Scientists who bridge disciplines often take research in new directions.
Water and nano-sized particles isolated from trees, plants and algae are the ingredients of a new recipe for low-cost metal oxides that are widely used in displays, smart windows, magnetic memories and coatings.
Scientists at the US Department of Energy’s 91°µÍø are learning how the properties of water molecules on the surface of metal oxides can be used to better control these minerals and use them to make products such as more efficient se