Microscopic plastic pollutants drifting through the air are lodging in the lungs of birds, a new University of Texas at Arlington study finds. Researchers worldwide are increasingly alarmed by how pervasive these harmful particles are in the air humans breathe and the food they eat. Shane DuBay, an assistant professor of biology at UTA and co-author of the study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, said birds were chosen for the study because they are found in almost every corner of the world and often share environments with humans.

A study co-authored by Filippo Radicchi at Indiana University proposed a theoretical framework specifically designed for understanding complex higher-order networks. The work could lead to breakthroughs in disciplines such as physics, neuroscience, computer science, climate science and finance.

Researchers at the University of Missouri, led by Assistant Professor Matthias Young, are working to enhance battery safety and efficiency by developing solid-state alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. These batteries offer improved energy efficiency and safety, but a major challenge has been the formation of an interphase layer at the junction of the solid electrolyte and cathode. This ultra-thin layer obstructs lithium ion and electron movement, increasing resistance and degrading battery performance.

To tackle this issue, Young’s team used four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D STEM) to examine the battery’s atomic structure without taking it apart. This breakthrough allowed them to identify the chemical reactions causing the interphase layer to form, providing valuable insights into improving solid-state battery technology. Now, the team is developing thin-film protective coatings to prevent these reactions, a step that could lead to more efficient and widely adoptable solid-state batteries in the future.

Researchers at the University of Missouri, led by Assistant Professor Matthias Young, are working to enhance battery safety and efficiency by developing solid-state alternatives to lithium-ion batteries. These batteries offer improved energy efficiency and safety, but a major challenge has been the formation of an interphase layer at the junction of the solid electrolyte and cathode. This ultra-thin layer obstructs lithium ion and electron movement, increasing resistance and degrading battery performance.

To tackle this issue, Young’s team used four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy (4D STEM) to examine the battery’s atomic structure without taking it apart. This breakthrough allowed them to identify the chemical reactions causing the interphase layer to form, providing valuable insights into improving solid-state battery technology. Now, the team is developing thin-film protective coatings to prevent these reactions, a step that could lead to more efficient and widely adoptable solid-state batteries in the future.