Articles tagged with Materials Engineering
Researchers developed a self-healing composite that can repair itself over 1,000 times and extend the lifetime of conventional fiber-reinforced composite materials by centuries. The material targets interlaminar delamination, which occurs when cracks cause fiber layers to separate from the matrix.
A new study from Nagoya University in Japan has found that petrolatum-based eye ointments can cause MicroShunt glaucoma implants to swell and potentially rupture. The study suggests that clinicians should avoid using these ointments on patients with the implant, particularly when it is exposed outside the conjunctiva.
A team of researchers has developed a dual-response cellulose–WO3 composite film that can switch tint in seconds and survive 200 cycles. The membrane is made from wood and can be roll-coated on existing paper machines, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional smart glass.
Researchers at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics created an active metal metamaterial that can bend and recover its shape, enabling aircraft wings to morph smoothly in flight. The material is lightweight, strong, and capable of adjusting its shape on demand.
A novel optical microneedle device developed by researchers can quantify glucose levels in ultra-trace samples with high precision, offering a potential solution for blood-sampling-free clinical testing. The device features a functional hydrogel at its tip that reversibly binds to glucose, enabling accurate analysis without consuming t...
Researchers at Princeton University developed a machine learning tool to predict the stability of MOF structures, allowing for faster discovery of advanced materials. The tool achieved accurate predictions 97% of the time and could lead to breakthroughs in battery chemistry, carbon capture, and clean water access.
Researchers at Nagoya University and Tokyo Electron Miyagi Ltd. have developed a new semiconductor etching method that significantly reduces processing time and enhances energy efficiency. The process employs plasma etching with hydrogen fluoride at very low temperatures, eliminating the need for fluorocarbon gases.
Researchers from Japan successfully downscaled a total ferroelectric memory capacitor stack to just 30 nm, maintaining high remanent polarization and paving the way for compact and efficient on-chip memory. This breakthrough demonstrates compatibility with semiconductor devices and paves the way for future technologies.
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.
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.
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.
Researchers at Empa's Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures laboratory are working to improve the insulation material used in satellites and space probes. They have developed a new intermediate layer that makes the material more elastic and resistant to cracks and flaking, enabling better superinsulation for future satellites.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a new plant-based plastic made from cellulose that rapidly degrades in natural environments, eliminating microplastic waste. The biodegradable plastic can be adjusted in strength and flexibility with added choline chloride, providing a practical solution to ocean pollution.
Researchers have created transparent ceramics that can control light with exceptional efficiency, surpassing theoretical predictions. The breakthrough is attributed to the zentropy theory developed by Penn State professor Zi-Kui Liu, which explains the material's unique electro-optic properties.
Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed a theoretical framework that shows how to create soft, elastic, and lightweight materials with active features. The model proposes coupling material mechanics and chemistry to overcome natural damping behavior and achieve chaotic motion.
A Harvard-designed bio-logger captures high-fidelity audio of sperm whale codas, which are later analyzed by machine learning models to uncover structured communication. Recent results show that sperm whales have their own alphabet and use vowels and diphthongs in their language.
Researchers at Rice University developed a material that uses light to break down PFAS and other contaminants. The covalent organic framework (COF) material, grown directly onto a hexagonal boron nitride film, requires only light to activate its photocatalytic reactions.
The University of Oklahoma researcher is working on a project using inverse design techniques and AI to create advanced materials that can quickly switch between conductive and insulating states. The goal is to reduce uncertainty in the discovery process and create a scalable material-design methodology.
L. Jay Guo, University of Michigan professor, recognized for scalable nanopatterning technology enabling next-gen flexible electronics and structural color applications. His work has attracted interest from major companies like Samsung and Toyota.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have designed a new material called Mesoporous Optically Clear Heat Insulator (MOCHI) that can improve energy efficiency in buildings. The material, which is almost completely transparent, traps air through tiny pores to block heat exchange.
MIT researchers analyzed a recently discovered Pompeii construction site to shed new light on ancient Roman concrete, which has endured for thousands of years. They found that hot-mixing was indeed used by the Romans, contradicting ancient texts and providing valuable insights into a material with self-healing properties.
Researchers investigate poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) gel structure and function under mechanical forces and heat, revealing changes in electrical conductivity and internal structure. The study provides valuable insights for developing smart polymers and understanding their functional mechanisms.
Christina Tringides' CHAMELEON project aims to develop soft, sensor-laden brain implants that can monitor and treat glioblastoma with greater precision. Her lab creates hydrogel-based arrays with conductive electrodes to track neural signals in real-time.
Extracellular vesicles can mediate communication between cells and tissues, influencing processes like immune signaling and cancer progression. Researchers have developed a practical, scalable EV-isolation platform that operates without preprocessing steps or specialized equipment.
Scientists at Tsinghua University introduce a new technique to carve complex shapes on material surfaces, enabling more design freedom and efficiency in surface design. The method uses high-speed vibrations to create convex microstructures that can change how a surface interacts with its environment.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed an AI-powered design methodology for gerotor pumps, achieving a 32.3% increase in average flow rate and reducing pressure fluctuation by 53.6%. This innovation has the potential to improve engine durability, lubrication, and cooling, leading to quieter operation and increased reli...
A collaboration of bacteria, including Sporosarcina pasteurii and Chroococcidiopsis, produces natural cement-like materials that can turn Martian regolith into solid concrete. This discovery has the potential to revolutionize construction on Mars and provide benefits for habitat integrity and life-support systems.
Researchers at University of East London found that discarded seashells can be transformed into a low-carbon concrete ingredient, reducing carbon emissions by up to 36%. The study suggests a promising opportunity for industry to adopt sustainable cement alternatives.
Researchers have discovered a zero-cost solution to reverse desertification by using food waste nanocellulose extracted from pineapple peels. The material cuts water leakage by 90% and triples phosphate retention, offering a more sustainable alternative to expensive hydrogels.
The TUM researchers created a benchmark that standardizes lightweight design methods by comparing six reference strategies, including classical topology optimization and lattice-based layouts. This allows users to evaluate the mechanical and geometric characteristics of components with different resolutions and material use.
McMaster and Pittsburgh researchers have developed a soft material that can perform a NAND logic operation using only three beams of visible light. The breakthrough paves the way for autonomous systems with computation capabilities without traditional electronics.
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.
A new type of 3D-printable material made from polyethylene glycol has been developed by a University of Virginia research team. This breakthrough material is biologically friendly and can be stretched, making it suitable for use in larger structures or those requiring flexibility.
University of Rochester researchers developed algorithms to analyze complex chemistry in propane-to-propylene conversion. The study reveals the importance of defective metal sites and oxide phase stability in catalysts.
Researchers developed an automated high-throughput system capable of generating Process-Structure-Property datasets for superalloys. The system produced a dataset containing thousands of records in just 13 days, accelerating data-driven materials design by over 200 times.
Scientists from Delft University of Technology have developed living materials that can detect disease biomarkers, catalyze environmental pollutant breakdown, and function as self-healing composites. The materials are made by embedding bacterial spores in a protective barrier and can be programmed to perform specific tasks.
Researchers studied mechanical properties of solids as a function of grain size and boundary thickness, revealing that thick boundaries improve strength and ductility in single-component face-centered cubic materials. However, for other materials, increasing boundary thickness softens the material due to dislocation-dominated plasticity.
Researchers at the University of Turku developed a groundbreaking organic infrared photodiode with record-level sensitivity, addressing limitations of current devices. The new technology uses polaritons to achieve narrowband detection with high responsivity, ultrafast response, and exceptional thinness.
Researchers at Tsinghua University Press have created a novel process to manufacture low-cost carbon fibers using liquefied coal and waste plastics, reducing environmental pollution and economic costs. The new method produces general-purpose and high-performance carbon fibers with exceptional strength and durability.
Materials scientists at the University of Minnesota have discovered a way to control tiny 'flaws' inside ultra-thin materials, giving them new properties. The study found that patterned regions can achieve up to 1,000 times higher density of extended defects than unpatterned areas.
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.
Researchers test plastination on Western red cedar to create a strong and durable composite material, reducing water absorption by nearly 60% and increasing surface hydrophobicity. The technique offers a powerful alternative to traditional wood preservatives without compromising environmental performance.
Kono recognized for his contributions to optical physics, light-condensed matter interactions and photonic applications of nanosystems. His research explores how light interacts with materials at the nanoscale, potentially leading to new technologies in electronics and quantum communication.
Researchers have developed a bioinspired material that can regenerate demineralized or eroded enamel, strengthen healthy enamel, and prevent future decay. The new gel, applied like standard fluoride treatments, promotes controlled growth of new mineral to recover enamel structure and properties.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a new prototype of a knitting machine that can create solid, knitted shapes in any direction. The machine functions more like a 3D printer, building up solid shapes with horizontal layers of stitches.
Physicists at Umeå University developed a laser made entirely from biomaterials, including birch leaves and peanut kernels. The environmentally friendly laser performs just as well as artificially engineered lasers and could be used for bioimaging, diagnostics, and optical tagging.
Researchers at the University of Turku developed a new innovative approach to create colour-tunable white OLEDs. By using a standard sky-blue, metal-free molecule and reshaping its light using a microcavity, they eliminated the need for scarce indium tin oxide and complicated RGB colour mixing.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new heat-resistant material made entirely of metals, creating a gel-like substance that can withstand extreme temperatures. This breakthrough could revolutionize energy storage and enable the use of liquid metal batteries in mobile applications.
Researchers aim to understand how mixtures of charged polymers form microscopic droplets with unique properties, enabling drug delivery and adhesive applications. The team uses high-resolution measurement techniques to study complex coacervates.
Researchers developed a nanoengineered polymer coating that reflects sunlight and radiates heat, capturing atmospheric water vapour to create a sustainable source of fresh water. The technology can be integrated into paint-like materials for large-scale use, complementing existing systems and addressing global challenges.
Researchers developed FerroAI, a deep learning model that produces phase diagrams for ferroelectric materials in just 20 seconds. The model discovered a novel material with an exceptionally high dielectric constant, advancing AI-driven ferroelectric materials research and accelerating functional materials design.
Researchers at KAIST have created a new manufacturing method for high-performance green hydrogen electrolysis cells, reducing production time from six hours to just ten minutes. The technique uses microwaves to heat ceramic powders uniformly, achieving stable electrolyte formation at lower temperatures.
Researchers have discovered a way to increase the energy state of iron in materials, enabling the creation of higher-voltage batteries. The breakthrough could also aid the development of superconductors and magnetism applications.
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 team of researchers has developed an artificial retina model using 3D printing technology, which closely replicates the pathological microenvironment of retinal vein occlusion. The model exhibited responses similar to those observed in clinical cases, validating its potential as a preclinical drug evaluation system.
A new approach enables simultaneous synthesis of SiC and Si3N4 powders with improved quality and reduced diluent usage. High-purity powders are achieved through optimized temperature field regulation and CO concentration control. The method paves the way for large-scale, low-cost manufacturing of high-performance Si-based ceramics.
Researchers have developed bioelectronic hydrogels made from conducting polymer microparticles that can be injected into the body or used as injectable therapies. The material has the potential to emulate properties of the body and leverage its functions for more sophisticated ways of doing it.
A new multi-scale graph neural network overcomes limitations of traditional methods, achieving improved prediction accuracy and reduced overfitting. The model's attention mechanism enables interpretable predictions, highlighting key features such as Zn–O bonds.
A UH crystals expert has shown how to bend and twist crystals without physical force, using a molecule called a tautomer. This discovery has potential applications in drug delivery and material properties, such as optoelectronics and soft robotics.
A new computational method, DIGIT, enables optical microscopes to resolve individual atoms and zero in on their exact locations in a crystal structure. This technique can help guide the design of quantum devices and provide insights into advanced materials.