Articles
July 2026
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Tungsten-Rhenium Alloys: High-Temperature Performance for Extreme Environments
When temperature measurement or structural performance must extend beyond the limits of conventional materials, tungsten-rhenium (W-Re) alloys are often the only viable option. By combining tungsten's exceptional refractory properties with rhenium's ability to restore ductility at elevated temperatures, W-Re alloys occupy a unique position in research, aerospace, and advanced energy applications.
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Why Platinum/Iridium 90:10 Was Chosen for a Neonatal Sweat Glucose Biosensor
Measuring glucose in a premature baby currently means a heel-prick. A team at Imperial College London has built a patch that reads glucose from natural sweat instead — and the sensor at its centre is a 50 μm platinum/iridium wire. Published in Science Advances, July 2026.
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Platinum-Rhodium Thermocouples: Measuring Temperature Where Most Sensors Fail
A platinum-rhodium thermocouple measures temperature by generating a tiny voltage across a junction of two dissimilar noble-metal wires — a direct expression of the Seebeck effect. This article explains that mechanism, sets out the differences between Type R, S and B, and shows why adding rhodium to platinum is what makes reliable measurement above 1500°C possible.
Indium: From Cryogenic Seals to Compound Semiconductors
Indium is a soft, silvery-white post-transition metal that occupies a quiet but essential role across some of the most demanding areas of modern research and engineering. With a melting point of just 156.6°C and exceptional ductility even at cryogenic temperatures, indium exhibits a suite of properties that make it irreplaceable in applications where conventional metals fall short.
How a CSIC Team in Madrid Used Advent Research Materials to Build Nanostructured Polymers That Cool Buildings Without Power
A CSIC team in Madrid used high-purity (99.999%) aluminium foil from Advent Research Materials as the template substrate for a nanostructured PVDF radiative cooler that reflects 82.4% of sunlight and sits 12.9 °C below ambient in full sun.