Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Self-assembled, interlocked threads: Spinning yarn with no machine needed

Pitt and Princeton engineers develop a system that converts chemical energy into mechanical action, allowing two-dimensional polymer sheets to rise and rotate in spiral helices without external power. The self-assembly process creates a complex, three-dimensional structure resembling twisted yarn being formed by a rotating spindle.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalPNAS Nexus·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJun 23, 2022

Closed-loop additive manufacturing fueled by upcycled plastic

Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have created a simple process to upcycle ABS, a popular thermoplastic used in everyday objects, into a more robust material compatible with industry 3D-printing methods. The upcycled version boasts enhanced strength, toughness and chemical resistance.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateJun 13, 2022
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.

Dancing in the light

Scientists from Harvard and Pittsburgh develop liquid crystal elastomer material that can perform complex dance-like motions in response to UV light. The material's behavior is inspired by the interconnected structures of the human body, allowing it to seamlessly integrate dynamic processes.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNature·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 24, 2022

Charging a green future: Latest advancement in lithium-ion batteries could make them ubiquitous

Researchers have developed a polymer composite binder that improves the performance of silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries. The binder, consisting of P-BIAN and PAA polymers, stabilizes the silicon particles and maintains a thin solid-electrolyte interface layer, resulting in improved discharge capacity and structural integrity.

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalACS Applied Energy Materials·DateMay 19, 2022

Seeing molecules inside a nanometer-sized “sardine can”!

Researchers developed a real-time polarized infrared spectroscopy technique to study metal-organic frameworks and guest molecule interactions. This method provides insights into host-guest and guest-host interactions, enabling the development of high-performance porous materials.

SourceOsaka Metropolitan University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 16, 2022

New research may revise a theory of reacting flow

A Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology research team finds that changes in viscoelastic properties affect flow dynamics differently depending on gel elasticity, leading to a reversal of flow effects. This discovery opens new avenues for controlling flow dynamics using chemical reactions.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalPhysical Review Fluids·DateMay 10, 2022
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

National Cheng Kung University researchers present new solution for wastewater remediation

Researchers have developed an eco-friendly and reusable solution for removing toxic synthetic dyes from wastewater using nanocomposite-based hydrogels. The new material, made from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and graphene oxide, demonstrates high adsorption capacities and retains its effectiveness even after multiple cycles of use.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalJournal of Hazardous Materials·DateApr 14, 2022

Mussels’ underwater glue inspires synthetic cement

Using a novel method to arrange molecules, Northwestern University researchers have created a material that performs even better than the glue they were trying to mimic. The protein-like polymer can be used as an adhesive in biomedical contexts, such as wound healing or repair.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateMar 3, 2022

On-water creation of conducting MOF nanosheets

Scientists at Osaka Prefecture University developed a novel method for creating uniform, electrically conductive nanosheets using oil and water interfaces. The approach resulted in highly organized three-dimensional nanostructures with high electrical conductivity, offering potential applications in energy devices and sensors.

SourceOsaka Prefecture University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·TypeNews article·DateOct 28, 2021
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

New control of liquid–liquid interface through non-equilibrium thermodynamics

A Japanese collaborative team presents a novel method for tuning hydrodynamic interfacial instability through a thermodynamic parameter controlling liquid–liquid phase separation. They successfully predict pattern changes of a growing interface by applying the maximum entropy production principle.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry B·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2021

Answering a century-old question on the origins of life

Scientists have developed a coacervate droplet that can replicate and evolve, providing a potential link between chemistry and biology. The research, published in Nature Communications, may help explain the emergence of the first living organisms on Earth.

SourceHiroshima University·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 27, 2021

Color coding molecular mirror images

Scientists at Kanazawa University have discovered a new method for determining the chirality of amines, which involves reactions with 'color indicator' molecules that produce different colors depending on the enantiomer present. The approach enables easy naked-eye differentiation between enantiomers and could be used to quantify enanti...

SourceKanazawa University·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 22, 2021
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.

Researchers improve optical tissue clearing method to diagnose cancer

A Japanese research team has improved an optical tissue clearing method to diagnose cancer, enabling 3D visualization of tumor tissues in just a week. The new approach uses zwitterionic hydrogels to rapidly remove fats from tissues, reducing processing time and improving diagnosis accuracy.

SourceOsaka Prefecture University·JournalMacromolecular Bioscience·TypeNews article·DateSep 16, 2021

A winning combination for glycoprotein synthesis

Researchers from Osaka University have demonstrated a rapid and robust chemical method for preparing highly pure glycoproteins. The new synthetic route uses an unprecedented amide bond formation reaction to form a junction between two functional peptides, resulting in a reliable means of synthesizing glycoproteins with little waste of ...

SourceOsaka University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 10, 2021
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

New solvents to break down plant cellulose for bioethanol

Researchers at Kanazawa University have developed new solvent mixtures containing positive and negative charges to break down plant cellulose for bioethanol production. These solvents are more environmentally friendly and reduce toxicity compared to current methods, enabling the conversion of unused biomass into fuel.

SourceKanazawa University·JournalCarbohydrate Polymers·DateAug 10, 2021

Visualizing stress in plastics

A research team led by Prof. Dr. Michael Sommer has developed a new dye molecule that can visualize stress in plastics by changing color, allowing for the differentiation between stresses of different magnitude. This technology has great advantages for monitoring material integrity and could lead to improved mechanical properties.

SourceChemnitz University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2021

Researchers discover new strategy for developing human-integrated electronics

Scientists at the University of Chicago have developed a new approach called click-to-polymer (CLIP) to attach functional units to polymer semiconductors, overcoming limitations in their functionality. The CLIP method enables the creation of multifunctional conjugated polymers for human-integrated electronics, including disease detecto...

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalMatter·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2021

Cracking the code of crack propagation in rubberlike materials

Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science have identified the origin of a phenomenon that occurs when rubber materials under stress rapidly break. Their simplified step-loading model replicates the non-monotonic mechanical behavior observed in these materials, shedding light on the velocity jump phenomenon.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalPhysical Review Materials·DateJul 30, 2021

Press registration opens for ACS Fall 2021 meeting

The American Chemical Society's ACS Fall 2021 meeting will feature over 7,000 presentations on various scientific topics. Journalists and public information officers can register for the meeting and access on-demand content.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateJul 29, 2021
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Sweet nanoparticles trick kidney

Scientists at the University of Freiburg created nanoparticles with polysaccharides, which allow them to pass through the kidneys and be excreted in urine. This breakthrough enables the combination of tumor accumulation and kidney clearance in a single nanoparticle, paving the way for safer nanomedicine administration.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalBiomaterials·DateFeb 4, 2020

New center founded to develop more efficient flexible solar cells

Researchers at the Center for Self-Assembled Organic Electronics will integrate chemical synthesis, theory, and simulations to develop next-generation materials capable of converting sunlight into electricity. The goal is to create lightweight and flexible solar cells that can be deployed in various environments and scenarios.

SourcePenn State·DateApr 10, 2019

New material could ‘revolutionize’ treatment of broken bones

A new polymer material could revolutionize treatment of broken bones by speeding up healing and reducing the need for invasive surgery. The biodegradable material is designed to degrade like a bar of soap, allowing for a gradual transfer of load from the degrading polymer to the healing bone.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 24, 2000
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.

New polymer shows promise against ovarian cancer

A new polymer-drug combination has inhibited the growth of ovarian cancer cell lines by up to 97% in two previous treatments. Researchers are now investigating the effects of varying metal combinations, hoping to find a more effective treatment for this deadly form of cancer.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateMar 19, 2000

Improving Car Coatings From Scratch

Researchers developed a unique micro-scratch tester to examine tiny scratches in real-time, revealing that small cracks appear and create voids before material loss. This discovery led to the creation of new coatings with improved scratch durability, which have been applied to cars for field testing.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateAug 27, 1998
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.