FabLab Clunisois

06/01/2025

South Korean researchers have unveiled a lithium-ion battery with a triple-layer solid polymer electrolyte, capable of extinguishing itself if ignited.

It's also resistant to explosion.

The work was done by teams at at the Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST). Unlike conventional lithium-ion batteries, which use flammable liquid electrolytes, this innovative design not only enhances safety but also offers improved longevity, retaining 87.9% of its performance even after 1,000 charge-discharge cycles—outperforming the typical 70-80% seen in standard batteries.

The key to this breakthrough lies in the three-layer polymer structure.

A strong zeolite middle layer provides stability, while the softer outer layers enhance electrode contact and overall battery efficiency. One side contains fire-retardant decabromodiphenyl ethane (DBDPE) to prevent and extinguish fires, while a lithium salt (LiTFSI) accelerates ion movement, reducing dendrite formation—a common issue that degrades performance and increases fire risks.

This design marks a significant step toward safer, more efficient energy storage solutions and could revolutionize sectors ranging from electric vehicles to large-scale renewable energy systems.

06/01/2025

This could help create lightweight, portable quantum computers in the future.

This innovation utilizes a novel approach involving two thin flakes of niobium oxide dichloride, a crystalline material with unique optical properties, stacked together with their crystalline grains perpendicular to each other.

This configuration allows for the efficient generation of entangled photon pairs without the need for bulky optical equipment, paving the way for smaller, simpler, and more compact quantum computing setups. In quantum computing, this miniaturization could lead to the creation of compact, chip-based quantum computers capable of tackling complex problems that are currently intractable for classical computers.

This could accelerate advancements in fields like drug discovery, materials science, and artificial intelligence. In secure communication, this technology could enable the development of robust quantum communication networks that are impervious to hacking, ensuring secure transmission of sensitive information.

This breakthrough could also enhance quantum sensing technologies, leading to more precise and sensitive sensors for applications in medical imaging, environmental monitoring, and navigation. The ability to generate entangled photons efficiently at room temperature opens up possibilities for integrating quantum technologies into everyday devices, paving the way for a new era of quantum-enhanced applications across various industries.

06/01/2025

Researchers made a device that can generate electricity from heat radiated as infrared light.

Using a specialized semiconductor device called a thermoradiative diode, a team at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) made a major breakthrough. The thermoradiative diode, made from materials found in night-vision goggles, produces power by exploiting the temperature difference between a warm surface and the cooler environment around it.

What does this mean?

During the day, solar cells generate electricity by absorbing sunlight. Similarly, the thermoradiative diode generates electricity at night by releasing infrared radiation into the cold of space. This process mimics the way the Earth cools at night, emitting heat absorbed during the day as infrared radiation into space.

While the initial amount of electricity generated was small — about 100,000 times less than a traditional solar panel—the demonstration was a significant step in proving the technology’s potential.

Since their initial breakthrough, the team has started working with more easily manufacturable materials, opening up a range of possible uses. For instance, the technology could harness body heat to power wearable devices, potentially eliminating the need for batteries in gadgets like wristwatches or enabling them to recharge themselves.

“In principle, we can generate power from body heat,” said Professor Ned Ekins-Daukes, the team’s lead. “This could eventually lead to battery-free or self-recharging devices—something conventional solar power can’t achieve.”

In space, the technology could have transformative applications. Satellites and spacecraft in low Earth orbit experience 90-minute cycles of daylight and darkness. While solar cells power these crafts during daylight, they rely on batteries during darkness. The thermoradiative diode could generate power during these eclipse periods, reducing dependence on batteries.

04/01/2025

A new technology that allows drones to charge by landing on powerlines could have widespread applications across various drone-related tasks.

The drone is built on a commercial frame and equipped with standard drone components like a battery, microcomputer, autopilot module, radar, and camera. Its unique feature is a passively actuated power-line-gripper, housed within a cable guide, which enables it to land on and grip power lines.

When the drone's battery runs low, it uses its camera and radar to locate a power line, then ascends directly towards it. The cable guide directs the line into the gripper, which clamps down on the line without needing any external power. The drone then draws electricity from the power line to recharge its battery. A small amount of upward thrust is all that's needed to activate the gripper, and the power line itself can power the gripper's control circuit under sufficient voltage. In field tests, the drone operated for over two hours, recharging five times during power line inspections.

The researchers are now focusing on enhancing the system's durability for testing in diverse environments and weather conditions. This self-charging drone could significantly expand the capabilities of drones, allowing for longer flight times and continuous operation in various applications and industries

04/10/2024

23/07/2024

Nouveautés dans la ventilation / refroidissement des puces :

Les AirJet de Frore Systems sont des solutions de refroidissement sans système mécanique qui utilisent des ultrasons.

18/02/2024

➡️ Lors de la journée Portes Ouvertes du campus de Cluny, les élèves du dispositif Ulis du collège de Lugny et les élèves de l’école Georges-Brassens de Ville…

07/10/2023

01/07/2023

Voilà un projet Arts et Métiers de 1ère année en lien avec la fondation Main à la Pâte et l'école Primaire de circonscription de Mâcon Sud. L'objectif de nos étudiants en 1ère année était de décrire ce qu'il se passe entre le grain de céréale et la farine.
Ils ont brillamment réussi l'objectif !

Merci à
- la fondation Main à la Pâte, Olivier Petit son coordinateur dans le 71
- Francine Tardivaud, directrice de l'école Primaire Circonscription de Mâcon,
- les étudiants Luc Chantran, Maxime Bernier, Jules Sureaud , Robin Leroi, Lou Chatard, Lucien Courtiade, Hugo Bouterige

26/06/2023

Voilà le résultat d'un projet étudiant d'un an, 7 étudiants 2ème année, 80h à l'emploi du temps et des centaines d'heures d'investissement personnel. ARVI Projet sort de terre ! C'est un "assistant robotisé audiovisuel". Merci aux étudiants pour leur dévouement incroyable, et merci aux sponsors (3DZ, STÄUBLI, PRACARTIS Groupe, Go Tronic, Val Thorens, RS France, Fablab Clunisois)

Retrouver plus de détail sur le site internet ARVI projet.

Maxime Amadasi, Clarisse BOURBON, Thomas BULTEL, Benoît Fila, Paul Kuffer, Alexandra LAFOND, Quentin ROUX-MOLLARD