Normally metals and insulators sit at opposite ends of a spectrum of conductivity, but researchers have discovered a material that can switch between those states freely, even at room temperature. The ...

Over the years, Hendrix has maintained that porcelain insulators (and porcelain spacers) should not be used with covered conductor. This is due to the dielectric incompatibility between the two ...

Diamond is an effective electrical insulator, but that might not always be the case according to a new study from MIT and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Singapore. The team has calculated that ...

A new study uncovers a switchable, atomically-thin metal-organic material that could be used in future low-energy electronic technologies. The study shows that electron interactions in this material ...

Tantalum disulfide is a mysterious material. According to textbook theory, it should be a conducting metal, but in the real world it acts like an insulator. Using a scanning tunneling microscope, ...

Insulation failure is the root cause of many electrical conductors and equipment failures. When insulation fails, not only can equipment be damaged, but fire and shock can also result. Ideally, when ...

Electric utilities in the U.S. and around the world have been increasingly grappling with wildfires over the last couple of decades. Of particular concern are wildfires caused by power lines. These ...

The need to integrate renewable energy resources, and prepare for increased demand for power as electrification takes hold in transportation and other sectors, creates challenges for an aging grid.