Articles tagged with Polymer Architecture
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.
A recent study sheds new light on how polymer structure affects the glass-transition temperature in atactic polystyrene films. The research suggests that aromatic interactions between benzene rings are weakened inside the film, leading to a lower transition temperature.
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.
Researchers from Tufts University review recent developments in stimuli-responsive membranes, highlighting the benefits of polymer self-assembly for improved selectivity. The study showcases various stimuli-responsive behaviors and future development challenges in this promising field.
Researchers developed a novel approach to strengthen polymer gels by modifying the length of polymer threads per molecular beads, increasing fracture resistance and strain strength. The technique enables fabrication of polymer gels with desired mechanical properties.
Nagoya University researchers have developed a strategy to obtain polymer brushes on surfaces using diblock copolymers. The approach allows for easy control of brush thickness and structure by changing the number and/or type of units in the diblock copolymer.
A new polymer designed to detect acute kidney injury can identify the condition in its initial stages, allowing for simple treatment and good prognosis. The polymer selectively captures lipocalin-2, a protein biomarker for acute kidney injury.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a new method to isolate pure semiconducting carbon nanotubes from impurities. This breakthrough resolves a long-standing challenge in harnessing the potential of carbon nanotubes in electronics and computing.
Researchers from NIST discovered a 'sweet spot' for mass-producing polymer solar cells, exceeding 9.5% power conversion efficiency, without sacrificing performance. The findings suggest that high-volume production methods can yield efficient photovoltaic devices with greater structural variability.
Regine von Klitzing was awarded the 2016 EPJ E Pierre-Gilles de Gennes Lecture Prize for her significant work on polyelectrolyte assemblies and functionalized microgels. She is a full professor at Technische Universität Berlin, where she directs the Physicochemistry Laboratory.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have developed a technique to produce long chain molecules with trefoil-like shapes, which could lead to more stable protein structures and high-value polymers. The National Science Foundation has awarded a three-year grant to scale up the production of knotted polymers.
Scientists at Imperial College London have created high-performance microporous polymer membranes with enhanced permeability and selectivity. These membranes can efficiently separate gases and liquids, reducing energy consumption and pollution, with potential applications in oil purification, desalination, and CO2 capture.
MIT scientists have developed a theory to predict transparency in materials, which could lead to cheaper smart window alternatives. The researchers created a polymer structure that changes transparency when stretched or inflated, and their equation accurately predicts the amount of light transmitted through the material.
Researchers have successfully synthesized a material with a distinctive woven structure, providing special elastic properties. The new material's flexibility increases tenfold when threads slide against each other, making it promising for various applications.
Researchers at INRS develop a new strategy for fabricating atomically controlled carbon nanostructures using molecular self-assembly and chain polymerization. The technique produces network of long-range poly(para-phenylene) (PPP) nanowires on copper surface, displaying quasi one-dimensional dispersion in conductive polymeric nanowires.
Researchers at RIKEN achieved a power conversion efficiency of 10% in polymer solar cells, bringing them closer to commercial viability. The key to their success lies in the optimized molecular orientation of the materials, which improves electron transport and enhances overall efficiency.
Carnegie Mellon University's Krzysztof Matyjaszewski has won the 2015 Dreyfus Prize in Chemical Sciences for his pioneering work in atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), a process that enables precise control over polymer size and architecture. This breakthrough has led to the creation of thousands of new materials, valued at ov...
Researchers developed a novel technique to craft nanometer-scale necklaces using tiny star-like structures threaded onto a polymeric backbone. The technique creates hybrid organic-inorganic shish kebab structures from semiconducting materials with unique properties.
A team at UMass Amherst has developed an approach to make reversibly self-folding origami structures on small length scales. They use ultraviolet photolithographic patterning of photo-crosslinkable polymers to create complex structures that can be folded and redeployed.
Caltech materials scientist Julia Greer and her colleagues have developed a method to create ceramics with unusual properties, such as being strong, lightweight, and nonbreakable. The researchers used direct laser writing to produce three-dimensional nanolattices that can recover their original shape after deformation.
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences has found an easy way to modify a commonly used polymer in solar cells to increase efficiency. The modification resulted in a significant boost in energy harvesting, with some solar cells showing a 36% improvement over similar polymers.
Researchers at Stanford University have created a theoretical framework to understand and predict the conductive properties of polymeric semiconductors. Their model reveals that the entangled structure of polymers, which allows them to bend, also impedes their ability to conduct electricity.
Several Nobel laureates will present research on organic synthesis, including Ei-ichi Negishi's work on palladium-catalyzed cross couplings and Richard Schrock's development of the metathesis method. George A. Olah's research on carbocations and Roald Hoffmann's theories on chemical reactivity will also be presented.
Researchers have discovered that using heterogeneous nanoblocks can alter the morphological structure of polymers at the nanoscale. This effect can lead to improved properties in materials like refractive surfaces and computer chips.
Researchers at NIST have developed a new method to visualize the molecular structure of blended polymers, resolving details at sub-micrometer levels. This technique has important implications for designing industrially important polymers like polyethylene blends used in water pipes.
A team of scientists has developed a new face paint that protects soldiers' faces from the intense heat generated by bomb blasts, while also providing camouflage. The makeup can shield skin for up to 15 seconds before temperature rises to cause burns.
Researchers develop a new method of polymer synthesis based on segregation and templating to achieve precise control over polymer structure. This approach enables tailored polymers with specific properties for applications in nanomedicine, nanotechnology, and materials chemistry.
Researchers at UCLA have developed a new tandem polymer solar cell structure, which achieves an unprecedented power-conversion efficiency of 10.6%, surpassing previous records. The device combines multiple cells with different absorption bands to effectively harvest a broader spectrum of solar radiation.
Researchers at ETH Zurich successfully created two-dimensional polymers for the first time using a novel synthesis method. The resulting 'molecular carpets' have potential applications in filtering tiny molecules and could lead to the development of new materials with unique properties.
Researchers developed a simplified lab technique for measuring polymer characteristics using magnets, validating decades-old Nobel-Prize-winning theory. The new method uses magnetic tweezers to measure the structure and other critical parameters of long polymer molecules like polyethylene glycol.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have developed pigment-free polymer materials that exhibit intense, colorful patterns. These materials are difficult to copy and could provide a new anti-counterfeit solution for passports and banknotes.
A team led by Iowa State chemist Malika Jeffries-EL has developed new polymer structures that mimic traditional semiconductors, improving properties of certain organic polymers. The research aims to create more efficient organic solar cells and light-emitting diodes.
Researchers have synthesized a novel class of amphiphilic dendronized homopolymers with variable amphiphilicity, showing thermoresponsiveness and forming ordered porous films. These polymers adopt helical conformations in solution and can be used to develop new amphiphilic polymer structures.
High-resolution 3D images of polymer solar cells reveal new insights into their nanoscale structure and effect on performance. Researchers shed light on operational principles, highlighting potential for cost-effective, flexible, and lightweight technology.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a novel method for creating high-tech armored foams using an 'ice-templating' process. This approach enables the creation of structured foams with promising results as low-power gas sensors, which can operate at room temperature.
Researchers have created ultrathin polymer films made of nanocrystals using a novel production technique. The method, led by Stefan Mecking, produces films with a thickness of 50 nm using individual prefabricated nanocrystal building blocks.
A new design for a 'lab-on-a-chip' structure enables the sorting of particles using light, achieving higher efficiencies and lower costs than current methodologies. Velocities as high as 28 μm/s were achieved for small spheres with low optical powers.
Researchers develop technique to identify and repair small cracks in high-performance aircraft wings and polymer composites. A structure infused with electrically conductive carbon nanotubes can detect and repair stress-induced cracks, regaining 70% of its original strength.
Dr. Svetlana Sukhishvili has been awarded a National Science Foundation grant to direct the 'Materials World Network' project. The project will collaborate with researchers from Moscow and Stevens Institute of Technology to develop responsive micelles at surfaces.
Researchers have developed new two-photon absorbing molecules that enable the creation of polymer features as small as 65 nanometers wide using simplified lithography techniques. This breakthrough reduces the cost and complexity of fabricating nanoscale electronic and photonic devices.
Researchers use sugars and vitamin C to transform atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) into a 'green' approach, enabling large-scale production of specialty plastics. The new process reduces industrial purification costs and permits the creation of unprecedented materials.
A three-year study by Georgia Institute of Technology and Sandia National Laboratories provides a roadmap for next-generation micron- and nanometer-scale high-resolution imprint manufacturing. The research develops manufacturing design rules that will give future users a predictive tool kit to know what to expect over a broad range of ...
Researchers at NIST and university partners find that carbon nanotubes can be sorted by length during mixing, which could lead to more affordable high-quality polymer nanocomposites. The study reveals that shorter tubes tend to congregate near the walls of mixing equipment.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new coating that provides effective fouling resistance for over five months, outlasting existing antifouling polymers. The coating, made of two parts, sticks securely to surfaces and prevents cell and protein buildup, holding promise for use on medical implants.
Jim Hutchison's new patent may lead to the development of ultrasmall transistors that operate efficiently at room temperature, revolutionizing electronics and optics. The nanoscale transistors are composed of nanoparticle building blocks and function based on a mix of classical and quantum mechanical properties.
Scientists have successfully reached a critical size regime, demonstrating reliable patterning at the 2 nanometer scale. The work explores the fundamental resolution limits of polymer nanoimprint lithography and its potential applications in fields such as semiconductor device manufacturing and biotechnology.
Researchers at NIST have developed a new method for studying ultrathin polymers, enabling the visualization of defects and structure. The technique uses near-field scanning optical microscopy to analyze the crystal structure and strain in thin-film crystals of polystyrene.
A three-year National Science Foundation grant funds a program to mentor deaf and hard of hearing students in state-of-the-art physics research at Tufts. Students from NTID and Gallaudet University participate in hands-on lab experience and classroom instruction.
Carnegie Mellon University chemist Dr. Matyjaszewski has received a prestigious award for his groundbreaking contributions to atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), a controlled living polymerization process that enables precise control over polymer composition and architecture.
Scientists at Northwestern University developed a method to construct flat or curved nanoscale structures using hybrid gold-polymer rods. The controlled assembly process holds promise for creating new materials with unique electronic and optical properties.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have developed polymeric brushes with gradient compositional densities, allowing materials to alter their response to environmental changes. These structures can be used in applications such as artificial skin, wound healing, and coatings that provide a barrier against corrosive substances.
Researchers investigate how changes in polymer environment and glass transition temperature impact stability in medical implants. Hydration can affect polymer degradability and structural stability, highlighting the need for tailored material properties.
Virginia Tech researchers are attaching DNA base pairs to polymer chain ends to create new materials with improved association, leading to stronger and reversible adhesives. The study explores how base pairs influence polymer structure, properties, and flow, paving the way for unique structures and applications.
The Idaho National Laboratory's lithium battery solid electrolyte has been recognized by the DOE as a top consumer product, offering substantial savings and improvements in safety. The technology promises longer-lasting rechargeable batteries with reduced waste, making it suitable for applications such as space exploration and pacemakers.
Researchers have created filtration membranes with hydrophilic outer surfaces to resist fouling, increasing the amount of solution that can be passed through. The membranes also exhibit self-healing properties.
Researchers create micropatterns of polyethylene glycol to glue biological entities to computer chips, enabling rapid detection of substances. The technique has potential applications in laboratory screening, implantable medical devices, and diagnostic devices.
A potentially safer, more potent form of aspirin made from polymers called PolyAspirin could eliminate stomach irritation and other side effects. The polymer-based drug consists of linked aspirin molecules that break down in the intestine, allowing for efficient delivery and reduced side effects.
Researchers at Virginia Tech are developing new proton-exchange membrane (PEM) materials with improved behavior, including the ability to operate at higher temperatures. These advancements aim to reduce polymer properties' impact on fuel cell applications.
Virginia Tech researchers create optoelectronic devices using ionically self-assembled monolayers, overcoming stability challenges in nonlinear optical materials. The breakthrough could lead to conformal coatings for Mach-Zender interferometers and enable new applications in laser systems and data storage.
John Bercaw, a Pasadena chemist, has developed more precise catalysts to make plastics and other polymers. He will receive the 2000 Arthur C. Cope Scholar Award from the American Chemical Society.