The Science of Sandcastles

Summer’s blue skies and warm temperatures beckon us to the beach. After all, summer is synonymous with fun in the sun, surf, and sand. And what is a day in the sand without building a sandcastle? While rising tides can be every sandcastle builder’s enemy, the ocean is also their greatest ally. That’s because damp sand sticks together, allowing sandcastle magic. Dry, powdery sand may feel nice but it’s no friend of castle building and a large part of that is down to cohesion. Quick tests of moist and dry sand showed a 10x difference in cohesion!

Lithium-ion Battery Quality and Performance Testing with Isothermal Microcalorimetry

Over the past decade, battery research, development, and quality control have adopted in-situ and in-operando isothermal microcalorimetry (IMC) as the leading method to evaluate heat flow during lithium-ion battery cycling. While cycling a cell to failure can take many months, emerging diagnostic tests are able to predict long-term behavior in a matter of weeks.

Solving Problems for the Next Generation

The recent release of our 2022 Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) report demonstrates a continued commitment to leaving the world better than we found it. The pursuit of the goals outlined in this report remains a top priority for our company and this year’s edition reflects both our current focus areas and future ambitions.

The Road to U.S. Electric Vehicle Battery Production

Consumer interest and sustainability goals are driving soaring demand for electric vehicles. The U.S. aims for electric vehicle sales to reach 50% of the total market by 2030, yet 99% of the raw and component materials for EV batteries are produced externally.1, 2 Sourcing foreign-made materials and batteries has already created challenges in the industry. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine led to market instability that caused the price of nickel, a key battery material, to skyrocket in March 2022.

Rheology of Paints and Coatings

From shiny cars to streak-free walls, we demand a lot from our coatings and paints. A high-quality paint not only needs dazzling color, but also must offer the right material properties for a smooth application and drying process. Consistency is crucial: too thin and the paint will run and drip; too thick and it will clump and not dry evenly. Spray paints and coatings also need to be applied smoothly without clogging the spray device.