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Researchers demonstrate new sensors by creating novel health monitoring, machine interface devices

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a highly sensitive and stretchable strain sensor that can detect minor changes in strain with great range of motion. The sensor's innovative design features a patterned cut network that enables it to withstand significant deformation without sacrificing sensitivity.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 3, 2023

A rough start can lead to a strong bond

Researchers at The University of Tokyo have developed a cheap and simple method to bond polymers to galvanized steel, resulting in lightweight and durable materials. The process involves pre-treating the steel with an acid wash and dipping it in hot water, creating nanoscale needle structures that allow for strong mechanical linkages.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalJournal of Manufacturing Processes·DateDec 21, 2022

Fermi kinetics transport program models high-speed semiconductor devices better, Journal of Applied Physics editor’s pick study says

Researchers compared two semiconductor simulation tools and found that the Fermi kinetics transport solver outperforms a commercial hydrodynamics software package in modeling electronic heat flow and electron temperature, particularly in high-speed applications. The custom-developed code converges faster and provides more consistent re...

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateDec 19, 2022

Padgett named NSF BRITE Fellow

Jamie Padgett, a Rice University professor, has been awarded a $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation's BRITE Fellows program. With this funding, she will develop methods for infrastructure resilience modeling in response to uncertain, evolving conditions resulting from earthquakes, hurricanes, and other disasters.

Radiation shielding: MAPbI3/epoxy composites exhibit superior performance

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.

Molecules have an orientation, and scientists have a new way to measure it

Researchers at NIST have measured the 3D orientation of polymer chains in plastics, observing complex patterns that dictate material properties. The new technique uses polarization-controlled coherent Raman microscopy to identify molecular orientation patterns, allowing for optimized materials in industries like medicine and electronics.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeImaging analysis·DateDec 8, 2022

Next generation material that adapts to its history

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.

SourceAalto University·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 15, 2022

International research collaboration produces all-perovskite tandem solar cell with high efficiency, record voltage

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.

Autonomous crawling soft ‘ringbots’ can navigate narrow gaps

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.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 15, 2022

Seeing concentrations of toxins with the naked eye

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.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 3, 2022

Self-folding origami honeycombs pave the way to sustainable protective packaging

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.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalMaterials & Design·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2022

New tech solves longstanding challenges for self-healing materials

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.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 31, 2022

Safe, sustainable photo-on-demand synthesis of polypeptide precursors: Promising ‘building blocks’ for new functional materials

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.

SourceKobe University·JournalACS Omega·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 27, 2022

New study finds ways to improve light absorption in perovskite/si tandem solar cells

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.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateOct 22, 2022

Clarification of material properties for clearly better displays

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.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalACS Applied Electronic Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 13, 2022

Engineers discover new process for synthetic material growth, enabling soft robots that grow like plants

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.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Deformation fingerprints will help researchers identify, design better metallic materials

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 19, 2022

New software platform advances understanding of the surface finish of manufactured components

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.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalSurface Topography Metrology and Properties·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 19, 2022

CityU invents a method to convert 3D-printed polymer into a 100-times stronger, ductile hybrid carbon microlattice material

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.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2022

Story tips: Inland water carbon emissions on the rise, sealed with silica, cancer-fighting chemistry, improving materials for energy storage, using math to predict SARS-CoV-2 protein mutations

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.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalGlobal Change Biology·DateSep 7, 2022