Articles tagged with Materials Engineering
Researchers developed a method to trigger magnetic jamming in materials using wireless magnetic fields, enabling reversible and programmable clumping. This technique allows for the creation of structures that can assemble, stiffen, relax, or break apart under magnetic control.
A team of engineers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences designed a proof-of-concept walking robot using only four moving parts connected by rubber bands and powered by one motor. The robot can find its way through mazes, avoid obstacles, and sort objects by mass without electronic control systems.
A new study by MIT researchers evaluates the scale-up potential of over 16,000 quantum materials, finding that those with high quantum fluctuation in electrons tend to be more expensive and environmentally damaging. The team identified promising candidates with an optimal balance between quantum functionality and sustainability for fur...
CompositesAI helps users create and analyze composite products without requiring in-depth technical knowledge. The platform is initially focused on rotor blades for air mobility, helicopters, and wind turbines, but its uses will expand to handle other composite structures.
Researchers have developed atomic-level precision patterning on nanoparticle surfaces using stencils, creating 'patchy nanoparticles' with various shapes and functions. The technique allows for large-scale production of batched particles with intricate designs, enabling the creation of novel materials and metamaterials.
Research finds that surface roughness influences the formation and size of hydrogen-related defects in iron, leading to a new approach to material design. The study provides fundamental understanding of hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms and could reduce life-cycle costs of hydrogen technologies.
Researchers developed a composite bioabsorbable hemostatic sponge inspired by mussels and extracellular matrix. The sponge quickly absorbs blood and firmly adheres to tissues, enhancing hemostatic performance. It promotes wound stabilization, accelerates blood clotting, and reduces inflammation and tissue damage.
A new project aims to develop a computationally efficient model that accurately predicts how additive manufacturing process parameters influence the solidification microstructure of binary alloy solidification. This will enable optimization of additively manufactured parts with confidence in critical industries.
A new AI tool, SpectroGen, uses generative AI to quickly assess material quality by generating spectra in less than one minute. It can replace traditional methods that take several hours or days, improving productivity and efficiency in industries such as manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.
Geoffroy Hautier, a materials scientist at Rice University, has been elected a fellow of the American Physical Society for his groundbreaking research in high-throughput computational materials design and discovery. His work bridges quantum mechanics, computation, and artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery of new materials...
A polymer 'Chinese lantern' structure can snap into multiple curved shapes, controlled by a magnetic field. Researchers developed a mathematical model to program the shape and energy release, enabling diverse applications such as non-invasive grippers and filter systems.
Wiley has acquired Nanophotonics, a top-ranked open-access journal in Optics & Photonics. The acquisition enhances Wiley's impact portfolio covering physics, engineering, and materials science, focusing on emerging photonics applications.
Researchers at MIT have found a hidden atomic order in metals that changes their properties, including mechanical strength and heat capacity. The discovery reveals a new physical phenomenon explaining the persistent patterns and provides a simple model to predict chemical patterns in metals.
Researchers at Stanford University have solved the famous Poisson model for heterogenous materials, enabling the design of stronger, cheaper materials. The new approach uses a statistical method to predict material properties based on random point knowledge.
Griffith University researchers have developed a method to tune cancer cell behavior using re-entrant microstructures, which can guide cell attachment, spreading, and multiplication. The study uses simple design rules to achieve mechanosensitive behaviors that emerged when curvature and confinement were introduced.
A new AI-based system helps researchers design polymers with tailored electronic properties for next-generation bioelectronics. By processing a wide range of experiments, the system reveals the importance of local polymer order and dopant-polymer separation in controlling electronic properties.
Engineers have developed a new class of nontoxic, biodegradable solid lubricants to replace existing toxic lubricants in modern farming equipment. The new lubricant reduces friction and prevents seed jamming, outperforming commercial talc and microplastic lubricants.
Researchers found that composite metal foam can withstand repeated heavy loads even at temperatures of 400 and 600 degrees Celsius. The material's high strength-to-weight ratio makes it suitable for applications such as aircraft wings, vehicle armor, and nuclear power technologies.
Researchers at MIT have developed a 3D-printable aluminum alloy that is five times stronger than traditionally manufactured versions. This breakthrough could lead to lighter and more efficient aircraft parts, such as fan blades in jet engines, reducing energy consumption and costs.
A novel molecular coating enhances the consistency and precision of quantum light sources, increasing their spectral purity and controlling photon energy. The coating protects single-photon emitters from atmospheric contaminants, enabling reliable quantum devices for secure communications and ultra-precise sensors.
Aarhus University researchers have developed a transparent layer with silver nanorings that adapts to sunlight intensity, controlling heat entry through glass without dimming the view. The thermoplasmonic effect reduces near-infrared transmission, lowering cooling demand and CO₂ emissions in energy-efficient buildings.
Researchers have found a fungus, Marquandomyces marquandii, that can grow into hydrogels with unique structural properties, such as high water absorption and elasticity. These properties make it a potential candidate for biomedical uses like tissue regeneration and flexible wearable devices.
Researchers at MIT developed a new approach to design complex material structures that account for 3D printing limitations, improving reliability in aerospace and medical applications. The technique enables precise control over material performance and reduces deviations from intended mechanical behavior.
Researchers developed a platform called CRESt that incorporates insights from literature, chemical compositions, and imaging to optimize materials recipes. CRESt uses robotic equipment for high-throughput testing and large multimodal models to further optimize materials recipes.
Researchers from MANA develop a cost-effective, high-performance catalyst using green rust to support the use of sodium borohydride as a hydrogen storage material. The new catalyst achieves comparable performance to precious metal-based materials and shows excellent durability.
Researchers have developed lightweight aerogel beads that can absorb oils and organic solvents from water, as well as nanocellulose foams for wireless telecommunications technologies. These bio-based materials offer a sustainable alternative to fossil-based materials, reducing signal losses and enabling novel future technologies.
Researchers at MIT developed a technique called SCIGEN that steers generative AI models to create promising quantum materials by following specific design rules. The approach led to the synthesis of two actual materials with exotic magnetic traits.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has completed its Center for Accelerating Materials and Processes (CAMP) facility, enabling faster production of high-speed propulsion systems. The new facility will focus on demonstrating more efficient techniques for manufacturing these systems.
Researchers develop multifunctional aerogels combining thermal insulation, flame retardancy, and mechanical robustness using bio-based nanocellulose. The resulting aerogels exhibit low thermal conductivity, high flame resistance, and impressive strength and flexibility.
Scientists at the University of Gothenburg have developed the smallest on-chip motor in history, capable of fitting inside a human hair. The new motor uses laser light to set gears in motion, enabling microscopic machines that can control light and manipulate small particles.
The SAGEST Predictive Simulation Center will develop simulation tools to give scientists confidence in exploring extreme physical conditions. The center, led by UVA's Xinfeng Gao, will use high-fidelity and low-fidelity solvers to balance accuracy and efficiency in predictions.
Researchers have found that plastic nanoparticles can enter crops during growth, accumulating in edible parts and potentially affecting human health. The study used radishes to demonstrate the uptake of nanoplastics by plants, with nearly 5% of particles retained by the root system.
The researchers developed a new microscopy method that enables imaging of vibrations in specific directions at the atomic scale. This allows engineers to tailor materials for use in electronics, semiconductors, optics and quantum computing.
Scientists at Linköping University develop artificial neurons made of conductive plastics that perform advanced functions like biological nerve cells. They simplify the basic structure to make it compact and biologically relevant.
Researchers at DTU Energy and DTU Construct developed a new fuel cell design using 3D printing and gyroid geometry for improved surface area and weight. The Monolithic Gyroidal Solid Oxide Cell delivers over one watt per gram, making it suitable for aerospace applications.
Researchers developed an all-flexible, self-cleaning smart window that fine-tunes solar gain in real time and protects against environmental contaminants. The device's multifunctionality could accelerate green building development and address climate change concerns.
Researchers found iron-biochar composites milled in a nitrogen atmosphere exhibit superior catalytic performance for degrading organic pollutants. The composite achieved a phenol removal rate of 90.3% when used to activate persulfate, outperforming those milled in air or vacuum.
The Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering has awarded Oak Ridge National Laboratory the 2025 SAMPE Organizational Excellence Award. The award recognizes ORNL's extraordinary contributions to advanced materials and processes, enabling breakthroughs in industries such as aerospace and automotive.
A new technique uses laser-induced folding to create highly transparent and ultra-smooth 3D microphotonic devices, setting a record length-to-thickness ratio. The method can be used to fabricate tiny optical devices, such as micro-zoom lenses and compact table structures with concave mirrors.
A Brown University study found that small cracks in a device's electrode layer can drive deeper cracks into the polymer substrate layer, compromising mechanical integrity. Researchers identified hundreds of polymers that could mitigate this elastic mismatch and prevent cracking.
Researchers successfully etched hafnium oxide films at atomic-level precision and smoothness without halogen gases. The new method uses nitrogen and oxygen plasmas to form volatile byproducts, resulting in reduced surface roughness and improved device performance.
Researchers created phase diagrams for organic solar cells and found that mixing behavior depends on temperature, requiring additional parameters for accurate prediction. The work could accelerate the development of improved materials for high-efficiency solar cells.
A multilayer film developed by University of California engineers reflects heat while letting through light needed for photosynthesis. This could make greenhouses more water- and energy-efficient, with minimal impact on crop yields. The film reduces near-infrared light passing through by almost 90%.
Researchers developed a wide-band and high-sensitivity magnetic Barkhausen noise measurement system to understand energy loss mechanisms in soft magnetic materials. The study revealed that damping caused by eddy currents generated during DW motion is the main cause of excess eddy current losses.
Scientists developed hollow microspheres with adjustable pore size, adhesion, and lubricity properties using mucus and polydopamine. These spheres can be used as drug delivery agents and may prevent tissue damage or provide a protective coating.
Researchers created a new material platform for non-volatile memories using covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and successfully installed electric-field-responsive dipolar rotors. The COFs' unique sln topology allows the rotors to flip without steric hindrance, enabling high thermal durability up to near 400°C.
Professor Paul Motzki is developing ultra-flat, compact, and lightweight cooling units using shape memory alloys and dielectric elastomer actuators. He aims to create climate-friendly and energy-efficient alternative to conventional systems.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new type of origami that changes its shape and properties in response to external stimuli. By introducing elastic components, they can execute precise folding patterns not previously possible. This technology has potential applications in prosthetics, antennas, and other devices.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS have developed a gentler, more sustainable way to break down keratins and turn leftover wool and feathers into useful products. The process uses concentrated lithium bromide to create an environment favorable for spontaneous protein unfolding.
A newly developed mesoporous WO₃ film exhibits exceptional efficiency and stability for photoelectrochemical water splitting, enabling advanced tandem devices for renewable hydrogen production. The film achieved unprecedented efficiency and long-term stability, particularly in neutral pH conditions.
Researchers have discovered that soft gels and lotions retain residual stress from the mixing process, affecting their behavior over time. The study reveals that common products like hair gel and shaving cream hold onto these stresses for longer periods than previously assumed.
Researchers create novel design framework to accelerate improvements in shock-absorbing foam materials. The framework allows designers to customize the material's geometry for optimal performance without adding weight or volume, challenging conventional wisdom.
Researchers are making progress in overcoming technical hurdles to create layered structures, continuous gradients, and fully three-dimensional architectures with programmable material variation. Optimized laser parameters and build sequences can enhance strength, control heat flow, and improve energy absorption.
Researchers developed novel artificial bone scaffolds with high deformation recovery capabilities, exceeding those of natural bone and conventional metallic scaffolds. These scaffolds allow for flexible adjustments of properties like strength and modulus to meet specific implantation site requirements.
Researchers develop biodegradable film using calcium caseinate, modified starch and nanoclay for sustainable food packaging. The film breaks down within 13 weeks in normal soil conditions, offering a potential solution to reduce plastic waste.
A new fiber with a sponge-like interior offers improved thermal management and durability. The fiber's phase-change core absorbs and releases heat slowly, maintaining comfort in extreme temperatures.
MIT researchers developed a sustainable electrolyte that quickly breaks down when submerged in organic solvents, allowing for easy recycling of components. The new material could revolutionize the battery industry by simplifying the recycling process and reducing electronic waste.
Researchers at the University of Michigan created woven metamaterials that return to their original shape after repeated compressions, while continuous sheets permanently deform. The structures demonstrated high stiffness and resilience, making them suitable for applications like soft robotics, car parts and architectural components.
Researchers developed a technique to monitor corrosion and cracking in nuclear reactors using real-time 3D imaging. By directly imaging material failure processes, scientists can design safer reactors that deliver higher performance.
Researchers from Shinshu University have developed a unique fiber-based pressure sensor that can detect small changes in pressure, enabling fine-tuned tactile sensing. The fibers exhibit a multi-wall structure that increases resistance when compressed, making them ideal for applications such as soft robotics and wearable devices.