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Will strong and fast-switching artificial muscle be feasible?

A POSTECH research team developed a new polymer electrolyte with different functional groups, resolving contradictions in mechanical strength and conductivity. This breakthrough enables the creation of artificial muscles that can produce fast switching and great strength.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateAug 12, 2022
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

A light twist

A researcher at the University of Tsukuba has developed a method for producing electrically conductive polymers with helical configurations, which can convert linearly polarized light into circular polarization. This approach may lead to cheaper and more energy-efficient electronic displays.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalMolecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals·DateJun 16, 2022

Electrically conductive paints and other polymer alloys now produced easily

Researchers from the University of Tsukuba have synthesized polyaniline in various common solvents, enabling improved production and lower manufacturing costs. The discovery will facilitate versatile processing modes like inkjet printing and advance applications in printed circuit boards and other technologies.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalPolymer-Plastics Technology and Materials·DateJun 16, 2022
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

UBCO researchers change the game when it comes to activity tracking

Researchers at UBC Okanagan have created wearable human motion devices that can track a multitude of activities, including breathing and muscle contractions. The devices use a two-dimensional inorganic nanomaterial called MXene alongside a conductive polymer for electromagnetic interference shielding.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia Okanagan campus·JournalCarbon·TypeMeta-analysis·DateJun 16, 2022

New material offers remarkable combo of toughness and stretchiness

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new material with remarkable toughness and stretchiness, comparable to cartilage. The ionogels created by the team exhibit self-healing and shape memory properties, making them suitable for various applications.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 21, 2022

Nanoantennas for light controlled electrically

Scientists at Linköping University have created optical nanoantennas using conducting polymers that can switch between metallic and dielectric properties. The researchers achieved electrical control of the nanoantennas, enabling gradual tuning by applying external bias potentials.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 17, 2022
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Dynamic gating process observed at Sub-2 nm speed in nanochannels

Scientists developed a novel nanoporous gating system to precisely control and observe dynamic gating processes, inspired by cell performance. The system achieved controlled dynamic gating through conducting polymer polypyrrole at sub-2 nm speed.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2021

Storing energy in plants with electronic roots

Scientists have successfully stored energy in bean plant roots using conjugated oligomers, creating a new biohybrid system for sustainable energy storage. The research demonstrates that the roots of intact plants can function as networks of conductors, storing up to 100 times more energy than previous experiments.

SourceLinköping University·JournalMaterials Horizons·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 8, 2021
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Lightweight electric wristband heaters for constant, portable warmth

Researchers develop conductive, wash-durable yarn for wearable heaters using poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) and poly(4-styrenesulfonate). The treated yarn can distribute heat at a safe operating voltage when sewn into fabric, providing steady warmth even in cold conditions.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateOct 20, 2021

Welcoming composite inks into the fold

A new composite ink composed of ceramic particles in polymer acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) has been developed to make foldable electronics easier and cheaper to manufacture. The ink enables the creation of flexible, large-area dielectric substrates suitable for millimeter-wave devices, including 5G antennas.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Materials Technologies·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2021

3D nano-inks push industry boundaries

Mechanical engineering researchers at Michigan Technological University have created a 3D-printable nanocomposite polymeric ink using carbon nanotubes. The ink's properties, such as electrical conductivity and increased strength, make it suitable for various applications, including aerospace and electronics industries.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalAdditive Manufacturing·DateSep 24, 2021
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Pusan University Researchers Develop ‘Super-Flexible’ Electroluminescent Devices

Researchers from Pusan University developed a super-stretchable, deformable, and durable material for 'super-flexible' alternating current electroluminescent devices. The material was successfully applied in devices that functioned with up to 1200% elongation, displaying stable luminescence over 1000 cycles.

SourcePusan National University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 26, 2021

Polymer electrolytes for all-solid-state batteries without dead zones

Researchers developed a novel block copolymer electrolyte that controls structure through electrostatic interactions, enhancing ionic conductivity. The new nanostructure enables significant enhancement in conductivity compared to typical two-dimensional structures, paving the way for safer all-solid-state batteries.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 20, 2021

New conductive polymer ink opens for next-generation printed electronics

Researchers at Linköping University developed a stable, high-conductivity n-type polymeric ink, known as BBL:PEI. This breakthrough paves the way for innovative printed electronics with improved energy efficiency. The new ink is eco-friendly and can be deposited using a simple spraying process.

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 21, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

TPU scientists develop efficient method to create high-strength materials for flexible electronics

Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University have developed a method to create high-strength, electrically conductive composites using laser-driven integration of metals into polymers. The new method offers improved mechanical stability and potential applications in flexible electronics, photocatalysis, sensors, and biomedical products.

SourceTomsk Polytechnic University·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMar 2, 2021

Spider silk inspires new class of functional synthetic polymers

Researchers at the University of Groningen have developed a new class of proton-conducting polymers based on protein-like materials, which may be useful in future bio-electronic devices and sensors. The novel material has shown higher measured proton conductivity than any previously known biomaterials.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 12, 2020

Oral cancer diagnosis using saliva

A new method uses conductive polymer spray ionization mass spectrometry and machine learning to detect changes in metabolites in saliva samples from 373 volunteers. The diagnostic accuracy of the method is reported at 86.7%, suggesting a potential point-of-care test for oral squamous cell carcinoma.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 29, 2020
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Ion conducting polymer crucial to improving neuromorphic devices

A new study from Tohoku University and the University of Cambridge has created a polymers-based device that mimics brain neural cells. The research used a combination of PSS-Na and PEDOT:PSS polymers, resulting in a significant increase in response time.

SourceTohoku University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJun 24, 2020

Untwisting plastics for charging internet-of-things devices

Researchers at Nagoya University have created a new material that can efficiently charge Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices using body heat. The breakthrough involves adding an ion electrolyte gel to a conducting polymer, which untwists the polymer chain and creates links between its crystalline parts, improving electron conductivity.

SourceNagoya University·JournalScience Advances·DateApr 16, 2020
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Engineers 3D print soft, rubbery brain implants

MIT engineers create soft, flexible neural implants that can conform to the brain's contours and monitor activity over longer periods. The devices are made from a type of polymer that is electrically conductive and can be printed using a conventional 3D printer.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 30, 2020

How to get conductive gels to stick when wet

A new adhesive method allows conductive polymer gels to adhere to a wide variety of surfaces, including glass and gold, even when exposed to moisture. This breakthrough enables the development of more durable and reliable biomedical sensors and implants.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 20, 2020

The ink of the future in printed electronics

Researchers at Linköping University have created an organic material with superb conductivity by mixing two polymers, eliminating the need for doping. This breakthrough could lead to improved efficiency in organic solar cells and bioelectronic applications.

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Materials·DateMar 9, 2020

A thermometer can be stretched and crumpled by water

A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) has developed a new type of polymer ionic conductor that can be stretched and crumpled by water. This innovation enables the creation of stretchable thermometers that can measure body temperature with simple contacts, such as wearing clothes or shaking hands.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateFeb 10, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Creating a nanoscale on-off switch for heat

Researchers created a polymer thermal regulator that can switch between conducting and insulating states, allowing for precise control of heat flow. This breakthrough enables potential applications in fields such as refrigeration, computing, and waste heat scavenging.

SourceCollege of Engineering, Carnegie Mellon University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 16, 2019

Creating switchable plasmons in plastics

Scientists at Linköping University develop optical nanoantennas made from a conducting polymer, allowing for controllable nano-optical components. The antennas react to light and can be switched on and off, making them suitable for applications such as smart windows.

SourceLinköping University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateDec 9, 2019

An electronic signal expands the material by a factor of 100

Researchers at Linköping University have discovered a material that can increase and reduce its volume when exposed to weak electrical pulses. The new conducting polymer expands to 14 or 120 times its original volume, making it significantly larger than previously reported materials controlled by an electrical signal.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateOct 29, 2019
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

New polymer films conduct heat instead of trapping it

MIT engineers have developed thin polymer films that conduct heat better than many metals, including steel and ceramic. The films, which are thinner than plastic wrap, exhibit high thermal conductivity due to the untangled molecular structure of polyethylene.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 29, 2019

Controlling thermal conductivity of polymers with light

Researchers have designed a novel polymer that can switch its thermal conductivity in response to light, enabling on-demand heat routing. The material's unique behavior has potential applications in managing heat for sensitive electronics and keeping electrical devices warm.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 11, 2019

Faster-charging, safer batteries

Scientists at UD aim to improve battery performance by introducing tapers into polymer membrane electrolytes, increasing conductivity and processing speed. The goal is to create more impact-resistant and safer batteries for devices like cell phones, laptops, and electric vehicles.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·DateNov 26, 2018
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

New ID pictures of conducting polymers discover a surprise ABBA fan

Conjugated polymers have been studied for their electrical conductivity, but determining their structure was challenging. A new technique developed by the University of Warwick has produced high-resolution images of their structure, revealing gaps and defects in an ABBA pattern.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 15, 2018
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

This is what a stretchy circuit looks like

Scientists in China develop a hybrid conductive material that can be bent and stretched at will, making it suitable for wearable electronics and implantable devices. The material, called metal-polymer conductor, is non-toxic and has broad applications for diagnosing and treating diseases.

SourceCell Press·JournaliScience·DateJun 14, 2018

Soft machines

Researchers at UCSB have created a new type of actuator that combines speed and softness, enabling faster and more versatile soft robotic systems. The actuator, made from liquid-metal alloy conductors and magnetized polymer composites, allows for fast and low-voltage movement in various applications.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 21, 2018

Engineers turn plastic insulator into heat conductor

A team of MIT engineers has developed a polymer thermal conductor that can dissipate heat more efficiently than traditional insulators. The new material is lightweight and flexible, conducting 10 times as much heat as most commercially used polymers.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateMar 30, 2018
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

'Random walk' of heat carriers in amorphous polymers

The study investigates how chain conformation influences thermal conductivity in amorphous polymers, revealing that ultra-thin polymer nanofibers exhibit higher thermal conductivity due to aligned molecular chains. An empirical function is proposed to describe the diameter dependence of chain conformation.

SourceScience China Press·JournalNational Science Review·DateFeb 28, 2018

A new theory to describe widely used material

Researchers have developed a theoretical model that explains the interaction between ions and electrons in PEDOT:PSS, a widely used conducting material. The model has implications for applications in printed electronics, energy storage, and bioelectronics.

SourceLinköping University·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 15, 2017

Researchers report better way to create organic bioelectronics

A new fabrication method allows for precise control over electrical performance of neural probes, improving drug delivery and communication with the nervous system. Conducting polymers mimic biological tissue, promoting efficient signal transduction and biocompatibility.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateAug 24, 2017

Heat-conducting plastic could lead to lighter electronics, cars

A new technique can change plastic's molecular structure to help it dissipate heat more efficiently, making it suitable for applications like vehicles, LEDs, and computers. The process is inexpensive and scalable, and preliminary tests show a polymer with thermally conductive properties similar to glass.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience Advances·DateAug 2, 2017
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Cotton candy capillaries lead to circuit boards that dissolve when cooled

Researchers have developed cotton candy-like fiber networks that dissolve in water below 32 degrees Celsius, enabling the creation of self-destructing circuit boards. These devices have potential applications in military and health fields, including implanted medical devices that can disintegrate with ice application.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJun 27, 2017

To connect biology with electronics, be rigid, yet flexible

UW researchers design polymers that can effectively communicate across biological and electronic realms by creating rigid and non-rigid regions with varying conductance properties. These findings may lead to new biosensors, flexible bioelectronic implants, and improved batteries.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 19, 2017

Researchers flip script for Li-Ion electrolytes to simulate better batteries

Researchers at Caltech used a supercomputer to identify new electrolyte materials that could enhance lithium-ion battery performance. They found polymers with promising properties for lithium-ion conduction, which could lead to more efficient and stable batteries.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateFeb 1, 2017

NUS researchers achieve major breakthrough in flexible electronics

NUS researchers have made a breakthrough in developing conducting polymer films that can provide unprecedented ohmic contacts, enabling superior performance in plastic electronics. The breakthrough allows for the creation of high-performance devices such as organic light-emitting diodes, solar cells and transistors.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature·DateJan 13, 2017

Mending a broken heart: New advanced heart patch developed

Researchers have created a polymer patch that improves conduction of electrical impulses in damaged heart tissue, showing long-lasting stability and minimal invasiveness. The suture-less patch uses green laser technology to adhere to the heart tissue and has been shown to work in animal models.

SourceUniversity of New South Wales·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 30, 2016
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Challenging the 'rigidity' for smart soft electronics

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have developed a low-crystalline conducting polymer that shows high-field effect mobility, enabling faster charge transport without compromising mechanical properties. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities for soft electronics and wearables.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 3, 2016

The future of perovskite solar cells has just got brighter -- come rain or shine

Researchers have made significant breakthroughs in perovskite solar cells by developing a hydrophobic conducting polymer that improves efficiency and stability without additives. The new cells retain high performance over two months in humid conditions, paving the way for commercialization.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJul 18, 2016

Organic computers are coming

Researchers discover a derivative of [3]-radialene, a small planar molecule, which can be used to create organic semiconductors. The molecule increases the electrical conductivity of polymers by several tens and hundreds of times, paving the way for new organic solar cells and field-effect transistors.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJul 14, 2016
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Graphene-based transparent electrodes for highly efficient flexible OLEDS

A Korean research team developed a graphene-based transparent electrode structure, achieving high efficiency and flexibility in flexible OLEDs. The new device architecture maximizes the efficiency of graphene-based OLEDs by inducing a synergistic collaboration between high- and low-index layers.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 3, 2016