Today's Tech News: Notable or Not?

https://phys.org/news/2026-02-ultra-mxenes-higher.html "MXene production uses harsh chemical etching resulting in chaotic mix of surface atoms (oxygen, fluorine, chlorine) trapping/ scattering electrons, significantly degrading electrical performance/ stability... overcome using MAX phases (solid precursors), molten salts, iodine vapor... uniform halogen termination, precision control, high purity... focused on titanium carbide MXene production... also: 13X THz conductivity, 4X charge carrier mobility... high-speed electronics, shielding, energy/ catalysis" Related: Ambient-pressure-dried cellulose/MXene aerogel integrates EMI shielding, infrared stealth and joule heating https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1128602

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1115435 "MXenes do not just store charge physically but undergo complex chemical surface redox reactions that vary based on electrolyte... proton-based electrolytes lead to titanium atom oxidation state reduction... li-ion electrolytes lead to titanium atom oxidation state increase... bridges gap between batteries/ capacitors... layered 2D titanium carbide with conductive cores/ reactive surfaces... function with eco-friendly aqueous electrolytes... precise optimization for future energy storage materials"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1114640 "2D MXenes' nano-confinement effect where flat layers stack on top of each other obstructing ion movement... overcome rolling sheets into 1D scrolls creating highways for rapid transport... Janus reaction creates structural asymmetry by altering surface chemistry with water, introducing lattice strain, causing layers to peel/ curl into tight tubes... scalable: produced 10g nanoscrolls across 6 different MXene types... superconductive solution-processed films: quantum sensors/ flexible superconducting interconnects"

https://phys.org/news/2026-01-freestanding-3d-mxene-limits-microscale.html "pure MXene additive-free ink requiring no ceramic backbones/ supporting structures... leverages natural aerosol droplet evaporation/ aerodynamic control guiding nanosheets into intricate geometries... fabricated a 3D microsupercapacitor with record 375 mF cm-2 areal capacitance, 11.04 𝜇Wh cm-2 area energy density... optimizes the flow of ions and electrons, paving the way for high-performance power sources in: microrobotics, wearables, next-generation batteries/ sensors" Related: Polymer composite method cuts micro-voids to boost conductivity https://phys.org/news/2026-03-polymer-composite-method-micro-voids.html#google_vignette

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1110535 "at least 2 orders magnitude less expensive than etching away bulk materials' layers using caustic acids, 90% weight purity (was 60%), tetrachloroethylene safer/ more stable than highly reactive precursors... MXenes atomically thin highly conductive, ideal for: hosting ions between layers for faster-charging batteries, EM interference shielding/ optoelectronics, highly efficient catalysts in industrial chemistry"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1107394 "TENGs excellent at harvesting mechanical energy from human motion, which when integrated with micro supercapacitors have stable output, but complex, expensive, slow fabrication like 3D printing/ laser cutting prevents large-scale production... overcome with: (1) TENG Conductive Layer created via a dip-spin-coating using MXene paste, (2) MSC electrode created via mask-assisted graphene solution vacuum filtration... press TENG with palm... 0.653 V/ minute charging efficiency" Related: Polymer beads generate electricity for self-charging devices using simple friction https://phys.org/news/2025-11-polymer-beads-generate-electricity-devices.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1101542 "perform as well as copper foils which constitute nearly 15% of battery weight, but are 3 to 4X thinner/ about 10X lighter... translates chemical energy into electrical current... MXenes: exceptional electrical conductivity, excellent flexibility, high mechanical strength, electrochemically stable in acidic/ corrosive electrolytes, dispersible in water enabling easy processing... also for use in lightweight batteries for drones or other flying vehicles"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1098105 "uses tree derived rubber eucommia ulmoides gum... CNTs / MXenes integrated into salt-template created 2 mm thick porous foam... low IR emissivity due to MXene/ smooth surface, 0.15 W·m⁻¹·K⁻¹ thermal insulation by trapping air, 49.7 dB shielding effectiveness in X-band, blocking >99.9989 % EMI... absorbs/ releases 36.8 J/g preventing heat buildup... compressive strength 825% higher than pure eucommia ulmoides gum foam, maintains 83.5 % shielding performance after rigorous 12-days under high heat/ humidity" Related: Rational high entropy doping strategy via modular in-situ/post solvothermal doping integration for microwave absorption https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1098222 Novel technique shines light on next-gen nanomaterials: how MXenes truly work https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1100844 Liquid metal modified hexagonal boron nitride flakes for efficient electromagnetic wave absorption and thermal management...

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1088692 "insufficient energy density/ MXene nanosheet difficulty stablizing 3D printing inks, overcome using layer-by-layer deposition enabling precise microporous hierarchical/ interfacial architecture construction... material design flexibility, process controllability, scalability... DIW 3D printed interdigitated structure encapsulated with H2SO4-PVA solid electrolyte, some HNC as crosslinking agent inhibiting nanosheet agglomeration/ optimizing ink's shear-thinning... flexible electronics, energy storage, smart sensing" Related: Transferring nano-circuits onto plant leaves/ fruits, curved automotive surfaces/ robot exteriors https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1132112 Nanotubes and nanosheets boost fast energy storage https://phys.org/news/2026-07-nanotubes-nanosheets-boost-fast-energy.html Bacterial cellulose offers a sustainable path for high-performance energy storage https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1136248

https://phys.org/news/2025-05-mxene-exceptional-high-frequency-emi.html "ultrathin, lightweight, block sub-THz signals... unlike carbon-based, which are heavy, prone to corrosion, degraded performance at high frequencies... overcomes challenges in nitrogen-based synthesis using titanium-based MAX precursor process... 35K S/cm electrical conductivity translating to exceptional EMI shielding capabilities... precise control over degree of Nitrogen substitution enables electromagnetic fine tuning, optimizing electromagnetic wave reflection/ absorption for various applications" Related: Ultra‑broadband and ultra‑high electromagnetic interference shielding performance of aligned and compact MXene films https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1088646 Multifunctional composite aerogel for multi-energy conversion and electromagnetic shielding https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1088844 Multifunctional ANF/MXene-enhanced hydrogels for flexible EMI shielding and wearable sensing a...

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1080421 "no: strict handling regulations, special/ expensive lab equipment, costly waste disposal... short electrical pulsing improves electrochemical etching. initiates reaction at interfaces, breaking aluminium bonds in MAX phase... only aluminium atoms removed, leaving electrochemical MXenes with small hydrogen bubbles forming on MAX phase materials, cleaning/ reactivating the surface, sustaining reaction for longer period/ large EC-MXenes quantity produced... electromagnetic shielding, energy storage, sensors, solid lubricants" Related: Tellurium‑terminated MXene synthesis via one‑step tellurium etching https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1102733 Two-dimensional MXene-based advanced sensors for neuromorphic computing intelligent application https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1106987

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1076496 "overcomes need for binders, challenges finding optimal ink viscosity... droplet gently pressed/ pulled with constant pressure, forming curved surface on outer wall without bursting... dispersing highly hydrophilic MXene in water without binder, enabling high-resolution microstructure printing even with low viscosity, creating conductive 3D microstructure... 270X higher printing resolution at 1.3 µm... batteries/ energy storage: increased surface area/ integration density... shielding: enhanced reflections/ absorption" Related: Light-based polymerization reaction refines 3D printing, achieving sub-millimeter resolution https://phys.org/news/2025-03-based-polymerization-reaction-refines-3d.html

https://phys.org/news/2025-03-microwave-synthesis-mxene-faster-traditional.html "MXene protects from harmful radiation... overcomes multi-step up to 40 hour fabrication, using 90 minute 1-step microwave synthesis, uses 75% less energy... customize MXene's composition changing radiation type protects against... tested their material across the X-band—radio frequencies ranging from 8.0–12.0 GHZ—but to protect against electronic materials in outer space, more testing against cosmic radiation is needed"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1075631 "3D N-doped carbon fiber/MXene/TiO2 nano-aerogel: thin, lightweight, robust, thermal stability, wide absorption bandwidth, strong reflection loss, high-efficiency microwave absorption, electromagnetic pollution reduction... heterogeneous structure rational design optimizes interfacial area/ interfacial effects, concurrent design of multiple components/ structures achieves efficient interfacial control... macro: green/ low-cost biomass cotton skeleton, micro: nitrogen atom doping enhancing polarization loss... radar stealth" Related: Self‑sensing NiFe@N‑doped carbon aerogel: Integrating excellent radar stealth, inherent structural health monitoring, thermal management, and flame retardancy https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1123805 At just four nanometers thick, this metal starts behaving in a way physicists did not expect https://phys.org/news/2026-04-nanometers-thick-metal-physicists.html

https://www.uni-due.de/2024-12-17-catalysis-with-electrochemistry-instead-of-precious-metals "MXene surface changes into brush-like structure: non-noble metal atoms migrate out forming SAC (single atom catalyst)- like structures... forms gaseous chlorine from water containing chloride ions... chemical industry produces more than 70 million tons of gaseous chlorine per year for pharmaceuticals, plastics, batteries, water treatment... forms gaseous hydrogen and oxygen from water only electrolyte by means of oxygen evolution – an important step in the formation of green hydrogen" Related: Harnessing spin: New electrocatalysts could transform hydrogen production efficiency https://techxplore.com/news/2024-12-harnessing-electrocatalysts-hydrogen-production-efficiency.html Rrcombinant α-carboxysome shells, natural microcompartments from bacteria, combined with microporous organic semiconductor, is highly effective at producing hydrogen https://www.miragenews.com/breakthrough-in-eng...

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1067062  . "thermal conductivity almost 1 order magnitude smaller than predicted by solid-state physics, 2 orders magnitude smaller than common metals... can produce >100°F temperature drop... spray coating performs as well as inch-thick mineral felt with aluminum insulation.. building materials, performance apparel, energy storage, thermal isolation, shielding, insulating ovens,  protective shielding for aerospace vehicles" Related: Ceramic powders with Archimedean shapes resist extreme heat and oxidation https://phys.org/news/2025-02-ceramic-powders-archimedean-resist-extreme.html Bioplastic breakthrough: Sustainable cooling film could slash building energy use by 20% amid rising global temperatures https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1088642 High-conductivity amphiphilic MXene can be dispersed in a wide range of solvents https://phys.org/news/2025-08-high-amphiphilic-mxene-dispersed-wide.html Photothermal fabric ‘sk...

https://techxplore.com/news/2024-02-compound-space-age-antennas.html "compatible performance to metal, but 10 - 20X lighter, less expensive and easy to build... titanium carbide MXene integration onto 3D-printed nylon-based parts can make polymer surfaces conductive, allows efficient channel-like structure guiding of microwaves to frequency bands.... additively 3D printed: communication (antennas, waveguides, filters), medical imaging (MRI), aerospace (satellites), reduced space transport payloads" Related: Construction of dual heterogeneous interface between zigzag-like Mo-MXene nanofibers and small CoNi@NC nanoparticles https://phys.org/news/2024-03-dual-heterogeneous-interface-zigzag-mo.html

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1029815 "Mg-based hydrides: high hydrogen storage densities, good cyclic performance, Mg abundant, low-cost, environmentally friendly... combine advantages of MXenes and Mg(In) solid solution in modification of MgH2/Mg to simultaneously alter thermodynamics and kinetics of Mg-based hydrogen storage... enhanced de/hydrogenation properties of MgH2 catalyzed by In@Ti-MX... unique phase transformation... application of nanostructured Mg-based hydrogen storage materials in various energy fields" Related: New material for hydrogen storage confines this clean yet troublesome fuel https://techxplore.com/news/2024-04-material-hydrogen-storage-confines-troublesome.html New metal-free porous framework materials may have potential for hydrogen storage https://phys.org/news/2024-05-metal-free-porous-framework-materials.html Practical formate/bicarbonate energy system shows promise for hydrogen storage https://phys.org/news/2024-08-formatebicarbonat...

https://phys.org/news/2023-12-unveils-shape-configurable-mxene-based-thermoacoustic-loudspeakers.html "2D MXene conductive nature and parylene's controllable thickness enables thermophonic speakers with superior performance... high SPL output 74.5 dB at 15 kHz and maintained stable for 14 days... 3D bi-/ omni- directional and deformation-independent sound in various bent, stretched-kirigami configurations using parylene substrate... parabolic and spherical versions with sound-focusing... ultra-thin, wearable, shape-deformation-induced sound control, immersive, active noise control, flexible active displays" Related: Cut it with a twist: Cutting changes kirigami material mechanics https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1131199

https://phys.org/news/2023-11-2d-3d-mxene-path-revolutionizing.html "using acamphene to freeze-cast 2D MXene nanosheets, producing dendrites arranged into a 3D ceramic scaffold having open pores with controlled dimensions and directionality... constructed 2-electrode supercapacitors poweing 2.5V LED light achieving higher power and energy densities... controlling MXene concentration and ceramic porosity tunes conductivity... also applicable to graphene instead of MXene, and to polymers and metals instead of ceramics... batteries, fuel cells, EVs, catalytic devices" Related: 2D single-crystalline LiCoO₂ nanosheets developed for high-performance battery-supercapacitor hybrid devices https://techxplore.com/news/2024-02-2d-crystalline-licoo-nanosheets-high.html MXenes for energy storage: Chemical imaging more than just surface deep https://phys.org/news/2024-06-mxenes-energy-storage-chemical-imaging.html Advances in MXene Hybrid Composites for Lithium-Ion Batteries https://bioeng...