Articles tagged with Materials Engineering
Drexel University researchers develop a lightweight alternative to metal components in satellites by coating 3D-printed polymers with MXene, a conductive nanomaterial. The MXene-coated waveguides weigh up to eight times less than traditional aluminum ones and maintain nearly 95% transmission efficiency.
Engineers developed an ultra-sensitive sensor made of graphene that can detect low concentrations of lead ions in water, achieving a record limit of detection down to the femtomolar range. The device's high sensitivity enables the detection of even one lead ion in a reasonable volume of water.
The study proposes technical, legal, and economic interventions to transition the global plastics system to net zero emissions by 2050. The authors emphasize the need for concerted action across four target areas: smart materials design, waste management, recycling, and reducing future demand.
A team of scientists discovered that fractures propagate in starts and stops, moving through materials at high speeds. The amplitude and time between jumps depend on the viscosity of the liquid injected into the rock.
Researchers outline new method to stabilize bulk hafnia in metastable ferroelectric and antiferroelectric states, paving the way for non-volatile memory technology. The approach requires less yttrium, improving material quality and purity.
Researchers at RIKEN successfully spin artificial spider silk that closely matches natural production, mimicking the complex molecular structure of silk. The eco-friendly innovation has potential benefits for environment and biomedical fields.
Scientists develop novel synthetic strategy to create highly ordered colloidal crystals using DNA as the bonding element. The approach enables the synthesis of 10 new crystals with potential for designing metamaterials with unprecedented properties.
Researchers at GIST developed high-performance OECT devices based on poly(diketopyrrolopyrrole) (PDPP)-type polymers, achieving high charge carrier mobility and volumetric capacitance values. The optimized material exhibited a figure-of-merit value of over 800 F V^-1 cm^-1 s^-1.
Scientists at Kyushu University use machine learning to identify promising green energy materials, accelerating the search for hydrogen fuel cell efficiency and expanding material discovery capabilities. Two new candidate materials with unique crystal structures have been successfully synthesized.
A team of researchers has created artificial small-diameter vessels (SDVs) featuring pores that enable the formation of an endothelium without additional processing steps. The 3D-printed vessels were successfully infused with human cells, demonstrating spontaneous cellular assembly and paving the way for potential transplantation and f...
Rice chemists find a way to remove impurities from boron nitride nanotubes using phosphoric acid and fine-tuning the reaction. The new method produces high-purity tubes that are stronger than steel by weight, making them suitable for various industries, including aerospace and biomedical imaging.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a method to manipulate the shape of materials through microscale melting and cooling, enabling autonomous shapeshifting in 3D. This technology has far-reaching implications for industries such as aerospace and architecture.
Researchers investigate grain size and temperature effects on Ti deformation at extremely low temperatures, finding that cryogenic temperatures trigger deformation twinning, boosting strength and ductility. The study proposes a modified Hall-Petch relationship to explain strengthening mechanisms at cryogenic temperatures.
A research team developed electrostatic materials capable of responding to weak ultrasound, generating static electricity for implantable neurological stimulators. The technology eliminates the need for batteries, reduces device size, and minimizes strain on the human body. Experimental validation confirms its effectiveness in animal m...
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology discovered a breakthrough approach to stabilize aptamers using ionic liquids. The team found that these liquid-based environments can shield nucleic acids from enzymes, preserving their functions up to 6.5 million times longer than conventional methods.
Researchers have developed a novel light source that minimizes interference zones, enabling stable and accurate information transmission. The technology utilizes conventional lighting systems, such as LEDs, to facilitate the simultaneous transmission of large amounts of data.
Researchers at Columbia University paired laser light with crystal lattice vibrations to boost the nonlinear optical properties of hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), a stable 2D material. The team achieved over a 30-fold increase in third-harmonic generation, generating new frequencies and efficiently producing optical signals.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed an aerogel material that can tune the transmission of terahertz signals between 13% and 91%, enabling various applications. The material's absorption property can be adjusted through a redox reaction, making it suitable for long-range signals from space or radar systems.
A $161 million grant from the DOD will support research into tunable thermal conductivity and latent heat storage effects in materials. The new equipment enables analysis across a wide temperature range and various pressures and humidity levels, paving the way for adaptive materials with dynamically tunable phase change properties.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have identified a welding technique that can join composite metal foam components without impairing their properties. The new method uses induction welding, which penetrates deeply into the material and insulates it against heat.
Researchers have developed an ion-exchange method that captures CO2 at room temperature, paired with an electrochemical cell to purify the gas. The technology has the potential to be powered by industrial waste heat or geothermal energy, reducing emissions and costs.
Researchers at Texas A&M's Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering are part of a $42 million program to advance laser-driven fusion energy. The RISE hub will focus on innovative target concepts, excimer gas lasers, and solid-state laser drivers to open up novel IFE regimes.
Researchers from MIT have developed a new method to integrate fragile 2D materials into devices, opening the path to next-generation devices with unique optical and electronic properties. The technique relies on engineering surface forces available at the nanoscale, allowing for pristine interfaces.
Researchers create Automatic Surface Reconstruction framework to estimate all possible variations of material surfaces, providing detailed information on catalysts, semiconductors, and battery components. The method reduces human intuition and provides dynamic information on surface properties over time.
Researchers developed a technique to achieve uniform shrinkage of 3D-printed structures, enabling finely detailed structures with advanced light manipulation capabilities. The method has applications in anti-counterfeiting, high-performance devices, and materials with precise structuring.
Researchers discover chemical injection strengthens sandy soil through increased cohesion and internal friction angle, with no long-term strength loss. The treatment also enhances water-sealing capacity, mitigating flood risks and improving infrastructure durability.
Researchers developed an integrated wearable sensor device using gold nanowires to measure multiple bio-signals simultaneously. The sensors demonstrated remarkable performance in detecting muscle tremors, heartbeat patterns, and body temperature changes.
Researchers have developed additively manufactured Ti-Ta-Cu alloys that exhibit improved biocompatibility and bacterial resistance, making them a promising alternative to traditional Ti6Al4V implants. The alloys were found to display remarkable synergistic effects in improving both in vivo biocompatibility and microbial resistance.
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have discovered that conical shells made from soft materials are vulnerable to buckling at much smaller loads than previously predicted. This finding has implications for designing soft robots and mechanisms, as free unclamped edges can weaken thin structures in a surprising manner.
Scientists at Pohang University of Science & Technology develop biopolymer-blended protective layer to stabilize zinc anodes in metal batteries. The film facilitates uniform nucleation of zinc, reducing the formation of twig-like crystals and improving battery longevity.
The researchers propose a hybrid organic–inorganic gas sensor design that enhances gas sensing performance while maintaining sensing speed. The proposed design outperforms conventional sensors in terms of chemical sensitivity to NO2, showcasing impressive durability and higher potential for long-term installation.
Scientists have developed a new, efficient ethanol catalyst made from copper nanoparticles, which is cheaper than platinum and could increase the potential of ethanol fuel cells. The catalyst was created through laser melting and shows great promise for improving ethanol oxidation.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to transform a rare-earth crystal into a magnet by using chirality in phonons. Chirality, or the twisting of atoms' motion, breaks time-reversal symmetry and aligns electron spins, creating a magnetic effect.
A team of international scientists cautions that reliance on mechanical cleanup devices to address plastic pollution is ineffective and may even harm marine life. They argue that reducing plastic production and consumption is the most cost-effective way to prevent further pollution.
The Southwest-Midwest Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium has supported over 200 pediatric device innovators and companies, developing several devices in the past five years. The consortium's portfolio includes real-world evidence research projects using digital tools for collecting and analyzing patient data.
Graphene-based sensors have the potential to measure various bodily signals, including brain activity, eyesight, and voice. The development of these sensors could lead to more natural human-machine interfaces and improve healthcare outcomes.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have created modular nanoparticles that can be tailored for various applications, including targeted drug delivery and neutralizing biological agents. By leveraging a plug-and-play approach, scientists can rapidly modify functional biological nanoparticles with ease.
A team of researchers from POSTECH successfully engineered a dual metalens capable of switching between different imaging modes using a single lens. This innovation enables fast mode-switching and acquisition of high-resolution images for applications such as bio-imaging and cellular reactions.
Researchers have developed a new synthesis method that controls the temperature and duration of the crystallization process to produce 2D halide perovskite layers with ideal thickness and purity. This breakthrough improves the stability and reduces the cost of solar cells, making them a viable option for emerging technologies.
A team of researchers developed soft yet durable materials that glow in response to mechanical stress, using single-celled algae and a seaweed-based polymer. The materials demonstrate inherent simplicity, no electronics needed, and can be used as mechanical sensors or soft robotics, while also being resilient and self-sustaining.
Researchers have developed soft implantable fibers that can deliver light to major nerves through the body, allowing for precise illumination of nerve pain. The fibers are flexible and stretch with the body, enabling scientists to study peripheral nerve disorders in animal models without constraining movement.
Researchers at the University of California, San Diego have discovered a way to make ceramics tougher and more resistant to cracking. By using metal atoms with more electrons in their outer shell, they unlocked the potential to enable ceramics to handle higher levels of force and stress.
A WVU team is providing free technical assistance to local industrial facilities to reduce their impact on environmental and community health. The project aims to support businesses in making changes that benefit their communities while maintaining profitability.
Scientists propose new temperature guidelines for data centers that may help reduce energy consumption and save money. Researchers found that raising the temperature to around 41°C could lead to significant savings, with some areas able to rely entirely on free-cooling, reducing energy costs by up to 56%.
Recent progress in metallic powders characterization, preparation, and reuse for laser powder bed fusion (L-PBF) enhances printing consistency and reduces costs. Novel cost-effective methods like fluidized bed and cold mechanically derived method are emerging to prepare powders.
Scientists successfully demonstrated the deflection of terahertz waves using distorted photonic crystals, mimicking gravitational effects. This breakthrough has significant implications for 6G communications and graviton physics.
Scientists at Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter discovered a way to create a superconducting-like state in K3C60 using laser light. By tuning the laser frequency, they reduced pulse intensity by a factor of 100 while maintaining high temperatures.
A research team at UNIST has developed a groundbreaking stretchable high-resolution multicolor synesthesia display that generates synchronized sound and light. This technology shatters preconceived boundaries in multifunctional displays, offering unparalleled optical performance and precise sound pressure levels.
Researchers propose a hybrid control strategy combining model-based optimization and in-cell feedback control to solve the process-model mismatch issue. This approach enhances the regulation of metabolic toggle switches, leading to increased isopropanol yields and robust microbial material production.
Researchers introduce a game-changing technology that enables fabrication of high-resolution, transformable 3D structures at the micro/nanoscale using Two-photon polymerization-based (TTP-based) 4D printing. The technology has vast potential for applications in biomedicine, flexible electronics, soft robotics, and aerospace.
The interdisciplinary team, led by Kaiyuan Yang, will focus on leveraging the spin and charge of electrons in multiferroics to process and store information. The goal is to improve energy efficiency for computing devices, potentially reducing energy consumption by three orders of magnitude.
A team of researchers has developed a stable, long-lasting superhydrophobic surface with a plastron that can last for months underwater. The surface repels blood and prevents the adhesion of marine organisms, making it valuable for biomedical applications such as reducing infection after surgery.
A team of researchers reviewed the superconducting diode effect, which enables dissipationless supercurrent flow in one direction. The study highlights potential applications for quantum technologies in both classical and quantum computing.
Researchers have developed an integrated sensor capable of capturing and enhancing bio-signals, paving the way for potential treatments of brain disorders. The innovative technology uses inkjet printing to create a flexible substrate with a custom-made sensor.
Researchers have developed a revolutionary DNA movable-type storage system, encoding 24 bytes of digital information in DNA and accurately reading it back through high-throughput sequencing. This sustainable approach eliminates costly DNA synthesis and offers potential cost reduction, scalability, and environmental friendliness.
Researchers have developed a material for next-generation dynamic windows that can switch between transparent, infrared-blocking, and tinted modes. The material uses electrochromism and water to achieve this functionality.
Researchers developed a groundbreaking soft valve technology that integrates sensors and control valves into soft robots, eliminating the need for electric components. This innovation enables safe operation underwater or in environments with sparks risks, reducing weight burdens and costs.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have developed a molecularly engineered hydrogel that can create clean water from hot air, using solar energy. The device produces up to 7 kilograms of water per kilogram of gel materials, with potential applications for drought-stricken areas and countries lacking access to clean water.
Researchers will investigate topological acoustics to improve computing speeds, reduce power usage in smartphones, and enhance sensing capabilities. The new center aims to harness the full power of acoustic waves to reveal extraordinary properties of sound.
Researchers at Linköping University develop a new type of quantum random number generator based on perovskite light emitting diodes, providing improved randomness and security. The technology has the potential to be cheaper and more environmentally friendly than traditional methods.