Articles tagged with Materials Processing
Scientists have made a breakthrough in developing environmentally-friendly 'magnetic' refrigeration technology, which could provide a greener alternative to traditional gas-compression fridges and air conditioners. The new materials exhibit dramatic heating and cooling when a magnetic field is applied and removed.
Researchers used a special electron microscope to make three-dimensional images of nano-particles that form the basis of bone, tooth and shell growth. The results provide improved understanding of these processes and promise better materials for industrial applications.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new processing technique that allows for the rapid transit of electrical energy through lithium iron phosphate batteries, enabling faster charging times. The breakthrough could lead to smaller, lighter batteries with improved performance and longer lifespan.
A Purdue University researcher has discovered a way to increase access to cellulose in plant cell walls by shredding corn stover instead of chopping. This results in better access to the main component needed for making ethanol. Shredding corn stalks also increases the surface area of the material and reduces energy consumption.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have created a nanoscale one-stop shop for electronics that can yield transistors two nanometers in size. This breakthrough has potential applications for high-density memory devices, sensors and computer processors, and could pave the way for more advanced technologies.
Researchers have developed a new theory that explains the behavior of molecules in plastics, leading to more precise and cost-effective production of specialty plastics. This breakthrough could have applications in fields like engineering, nanotechnology, renewable energy, and medicine.
Researchers used computer modeling and experimentation to investigate how cracks grow at low speeds in silicon, finding rearrangements of atoms associated with ductile materials can occur near the crack tip. This instability can lead to macroscopic changes in the path of the crack, leaving behind ridges on the crack surface.
A team of physicists at The City College of New York has discovered that the random packing of hard spheres in three dimensions cannot exceed a density limit of 63.4% of the volume. This finding has potential applications in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and other industries where powders are mixed to achieve homogeneity.
Researchers from NC State University have made significant advancements in understanding how light interacts with matter at the atomic scale. Their work could lead to faster and more energy-efficient computers by improving the analysis of materials' bonding properties.
Researchers explore alternative materials for digital signal processing, including fungi, bacteria, and DNA, which can enhance images and compress data without electrical currents. The field holds promise for improved algorithms and applications in disease detection and data storage.
A University of Missouri researcher is part of a multi-university team developing hybrid materials that combine magnetic and semiconductor functions. This innovation aims to create devices that operate at higher speeds and use less power than current electronic devices.
The NYU physics department is part of a $6.25 million grant to design and develop nano-magnetic materials and devices. The researchers aim to create more compact, efficient computers and cell phones with longer battery life.
Researchers studied the beetle's shell using advanced imaging techniques to understand its color-changing property. The study found that the light interferes with the structure to produce the green color, and when water penetrates, it destroys the interference phenomenon leading to a black coloration.
Researchers at UCLA have solved a decades-old mystery in hydrogen gas storage, enabling the creation of more efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. The study found that adding titanium to sodium alanate can store high-density hydrogen at reasonable pressures and temperatures.
Researchers develop inexpensive, quick-drying polymer PES for improved photolithography processes, enabling lower-cost, on-chip nanoimprinting lithography technology. PES offers advantages over existing materials in terms of cure temperature, water uptake, and adherence to copper.
The new standard assesses environmental-friendliness of carpet through five categories: public health and environment, energy and energy efficiency, bio-based or recycled materials, manufacturing, and reclamation. It aims to encourage manufacturers to develop environmentally preferable processes, practices, power sources, and materials.
Researchers call for a rethink in biomaterials to create more reactive medical implants that engage with biological processes. The new approach aims to improve implant functionality, longevity and healing outcomes by working in harmony with the body.
A new report from the Project on Emerging Nanotechnologies explores the potential of nanotechnology to build an environmentally sustainable society. The report highlights several promising applications, including the use of nanoparticles to clean up toxic waste sites and reduce lead emissions in electronics manufacturing.
A leading U.S. innovator in nanofabrication and assembly processes, James E. Hutchison, emphasizes the need for designing materials and processes that minimize hazard and waste in the production phase of nanotechnology. Green chemistry can sharply reduce toxic solvents and produce safer products with reduced unintended consequences.
Researchers studied spider silk production, discovering how polymers align to create a strong fiber. They aim to develop artificial spider silk for various applications, including tendons and bulletproof vests.
Researchers have developed a new proton exchange membrane (PEM) material that retains conductivity even at low humidity, overcoming a significant challenge for fuel cells. This breakthrough, achieved through self-assembling block copolymer materials, has the potential to increase the efficiency and feasibility of hydrogen-based energy ...
A team of biophysicists discovered that microtubules, essential structural elements in living cells, become stiffer as they grow longer. This unique property has the potential to inspire the design of novel materials based on this biological structure.
Researchers found that women's brains responded with stronger electrical activity when viewing erotic images than non-erotic content, regardless of its pleasantness or disturbance level. The study suggests that the brain processes erotic material differently, potentially due to evolutionary factors.
Researchers will develop structural materials with chemical resistance, thermal stability, and fracture resistance, as well as transparent materials that are self-healing and anti-abrasive. The goal is to create lightweight, high-performance materials for ballistic resistant armor and vehicles.
The Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research has awarded €1 million to support state-of-the-art chemical research facilities. The funding will be used to acquire new equipment and improve existing facilities for researchers at the Universiteit van Amsterdam, Radboud University Nijmegen, and Eindhoven University of Technology.
Researchers Montasir Abbas and Y. H. Percival Zhang received the Powe award to develop models for optimizing traffic signal timing to reduce vehicle emissions. They will also explore ways to improve ethanol production processes using enzymes that break down cellulose into biofuel.
Scientists use ECVT to visualize the density of materials inside reactors, enabling real-time management. This technology can help develop more efficient processes for converting coal to liquid fuels and chemicals.
The symposium showcases the latest research on green nanochemistry, focusing on sustainable nanotechnology and its applications in medicine, electronics, and energy. Researchers discuss developments of greener nanomaterials, new water-soluble carbon nanotubes, and nanomaterials for improved solar cells and fuel cells.
A new rubbery membrane material can efficiently purify hydrogen for fuel cells, potentially lowering costs for hydrogen-fueled vehicles. The material's superior gas-separating ability could also replace an expensive step in current petrochemical processing.
Astronomers track massive shockwaves in plasma escaping a newborn star, gaining clues about a critical process of starbirth. The Hubble Space Telescope's high-resolution images allow scientists to create the first moving pictures of stellar jet shock waves.
The Georgia Institute of Technology's Center for Biologically Inspired Design applies nature's design principles to improve manufacturing, materials, and processes. Biomimicry research projects are underway in biosensing, materials design, and more.
Researchers at Rice University have discovered a way to reduce the cost of producing quantum dots by 80% by replacing expensive solvents with cheap heat-transfer fluids. The new method uses mathematical modeling and experimentation to predict particle size and growth behavior based on solvent properties.
Researchers at Ames Lab investigate solid fuels mimicking methane, ideal for hydrogen production and efficient energy storage. They use mechanochemical processing and nanostructuring to create recharged materials.
Research suggests that intrinsic goal setting and autonomy support improve conceptual learning in adolescents. Teachers can promote this by highlighting the relevance of learning to intrinsic goals and using an empathy-based approach.
Hochella's research focuses on the behavior of Earth materials at the atomic scale, revealing interactions with living things, water and air control many Earth processes. He has brought $7 million in research to Virginia and introduced nanoscience into high schools.
A new five-year project at NIST seeks to create standardized measurement methods and diagnostic probes for organic electronics. The goal is to accelerate the development of practical plastic microchips, which could enable large-area applications like wall-sized electronic murals.
The study introduces value-based metrics such as value retention and value-added to evaluate the effectiveness of electronics recycling firms. It found that these metrics worked well in case studies of three US firms and can help improve recycling efficiency.
Researchers at Virginia Tech have invented a new fuel cell material called Battellion TM that can reduce the cost of production, making it more economically viable. The material has improved stability, conductivity, and manufacturing processes, allowing for longer service life and reduced weight compared to existing materials.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Virginia Tech a $600,000 grant to support the development of efficient inexpensive fuel cell materials. The university will work with Battelle, Los Alamos National Laboratory, and several companies to bridge gaps in materials, processes, and test methodologies.
Researchers at University of Illinois have developed a technique to print single-crystal silicon objects onto flexible plastics, enabling high-performance thin-film transistors. This approach separates silicon processing from component fabrication, allowing for integration with various materials and large-area formats.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories and the University of New Mexico developed a simple method to form durable nanocrystal arrays using a self-assembly process. The arrays can be used for biological labeling, laser light, catalysts, memory storage, and relief for physicists. The technique also enables the creation of independen...
A new reference material from NIST helps researchers and implant manufacturers optimize processing parameters for crosslinking, reducing brittleness and improving wear resistance in orthopedic hip implants. The material provides precise dimensions and swelling information from round-robin tests.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a new scheduling method for electronics recycling that optimizes the flow of incoming products from storage to disassembly. By prioritizing large products with quick disassembly times, recyclers can reduce storage space needs by up to half and increase productivity.
Researchers have developed a new material combining buckyballs with polyurethane to improve information processing in fibre-optic networks. The material interacts with light particles 10-100 times more strongly than previous C60-based materials, enabling faster and more efficient data transmission.
Virginia Tech researchers have developed a process to create acrylic fibers without solvents, reducing processing time and environmental impact. The new method uses a photocrosslinkable group that reacts with UV light, allowing for faster and more efficient production of carbon fibers.
The Army has established an Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies (ICB) with funding of up to $50 million. The ICB aims to develop new biotechnologies that improve the effectiveness of the Army's mission by leveraging investments in biotechnology research.
A Canadian study found that appreciation and emotional reactiveness to humor doesn't change with age. However, the ability to comprehend more complex forms of humor diminishes in later years due to decreased cognitive abilities. Older adults still enjoy a good laugh but struggle with understanding nuanced humor.
Scott Oliver has been awarded a $500,000 NSF career grant to develop a new class of cationic microporous inorganic materials with unprecedented potential applications. These materials can trap anionic pollutants and are stable under high temperatures or acidic/basic conditions.
MIT researchers aim to replicate the properties of spider silk for use in high-strength fibers, specialty textiles, and bullet-proof gear. By understanding the structure-property relationships of spider silk, they hope to create materials with similar properties.
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a stable, DNA-modified diamond film that can detect biological molecules with high accuracy. The sensor, which is about the size of a postage stamp, has the potential to be used in early warning systems for defense against biological weapons.
Dr. Sharon Cobb is leading the development of a Materials Science Research Rack on the International Space Station, which will allow scientists to study material properties in low-gravity conditions. The rack's furnaces will be used to melt and solidify various materials, with data collected for characterization on Earth.
The Materials Processing and Characterization (MPC) program at Ames Laboratory is offering research proposals for scientists in Condensed Matter Physics, Materials Science, and Physical Chemistry. Proposed projects can focus on developing fundamental materials processing knowledge, materials process models, or synthesizing novel materi...
Researchers develop process that combines high-energy ball-milling with metal alloys, producing stable phosphorus ylides and unsaturated hydrocarbons without solvents. The discovery has significant implications for materials science and chemistry, offering a potential solution to disposal problems and environmental risks.
Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed a new semiconducting material that exhibits key properties for spintronic devices, including ferromagnetism and hysteresis. This breakthrough could lead to faster processing speeds, non-volatility, and potentially quantum computing capabilities.
McGrath has made significant contributions to the development of thermoplastic elastomers, which are widely used in fuel cells and other applications. His work on block copolymers and phosphorous-containing polymers has enabled the creation of materials with improved durability, reliability, and safety.
The Institute of Materials is seeking abstracts for Materials Congress 2000, a major meeting of materials engineers and scientists. The event will attract 600 delegates and include a comprehensive conference programme, exhibitions, and social activities.