Researchers have developed a thin-film alloy of magnesium and titanium that, when applied to glass, may be easily switched between a reflective and transparent state. When exposed to a hydrogen atmosphere (about 1%) that is devoid of oxygen, the film forms a reflecting mirror. In an oxygen atmosphere of about 20% absent hydrogen, the glass becomes transparent. Industrial applications include energy-conserving windows in buildings and homes. Click here for more info .
A conductive adhesive can be applied to systems operating at high temperatures, or act as a heating element. It was developed as part of the flat heating technology for clothes irons, where a reliable, strong, and cost-efficient glue was needed because techniques such as soft soldering had too low a melting point and hard solder too high a melting point for use with aluminum plates. Several other glues were tested and all failed, so the manufacturer created a "super glue" based on sol-gel precursors. Click here for more info .
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