Articles tagged with Polymer Chemistry
By adding weak cross-linkers to polystyrene and a type of rubber used in shoe soles, MIT chemists have improved the ballistic impact resistance of these materials. The researchers found that these weak bonds selectively break at the site of impact, allowing the material to dissipate energy more effectively.
A University of Cincinnati research team will examine how microplastics and nanoplastics accumulate in the body and affect cardiovascular health, with a focus on potential toxicity and worsening outcomes after a heart attack. The five-year study aims to advance understanding of microplastic impact on heart diseases.
The Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research has launched a new international visiting student program with Virginia Tech, providing six graduate and undergraduate students from the US with three-month research opportunities in Mainz. The Poly-ABROAD Program aims to strengthen international scientific exchange in polymer and materials...
Researchers have developed a new approach to verify polysaccharide purity using enzyme diagnostic criteria, which outperforms existing methods in identifying complex mixtures. This study provides a reliable framework for polysaccharide research laboratories to adopt, ensuring accurate biological data and therapeutic potential.
Researchers found that print angles between 150° to 180° and 50-μm layer thickness performed best for crown accuracy and fit. Printing deviations were not evenly distributed across the inner surface of crowns.
Researchers from OIST have reported the first full structural characterization of a doubly ring-slipped reaction intermediate in metallocene formation. This discovery provides new evidence on how metallocenes form and react, presenting opportunities for designing tunable structures for applications such as drug delivery systems, cataly...
Researchers designed a biomimetic triple-network hydrogel inspired by octopus skin, combining rigid photonic ordering with soft polymer networks. The material demonstrated substantial improvements in mechanical strength and structural color response under deformation.
A team of researchers designed a bismuth-coordinated melanin material to shield against radiation and alleviate acute radiation syndrome (ARS), with promising results in mouse experiments. The material showed stronger shielding and antioxidant effects, improving survival rates from 20% to 60%.
Researchers developed a hybrid material combining biochar with polyzwitterionic hydrogel, achieving an evaporation rate of 3.57 kg/m²/h under standard sunlight conditions. The biochar enhances light absorption, water transport, and energy efficiency, making it suitable for seawater desalination applications.
Researchers find crab shell waste alters microbial communities on biodegradable plastics, reducing breakdown rate. The effect persists even without direct contact, suggesting biochemical compounds released from crab shells trigger changes in the plastisphere.
Researchers have created a novel sorbent made from chitosan/cellulose acetate and bentonite composites that show promise for cleaning up oil spills. The beads are floatable, biodegradable, and environmentally compatible, making them an efficient and cost-effective solution.
The review highlights the potential of semiartificial photosynthesis in overcoming natural photosynthesis limitations. Biocatalysts play a crucial role in this technology, enabling more efficient CO2 capture, utilization, and storage. The research aims to develop new catalysts for producing fuels and valuable substances from sunlight.
Researchers have created a novel monomer that allows for the synthesis of poly(disulfide)s with arbitrary side-chain structures through domino polymerization. The polymers exhibit degradability in reducing environments, including biological systems, making them suitable for drug delivery systems and medical applications.
The article proposes multiple routes for green development of polymeric materials, including renewable biomass resources and carbon dioxide feedstocks. It also discusses the importance of recycling, biodegradation, and designing new recyclable polymers with closed-loop chemical recycling capabilities.
Researchers created a new method combining scientific tests and artificial intelligence to differentiate recycled plastic from new plastic. The tool, developed by University at Buffalo researchers, can analyze samples and predict the percentage of recycled content with over 97% accuracy.
Researchers develop oxychar, a highly efficient, budget-friendly alternative to traditional charred organic materials for toxic cadmium removal. The new material soaks up both agricultural ammonia and cadmium, promising a practical win for sustainable farming.
A conductive bioglue was developed to ensure firm adhesion and stable electrical signaling within the human body. It overcomes challenges in connecting damaged tissues or attaching bioelectronic devices, promoting muscle and nerve regeneration and stable implant stability.
Researchers at Texas A&M University and DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory developed a hybrid foam with a 3D-printed plastic skeleton, offering tunable, lightweight and ultra-durable properties. The composite combines ordinary foam with plastic struts, allowing it to absorb more energy and withstand greater forces.
A research team from Xi'an Jiaotong University has developed a method to align cells in muscle tissue using electric forces during electrohydrodynamic bioprinting. This breakthrough allows for the creation of living muscle tissues with tightly aligned cells, enabling the production of functional muscle constructs.
Researchers discovered that adding salt additives and water enables PEDOT:PSS to grow hair-like fibers conducting electricity. The material's stretchability and conductivity can be enhanced by adjusting the chemical makeup, making it suitable for bioelectronic devices.
Researchers at Penn State develop a hydrogel-based battery that mimics the electrical processes of electric eels, producing higher power densities than previous designs. The battery is non-toxic, flexible, and environmentally stable, making it suitable for biomedical applications.
Researchers developed a method to embed aligned boron nitride flakes in elastomer for efficient heat conduction. The composite material retains flexibility while improving thermal performance, enabling safer and more responsive wearable devices.
Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have created a molecule that naturally forms p/n junctions, structures vital for converting sunlight into electricity. The new design offers a promising shortcut to producing more efficient organic thin-film solar cells.
A research group at Osaka Metropolitan University has pioneered a technology for preparing biodegradable polymer capsules using naturally occurring molecules. The new method produces stable, shelf-life-friendly capsules that can store target molecules and undergo photodegradation upon exposure to light.
Researchers created an ultrathin hydrogel electrode that can track vital signals without interruption, overcoming previous dehydration, freezing, and mechanical fragility issues. The new material forms a flexible layer that can withstand extreme temperatures and retain water content over time.
A new spray-applied polyurea-based nanocomposite sensing coating integrates covalently functionalized graphene nanoplatelets into a two-component polyurea matrix. This enhances processability, weatherability, and establishes a robust conductive network for reliable resistive sensing.
A Rice University-led team has unveiled the molecular structures on industrial catalysts that behave during vinyl acetate monomer production. The work points to catalyst designs that could reduce energy use, carbon emissions, and make global VAM production cleaner and more reliable.
A team of researchers has developed a method for preparing supramolecular prodrug assemblies to enhance chemodynamic therapy efficacy by consuming glutathione (GSH) and inhibiting its synthesis. The approach allows for the simultaneous release of dual functional molecules from self-assemblies, amplifying cellular oxidative stress.
Researchers create a new type of silicone elastomer with ultra-softness, ultra-stretchability, and high toughness. The material is designed to be 'burden-free' for on-skin wearables, offering excellent mechanical integrity and electronic reliability. It also exhibits excellent UV blocking properties and can block 97.9% of incident light.
Researchers at Linköping University have successfully created electrodes from conductive plastics using visible light, eliminating the need for toxic chemicals. The technology allows for the creation of flexible electronics and biocompatible sensors on various surfaces, including skin.
Researchers developed a novel bioelectronic material that transforms from a rigid film to a soft, tissue-like interface upon hydration, enabling seamless integration with living tissues. The device, called THIN, has been shown to record biological signals with high fidelity and stability in animal experiments.
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.
Researchers have developed a new approach to overcome limitations in single-atom catalysts by creating one-dimensional organic polymers capable of selectively binding metal atoms. The platform marks a major advance in single atom catalysis, enabling stronger gas binding compared to other structures.
A team of international researchers proposes that sticky, surface-bound gels may have played a crucial role in the origins of life on Earth. These primitive gels could have provided the necessary structure and function for early chemical systems to become increasingly complex. The study's findings also extend to astrobiology, suggestin...
A new review highlights hydrogels as ideal for sweat sensing due to their flexibility, biocompatibility, and ability to detect biomarkers in real-time. The technology has the potential to revolutionize personal health monitoring with painless and continuous tracking of conditions like diabetes and dehydration.
Researchers at Rutgers University have created plastics that can self-destruct at programmed speeds, offering a solution to the global plastic crisis. The biodegradable plastics are made by mimicking nature's structural tricks, allowing them to break down naturally under everyday conditions without heat or harsh chemicals.
Researchers in Japan have developed a supramolecular polymer system that can adaptively transform into different dimensional states depending on the intensity of light applied, revealing mechanisms behind these dynamic transformations using high-speed atomic force microscopy.
Researchers used molecular dynamics simulations to investigate how polyamides adhere to alumina surfaces, finding that adhesion strength depends on polymer chemistry and surface termination. The study offers practical design guidelines for selecting surface treatments and polymer types, enabling the creation of stronger, lighter joints.
Liheng Cai has challenged long-accepted rules of polymer physics, offering new theories to explain the behavior of associative polymers and solving a conundrum that stumped scientists for nearly 200 years. His work has led to breakthroughs in designing better materials for healthcare and sustainability.
Researchers developed a composite hydrogel that integrates antibacterial, immunomodulatory, and regenerative functions to promote faster wound closure. The hydrogel demonstrated over 98% antibacterial efficacy and improved fibroblast and endothelial cell growth.
Researchers at the University of Florida have developed a technique to create highly porous materials from everyday plastics by 'sculpting' from within. The new materials have potential applications in batteries, water filtration and high-density electronic storage.
A South Korean research team has discovered a molecular-level mechanism to switch the charge polarity of organic polymer semiconductors by adjusting the concentration of a single dopant. This enables polymers to exhibit both p-type and n-type characteristics, eliminating the need for separate materials or complex device architectures.
Solid polymer electrolytes offer a safer alternative to traditional liquid electrolytes, with intrinsic adhesion to electrodes and low interfacial resistance. The authors propose multi-pronged innovations to improve contact, reduce polarization, and prevent dendrites.
A research team developed a comprehensive manufacturing approach for stretchable synaptic transistors, enhancing electro-mechanical stability and learning accuracy. The architecture of devices plays a crucial role in maintaining stable electrical behavior under deformation.
Researchers from Newcastle University and the University of Birmingham developed a low-energy, waste-free method to recycle Teflon by breaking down its strong carbon-fluorine bonds into harmless sodium fluoride. This process has significant implications for reducing environmental pollution and promoting sustainable fluorine chemistry.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a novel 3D printing technique that creates ultra-strong metal and ceramic materials by infusing water-based gel with metal salts. The process results in exceptionally dense and strong constructions, suitable for next-generation energy, biomedical, and sensing technologies.
Three young scientists received top honors at the 2025 Blavatnik National Awards for Young Scientists, each receiving a $250,000 prize for their innovative work on critical global issues. The awards recognize exceptional scientific achievement and innovation by U.S.-based researchers under 42 years old.
An AI-driven irrigation management system developed by Texas A&M University students uses soil sensors, crop data, and weather forecasts to optimize watering. The system conserves water, reduces costs, and increases crop yields, addressing global issues of water scarcity and inequity.
Researchers developed a new strategy to modify zinc oxide interlayers with polymer zwitterions, effectively passivating defects and enhancing solar cell device performance and stability. The conjugated units in the polymer zwitterions improved UV light absorption and facilitated more efficient charge extraction.
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 create peptide hydrogel that controls drug release, improving treatment adherence and efficacy for conditions like tuberculosis and diabetes. The SABER platform uses reversible chemical bonds to slow down drug release, offering a promising solution for precise delivery.
A self-powered analytical device has been developed to detect toxic amines in water using electrochemiluminescence. The device generates its own voltage from liquid flow and produces light signals to indicate contamination, making water quality testing more accessible and portable.
Researchers at Kaunas University of Technology (KTU) have developed new generation polymers made from renewable raw materials, with unique properties such as self-healing, shape memory, and antimicrobial effects. These sustainable solutions can be applied in various fields including medicine, electronics, and optics.
Researchers developed a new origami-inspired folding strategy for reversible actuation of hydrogel pores, integrating facet-driven folding into polygonal pores to enable programmable and predictable actuation. This strategy retained 90% of its original shape after repeated swelling-shrinking cycles, demonstrating excellent reliability.
Researchers at Beijing University of Chemical Technology developed a new reconfigurable information code using macroscopic hydrogels that respond to external stimuli. The system can store over 800 billion distinct configurations, opening up potential applications in smart labels, biomedical tags and secure data encoding.
Researchers developed a machine learning model to predict liquid crystalline polyimides with high thermal conductivity, achieving 96% accuracy. The model identified six promising candidates, which demonstrated up to 1.26 W/mK thermal conductivities, accelerating the development of efficient thermal materials.
A new study uses molecular imaging to uncover structural defects in conjugated polymers formed through aldol condensation, a versatile and environmentally friendly synthesis method. By understanding these defects, researchers can develop more sustainable materials for electronics, computing, and other applications.
Researchers have developed an acid-base bifunctional catalyst that efficiently produces ethyl methyl carbonate (EMC), a crucial component of lithium-ion batteries. The catalyst, [DBU+[IM-]@UiO-66, achieves high EMC yields and selectivity with minimal loss of yield over six reuse cycles.
Researchers have engineered a novel enzyme, PET2-21M, to enhance the biodegradation of bottle-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics. This breakthrough offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional recycling processes, achieving significant improvements in catalytic activity and substrate efficiency.