Only when outside and inside channels line up with each other to form a single tube can the ions begin to flow.

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Scientists have known that other materials can hold more lithium ions and increase the amount of energy that can be packed into a cell.

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The ions can then be pulled out of the gas by a strong electric field.

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The necessary ions can therefore be produced in sufficient quantities by run-of-the-mill equipment of the type already available in most chip factories.

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We think the ions can at high levels produce local effects on tissue which is why we recommend regular screening so if the levels are high we can recommend repeat surgery at an early stage.

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The material also contains negatively charged ions, which can be moved with electric pulses to different parts of the surface.

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However, by making something out of ions that are bulky and asymmetrical (they have names such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium and hexafluorophosphate, which are as complicated as the ions they represent), the attractive electrical forces can be kept so far apart that the resulting substance is a liquid at room temperature.

ECONOMIST: Ionic solvent

The second suggests that a rod-like plug can block the hole by slipping across it sideways and stopping large ions from passing, rather like a drain cover stops leaves from entering the mouth of a pipe.

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This molecular mouthful has the rare ability among solvents of being able both to dissolve cellulose and to act as an electrolyte that is, a chemical that can carry current between the electrodes of a battery in the form of charged molecules, or ions.

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