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Elastic polymer that is both stiff and tough, resolves long-standing quandary

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed an elastomer that is both stiff and tough, resolving the long-standing conundrum in polymer science. The new material has high toughness, strength, and fatigue resistance, making it suitable for applications such as tissue regeneration, bio...

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

3D nano-inks push industry boundaries

Mechanical engineering researchers at Michigan Technological University have created a 3D-printable nanocomposite polymeric ink using carbon nanotubes. The ink's properties, such as electrical conductivity and increased strength, make it suitable for various applications, including aerospace and electronics industries.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Sieving ions with a polymer membrane

Researchers at KAUST have developed a novel polymer membrane that can precisely separate ions, opening up new possibilities for technologies like water purification, mineral extraction, and energy storage. The membranes' precise control over pore size and uniformity makes them ideal for applications such as removing ions from seawater ...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Polymer coating accelerates fuel production

Researchers from University of Tsukuba and Osaka University developed a polymer-coated metal catalyst that accelerates CO2 conversion into formate, a useful carbon-based fuel. The PEG-coated Sn catalyst showed a 24 times higher formate production rate than conventional Sn plate electrodes.

Soft shell makes hard ceramic less likely to shatter

Researchers at Rice University have created a coating made of soft polymer that can help keep knotty ceramic structures from shattering. The coating was tested on complex lattices called schwarzites, which were found to be up to 4.5 times more resistant to catastrophic fractures.

Polymers in meteorites provide clues to early solar system

Researchers have discovered polymers in CV3 meteorites, providing clues to the early solar system's space chemistry. The polymers, composed of glycine and other elements, formed organized structures with a high deuterium-to-hydrogen-isotope ratio, confirming their extraterrestrial origin.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Research team develops new class of soft materials

Researchers at the University of Virginia School of Engineering have created a new class of soft materials with exceptional stretchability and elasticity, mimicking the properties of vocal cords. The elastomers can be 3D printed for use in healthcare and exhibit promising potential for future treatments.

Nature provides inspiration for breakthrough in self-regulating materials

Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a platform for interactive soft materials that can respond to external stimuli in predictable ways. By mimicking the natural oscillators found in animals, the team created a diverse array of oscillators that can move in unison and adapt to changes in light and temperature.

Researchers develop microscopic theory of polymer gel

Researchers have proposed a new microscopic theory of polymer gel collapse, shedding light on the dramatic reduction in volume of zwitterionic hydrogels when cooled. The theory explains the role of electrostatic interactions between polymer units in leading to gel collapse, and identifies key parameters that influence this transition.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

The expanding possibilities of bio-based polymers

Scientists from the Kleij group have created a new method for preparing biobased polyesters by transforming a terpene, β-elemene. The resulting polymer can be tailored through post-modification reactions to achieve desired properties.

3D printing polymers

Scientists have created a novel 3D-printable material, bottlebrush polymers, which exhibits unusual softness and elasticity resembling human tissue. This breakthrough enables the creation of high-sensitivity electronic devices and biomimetic tissue with improved stability.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

When chemistry with green light mimics what happens in life

Researchers at Queensland University of Technology and Ghent University have developed a green light-stabilised 3D polymer structure that folds itself when exposed to light and unfolds when left in the dark. This process consumes light as fuel, mimicking the way proteins function in living organisms.

Smart bottle brushes

Researchers from TUM have visualized the changes in bottle-brush polymers using neutron radiation, enabling a deeper understanding of their behavior at different temperatures. This knowledge can be used to optimize their chemical structure for practical applications.

Structural colors from cellulose-based polymers

Scientists have discovered a way to control the pitch of biopolymers, leading to the creation of structural colors in liquid marbles. The colors change in response to environmental factors such as heat, pressure, or chemicals, making this technology promising for bio-based sensors and soft photonic elements.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Growing polymers with different lengths

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to control the dispersity of polymer materials, allowing for the production of polymers with specific properties. This is achieved by using two catalysts with different effects, enabling chemists to adjust the dispersity precisely and produce uniform or highly dispersed polymers.

New supramolecular copolymers driven by self-sorting of molecules

Researchers at Chiba University created a new type of helicoidal supramolecular polymer that changes its chemical structure in response to temperature. The polymer was formed by mixing two different monomers and exhibits a unique thermal response, collapsing rapidly at 45-50°C.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Creating a nanoscale on-off switch for heat

Researchers created a polymer thermal regulator that can switch between conducting and insulating states, allowing for precise control of heat flow. This breakthrough enables potential applications in fields such as refrigeration, computing, and waste heat scavenging.

Degradable plastic by DMDO: 'Unnecessary' component key

Associate Professor Kohsaka and his team created a new polyester using DMDO, which reacts with chemicals and decomposes. The study demonstrated the feasibility of this plastic as a possible solution to the plastic waste problem.

New synthesis method yields degradable polymers

Researchers at MIT have developed a new synthesis method to create polymers that can break down more readily in the body and environment. By adding a novel type of building block, they were able to create polymers with easier degradability under biologically relevant conditions.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Bottom-up synthesis of crystalline 2D polymers

Researchers at TU Dresden and Ulm University developed a new synthetic route to create crystalline 2D polymers with defined structures. The 2D polymers have promising properties for electronic components and systems, including superior charge transport and chemiresistivity.

New synthetic polymer degradable under very mild acidic conditions

Researchers at Ehime University developed a new synthetic polymer with great potential for use as an environmentally friendly material. The polymer can be degraded into low molecular weight compounds under mild acidic conditions, making it useful for drug encapsulation and recyclable materials.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Modified lactides promise new implementations in pharmacology and catalysis

The study introduced macrocyclic rigid structures that improve polymer properties, allowing for the creation of hybrids with biopolymers and self-assembling capabilities. These hybrids were applied in prototypes of chemical and biochemical sensors, offering good prospects for creating new smart drugs and systems.

Polymer science: Collaborative research centre at MLU receives €9 million

The Collaborative Research Centre SFB/Transregio 102 at MLU is expanding its scope to investigate hybrid polymers, a combination of synthetic and protein-based materials. The researchers aim to gain a better understanding of these novel molecules and their potential applications in medicine and materials research.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Researchers gain control over soft-molecule synthesis

Researchers at the University of Illinois gained control over soft-molecule synthesis, enabling them to probe how shape, size, and composition influence function in soft materials. This breakthrough could lead to advances in virology, drug delivery development, and new material creation.

Physicists shed X-ray light on melting polymers

Researchers from MIPT and Lomonosov Moscow State University developed an experimental setup combining thermal and X-ray analysis to study semicrystalline polymers. They found that a critical heating rate can prevent structural changes, revealing complex thermodynamic behavior behind the material's melting points.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

No assembly required: Self-assembling silicone-based polymers

Researchers develop silicone polymer chain that can self-assemble into a 3D periodic structure using triptycene molecules. The team's findings are promising and may provide a powerful tool for organizing polymers and reinforcing their structural and physical properties.

Antibacterial polymers

Researchers have synthesized a phosphonium polymer that exhibits extraordinary antibacterial activity despite lacking hydrophobic alkyl chains. The polymer's hydrophilic nature and balanced display of positive charges played a crucial role in its effectiveness.

Designer polymers on demand

Researchers create designer polymers with precise properties by controlling the order and number of subunits. They achieve this through a selective approach, allowing for on-demand control over sequence, structure, and architecture.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

New ID pictures of conducting polymers discover a surprise ABBA fan

Conjugated polymers have been studied for their electrical conductivity, but determining their structure was challenging. A new technique developed by the University of Warwick has produced high-resolution images of their structure, revealing gaps and defects in an ABBA pattern.

Electrostatic force takes charge in bioinspired polymers

The study introduces a method for controlling polymer structure and function by utilizing electrostatic charge, allowing for the creation of smart materials with diverse applications. By tuning the sequence of charges along polymer chains, researchers can engineer desired properties and expand the diversity of polymers used.

Competing forces: How molecules maintain their structure

Researchers discovered two primary forces at play: hydrogen bonds and phase segregation, which strengthen or weaken each other. The study improves understanding of polymer structure formation, enhancing knowledge about self-healing materials and protein structures.

Systematically studying slippery surfaces

Japanese researchers investigated the effects of charged group spacer length on hydration state in polymer brushes, revealing a clearer picture of the relationship between structure and properties. The results show that hydration states are independent of chain spacer length, with water uptake not affected by this parameter.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

To connect biology with electronics, be rigid, yet flexible

UW researchers design polymers that can effectively communicate across biological and electronic realms by creating rigid and non-rigid regions with varying conductance properties. These findings may lead to new biosensors, flexible bioelectronic implants, and improved batteries.

Fabrication technology in the fourth dimension

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a construction principle for controlling the deformation of 4D printed objects, which can support weight and change shape in response to external stimuli. The technology has potential applications in aerospace, medical devices, and more.

PowerPoint & LED projector enable new technique for self-folding origami

Scientists at Georgia Institute of Technology and Peking University have developed a new technique for creating self-folding three-dimensional origami structures using photocurable liquid polymers. The process involves projecting a grayscale pattern onto the polymer, causing it to form a solid film through crosslinking reactions.

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

New strategy produces stronger polymers

MIT researchers found a way to reduce loops in polymer networks, which weaken materials, by slowly adding components. This technique can improve material strength by up to 600 percent.

How to decrease the mass of aircrafts

Scientists at Lomonosov Moscow State University have developed polymer matrices capable of replacing aluminum and titanium in aircraft parts. The new materials possess higher strength than metals, decreasing the mass of aircraft parts that operate at high temperatures.