Advanced Material Uses

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗟𝗟𝗬 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗔𝗜 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗶𝗻 2025? Not building the next unicorn. Not just automating code. Not writing essays. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆'𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀! In a recent Harvard Business Review report, Marc Zao-Sanders analyzed qualitatively hundreds of Reddit and subreddits to identify 100 use cases for GenAI. The exact same research was done 12 months back in 2024 and a comparison with the usage of 2024 has been created (see graphic below). And apparently A LOT has changed! The most striking finding? Many of this year’s top GenAI use cases revolve around deeply human needs — from emotional support and personal organization to finding purpose and improving well-being. In 2025 it became much less about technical tasks and more about helping people in their daily lives. Therapy and companionship ranked #1 in 2025, followed by “Organizing my life” and “Finding purpose.” 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗮 𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄, 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗔𝗜 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 2025 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁, 𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 2024: 1. Therapy / Companionship – up from 2nd place 2 .Organizing My Life – new entry at 2nd place 3. Finding Purpose – new entry at 3rd place 4. Improving Learning – up from 8th place 5. Generating Code (for professionals) – up from 47th place 6. Generating Ideas – down from 1st place 7. Entertainment and Fun – same position as last year (6th) 8. Enhancing Code (for professionals) – up from 19th place 9. Creativity – up from 27th place 10. Healthier Living – up from 75th place 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀! People’s thinking around GenAI is clearly shifting — and this report gives a fascinating window into that change. Today, 31% of top use cases fall under “personal and professional support,” up from just 17% last year. The big move? A clear shift from technical troubleshooting to personal clarity and support. 𝗪𝗲’𝘃𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗿𝗮 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗔𝗜. People aren’t just chasing productivity — they want purpose, emotional support, and less mental overhead. The most powerful GenAI products today don’t just generate content — they reduce mental load, guide action, and fit into real life. 𝗧𝗼 𝗺𝗲, 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗯𝗿𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿: 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻-𝗰𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗜 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 — 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗮𝗹! Find the full article here: https://lnkd.in/ddrHjqCA 📬 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀? 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝗸+ 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗺𝘆 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿. 𝗜 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗔𝗜 𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀, 𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝗳𝗹𝗼𝘄𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘆 𝗮𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 → https://lnkd.in/dbf74Y9E

Headline: China Breaks Hypersonic Barrier with Heat Shield That Survives 6,512°F Introduction: Pushing the boundaries of aerospace engineering, Chinese scientists have developed a revolutionary heat-resistant material that could dramatically advance hypersonic flight. Withstanding temperatures as high as 3,600°C (6,512°F) in oxidizing environments, this breakthrough in ceramic carbide technology far exceeds the limits of current aerospace materials. Key Details: Unprecedented Thermal Resistance: • The new carbide ceramic material withstands 3,600°C (6,512°F)—a temperature threshold that surpasses existing aerospace heat shields. • For comparison: • Most metal alloys fail above 2,000°F. • SpaceX’s Starship uses heat shield tiles rated to 2,500°F (1,371°C). • This represents a significant leap for aerospace and defense systems operating in extreme thermal conditions, such as hypersonic missiles and space reentry vehicles. Scientific Breakthrough: • Developed by a team at South China University of Technology, led by Professor Chu Yanhui. • The innovation lies in a “high-entropy, multi-component” design—a materials science strategy that combines several elements to produce stable, heat-tolerant structures. • Published in the peer-reviewed journal Advanced Materials, the research confirms that oxidation resistance and thermal stability can now be pushed beyond previous global limits. Strategic Implications: • Hypersonic flight—defined as speeds over Mach 5—requires materials that can survive intense friction and heat during atmospheric transit. • This new ceramic could dramatically enhance China’s capabilities in hypersonic weapons, high-speed aircraft, and space exploration. • The breakthrough signals China’s growing edge in next-generation materials science, a field critical to global defense and aerospace competition. Why This Matters: This development not only marks a technological milestone but also escalates the strategic race in hypersonic and aerospace systems. The ability to maintain material integrity at such extreme temperatures could reshape the future of military deterrence, space travel, and atmospheric reentry design. As nations pursue faster, farther, and more resilient vehicles, China’s new ceramic positions it as a global leader in the high-stakes domain of advanced aerospace materials. Keith King https://lnkd.in/gHPvUttw

I was wrong. The movie Her was right. I thought the top AI use cases would be coding, research, or productivity tools. But the data tells a different story. In 2025, the #1 use case for generative AI is therapy and companionship. Let that sink in. We’re not just using AI to build faster or work smarter—we’re turning to it to feel less alone. Even more surprising? Two new use cases cracked the top 5: ✅ Organizing my life ✅ Finding purpose This shift isn’t just technological—it’s deeply human. As AI adoption grows beyond early technologists to the general public, the most valuable use cases are those that support self-improvement, emotional connection, and clarity—without fear of judgment. I love being proven wrong when it reveals something this important. Were you surprised too?

Solar PV Module Recycling Using Shock Wave Fragmentation Sharing something I saw at the Singapore International Energy Week this week. This is a new solar PV recycling technology by the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS). Pyrolysis can be used in solar PV recycling to remove and treat the ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) binder in solar panels. See this explanation by the French startup company ROSI: "ROSI's General Manager Antoine Chalaux told Euronews about how they recycle the materials in Europe's solar panels. "The first step is crucial -- to correctly separate the materials that make up the photovoltaic panels," he explained. "The photovoltaic panel is very well protected by a weather-resistant glass sheet which lets the light through - to create the photovoltaic effect." "Inside, we have photovoltaic cells. They are very small, but they’re the most valuable part, so the aim is to unglue all these elements that are stuck together to make sure the photovoltaic panel lasts as long as possible," he added. "The first step is a thermal process. We use pyrolysis to get rid of the polymers that hold all these materials together. Once these materials are detached from each other, we use a mechanical sorting process to separate them and, lastly, we recover the photovoltaic cells, which are made from silicon and silver." "We use a chemical process that doesn't dissolve the metals but simply detaches the silver wires on the photovoltaic cells. These silver wires are very valuable. Then the fragments of silicon cells, which are of very high purity silicon, are recovered and reused in the European industry," Chalaux concluded." https://lnkd.in/gJQ_J4eR But pyrolysis needs a lot of heat and releases syngas & other byproducts. SERIS' new technology on the other hand uses electrohydraulic fragmentation through shock waves. Basically the panels are crushed, then fragmented and sifted using shock waves. The materials are sorted into different types as they exit the shock wave fragmentation plant. See the containers in the photo. It avoids pyrolysis (no direct emissions from heating) and has low energy usage. See the poster in the photo for more details. Kudos to SERIS for developing this interesting technology.

Wood Waste-derived Thermoset Plastic Catalyzes its own Degradation Process.   Epoxy resin thermosets (ERTs) represent an important category of polymeric materials renowned for their robustness and exceptional thermal resilience. They play an essential role in various critical industrial sectors, including packaging, composite manufacturing, transportation, construction, and aviation.   However, their inherent strength comes with a drawback—they are extremely challenging to break down or recycle. Additionally, epoxy-amine resins, often incorporate bisphenol A (BPA), known as an endocrine disruptor.   A recent Science paper reports the synthesis and closed-loop recycling of a fully lignocellulose-derived epoxy resin (DGF/MBCA) is achieved through a process involving the dimethyl ester of 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (DMFD), 4,4′-methylenebis(cyclohexylamine) (MBCA), and glycidol.   This resin exhibits exceptional thermomechanical properties, including a glass transition temperature of 170°C and a storage modulus at 25°C of 1.2 gigapascals.   Notably, the material undergoes methanolysis without any catalyst, regenerating 90% of the original DMFD. The diamine MBCA and glycidol can then be reformed through acetolysis.   This work, coupled with promising commercial potential, represent a significant step towards incorporating thermosets into the circular and bio-based economy. #plasticpollution #bioplastics #sustainability Image credit: c&en, ACS

Transforming Farm Waste into Gold Industrial biotechnology and advanced manufacturing key to unlocking the future of sustainable agriculture. In the heart of Rotorua, a groundbreaking initiative is turning farm waste into valuable resources. Cetogenix, a local startup, is revolutionizing the way we handle agricultural waste by converting it into biogas and fertiliser. This innovative technology, developed in collaboration with Scion and supported through the Bioresource Processing Alliance (BPA) leverages advanced biotechnology to process organic waste efficiently and sustainably. Cetogenix's modular system is designed to be flexible, catering to various waste streams. Building on the expertise from AgResearch ensures the scalability from individual farms to larger operations. By extracting more gas and valuable nutrients from waste, this technology not only boosts economic returns but also offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilisers. With an estimated 7 million tonnes of organic waste produced annually in New Zealand, the potential impact of this technology is immense. Processing just 10% of this waste could generate significant amounts of biomethane and fertiliser, contributing to a greener and more sustainable future. Daniel Gapes I Trevor Stuthridge I Alexandra Stuthridge I Rob Lei I Marc Gaugler I Jamie Bridson #SustainableAgriculture #Farm #Innovation #Biotechnology #WasteToEnergy #GreenTech #Agriculture #Biogas #Bioeconomy #Cleantechnology #AdvancedManufacturing https://lnkd.in/gJqQ5WQx

USA developed metal foam so light it floats on water yet strong enough to stop armor piercing bullets completely Materials scientists at North Carolina State University have created composite metal foam (CMF) that defies conventional material properties—it's 70% lighter than aluminum yet can absorb kinetic energy better than solid steel armor. The foam floats on water while stopping .50 caliber armor-piercing rounds. The material consists of hollow metallic spheres (made from steel, titanium, or aluminum) embedded in a metallic matrix. This structure creates an incredibly efficient energy-absorbing architecture that dissipates bullet impact across the entire material rather than penetrating. Extraordinary properties: Floats on water (specific gravity less than 1.0) Absorbs 75% more energy than solid steel armor Blocks X-rays and gamma radiation Withstands temperatures up to 1,500°C 70% lighter than conventional armor When a bullet strikes the foam, the hollow spheres collapse progressively, converting kinetic energy into heat and deformation while the matrix redistributes stress. The bullet fragments and stops without penetrating. Military applications include lightweight vehicle armor, aircraft protection, and body armor that doesn't fatigue soldiers. Naval applications are revolutionary—ships can be armored with materials that actually improve buoyancy rather than sinking them deeper. The foam also provides exceptional thermal and radiation shielding, making it ideal for space vehicles. A spacecraft hull made from CMF would protect astronauts from micrometeorites, radiation, and temperature extremes while reducing launch weight dramatically. Commercial production for military contracts begins late 2025. Source: North Carolina State University, Advanced Engineering Materials 2025

⭕ ⭕ Among the 12 key materials listed by #NATO as essential to the allied defense industry #China has almost complete control" of 7 of them, claiming that "these pose a significant risk to NATO's military capabilities. NATO also recently released a report listing 12 key defense raw materials essential to the allied defense industry including aluminum, beryllium, cobalt gallium germanium graphite lithium manganese platinum rare earth elements titanium and tungsten. The materials are indispensable for the production of advanced defense systems and equipment. According to NATO, aluminum is a key material in the production of military aircraft and missiles; graphite is critical in the production of major tanks and frigates due to its high strength and thermal stability in submarines; graphite is used to build hulls and more; structural components, which significantly reduce acoustic signature and improve invisible capabilities; cobalt is critical in the production of superalloys used in jet engines, missiles and submarines. The report states "The availability and secure supply of these materials are critical to maintaining NATO's technological superiority and operational readiness. Supply disruptions could impact the production of critical defense equipment. Identifying these critical materials is an important step in NATO's progress toward building a stronger and more secure system. This is the first step in developing supply chains vital to the defense and security of our allies." According to reports 🇨🇳 has the most obvious control over gallium materials, accounting for 98% of global production. And gallium is critical to making high-performance microchips used in cutting-edge military technology such as advanced radar systems and missile guidance platforms. 🇨🇳 also produces 60% of the world's germanium and more than 70% of its graphite; germanium is an indispensable material for infrared optical equipment such as night vision equipment and laser targeting systems. 🇨🇳 controls 55% of global aluminum production, and the material's strength-to-weight ratio makes it a key material for aircraft frames, ship hulls, and missile systems. 🇨🇳 also imposes export controls on tungsten and titanium. Tungsten is an ultra-dense metal used to make armor-piercing projectiles. Titanium is vital for aircraft frames and propeller shafts because of its strength and corrosion resistance. According to the report, 🇨🇳's dominance in rare earth elements has further aggravated NATO's "strategic concerns." Because rare earth elements are the foundation of modern defense technology, including precision-guided #weapons, invisible platforms and advanced communication systems. In addition to the seven types mentioned above, 🇨🇳 also dominates the cobalt and lithium refining process, accounting for 68% and 72% of global production capacity in 2022, respectively. These materials are critical for the production of jet engines, drone batteries and other military systems.

An everyday kitchen cupboard essential has just been used by UK academics to simplify and decarbonise the recycling of batteries from electric vehicles, energy storage systems and consumer electronics. How many leading research breakthroughs list a key component as humble as "vegetable oil (Rapeseed Oil (100%), Morrisons, UK)"? The University of Leicester's team from the world-leading ReLiB Project used ultrasound to mix water and vegetable oil, resulting in stable nano-droplets of oil in the water, and then added "black mass" from End of Life lithium-ion cells, which is a shredded mixture of all of the materials from the cell. The anode material (-ve electrode), graphite, is hydrophobic like the vegetable oil, so is attracted to it and forms clusters with the oil nano-droplets, which float to the top of the mixture and can be easily skimmed off. The cathode material (+ve electrode), lithium metal oxides such as NMC, is hydrophilic, so sinks to the bottom of the mixture. This could reduce reliance on the high temperature furnaces or strong acids used in older recycling techniques, while keeping the battery-grade structure of the materials that are recovered from the black mass, so they require less processing before being used in new cells. Overall, this breakthrough could make battery recycling less energy-intensive, lower-carbon and more eco-friendly. https://lnkd.in/ee4nin4s

Energy is one of the key research and innovation priorities identified in the Communication on Advanced Materials for Industrial Leadership, published by the Commission last month. Advanced materials can help in the energy transition by decreasing production costs, increasing efficiency, and making production more sustainable (for instance by using lower amounts of critical raw materials).   At the JRC we are looking closely at the gap between demand and innovation, with a particular focus on high-impact areas and supply chain resilience. Advanced materials can be good for innovation in many clean energy technologies, but they often face barriers to widespread adoption. We need to ensure that more efficient, sustainable alternatives reach the market faster.   Our latest science for policy brief deals with how advanced materials can decrease the use of critical raw materials in clean energy technologies. This would make our supply chains more resilient and increase the EU’s strategic autonomy.   In particular, optimising the properties and composition of materials could lead to:   - the elimination of cobalt and nickel from electric-vehicle batteries, and possibly even replacing lithium with sodium; - the steady reduction of rare-earth content in permanent magnets for wind turbine generators; - the introduction of new chemical solvents for carbon dioxide capture with improved environmental and thermodynamic performance, such as ionic liquids.   We are preparing a full report to be published this autumn, so stay tuned!   Read the brief here: https://lnkd.in/eP9GbpdZ   Nicola Magnani, Patrícia Alves Dias, Guillermo Martínez Castilla , Evdokia Tapoglou, Teodor Kuzov, Johan Carlsson, Michalis Christou, EU Science, Research and Innovation #AdvancedMaterials #CriticalRawMaterials #SupplyChains #EnergyTransition