Articles tagged with Materials Engineering
Researchers have created a new metal alloy that boasts the highest recorded toughness, with properties that improve at lower temperatures. The alloy, CrCoNi, exhibits exceptional strength and ductility, making it ideal for structural applications, despite most materials becoming brittle at low temperatures.
Scientists have developed a new composite material that exhibits excellent gamma-ray shielding performance, 10 times higher than epoxy. Crystal plane engineering plays a crucial role in regulating the electron density of MAPbI3/epoxy composites, improving their ability to absorb radiation.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are developing a wearable heart monitor using a breathable material with antibacterial and antiviral properties. The device will track heart health via dual signals, providing continuous monitoring for early detection of heart disease.
Researchers develop a new method to track disease-carrying mosquitoes by ingesting harmless DNA particles, providing unique fingerprints of information. This innovative approach has the potential to revolutionize mosquito-borne disease surveillance and tracking, offering insights into mosquito movement and hotspots.
A team of WPI researchers has developed a potential breakthrough in green aviation: a recipe for a net-zero fuel for planes that pulls carbon dioxide out of the air. The fuel, made from magnesium hydride and hydrocarbon, could provide up to 8% more range than traditional jet fuel.
A team of international researchers has designed new kinds of materials that are potentially tougher, more versatile and more sustainable than what humans can make on their own. These materials mix different proteins and molecules to achieve properties not possible with traditional metals or plastics.
A POSTECH research team developed single-cell-driven tri-channel encryption meta-displays, which project different images depending on where you look at them. These displays overcome the limitations of conventional metasurfaces by combining amplitude modulation and geometric phase manipulation.
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba developed a reliable means to quantify reinforced concrete structure deterioration using crack width measurements. Increasing crack width leads to decreased bond strength in infrastructure.
A research team at Pohang University of Science & Technology has developed a tailored neutralizer that can adapt to all kinds of mutations in the virus. The hybrid agent mimics the principle of hotspot interaction between the virus and the hACE2 receptor, inhibiting its penetration into cells.
UCF researchers are developing a wearable, wireless health monitor to track physiological response to heat stress in firefighters. The device aims to identify correlations between heat stress and skin thermal activity for the first time, providing insight into the link between heat stress and serious medical issues.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a ring-shaped soft robot capable of crawling across surfaces when exposed to elevated temperatures or infrared light. The 'ringbots' are made of liquid crystal elastomers in the shape of looped ribbon, resembling a bracelet, and can pull a small payload across various environments.
Researchers at Aalto University developed a new material that changes its electrical behavior based on previous experience, effectively giving it adaptive memory. The material responds differently to varying magnetic field strengths, which affects its conductivity and allows for bistability and rudimentary learning-like properties.
A team of researchers from the University of Toronto and Northwestern University has developed an all-perovskite tandem solar cell with extremely high efficiency and record-setting voltage. The prototype device demonstrates the potential of this emerging technology to overcome key limits associated with traditional silicon solar cells.
A new microscopy system using optical tapered fibers has successfully acquired images of photoacoustic signals without contrast agents. The resolution is sufficient for cellular imaging, including red blood cells, with a resolution of 1.0 ± 0.3 micrometers.
A new MIT-developed heat treatment transforms 3D-printed metal microstructure, enabling energy-efficient 3D printing of blades for gas turbines and jet engines. Researchers discovered a way to improve the structure by adding an additional heat-treating step.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new material made from egg whites that can efficiently remove salt and microplastics from seawater. The aerogel material has significant benefits due to its low cost, energy efficiency, and effectiveness in water filtration.
Researchers developed a fast and cost-effective method to detect amphiphiles, a ubiquitous family of chemical compounds used in disease diagnosis and toxin detection. The new test uses rolling droplets on microstructured surfaces to detect levels of pathogenic endotoxins in water at ultralow concentrations.
The SwRI experiment helped predict the effects of NASA's DART impact on asteroid Dimorphos. The study assessed ejecta momentum enhancement created by the space probe's collision, measuring a 3.4-fold increase in momentum transfer.
Researchers from Shibaura Institute of Technology created a novel method to produce self-folding origami honeycomb structures using paper sheets, which can provide excellent protection against shocks and compression. The developed technique has potential applications in packaging, agriculture, and other fields.
Lehigh University researchers have developed a new fabrication method for high-entropy alloys that can operate in extreme temperatures. The process uses lower temperatures and a different reaction route to achieve a more homogenous microstructure, potentially leading to the development of more efficient materials for aerospace and indu...
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new self-healing composite that can repair itself in place without removal. The technology addresses two longstanding challenges, increasing the lifespan of structural components by up to 500%. This resolves limitations such as overheating and limited self-repair cycles.
Engineers have created a new type of surface that can change its physical properties across different directions. By combining cells with adjustable shapes, the researchers can alter compressibility, flexibility and density. This technique has potential applications in medical devices, architecture and aerospace.
Researchers have controlled a one-dimensional electron fluid to an unprecedented degree, discovering new properties of Tomonaga-Luttinger liquids in two-dimensional materials. The team's findings could pave the way for more robust quantum computers with enhanced fault-tolerance.
A research group at Kobe University has successfully synthesized α-amino acid N-Carboxyanhydrides (NCAs), a crucial precursor for artificial polypeptides, using the photo-on-demand phosgenation method. This new synthesis method eliminates the use of toxic phosgene and is considered safe, inexpensive, and simple.
MIT researchers have developed a new approach to assemble nanoscale devices from the bottom up, using precise forces to arrange particles and transfer them to surfaces. This technique enables the formation of high-resolution, nanoscale features integrated with nanoparticles, boosting device performance.
A research team at UNIST has developed a perovskite-silicon tandem solar cell with a special textured anti-reflective coating, increasing its power conversion efficiency to 23.50%. The device maintains its initial efficiency for 120 hours, outperforming existing devices which drop to 50% after 20 hours.
Researchers at Drexel University have developed a composite material that can absorb and dissipate electromagnetic waves, reducing electromagnetic interference. The MXene-polymer coating has shown to be highly effective in absorbing energy at greater than 90% efficiency.
A German Research Foundation-funded research unit is developing switchable polymer gels for biomaterial applications, including tissues for biotechnological or biomedical uses. The team has successfully explored the nature of amphiphilic co-networks and will now focus on material design.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a new material called ITZO, which promises to be up to seven times faster than current state-of-the-art materials. By understanding the unique properties of this material, scientists can design more efficient display technologies for ultra-high resolution displays.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered a novel phenomenon in a type of quantum material that can change its electrical properties under specific conditions. The material, known as Mn3Si2Te6, exhibits colossal magnetoresistance when exposed to certain magnetic fields, allowing it to behave like a metal wire.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an algorithm that enables 2D materials to maintain their mechanical strength after conversion into 3D structures. The algorithm is inspired by kirigami art and mimics the structure of nacre, a natural shell coating known for its robust mechanical properties.
Scientists at Duke University have engineered materials capable of producing tunable plasmonic properties while withstand extremely high temperatures. The new high-entropy carbides can achieve improved communications and thermal regulation in aerospace technologies, including satellites and hypersonic aircraft.
Researchers have created a wearable insect repellent by encapsulating IR3535 in biodegradable polymer and shaping it into a ring or bracelet. The repellent continuously evaporates, forming a barrier for insects, offering several hours of protection.
Researchers developed hydrophilic slipper surfaces that are both extremely slippery and water-attracting, countering conventional wisdom. These SLIC surfaces have potential applications in biomedical technologies and condensers, where they offer anti-fouling properties and improved efficiency.
A new category of shape-memory materials made of ceramic, rather than metal, has been discovered by MIT researchers. The ceramic material can actuate without accumulating damage and withstand much higher temperatures than existing metals, making it suitable for applications such as actuators in jet engines.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
Researchers developed a plant-inspired extrusion process for synthetic material growth, enabling soft robots to create new material and navigate obstacles. This technology has applications in remote areas and biomedical fields, potentially reducing the need for expensive machinery.
A team of researchers from NIST, UW-Madison, and Argonne National Laboratory identified key compositions that enable consistent 3D-printing of 17-4 PH stainless steel with favorable properties. The new findings could help producers cut costs and increase manufacturing flexibility.
Engineers at Duke University developed a scalable soft surface that can continuously reshape itself to mimic objects in nature. It uses electromagnetic actuation, mechanical modeling, and machine learning to form new configurations and adapt to hindrances.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to capture and predict the fatigue strength of metallic materials using automated high-resolution electron imaging. This approach allows for rapid prediction of metal failure and breakage, leading to design of safer and more resilient materials for various applications.
Scientists developed a software platform to analyze surfaces, creating digital twins that predict material properties like adhesion and durability. The contact.engineering platform standardizes procedure and facilitates open science, allowing users to share measurements and collaborate.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong create lightweight, ultra-tough hybrid carbon microlattices that are 100 times stronger and doubled in ductility compared to original polymers. The new method enables the creation of sophisticated 3D parts with tailored mechanical properties for various applications.
Researchers found that inland water carbon emissions are on the rise, with estimates suggesting 4.4 billion metric tons of carbon are released annually, primarily as carbon dioxide or methane. A new thermal insulation composite made from silica particles also shows promise for improving energy efficiency and reducing moisture damage.
Researchers at Washington State University have created a strong and high-performance material by mixing Martian regolith with a titanium alloy. The composite showed better properties than the metal alone, making it suitable for making tools or rocket parts on Mars.
Researchers have developed a new technique to dope gallium nitride (GaN), creating high-power electronic devices with reduced energy loss and increased efficiency. This breakthrough enables the use of GaN in compact power electronics for sustainable infrastructure, such as smart grids.
Researchers aim to create crack-resistant, uniform materials with reduced residual stresses and porosity for use in AM. The project will combine the best processing features of existing alloys groups, resulting in lightweight, rigid, and thermally stable components.
Researchers used laser melting to produce composite particles with sizes ranging from 400 to 600 nanometers. They discovered how to determine the critical size of particles that begin to change under laser light, and found that larger particles reach lower temperatures.
Researchers discovered that irregularities between grains in the battery's electrolyte can accelerate failure by moving ions at varying speeds. Adjusting material processing techniques may help solve reliability problems with solid-state batteries.
The Graphene Flagship is showcasing the potential of graphene-enabled alternatives to traditional semiconductors, with recent advancements in integrating 2D materials into silicon wafers. The project's European Chip Act aims to mobilize €43 billion in investments to alleviate the global chip shortage.
KAUST researchers created a more efficient solar-cell module by redesigning its optical design, reducing power conversion efficiency loss in real-world applications. The new module achieved an efficiency increase from 25.7% to 26.2% due to refractive-index engineering.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a thermally stable bulk-type all-solid-state capacitor with a highly deformable oxide solid electrolyte. This innovation enables high current densities and high-capacity charging/discharging at temperatures up to 300°C, opening doors for high-temperature applications.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University have developed an invisible coating that can 'fireproof' wood by forming a char that expands to prevent combustion. This technology has the potential to reduce costs and improve fire resistance, making it an attractive solution for the construction industry.
A new study creates a photochromic nylon webbing that changes color in response to UV exposure, allowing for long-term UV sensing. The webbings' color decay rate depends on the initial dye concentration, with customized dye levels enabling varying lifetimes.
Scientists at Giessen University used high-performance computing to understand the optical response of cluster glass, a material that generates bright, clear white light. The study verified the experiment through simulation and showed the link between the observed properties and molecular structure.
MIT researchers developed a method to create 3D-printed materials with tunable mechanical properties and embedded sensors, enabling real-time feedback on movement and interaction. The sensing structures use air-filled channels that deform when moved or squeezed, providing accurate feedback for robotics and wearable devices.
A research group from Tokyo University of Science has discovered molecular features that govern the filling process at nanoscales, enabling finer resolutions in ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography. The findings provide valuable insights for guiding the selection and design of optimized resists for sub-10 nm resolution.
A new study from Tokyo Institute of Technology introduces a novel crystal engineering strategy to design ultrabright fluorescent solid dyes. This approach allows for monomeric emission and suppressed intermolecular interactions, enabling the creation of highly dense crystalline structures with controlled electronic properties.
Researchers used machine learning to predict protein adsorption onto polymer brush films, identifying key film characteristics that impact adsorption. The study found hydrophobicity index to be the most critical parameter, with thickness and density also playing a significant role.
Researchers created a dual-phase, nanostructured high-entropy alloy with unprecedented strength and ductility through 3D printing. The alloy's unique microstructure enables cooperative deformation of two phases, resulting in ultrahigh strength and enhanced ductility.
A research group developed a novel antifouling nanofiltration membrane by regulating pore size distribution through one-step multiple interfacial polymerization. The resulting membrane exhibits stronger antifouling performance and long-term stability, promising improved robustness in industrial liquid separation.