Articles tagged with Materials Engineering
A team of scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has designed a new material system to overcome the challenges of mixed-plastic recycling. They created customized polydiketoenamine (PDK) plastics that can be recycled efficiently and indefinitely, providing a low-carbon manufacturing solution for plastic products.
Scientists from Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg discovered that precisely applied mechanical pressure can improve the electronic properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films. The team used atomic force microscopy to control and reorient electrical charges in the material, enabling stable nano-scale structures with high ...
Researchers at Harvard University have developed inflatable actuators that can bend, twist, and move in complex ways using origami-inspired designs. The actuator's bistable origami blocks allow it to perform up to eight different motions with a single pressure source.
Researchers observe a significant increase in electrical conductivity when mica is thinned down to few molecular layers, exhibiting semiconductor-like behavior. The findings suggest that thin mica flakes have the potential to be used in two-dimensional electronic devices with exceptional stability and durability.
Researchers at NIST found that gecko setae are coated in an ultra-thin layer of lipids, which repel water and help maintain grip on wet surfaces. This discovery could lead to the development of biomimetic products, such as gecko boots or gloves for improved traction.
A comprehensive protocol for analysing nanomaterials has been introduced to support their safe use in various industries. The protocol allows researchers to determine and quantify metal-bearing nanomaterials in biological tissues and cells at trace-level concentrations.
University of Missouri researchers develop wearable smart bioelectronic devices, including a 'smart' face mask that can monitor physiological status and detect respiratory problems. The masks also use laser-assisted fabrication to provide breathable soft electronics for better real-time health monitoring.
Researchers created a light-activated fish robot that rapidly swims around and removes microplastics from waterways. The robot's unique material allows it to heal itself and maintain its ability to adsorb pollutants.
A team of researchers from Kyushu University has developed an olfactory sensor capable of identifying individuals by analyzing the compounds in their breath. The system, combined with machine learning, achieved an average accuracy of over 97% in authenticating up to 20 individuals.
Researchers found that hackmanite's structural breathing allows it to change color indefinitely due to sodium atoms moving inside a zeolitic cage. This property enables various applications such as UV monitoring and X-ray imaging.
Harvard researchers develop new method to extend the lifetime of organic molecules in organic aqueous flow batteries, improving their commercial viability. The approach works by periodically providing a shock to revive decomposed molecules, resulting in a net lifetime increase of up to 260 times.
The University of Illinois Chicago has joined the Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage, a US Department of Energy-funded center focused on building scalable quantum computer systems. The partnership will open new opportunities for UIC students in quantum engineering and collaboration with researchers.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a method to make shipping industry significantly greener by using hydrofoils to reduce water resistance. The new technology can increase the range of electric vessels and reduce fuel consumption by up to 80%.
A team of engineers is working on a novel treatment using nanoparticles carrying therapeutic proteins to promote regeneration of blood vessels and muscle in injured limbs. The approach, which has shown promising results in animal models, aims to treat critical limb ischemia, a condition that can lead to amputation or death.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a new pixel-by-pixel printing method that creates composite shapes, colors, and mechanical abilities using curable elastic polymers. The technique, inspired by inkjet printers, uses age-old fluid dynamics to fabricate precise and robust structures without complicated machinery.
Researchers from Korea Maritime and Ocean University have developed a way to synthesize high-performance functionally graded materials with minimized defects. By controlling the mixing gradient of component materials, they improved mechanical properties and eliminated interfacial cracks.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel memristor design that can switch between two operation modes, enabling greater efficiency in machine learning applications. This breakthrough component is made of halide perovskite nanocrystals and simulates complex neural networks with high accuracy.
Researchers at Drexel University have developed a design optimization system to incorporate blood vessel-like cooling networks into battery packaging for electric vehicles. The system balances performance-enhancing factors against problematic variables like weight and thermal activity to provide the best battery package specifications.
Researchers discovered hundreds of new gene functions in algae, which have counterparts in plants, enabling better understanding of photosynthesis, DNA repair, and stress responses. The findings can improve biofuel production and develop heat-tolerant crops.
The university's new Robotics and Autonomous Systems Teaching and Innovation Center (RASTIC) will provide students with hands-on experience in robotics, autonomous systems, and self-driving technology. The lab aims to boost Massachusetts' competitiveness in the tech sector by supporting innovative projects and startups.
The electrochemistry designette is a pedagogical tool that enables instructors to visualize students' competence and misconceptions on electrochemical principles. Developed by SUTD researchers, the designette has proven highly effective in allowing instructors to spot misconceptions and provide prompt intervention.
Researchers at Rice University have created a 'metalens' that transforms long-wave UV-A into a focused output of vacuum UV radiation. The technology uses nanophotonics to impart a phase shift on incoming light, redirecting it and generating VUV without the need for specialized equipment.
Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a single-material, single-stimuli microstructure that can outmaneuver even living cilia. These programmable structures could be used for soft robotics, biocompatible medical devices, and dynamic information encryption.
Companies are turning to biobased surfactants and renewable biomass feedstocks to make their products greener. These alternatives can have a lower carbon footprint than traditional surfactants, but may also be more expensive.
A research group has synthesized electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries using inexpensive elements, reducing industrial reliance on rare metals like cobalt and nickel. The new materials also show promise in improving the safety of LIBs.
Researchers have developed microrobot collectives that can move in various formations, reconfiguring their behavior quickly and robustly. The systems use a combination of magnetic forces, fluid dynamics, and computation to achieve coordinated patterns of motion.
Osaka University researchers have created a nanocellulose paper semiconductor with 3D network structures that can be tuned for use in various sustainable electronic devices. The treatment process allows for heat-induced conductivity without damaging the nanostructure, enabling flexible macro-scale structures and detailed designs.
Researchers have engineered a tiny living heart chamber replica to study disease progression and test new treatments. The miniPUMP device mimics the real organ's mechanics, allowing for accurate tracking of how the heart grows in embryos and studying the impact of disease.
Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have developed a new technique to easily visualize viruses using an optical microscope, called the Gires-Tournois immunoassay platform. The platform uses 'slow light' technology to detect coronavirus particles by slowing down light that gets reflected around them.
Researchers have developed a novel method called 'dative epitaxy' for growing thin layers of crystals made from different materials on top of each other. This technique allows for the formation of special chemical bonds to fix crystal orientation, overcoming limitations of conventional and van der Waals epitaxial techniques.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have discovered a way to enhance the surface adhesion of mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) by converting oxidized Dopa into a stronger form called △Dopa. This breakthrough enables MAPs to maintain strong underwater adhesion, paving the way for potential biomedical applications.
Researchers at TU Wien have developed a new approach to produce artificial tissue using micro-scaffolds with a diameter of less than a third of a millimetre. These scaffolds can accommodate thousands of cells and enable high cell density and control over mechanical properties.
A team of researchers has developed a tunable graphene-based platform to study exceptional points, which exhibit unique properties when light and matter interact. The breakthrough could lead to advancements in optoelectronic technologies and potentially contribute to the development of 'beyond-5G' wireless technology.
A research team from City University of Hong Kong has developed an efficient electrochemical intercalation method to produce high-yield mono- or few-layer transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) nanosheets. The new strategy offers a higher degree of control over lithium insertion and can be scaled up for industrial applications.
A new study suggests that future catalytic converters could have longer lifetimes and need fewer rare materials to operate. Researchers investigated how the performance of rhodium-based catalysts changes over time in the presence of high heat.
A new study reveals that soft liquid droplets erode hard surfaces due to a shock wave created by the impact, which spreads out with the dropping speed exceeding sound velocity. This discovery could lead to more erosion-resistant materials for outdoor applications.
A team of scientists has developed a method for assembling wafer-scale films at the atomic level, enabling large-scale production of artificial crystalline materials. The new technique, which uses van der Waals interactions, produces nearly 100% pristine interfaces and shows promise for developing new materials with unique properties.
Colorado State University researchers have developed a system that creates renewable energy while diverting waste from landfills, producing valuable products like sustainable aviation fuel and cleaning solvents. The ReSOURCE system can offset the carbon dioxide equivalent of 6.2 million cars a year.
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania discovered that disordered materials can retain a memory of external forces, allowing them to predict when and how they will flow. By analyzing individual particle distributions, scientists can determine a material's stability and response to stressors.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed oxidation-resistant copper thin films, which could potentially replace gold in semiconductor devices. The films' flat surface reduces the growth of copper oxides on its surface, making them resistant to corrosion.
By slicing a block of elastomer with a periodic array of holes at a 45-degree angle, researchers discovered new properties and opened up new applications for this long-studied group of materials. This change in surface morphology can alter friction between the material and an underlying surface.
Two Singapore-designed artworks are orbiting the Earth on the ISS as part of Moon Gallery, a project consisting of 64 artworks from around the world. The artworks were successfully launched into space and will come back to Earth after 10 months, allowing scientists to study their behavior in microgravity.
Researchers found that a common surface treatment creates an electron-rich surface that destabilizes the perovskite solar cells, leading to degradation. A new method using positively and negatively charged ions resolves this issue, allowing for more stable solar cells with up to 87% efficiency retention.
A panel study in Beijing found a consistent, robust increase in fasting blood glucose levels after exposure to ultrafine particles (UFPs). The research suggests potential biological pathways, including pro-opiomelanocortin processing and regulation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 A function.
Researchers created tiny robot bugs that can navigate hard-to-reach spots and inhospitable environments. The robots use polymeric artificial muscle to replicate the jumping movements of small creatures like ants and fleas, enabling them to move across surfaces with ease.
Researchers developed a hair-thin patch that can measure pulse wave signals with high accuracy, creating a 2D pressure map on the wrist. This technology enables at-home diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases and pre-diagnosis of related conditions.
A team of scientists led by Samuel Dunning has developed an original technique to predict and guide the ordered creation of strong, yet flexible, diamond nanothreads. The innovation allows for easier synthesis of the material, which has potential applications in space elevators, ultra-strong fabrics, and other fields.
Researchers at UCLA have created highly flexible yet mechanically robust bioelectronic membranes using van der Waals thin film technology. The membranes can be stretched and flexed over irregular geometries, making them ideal for wearable health-monitoring devices and diagnostic sensors.
Researchers at Politecnico di Milano have discovered a new type of phase transition in a quasi-crystal made of laser light, allowing for the simultaneous control and modification of its properties. This breakthrough could lead to the development of novel materials with unprecedented flexibility and controllability.
A new form of drug delivery microparticle mimics the properties of a red blood cell, enabling controlled release of drugs and targeting specific destinations. The goal is to bypass the body's filtration systems, allowing for improved efficacy and reduced negative side effects.
Scientists at EPFL have created strained crystalline nanomechanical resonators with ultralow dissipation, enabling the creation of high-purity quantum states. These nanostrings could be used as precision force-sensors, taking advantage of interactions such as radiation pressure and magnetic fields.
Scientists captured high-resolution images of an aluminum single-crystal sample transitioning from elastic to plastic state, allowing them to predict material behavior within 5 trillionths of a second. The study could lead to the design of stronger materials for high-temperature nuclear fusion experiments and spacecraft shields.
A team of researchers has designed a compound with 'wings' that makes polymers change color when stressed, allowing for the detection of stress before breakage. The new probe is more accurate in detecting mechanical stresses in both polymer gels and films, paving the way for tougher gel materials and nanoscale tension probes.
Researchers at the University of Surrey are working on a new approach to stress measurement techniques for nuclear fusion energy. The team aims to prove the safety and effectiveness of welds in future fusion power plants, which could be a key part of the world's long-term energy needs.
Researchers are exploring how bacteria form biofilms, which can be detrimental to health but also have potential uses in medicine and environmental cleanup. The study aims to understand the mechanisms behind microbial growth in biofilms and develop new materials and treatments.
Scientists at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, have developed a durable coating that prevents fogging and 'self-cleans' under sunlight exposure. The coating shows excellent adherence to the plastic surface and maintains durability in tests, offering an attractive long-term solution for various applications.
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.
Researchers developed a new waveguide to overcome limitations in THz signal transmission and processing. The device allows for unprecedented flexibility towards manipulating THz pulses, enabling complex signal-processing functionalities such as holographic messaging.
Researchers at RIT have created a biophysical model that can predict changes in cartilage mechanics and function during disease pathways. The model, informed by experimental data, enables noninvasive predictions using MRI scans, potentially reducing the need for invasive procedures.
Researchers at MIT and China developed a desalination system that is both more efficient and less expensive than previous methods. The system uses natural convection to draw salt from the water, eliminating the need for wicks or power sources.