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Articles on Electronics

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In June 2023, a fire started at this e-bike shop in New York City and spread to upper floors of the building. AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews

Lithium-ion battery fires are a growing public safety concern − here’s how to reduce the risk

Lithium-ion batteries power many electric cars, bikes and scooters. When they are damaged or overheated, they can ignite or explode. Four engineers explain how to handle these devices safely.
Magnetic levitation is just one of the interesting attributes that make superconductors so interesting. Mark Garlick/Science Photo Library vie Getty Images

How do superconductors work? A physicist explains what it means to have resistance-free electricity

Superconductors are materials that can transmit electricity without any resistance. Researchers are getting closer to creating superconducting materials that can function in everyday life.
Electronic devices are not, in and of themselves, a source of visual problems. Using these devices inappropriately can interfere with the natural development of the eye, as well as reading and learning skills. Shutterstock

Development of vision in early childhood: No screens before age two

The impact of using electronic devices is critical during the first years of life, both visually and on the cognitive and social development of the child.
Nickel oxide, the gray-and-black-striped material, demonstrates unique properties when exposed to hydrogen. Purdue University/Kayla Wiles

Nickel oxide is a material that can ‘learn’ like animals and could help further artificial intelligence research

The ability to store information is central to learning and the field of artificial intelligence. Researchers have shown how a unique material shows basic learning properties similar to that of slugs.
Wind turbines and fighter jets both rely on imported critical minerals. U.S. Air Force; Dennis Schroeder/NREL

The US is worried about its critical minerals supply chains – essential for electric vehicles, wind power and the nation’s defense

Right now, the nation is almost entirely dependent on other countries for minerals that are used in everything from wind turbines to strike fighters and satellites.
The U.S. is still a leader in designing and selling computer chips, but the vast majority of the world’s chips are fabricated in Taiwan and South Korea. Macro Photo/iStock via Getty Images

A global semiconductor shortage highlights a troubling trend: A small and shrinking number of the world’s computer chips are made in the US

The high cost and long lead times for building computer chip factories makes it difficult for the U.S. to reverse the steady decline of its domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity.
Most of the world’s electronics are not recycled, posing health and environmental risks. catscandotcom/Getty Images

Consumer electronics have changed a lot in 20 years – systems for managing e-waste aren’t keeping up

Technical advances are reducing the volume of e-waste generated in the US as lighter, more compact products enter the market. But those goods can be harder to reuse and recycle.
A “creuseur,” or digger, descends into a tunnel at the mine in Kawama, Democratic Republic of Congo. Michael Robinson Chavez/The Washington Post via Getty Images

As cobalt demand booms, companies must do more to protect Congolese miners

Companies can’t verify that their source didn’t involve artisanal mining. A discussion over responsible sourcing strategies and practices is needed.

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