Separation of Lithium from Aluminum-Containing Clay Mineral Leachate Solution Using Energy-Efficient Membrane Solvent Extraction.

This study investigated a novel membrane solvent extraction (MSX) process for the recovery and separation of lithium (Li) from clay minerals using a cation exchange organic extractant [di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid] (DEHPA). The Li is selectively extracted from clay mineral leachate solution using highly efficient aluminum hydroxide sorbents to form lithium aluminum double hydroxide sulfate (LDH sulfate) as the precipitate. Several delithiation methods have been explored to separate Li from aluminum (Al).

Integrated Circular Economy Model System for Direct Lithium Extraction: From Minerals to Batteries Utilizing Aluminum Hydroxide.

Aluminum hydroxide, an abundant mineral found in nature, exists in four polymorphs: gibbsite, bayerite, nordstrandite, and doyleite. Among these polymorphs gibbsite, bayerite, and commercially synthesized amorphous aluminum hydroxide have been investigated as sorbent materials for lithium extraction from sulfate solutions. The amorphous form of Al(OH) exhibits a reactivity higher than that of the naturally occurring crystalline polymorphs in terms of extracting Li ions.

Three-dimensional flat bands in pyrochlore metal CaNi.

Electronic flat-band materials host quantum states characterized by a quenched kinetic energy. These flat bands are often conducive to enhanced electron correlation effects and emergent quantum phases of matter. Long studied in theoretical models, these systems have received renewed interest after their experimental realization in van der Waals heterostructures and quasi-two-dimensional (2D) crystalline materials.

Topological Superconductors from a Materials Perspective.

Topological superconductors (TSCs) have garnered significant research and industry attention in the past two decades. By hosting Majorana bound states which can be used as qubits that are robust against local perturbations, TSCs offer a promising platform toward (nonuniversal) topological quantum computation. However, there has been a scarcity of TSC candidates, and the experimental signatures that identify a TSC are often elusive.

Additively Manufactured NdFeB Polyphenylene Sulfide Halbach Magnets to Generate Variable Magnetic Fields for Neutron Reflectometry.

Halbach arrays are the most efficient closed structures for generating directed magnetic fields and gradients, and are widely used in various electric machines. We utilized fused deposition modeling-based Big Area Additive Manufacturing technology to print customized, compensated concentric Halbach array rings, using polyphenylene sulfide-bonded NdFeB permanent magnets for polarized neutron reflectometry. The Halbach rings could generate a 0 ≤  0.

Polymer, Additives, and Processing Effects on N95 Filter Performance.

The current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2) pandemic has highlighted the need for personal protective equipment, specifically filtering facepiece respirators like N95 masks. While it is common knowledge that polypropylene (PP) is the industry standard material for filtration media, trial and error is often required to identify suitable commercial precursors for filtration media production. This work aims to identify differences between several commercial grades of PP and demonstrate the development of N95 filtration media with the intent that the industry partners can pivot and help address N95 shortages.

Additive Manufacturing of Isotropic NdFeB PPS Bonded Permanent Magnets.

Extrusion based additive manufacturing of polymer composite magnets can increase the solid loading volume fraction with greater mechanical force through the printing nozzle as compared to traditional injection molding process. About 63 vol% of isotropic NdFeB magnet powders were compounded with 37 vol% of polyphenylene sulfide and bonded permanent magnets were fabricated while using Big Area Additive Manufacturing without any degradation in magnetic properties. The polyphenylene sulfide bonded magnets have a tensile stress of 20 MPa, almost double than that of nylon bonded permanent magnets.