for Clean Propane Conversion . A Major Leap for Propane Dehydrogenation PDH is a key step in producing propylene , which is used in making plastics, synthetic fibers, and numerous industrial chemicals. However, conventional PDH processes require extreme heat and result in high energy consumption, catalyst degradation, and carbon buildup. The new approach, introd...

Published: July 30, 2025 | By Quantum Server Networks In a game-changing advance for sustainable manufacturing, researchers at Zhejiang University in China have developed a new class of infinitely recyclable 3D printing resin . Based on a unique, thermally reversible photo-click reaction, this innovation allows 3D-printed objects to be disassembled at the molecular level and reprinted multiple times—without any loss in performance or integrity. The original report is published by 3D Printing Industry : Zhejiang University develops infinitely recyclable resin for 3D printing . Unexpected Origins: A Surprising Discovery in Thiol-Aldehyde Chemistry This landmark discovery arose serendipitously during experiments led by PhD researcher YANG Bo and Professors XIE Tao and ZHENG Ning at the College of Chemical and Biological Engineering. While working with thiol compounds to improve resin performance, the researchers observed an unanticipated reaction between thiols and aldehyde...

Published: July 30, 2025 | By Quantum Server Networks In a milestone development for solar fuel technologies, scientists in Japan have engineered a new class of nanosized, porous photocatalysts that dramatically enhance the efficiency of hydrogen generation and carbon dioxide reduction under visible light. These materials—based on lead oxyhalide Pb 2 Ti 2 O 5.4 F 1.2 (PTOF)—achieved reaction rates up to 60 times higher than previous versions, marking a major breakthrough in artificial photosynthesis and green energy production. The original article is published in ACS Catalysis and available here: Nano-engineered photocatalyst sets milestone for solar fuel production . Photocatalysts and the Solar Fuel Revolution Photocatalysts are semiconducting materials capable of absorbing light and triggering chemical reactions—such as splitting water into hydrogen or converting CO 2 into formic acid. These solar-driven processes offer a sustainable path to producing clean fuels ...

Published: July 30, 2025 | By Quantum Server Networks As the global scientific community races toward sustainable energy solutions, one promising technology attracting significant attention is the Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) . These systems convert carbon dioxide into usable fuels and chemicals at high efficiency—but their performance hinges critically on the anode materials that drive the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) . Now, new research has spotlighted the hidden power of A-site cation ordering in perovskite oxide anodes . Published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society , the study titled "Breaking the Ion Ordering in the Perovskite Anode for Enhanced High-Temperature Oxygen Evolution Reaction Activity" ( source article ) unveils the crucial role of cation structure in modulating the electrocatalytic properties of perovskite anodes used in high-temperature SOECs. The Missing Piece in Perovskite Engineering Perovskite oxides, defined by the ...

Published: July 29, 2025 | By Quantum Server Networks As humanity moves closer to achieving practical fusion power, understanding the behavior of plasma-facing materials becomes increasingly critical. One of the most promising materials in this domain is lithium , often used in the inner walls of tokamak fusion reactors to stabilize the plasma and protect reactor components. But what happens to fuel—especially tritium —when it encounters these lithium walls? In a groundbreaking international study published in Nuclear Materials and Energy , researchers from nine institutions—including the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) , DIFFER , General Atomics , and Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory —have revealed how lithium surfaces influence tritium retention in tokamaks. Their findings carry immense implications for both the safety and efficiency of future fusion energy systems. Original article: https://phys.org/news/2025-07-lithium-walls-tritium-fusion-reactors.html ...

Published: July 30, 2025 | By Quantum Server Networks A new class of ultralight, highly stable aerogels is set to redefine the limits of materials science. Developed by a research team led by Chao Gao at Zhejiang University , these aerogels are not only lightweight—some even lighter than air—but also remarkably resilient, maintaining their structure under extreme mechanical strain and temperatures ranging from cryogenic to scorching hot. The work, published in the journal Science ( source article ), introduces a game-changing synthesis method that creates regular, dome-shaped pores responsible for their exceptional performance. What Makes Aerogels Special? Aerogels are known for their incredibly low densities and thermal conductivities. These properties make them ideal for applications in aerospace, insulation, electronics, and even environmental protection. Traditional aerogels, however, suffer from brittleness, poor elasticity, and a lack of large-scale scalability. Pre...