Articles tagged with "durability"
Oura Ring 4 Ceramic review: a colorful glow up
The Oura Ring 4 Ceramic is a stylish and durable smart ring made from zirconia ceramic, designed to offer a more attractive alternative to typical bulky tech wearables. Available in four colors—Midnight (dark blue), Cloud (white), Tide (light teal), and Petal (light pink)—the Ceramic version costs $500, which is $150 more than the standard titanium Ring 4. Although it is thicker (3.51 mm vs. 2.88 mm) and heavier (5.1 to 8.1 grams depending on size) than the titanium model, the reviewer found it comfortable and lightweight, with a smooth finish that resists fingerprints better. The ceramic material provides a warmer, less slick feel that may initially feel slightly “sticky” on the finger but becomes comfortable with wear. The colors are infused from natural minerals in the ceramic, ensuring vibrancy that does not fade, at least over the short term. Regarding durability, Oura notes that the ceramic ring
materialswearable-technologysmart-ringzirconia-ceramicdurabilitytech-wearablesdesignTechnique to preserve dead helps construction wood resist decay, age
Researchers at the University of British Columbia (UBC) have developed a novel technique to enhance the durability and lifespan of Western red cedar, a widely used Canadian building material known for its renewability but prone to moisture absorption. The method adapts plastination—a process originally designed for preserving human and animal remains—by replacing the water in the wood’s cellular structure with a silicone compound. This creates a hydrophobic barrier that significantly reduces swelling, rotting, and cracking, thereby preserving the wood’s internal structure without compromising its tensile strength. The process involves acetone dehydration of the cedar, followed by vacuum-assisted impregnation with a silicone polymer and curing. Testing using advanced imaging and spectroscopy confirmed that the silicone deeply penetrates the wood’s microscopic channels, reducing moisture absorption by nearly 60% and increasing surface hydrophobicity by over 45%. Mechanical tests showed improved flexibility and maintained strength in treated samples, even after moisture conditioning. Compared to conventional wood treatments that rely on surface coatings or toxic chemicals, plastination
materialswood-preservationplastinationcomposite-materialsmoisture-resistancedurabilityengineering-researchOnePlus 15 flaunts dune-esque Sand Storm color and 7,300mAh battery
The OnePlus 15 introduces a significant design shift for the brand, featuring a flat-sided frame with softened edges and a new corner-placed square camera module, replacing the previous large circular bumps. It debuts a unique "Sand Storm" finish—a dune-inspired color blending sand and stone tones—alongside classic black and white options. The phone's fiberglass back and ceramic-coated metal frame enhance durability, making it over three times stronger than aluminum and tougher than titanium. The device retains a physical SIM card tray but removes the traditional three-position alert slider, replacing it with a customizable “Plus Key” for user-defined shortcuts. Powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chip, the OnePlus 15 offers improved speed and efficiency, complemented by a 165Hz display and the first Android support for always-on 120fps gaming, ensuring smooth and immersive performance. A standout feature is its large 7,300mAh battery, significantly bigger than competitors like the iPhone 17 Pro Max
energybattery-technologysmartphone-designmaterials-sciencedurabilitymobile-technologyQualcomm-SnapdragonRemarkable longevity of Roman concrete could build sustainable future
A recent study published in iScience explores the remarkable longevity and sustainability potential of ancient Roman concrete, which has endured for over two millennia in structures like aqueducts and bridges. Researchers compared Roman concrete recipes—using locally sourced rocks, volcanic pozzolan, and recycled rubble—with modern concrete formulations that mix sand, gravel, and limestone. While Roman concrete did not significantly reduce carbon emissions or energy demand compared to modern concrete, it notably lowered emissions of air pollutants such as nitrogen and sulfur oxides by 11% to 98%. Additionally, its exceptional durability means it requires less maintenance and repair, potentially reducing the environmental impact over time by prolonging the lifespan of concrete structures. The study highlights that modern concrete production contributes approximately 8% of global CO2 emissions and 3% of total energy demand, driving the search for greener alternatives. Although simply adopting Roman concrete recipes today may not substantially cut emissions, the research suggests that combining ancient Roman techniques with modern innovations could lead to more sustainable construction materials
materialssustainable-concreteRoman-concreteconstruction-industrydecarbonizationcarbon-footprintdurabilityFlexible solar cells beat 10,000 bending cycles with 96% efficiency
Researchers at the Korea Institute of Materials Science (KIMS) have developed a flexible perovskite solar cell that combines high efficiency with exceptional mechanical durability and environmental stability. By employing a "defect passivation strategy," they sandwiched the light-absorbing perovskite layer between two protective two-dimensional (2D) perovskite layers. This innovation shields the core material from moisture, enabling fabrication in ambient air conditions with up to 50% relative humidity—overcoming a major hurdle of perovskite’s traditional sensitivity to moisture and eliminating the need for costly controlled environments. The resulting solar cells demonstrate remarkable performance retention, maintaining over 85% of their initial efficiency after 2,800 hours of operation and 96% efficiency after 10,000 bending cycles, highlighting their mechanical resilience. Additionally, in more rigorous shear-sliding tests, the cells preserved 87% efficiency. This durability, combined with the ability to produce the cells in open air, significantly reduces
energysolar-cellsperovskiteflexible-electronicsmaterials-sciencerenewable-energydurabilityUS scientists make rubber 10x tougher, more resistant to cracking
materialsrubberdurabilitysustainabilitypolymerengineeringresearchNREL-Led Research Effort Adds Salt, Boosts Performance of Perovskites
energysolar-cellsperovskiterenewable-energyphotovoltaic-technologyefficiencydurability