MXenes are materials with almost miraculous properties: they can be used for electromagnetic shielding, for energy storage or for novel sensors. At TU Wien, it was found that they are also amazingly suitable as solid lubricants, even under the harshest conditions, for example in space technology. The only problem so far has been that producing these MXenes was considered extremely dangerous and toxic. But now a new method has been developed: instead of a toxic acid, electricity is used.

In the harsh environment of space—where microgravity, cosmic radiation, and isolation pose unprecedented health risks—flexible wearable devices have emerged as critical tools. These "smart skins" continuously monitor astronauts' vital signs, revolutionizing space medicine.

The European Space Agency's XMM-Newton is playing a crucial role in investigating the longest and most energetic bursts of X-rays seen from a newly awakened black hole. Watching this strange behaviour unfold in real time offers a unique opportunity to learn more about these powerful events and the mysterious behaviour of massive black holes.

Two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), as a new generation of semiconductors with the potential to surpass the limitations of silicon-based technology, have long lacked empirical research on their stability in space environments. The Chinese research team, leveraging the “Shijian-19” recoverable satellite, has pioneered in-orbit verification experiments for 2D semiconductor materials and devices. The study demonstrates that these materials can maintain excellent optical and electrical performance even under extreme space conditions, providing critical experimental evidence for the development of high-performance space electronic devices.

Scientists from Nagoya University in Japan have developed an innovative cooling device—an ultra-thin loop heat pipe—that significantly improves heat control for electronic components in smartphones and tablets. This breakthrough successfully manages heat levels generated during intensive smartphone usage, potentially enabling the development of even thinner mobile devices capable of running demanding applications without overheating or impeding performance.

The research, published in the journal Applied Thermal Engineering, addresses one of the most critical challenges in mobile device engineering: effectively cooling increasingly powerful components within the confined space of slim mobile devices. The team's solution provides more efficient heat management without increasing device thickness, which could allow manufacturers to push performance boundaries while maintaining or even reducing size. This may lead to next-generation smartphones and tablets that deliver sustained high performance without compromising on design or user experience.

Earth’s rocky layers are mysteriously low in nitrogen compared with carbon and argon. A scientific team explored our planet’s molten youth using advanced quantum mechanical simulations, revealing nitrogen’s secret: under extreme pressure, it chose to hide in the iron core 100 times more than the mantle. This solved why Earth’s volatile ratios involving nitrogen look odd. The findings suggest the necessary ingredients for developing a habitable world may have been settled in the early Earth.