The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending October 4, 2024, closed at 4.005.40 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 0.62% (or 24.71 basis points). Eight RDWI members gained value last week from 1.07% (Eli Lilly & Co.) to 6.71% (Alibaba).  Seventeen RDWI members lost value the previous week…

In a breakthrough for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have identified manganese as a promising alternative to traditional materials used in battery cathodes. Smartphones, electric vehicles, and energy storage systems have spurred demand for lithium-ion batteries, but essential elements such as nickel and cobalt pose challenges to procure. However,…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending September 20, 2024, closed at 4,006.95 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 2.11% (or 82.94 basis points). Twenty-one RDWI members gained value last week from 0.14% (Astra Zeneca PLC) to 11.09% (Intel). Four RDWI members lost value the previous week from…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending September 13, 2024, closed at 3,924.01 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 2.95% (or 112.59 basis points). Seventeen RDWI members gained value last week from 0.30% (Volkswagen AG) to 14.26% (Oracle). Eight RDWI members lost value the previous week from -0.85%…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending September 6, 2024, closed at 3,811.42 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was down -3.99% (or -158.42 basis points). Two RDWI members gained value last week from 0.37% (Oracle) to 2.61% (Sanofi SA). Twenty-three RDWI members lost value the previous week from -0.52%…

[Updated on September 16, 2024 with new details from FactCheck.org] The current Biden-Harris administration and Project 2025, a potential blueprint for a second Trump term, offer starkly different visions for the future of American science. Conversely, Project 2025—a conservative policy roadmap from a think tank featuring input from multiple former government officials — proposes a…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending August 30, 2024 closed at 3,969.84 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 0.57% (or 22.41 basis points). Seventeen RDWI members gained value last week from 0.08% (Microsoft) to 7.30% (Intel). Eight RDWI members lost value last week from -0.12% (Stellantis NV)…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending August 23, 2024, closed at 3,947.43 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 1.78% (or 68.94 basis points). Twenty-two RDWI members gained value last week from 0.11% (Meta Platforms) to 7.23% (Ford Motor). Three RDWI members lost value the previous week from…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) was up 2.91% with Cisco leading at 8.78%, in spite of its lay-off announcement. In the week ending August 16, the index closed at 3878.49 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 2.91% (or 109.53 basis points). Twenty-one RDWI members gained value last week from 0.95%…

For six decades, the R&D 100 Awards have been a benchmark of achievement in science and technology, often referred to informally as “The Oscars of Innovation.” This year, we’re offering a new interactive experience, allowing you to explore the remarkable work of both winners and finalists across diverse fields. From advances in mechanical and material…

The R&D World Index (RDWI) for the week ending June 28, 2024, closed at 3,821.08 for the 25 companies in the RDWI. The Index was up 0.94% (or 35.45 basis points). Thirteen RDWI members gained value last week from 0.28% (IBM) to 5.91% (Ford Motor Co.). Twelve RDWI members lost value the previous week from…

From Chiba University Fuel cells, while promising, are expensive due to high catalyst requirements to increase the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) activity. In a breakthrough, researchers found that adding caffeine to the electrodes can improve the ORR activity of platinum electrodes 11 times. This discovery can enhance the efficiency of the fuel cell, reduce the…

From Incheon National University: Lithium-ion batteries face safety concerns due to internal separator issues that often lead to short circuits. Scientists have now developed a method to improve the stability and properties of separators with a layer of silicon dioxide and other functional molecules. Batteries employing these separators demonstrated improved performance and reduced growth of…

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Solid-state batteries (SSBs) have the potential to be significant next-generation technologies for high-energy and high-power-density rechargeable battery applications. It is crucial to identify the metrics that an emerging battery technology should fulfill to achieve parity with conventional lithium-ion batteries, primarily in terms of energy density. However, limited approaches exist today to…

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. is boosting its automotive research in the United States to further accelerate electric mobility and sustainable transportation innovation. The company continues to center strategic areas of research in dedicated technology units across the country, as well as foster co-innovation with universities and federal research facilities. One key unit is in…

Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s High-Speed Electron Beam Processing is a low-cost, environmentally benign, and low-carbon-footprint process for producing thick Li-ion battery electrodes. This novel manufacturing approach eliminates the use of the solvent, a toxic volatile organic compound, and the high-molecular-weight material used in the traditional PVFD/NMP manufacturing method. The NMP solvent is expensive and toxic…

Bostik and Polytec PT have collarborated to launch a new range of thermal conductive adhesives (TCA) to address the challenge of thermal management in the latest Cell-to-Pack (CTP) battery design for e-mobility solutions. Thermal management is vital to ensuring the operating temperature of EV-battery systems remains between 20° C and 40° C for optimum battery…

In pursuit of high-energy and safe batteries, researchers are working to replace the common liquid electrolytes with solid ion conductors. Solid polymer electrolytes are promising candidates but often have limited ionic conductivities of < 10-5 S/cm. This conductivity dilemma has persisted since the solid polymer electrolyte concept was proposed in 1978. The team at the…

Idaho National Laboratory’s EC-Leach provides a cost-effective, highly efficient, safe, and carbon-free process for solving one of the world’s biggest clean energy challenges: lithium-ion battery recycling. The electrochemical approach provides flexible capacity capabilities that allow it to be used in centralized operational facilities as well as distributed facilities at the point of disposal. It provides…

Elkem Silicones developed a new syntactic silicone foam that provides reliable thermal and electrical insulation in electric vehicle (EV) batteries. This low-density, room-temperature curing foam protects battery cells against propagation and thermal runaway to other cells, and thermal stability to protect against harsh chemical environments. Safety and reliability are critical parameters when designing EV battery…

The Quick-Release Binder, from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Co-developer OnTo Technology, is a fully reversible binder for Li-ion batteries, allowing quick cathode and anode material recovery in aqueous media, for direct recycling. This binder is made of two commercially available low-cost chemicals: polyacrylic acid (PAA) and polyethyleneimine (PEI). Both chemicals can also be recycled…

Zinc Battery Initiative (ZBI), the voice of the zinc battery industry, welcomes new member Octet Scientific Inc., a developer of innovative electrolyte additives to improve battery performance. ZBI’s rapidly growing membership is comprised of leading zinc battery manufacturers as well as developers of products designed to enhance battery capability. Located in Cleveland, Octet Scientific has…

From Southwest Research Institute A Southwest Research Institute team has developed a mechanical testing device to analyze fluids and lubricants formulated for electric vehicles. The team modified a commercial tribology testing device to give it the capability to evaluate the impact of electric currents in fluids, measuring the wear and friction on the automobile parts…

Halo Microelectronics, a maker of analog and power management integrated circuits enabling energy-efficient smart systems, announces the release of its HL7040C, a highly integrated family of 2×2 mm single-cell Li-Ion and Li-Pol linear charger. The HL7040C is suitable for portable applications, including smartphones, PDAs, MP3 players, and low-powered handheld devices with limited board space, as…

The New York Power Authority (NYPA) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced that a first-of-its-kind battery energy storage system (BESS) using patented, high-safety, lithium-ion (Li-ion) superCell technology is delivering energy peak shaving capabilities to NYPA’s White Plains offices, as part of a demonstration project. The BESS developed by Cadenza…