The hottest Materials Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
Material World β€’ 284 implied HN points β€’ 23 May 23
  1. Batteries store energy, they don't create it
  2. The inside of a battery is like a Swiss roll with electrodes and electrolyte
  3. Batteries work by moving lithium ions back and forth between electrodes
Only Wonder Knows β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 20 Oct 23
  1. Establish a close relationship with the PCB manufacturer to discuss concerns and ask for expected ranges.
  2. Consider ordering a PCB carefully as design complexity increases, requiring more aspects to be taken into account.
  3. Copper roughness, dielectric materials, and DK uniformity are crucial factors to consider in PCB design for high-speed signals.
Warming Up to Climate Tech β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 23 May 23
  1. Shloop manufactures sustainable footwear using algae-based materials to fight climate change.
  2. The company aims to revolutionize the footwear industry by integrating sustainable materials and advanced recycling processes.
  3. Shloop focuses on providing transparent and sustainable products to footwear brands at a fair price, offering smaller batch runs and prototyping services.
Norman’s Substack β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 03 Aug 23
  1. Different materials like copper, stainless steel, and plastic are commonly used for plumbing espresso machines under pressure.
  2. Copper is popular but challenging to work with, stainless steel and plastic are alternatives with their own advantages.
  3. Factors like ease of assembly, cost, and durability should be considered when selecting plumbing materials for espresso machines.
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The Polymerist β€’ 215 implied HN points β€’ 25 Apr 23
  1. Lignin can be a valuable source of aromatic structures for creating synthetic polymers and other materials.
  2. MetGen's enzyme-based technology allows for efficient depolymerization and refining of lignin in alkaline conditions.
  3. MetGen's advancements in lignin processing could make it a viable alternative to petroleum-based feedstocks for creating chemicals and materials.
The Digital Anthropologist β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 24 Nov 23
  1. Bamboo, fungi, DNA, and organic molecules may play a vital role in our survival and growth in the digital age by being integrated into digital technologies.
  2. Using natural materials like bamboo and mycelium in digital technologies can lead to decreased reliance on rare earth materials and reduced environmental impact.
  3. The future of digital technologies may involve embedding information in molecules, utilizing the efficiency of nature, and integrating organic materials for innovative advancements.
Splitting Infinity β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 03 Oct 23
  1. Featured topics include a New State Solution for Israel and Palestine, companies in technology, and innovations throughout history.
  2. Specialized teams can offer higher-quality and healthier food efficiently than home cooking, potentially changing kitchen dynamics.
  3. Research highlights advancements in electron beams, extreme bandit problem solutions, and potential uses of superoscillation technologies.
Only Wonder Knows β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 06 Oct 23
  1. When designing for high speeds, it's important to investigate the terrain, understand the influencing factors, and make informed decisions.
  2. For differential transmission lines, attention to impedance match and signal attenuation is crucial for maintaining signal integrity.
  3. Factors like coupling effects, dielectric thickness, solder mask, copper thickness, and material choice all play key roles in high-speed design outcomes.
Kvetch β€’ 50 implied HN points β€’ 23 Jul 23
  1. The evolution of technology has allowed for incredible precision and complexity, such as the growth of jet engine blades from a single crystal of metal.
  2. The history of precision engineering is intertwined with the rise of different nations, from Britain to America to Japan.
  3. Advancements in engineering have led to mind-blowing feats, like printing transistors at atomic scales using extreme ultraviolet radiation.
Intercalation Station β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 22 Mar 23
  1. Sakuu, a startup, is merging with Plum Acquisition Corp. I in Q3 2023, making it the third SPAC this year.
  2. Sakuu, founded in 2017, has raised over $50m in funding and partnered with companies to develop 3D-printed batteries.
  3. 3D printing technology like Kavian by Sakuu is being used to manufacture solid-state batteries, with potential challenges and opportunities.
ASeq Newsletter β€’ 29 implied HN points β€’ 27 Feb 24
  1. The MiSeq flowcell consists of a plastic outer shell with a glass flowcell that clips open and closed.
  2. Measurements indicate a cover glass thickness of around 150um and a 100um channel height on a 1mm substrate.
  3. Unlike other flowcells, the MiSeq uses an all glass construction bonded with optical bonding material and borosilicate glass apertures.
Anima Mundi β€’ 20 implied HN points β€’ 25 Sep 23
  1. Data-driven design is revolutionizing manufacturing by partnering with nature and using intricate data.
  2. To fully realize the potential of advanced manufacturing techniques, tools and platforms need to be developed to enhance and integrate with them.
  3. DDMM combines data and design to create innovative, intelligent, and precise outcomes in the realm of material discovery and manufacturing.
ASeq Newsletter β€’ 14 implied HN points β€’ 29 Feb 24
  1. NextSeq 550 flowcell has a unique design where the gasket sits on the flowcell interface and the glass is thicker than other instruments, possibly for stability.
  2. The flowcell glass thickness is surprising and might impact the imaging process, requiring specific optics designed for it.
  3. The material of the channel spacer in the flowcell is unknown, leading to curiosity about its composition and potential patent research.
Design Lobster β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 12 Oct 20
  1. Difficult clients are common for designers, dealing with unhelpful feedback and late payments. Consider using design to creatively address disputes.
  2. Materials can communicate exclusivity and prestige, like with silver medallions for Vauxhall Gardens season tickets. Think about how materials or graphics can convey messages in design.
  3. Details are crucial in design. The small elements make up the entire design, showcasing how big ideas translate into intricate details.
Material World β€’ 3 HN points β€’ 01 Mar 23
  1. Chemicals sector is crucial for our modern world and economy.
  2. Our reliance on chemicals is often unnoticed until accidents or disasters occur.
  3. Understanding the interconnectedness of materials like salt and PVC can help us address environmental challenges.
The Polymerist β€’ 1 HN point β€’ 14 Mar 23
  1. Innovations in battery separators are crucial for energy storage technology to scale and meet the demand for renewable energy generation.
  2. Current lithium ion battery design faces safety issues like fires, and there is a need for better materials like thermally stable and flame retardant polymers.
  3. Companies like Bodi Energy are developing novel battery separators using polyimide fibers with unique ceramics to enhance safety, thermal stability, and ionic conductivity.
Mirlo Studio β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 04 Jun 23
  1. Preparation of materials for educators is ongoing for Mirlo Music.
  2. Interest in homeschooling programs for personalized learning.
  3. Access to a variety of educational materials through Mirlo's store and private Mirloteca.
Barn Lab β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 12 May 23
  1. Magnets have two poles: north and south, which attract or repel each other.
  2. Magnetism in materials comes from aligned electron spins creating a magnetic field.
  3. Electricity flowing through conductive materials generates a magnetic field, essential for building motors and generators.
Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 23 Feb 23
  1. Diamonds could play a big role in quantum computing, which is very cool because they are not just pretty stones.
  2. Scientists have found that diamonds can hold and preserve quantum states for a while, making them useful for data storage and calculations.
  3. This area of research is still developing, and there’s so much more to discover about how diamonds can be used in technology.
Everyday Thing β€’ 0 implied HN points β€’ 05 Feb 25
  1. The EDX-720 is an energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer used to analyze materials by firing X-rays at them.
  2. This kind of instrument has a heavy metal shield because it uses X-rays, making it safe for users.
  3. A lot of pictures of the EDX-720 have been shared, showing its various parts and features.