Articles
June 2026
Plasma-Facing Materials for Fusion Reactors: Tungsten, Molybdenum, and Refractory Alloys Explained
Fusion energy has long promised a near-limitless, low-carbon power source, and that promise is finally approaching engineering reality. This article examines the key materials used in plasma-facing components, the material science challenges they must overcome, and why research-grade purity is essential for progress in fusion technology.
Gold Wire Electrodes: What Makes Rapid Blood Testing Possible
Blood tests that return results in minutes, at a clinic or at home, depend on electrochemical biosensors built around gold electrodes. Gold's ability to form stable bonds with biological molecules — combined with its conductivity, inertness, and biocompatibility — makes it the standard electrode material for detecting disease biomarkers in blood, urine, and sweat. This article explains how gold wire and gold-film electrodes work, and where they are being used in diagnostic research today.
How Researchers Used Kapton® polyimide film to Harvest Energy from Human Movement
Researchers at the University of Exeter used Kapton® polyimide film supplied by Advent Research Materials as the key flexible component in a knee-joint energy harvester — demonstrating that the motion of walking alone can power a wireless sensor node, no battery required.