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Facile alcoholysis of polyesters
Summary:
Iowa State University researchers have discovered a method of breaking down polyesters capable of over 90% monomer recovery at atmospheric pressure and only mildly elevated temperatures.
Description:
Conventional recycling of polyesters is commonly done via thermomechanical means which limit the useful number of times they can be recycled....
Published: 3/4/2026
Category(s): Energy, Cleantech & Environmental, Materials
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Method of Making Synthetic Graphite from Polymeric Sources
Summary:
Iowa State University and Ames National Laboratory scientists have discovered a new method for producing synthetic graphite with the use of picosecond pulsed lasers.
Description:
Synthetic graphite is needed for applications such as electrodes in electric arc furnaces or anodes in lithium-ion batteries. Traditional production relies on...
Published: 3/4/2026
Category(s): Materials, Ames Laboratory
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A method of mechanochemically-assisted extraction of lithium from α-spodumene and other hard-rock minerals
Summary:
Ames Laboratory scientists have developed a method of extracting lithium from hard-rock minerals without the need for high temperature roasting and with reduced or eliminated harsh chemical requirements.
Description:
Lithium-bearing hard-rock minerals, such as α-spodumene, are reactively ball milled to convert the lithium content...
Published: 3/4/2026
Category(s): Energy, Cleantech & Environmental, Materials
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A method of acid- and water-free direct lithium extraction from α-spodumene and other Li-rich hard rock minerals
Summary:
Ames Laboratory scientists have developed a method for extracting lithium from hard-rock mineral sources that eliminates the need for high temperature roasting of the ore and without the use of water or other solvents.
Description:
Lithium-bearing hard-rock minerals, such as α-spodumene, are reactively ball milled to convert the...
Published: 3/4/2026
Category(s): Energy, Cleantech & Environmental, Materials
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Near net shape fabrication of anisotropic magnet using hot roll method
Summary:
ISU and Ames Laboratory researchers have developed a method of producing Nd-Fe-B magnets capable of operating at higher temperatures (T>150°C) without the addition of expensive heavy rare earth elements such as Dy. Mechanically milled Nd-Fe-B powder is loaded into a metal vessel which is hot rolled to produce fully dense magnets with...
Published: 7/2/2024
Category(s): Materials, Engineering & Physical Sciences, Energy, Cleantech & Environmental
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Universal Printing via Solvent Assisted Mechanical Bonding
Summary:
Iowa State University researchers have developed a method of using undercooled metal particles for adhesives to irregular surfaces, including to bio-based surfaces. Certain surfaces are difficult to adhere metal to. This technology allows the creation of heat-free mechanical-bonding driven, reversible printing of metallic conductive traces...
Published: 8/15/2022
Category(s): Engineering & Physical Sciences, Materials
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Process and annealing of a liquid metal composite with microstructure control for thermally conductive soft material
Summary:
Iowa State University researchers have developed a material where a liquid metal is embedded into an elastomer. The liquid metal particles can be annealed after stretching providing directionality to a high degree of thermal conductivity. ISURF #04968 describes a material similar to ISURF #04969 but is electrically insulative.
Description:...
Published: 8/15/2022
Category(s): Materials
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A method of patterning surface oxides or analogous adducts on the surface of a metal
Summary:
Iowa State University researchers have developed a method to create texture and patterns onto the surface of metal particles. Utilizing a thermal-oxidative compositional inversion (TOCI), these particles can be modified on their surface to create different reactivities and surface textures based on the oxidation that occurs on selective...
Published: 8/15/2022
Category(s): Materials
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Catalytic upcycling of polyolefins into fatty alcohols and fatty acids
Summary:
ISURF #05189 describes the conversion of waste polyolefins into fatty alcohols or fatty acids by early metal or lanthanide-catalyzed chain cleavage. The alcohols or acids derived by this method are high value and useful as surfactants, detergent agents, or lubricants.
Description:
The catalyst supports a pseudo reverse-polymerization...
Published: 8/17/2022
Category(s): Energy, Cleantech & Environmental, Materials, Ames Laboratory
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Acetylated methacrylated glycerol as a biobased substitute for hard, rigid thermoplastic and thermoset materials
Summary:
Iowa State University researchers have produced a hard block thermoplastic from glycerol. Glycerol, which is produced abundantly during biodiesel refinement, is reacted with methacrylic acid and acetic anhydride. The resultant product is a hard block thermoplastic with tunable characteristics from biorenewable materials.
Description:...
Published: 8/15/2022
Category(s): Engineering & Physical Sciences, Materials
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