Fabrication
Articles tagged with Fabrication
Perovskite solar cells skip yellow phase, degrade slower thanks to key additives
Researchers at Rice University have developed a method to make perovskite-based photovoltaics more durable by adding two key ingredients, skipping the yellow phase and degrading slower. The films retain 98% of their initial efficiency even after 1,200 hours of exposure.
Computer-designed thermoelectric generator achieves more than eightfold improvement in efficiency
A breakthrough in computer-designed thermoelectric generators has achieved more than eight times better efficiency than conventional designs. The innovative approach uses topology optimization to precisely control heat flow and minimize electrical resistance.
Achieving wafer-scale growth of 2D magnetic materials
Researchers at Indian Institute of Science have devised a method to grow high-quality 2D magnetic materials over centimetre-scale wafers, paving the way for their integration into next-generation electronics. The technique uses Physical Vapour Transport Deposition and enables scalable fabrication with minimal surface roughness.
The 'thinner yet tougher' paradox: A two-sided upgrade for flexible microchips
A new manufacturing approach enables the creation of working transistors on both sides of flexible microchips, doubling computing density. The technique uses a liquid bath to detach and float ultra-thin silicon membranes, allowing for precise fabrication without harsh adhesives.
How an algorithm is curing 3D printing’s cracking problem
A team of researchers developed a machine learning framework to optimize laser settings for printing crack-susceptible superalloys. The algorithm reduced internal crack density by 99% and increased the metal's high-temperature strength, surpassing traditional cast components.
Machine learning designs cheaper and rust-proof steel for 3D printing
A new class of ultra-high strength and ductility steel has been created using machine learning, achieving a rare balance of extreme strength and ductility. The resulting metal resists corrosion and degrades slowly in salt-water tests.
Viciazites: Efficient carbon capture designer materials that could desorb below 60 oC
Researchers have developed a new class of carbon materials called 'viciazites' that contain carefully controlled configurations of nitrogen groups, enabling low-temperature operation and efficient CO2 capture. The materials outperform untreated carbon fibers in CO2 uptake and desorption at temperatures below 60°C.
Escaping the bubble trap: Plant-inspired 3D electrodes unlock ultra-fast hydrogen production
Researchers have developed a 3D electrode inspired by an aquatic plant, which captures and transports gas bubbles to increase hydrogen production. The design achieved a current density eight times higher than common flat electrodes, collecting 53.9% more hydrogen.
How adding a microwave to a 3D printer makes flawless and heat-proof ceramics
Researchers used microwave-based 3D printing to create ceramic components with near-zero porosity and improved strength. The hybrid technique eliminates microscopic holes and traps gas bubbles, allowing for more bending force before breaking.
Vibrating atomic tip sculpts 3D memory channels into fragile semiconductors
Prof. Yanquan Geng's team has devised a way to carve variable-depth, three-dimensional trenches into gallium antimonide using a microscopic tip vibrating thousands of times per second. This process improves the crystal's structural integrity and enables the creation of pristine 3D nanogrooves with controlled depths and widths.
A 3D printable scaffold to support fast bone growth
Researchers at EPFL developed a 3D printable scaffold to support fast bone growth using a room-temperature process with enzymes. The resulting bone-like porous scaffolds can become load bearing within just 7 days, showing promise for bone repair applications.
Printing living tissue at human-level cell density
Researchers create living tissue at near-physiological cell density using a new bioprinting strategy called embedded 3D printing in a cell-dense suspension (EPICS). The method enables the precise fabrication of perfusable channels and dense cellular environments, mimicking real organs.
New robotic microfluidic platform brings ai to lipid nanoparticle design
Engineers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed LIBRIS, an automated microfluidic platform capable of generating lipid nanoparticle formulations at high speed and scale. This enables the creation of large, systematic datasets needed to train predictive AI models, accelerating the design of lipid nanoparticles for mRNA delivery.
New review highlights the future of tubular solid oxide fuel cells for clean energy systems
Recent advances in tubular solid oxide fuel cells provide a comprehensive overview of innovative geometric designs and real-world applications. These cells offer a promising technology for addressing global energy challenges with higher energy conversion efficiency and fuel flexibility.
Microscopic mirrors for future quantum networks
The Harvard team developed a new microfabrication method to produce high-performance, curved optical mirrors with extremely smooth surfaces. The mirrors can control light at near-infrared wavelengths, enabling fast and efficient quantum networking.
New plastic material could solve energy storage challenge, researchers report
Researchers have developed a novel polymer alloy material made from commercially available plastics that can handle unprecedented high temperatures and store more energy than traditional polymer capacitors. The new material has a dielectric constant of 13.5, allowing it to maintain its performance level from -148 F to 482 F.
When the softest carbon meets the hardest
Graphene and diamond hybrids show promising performance in electronic devices, sensors, and machining tests. However, major challenges remain, including producing large-area hybrids with consistent quality and understanding fundamental properties.
Your future home might be framed with printed plastic
MIT engineers have designed a 3D-printed floor truss system made from recycled plastic, which exceeds building standards set by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The printed flooring can hold over 4,000 pounds and weighs about 13 pounds per truss, making it a lighter alternative to traditional wood-based trusses.
An open source breakthrough in hemodynamics
Researchers have developed an open-source pressure myography tool, HemoLens, which reduces the cost of vascular research to $750 from $40,000. The tool uses affordable manufacturing processes and customizable components, making it easier for researchers to study vascular function.
Underwater 3D printing could transform maritime construction
A Cornell University team is developing a method to 3D-print concrete underwater, which could revolutionize on-site maritime construction and repair of critical infrastructure. The technology aims to minimize ocean disruption while creating more efficient and effective construction methods.
LIST tech wins "Oscars" of the composites world
LIST's patented infrared welding process enables rapid assembly of thick carbon-fibre-reinforced thermoplastic components, reducing weight, costs and environmental impact. The innovation is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 12.5 tonnes per wing rib.
An unexpected breakthrough in flat optics
A team from Harvard and University of Lisbon found that silica, a low-refractive index material, can be used for making metasurfaces despite long-held assumptions. They discovered that by carefully considering the geometry of each nanopillar, silica behaves as a metasurface, enabling efficient design of devices with relaxed feature sizes.
New method allows scientists to 3D-print structures within cells
Researchers have developed a new method to print custom microstructures directly into living cells, enabling the study of biological functions and instilling enhanced properties. The breakthrough uses light-sensitive materials and laser polymerization to create structures within cells.
Behind nature’s blueprints
Scientists from ISTA and Brandeis University develop a geometric framework that predicts viable structures in self-assembling particles. The 'high-dimensional convex polyhedron' tool helps identify constraints that prevent certain outcomes, offering insights into designing custom-made nanomaterials.
Light-speed learning: A brain-inspired chip that thinks with light
Researchers developed a bio-inspired neuron platform that processes and learns information using light and electronics integrated on a single platform. The chip achieves 92% image recognition accuracy and demonstrates key synaptic behaviors found in biological learning.
A researcher’s long quest leads to a smart composite breakthrough
Researchers have developed a strong, defect-free composite material that can phase-shift under stress to dissipate energy. The material, created using additive friction stir deposition, has potential applications in defense, infrastructure, aerospace, and sporting equipment.
From generation to complex control: Metasurfaces make perfect vortex beams "within reach"
Researchers at China Jiliang University have developed a comprehensive review of metasurfaces for generating and controlling perfect vortex beams. The advancements in this field offer new possibilities for high-precision optical applications.
A multi-material microrobot that can grasp, carry and release a cell
A team of researchers developed a multi-material, multi-module microrobot that can grab, carry and release microscopic objects. The microrobot features two parts: one reacts to pH changes to grip an object, while the other responds to magnetic fields for movement.
Goodbye stereolithography: Scientists develop a faster and finer way to 3d print metal
Researchers create a new method for laser-based powder bed fusion that achieves unprecedented lattice walls and surfaces while reducing memory demand. The approach enables the high-fidelity fabrication of microscale shell lattices with improved strength and toughness.
“Robot, make me a chair”
An AI-driven robotic assembly system allows people to build physical objects by simply describing them in words. The system uses generative AI models to build a 3D representation of an object's geometry based on the user's prompt, and then iterates on the design based on feedback from the user.
An alternative to BPA passes toxicity and sustainability standards set by EU innovation guidelines
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have identified three bisphenols with negligible estrogenic effects, suitable for replacing BPA in consumer products. The safe and sustainable alternatives are made from renewable resources and demonstrate thermal stability and mechanical properties comparable to BPA-based plastics.
NCSA receives honors in 2025 HPCwire Readers’ and Editors’ Choice Awards
The National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA) has received the 2025 HPCwire Readers' and Editors' Choice Awards for its outstanding research in artificial intelligence and energy systems. NCSA's premier supercomputing systems Delta and DeltaAI were utilized in two different domains, including a novel AI-based approach to m...
Cool comfort: beating the heat with high-tech clothes
Researchers from the University of South Australia have developed a lightweight breathable fabric that reflects 96% of the sun's rays, keeping skin temperature 2-3.8 degrees celsius lower than bare skin. The innovative material actively releases warmth while keeping the skin dry.
‘Artery on a chip': 3D printed blood vessels could unravel secrets of strokes
Researchers created a miniaturized replica of carotid arteries using 3D printing, mimicking the geometry and fluid dynamics of human blood vessels. The model revealed that platelet movement is crucial in blood clot formation, and high stress on blood vessels triggers significant platelet activity.
Korean researchers’ single memristor replaces both the driving transistor and storage capacitor in micro-LED
A team of Korean researchers has successfully integrated a single memristor into micro-LED pixels, replacing the traditional driving transistor and storage capacitor. This innovation enables more efficient and easier-to-build displays with improved brightness and color accuracy.
Self-driving lab learns to grow materials on its own
Researchers at UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering developed a fully automated system to optimize physical vapor deposition, a process used to make thin films. The self-driving lab uses robotics and artificial intelligence to decide the next best step without human intervention.
Built to heal, born to vanish: the promise of iron-manganese alloys in bone healing
Researchers have identified iron-manganese alloys as promising candidates for temporary bone fixation. These alloys combine strength, biocompatibility, and degradation properties, allowing them to support bone healing while degrading naturally. However, challenges remain, including controlling the release of manganese, which can pose t...
New memristor wafer integration technology from DGIST paves the way for brain-like AI chips
A new memristor wafer integration technology has been developed, enabling the creation of brain-like AI chips with high efficiency and compact storage. The technology overcomes limitations of conventional semiconductors by storing and processing information in a more compact space.
Printing with fields: Reprogramming matter at the smallest scales
Researchers explore Field-assisted Additive Manufacturing for micro/nano device fabrication, enabling targeted motion, cell growth, and flexible electronics. The technology holds promise for industries such as biomedical engineering and microrobotics.
Muscle tissue from a 3D printer – produced in zero gravity
Researchers at ETH Zurich have successfully produced muscle tissue using a new biofabrication system called G-FLight in microgravity. The process enables rapid production of viable muscle constructs with similar cell viability and muscle fibers as those printed under gravity.
The next industrial revolution will be printed: global experts unpack the future of additive manufacturing
Global experts discuss the future of additive manufacturing in various applications, including bioprinting living tissues and creating smart consumer products. Researchers showcase advancements in machine learning, real-time sensing, and multi-material 3D printing.
Tiny 3D printer reconstructs tissues during vocal cord surgery
A team of biomechanical engineers and surgeons has developed a 3D-printing soft robot that can accurately deliver hydrogels to the vocal cord surgical site. The device, which is only 2.7 mm in size, can reconstruct tissues removed during surgery and potentially prevent fibrosis and stiffening of the vocal cords.
3D-printed electrolytes keep zinc batteries stable for 8000 cycles
Researchers at South China University of Technology develop a method to solve unstable anode:electrolyte interfaces using digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing. The resulting batteries retain over 91% capacity after 8,000 cycles and achieve stable cycling over 2,000 hours.
A platform of gold reveals the forces of nature’s invisible glue
A new platform allows researchers to study the forces that bind tiny objects together, revealing insights into self-assembly processes and fundamental forces in nature. The platform uses gold flakes in a salt solution, with light bouncing back and forth through nanometre-sized cavities to display colors.
Robots that flex like US: The rise of muscle-powered machines
Researchers are developing 'biohybrid robots' that flex and move using biological tissue, offering potential applications in medicine and industry. The field is advancing through advanced fabrication methods, such as 3D bioprinting and electrospinning, which enable precise control over muscle cells.
A new post-processing route to improve tensile strength and ductility in 3d-printed alloys
A new post-processing route improves tensile strength and ductility in 3D-printed alloys by combining deep cryogenic treatment and laser shock peening. This method transforms the microscopic structure of 3D-printed metals, relieving internal stresses and enhancing mechanical resilience.
Printing technique could vastly improve the environmental impact of digital displays
Duke University researchers have developed a printing technique that can create fully functional and recyclable electronics with features as small as tens of micrometers. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly reduce the environmental impact of the $150 billion electronic display industry.
Crown jewel of dental restoration technology may be in sight
The UT Dallas researchers have developed a technology that enables same-day, 3D-printed dental restorations made of zirconia, the gold-standard material for permanent dental work. This breakthrough could make same-day permanent dental restorations possible with a reduced debinding time from hours to less than 30 minutes.
Fabricating skin-like devices from metals that can bend, stretch and heal
Researchers have developed flexible electrodes that mimic skin's softness and stretchability, enabling stable high-quality signals. Composite designs combining metallic systems are being explored to balance flexibility, conductivity, and transparency.
High-throughput inkless printing: Laser-generated dry aerosols enable green manufacturing of electronics
Researchers have developed Laser Ablation Dry Aerosol Printing (LADAP) that generates nanoparticles from solid targets using pulsed laser ablation, enabling the printing of metals and oxides without inks. The technique produces structures with fine-resolution microstructures and thick deposition within a high-throughput process.
An aircell hydrogel for ultra-sensitive human-machine interaction
Researchers developed an ultra-sensitive hydrogel for human-machine interaction, achieving high-accuracy collaboration in remote surgical operations and virtual reality. The AirCell Hydrogel boasts a smooth surface and porous interior structure, allowing it to detect various human motions with exceptional accuracy.
Scientists use single-step laser ablation to fabricate ultra-uniform structures smaller than 50 nanometers
Researchers at Sun Yat-sen University create a new method for fabricating ultra-uniform surface structures with features as small as 46 nanometers. The technique uses a carefully tuned femtosecond laser under water immersion, overcoming the challenge of creating uniform nanostructures smaller than 100 nanometers.
New 3D printing method ‘grows’ ultra-strong materials
Researchers at EPFL have developed a novel 3D printing technique that creates ultra-strong metal and ceramic materials by infusing water-based gel with metal salts. The process results in exceptionally dense and strong constructions, suitable for next-generation energy, biomedical, and sensing technologies.
Metal, melted, mastered
Researchers at Virginia Tech have developed an AI-powered system to detect flaws in wire-arc additive manufacturing, a faster approach to producing complex components. The technology enables real-time defect detection and correction, reducing waste and improving quality.
Printable aluminum alloy sets strength records, may enable lighter aircraft parts
Researchers at MIT have developed a 3D-printable aluminum alloy that is five times stronger than traditionally manufactured versions. This breakthrough could lead to lighter and more efficient aircraft parts, such as fan blades in jet engines, reducing energy consumption and costs.
UVA Engineering team develops new way to build soft robots that can walk on water
Researchers introduce HydroSpread, a new fabrication method for creating soft robots that can move and adapt on their own. The technology uses liquid polymer to create ultrathin, uniform sheets on water's surface, allowing for complex patterns and controlled movement.
Technique makes complex 3D printed parts more reliable
Researchers at MIT developed a new approach to design complex material structures that account for 3D printing limitations, improving reliability in aerospace and medical applications. The technique enables precise control over material performance and reduces deviations from intended mechanical behavior.
A novel electrowetting on dielectric-based palm-sized printer for fabrication of devices
Researchers developed a palm-sized, portable multimaterial printer using electrowetting on dielectric technology to print conductive and insulating liquids. The printer allows for on-site fabrication of origami devices with customizable shapes and functions, enabling site-specific sensor deployment in resource-limited environments.
3D-printed fuel cells may power future aerospace technologies
Researchers at DTU Energy and DTU Construct developed a new fuel cell design using 3D printing and gyroid geometry for improved surface area and weight. The Monolithic Gyroidal Solid Oxide Cell delivers over one watt per gram, making it suitable for aerospace applications.