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Polymers change structure to avert failure and keep elastomers tough

Scientists at The University of Osaka have created a multipath synergistic strategy to toughen elastomers by sequentially activating three energy dissipation pathways. This approach enhances the material's toughness while maintaining its elasticity, making it suitable for various applications such as tires, gloves, and adhesives.

SourceThe University of Osaka·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 1, 2026

Turning step-growth into chain-growth with click polymerization

Researchers developed a controlled 'living' click polymerization system to achieve well-defined polymers with narrow dispersity, enabling bidirectional synthesis of ABA-type block copolymers. The method leverages copper-catalyzed azide–alkyne cycloaddition and initiators to selectively drive monomer addition in a controlled manner.

SourceInstitute of Science Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 9, 2025

In situ polymerization in COF boosts li‐ion conduction in solid polymer electrolytes for li metal batteries: A new approach to enhance ion transport efficiecyn

A new approach to improve lithium-ion conduction in solid polymer electrolytes is presented through in situ polymerization within a covalent organic framework, boosting the performance of lithium metal batteries. This innovative design enhances ion transport efficiency and paves the way for high-performance lithium metal batteries.

SourceShanghai Jiao Tong University Journal Center·JournalNano-Micro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 7, 2025

A small reaction space has a big impact on polymer chemistry

Researchers at The University of Tokyo have developed a 'molecular flask' that modulates chemical reactions, allowing for the creation of specialized polymers in extremely small spaces. This breakthrough technology enables the production of complex materials with various applications, including optoelectronics and medicine.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 24, 2025

Structural color shields: water repellent coatings

Researchers developed a novel coating material that captures the brilliance of structural colors using melanin particles, producing non-iridescent color even when viewed from different angles. The coatings displayed a contact angle of over 160 degrees, monochromatic hues, and a self-cleaning surface.

SourceChiba University·JournalMacromolecular Reaction Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 28, 2025

Polymer editing can upcycle waste into higher-performance plastics

Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a method to edit polymers from discarded plastics, generating new macromolecules with more valuable properties. This process utilizes existing building blocks to provide added functionality and value, reducing energy consumption and emissions compared to traditional recycling.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 17, 2025

Holographic 3D printing has the potential to revolutionize multiple industries, say Concordia researchers

Concordia researchers develop a novel method of 3D printing using acoustic holograms, capable of creating complex objects quickly and at once. This technique, called holographic direct sound printing (HDSP), stores information of multiple images in a single hologram, allowing for the creation of multiple objects simultaneously.

SourceConcordia University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 8, 2024

Cross-polymerization between bio-oil and polyaniline: synergistic effects on pore development in subsequent activation and adsorption of phenol

Cross-polymerization between bio-oil and polyaniline enhances pore development, yielding a material with high specific surface area and hydrophilicity. The resulting nitrogen-doped porous activated carbon shows superior performance in phenol adsorption.

SourceIndustrial Chemistry & Materials·JournalIndustrial Chemistry and Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 30, 2024

New route to recyclable polymers from plants

Researchers have created a method to make fully recyclable polymers from plant cellulose, which can replace some plastics and reduce plastic pollution. The new polymers have various structures that offer different applications, including high-performance materials for optical, electronic, and biomedical uses.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalACS Macro Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 20, 2024

Scientists open door to achieving high-precision 'slippery structural hydrogel'

Researchers introduce trehalose into hydrogels to form hydrogen bond interactions, improving dehydration resistance, lubrication performance, mechanical properties, and manufacturing accuracy. This discovery proposes a new design principle for high-precision manufacturing of hydrogel materials.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateJan 15, 2024

Achieving large and uniform particle sizes

A French team of researchers has developed a method to produce stable polystyrene dispersions with unprecedentedly large and uniform particle sizes. The team used light-driven processes, overcoming the previous 300-nanometer ceiling limit of UV and blue-light-based photopolymerization systems.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023

Micro/nanoscale 4D printing revolution: Manufacturing high-resolution transformable 3D structures

Researchers introduce a game-changing technology that enables fabrication of high-resolution, transformable 3D structures at the micro/nanoscale using Two-photon polymerization-based (TTP-based) 4D printing. The technology has vast potential for applications in biomedicine, flexible electronics, soft robotics, and aerospace.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateOct 9, 2023

Bio-based waterborne poly(vanillin-butyl acrylate)/mxene coatings for leather with desired warmth retention and antibacterial properties

Researchers developed a bio-based antibacterial agent and aromatic monomer called methacrylated vanillin (MV), imparting antibacterial properties to leather coatings. The addition of MXene nanosheets enhances the coating's thermal stability, air permeability, water vapor permeability, and antibacterial efficacy.

SourceEngineering·JournalEngineering·DateAug 21, 2023

Discovery of novel primitive xeno nucleic acids as alternative genetic polymers

Researchers from Tokyo Institute of Technology explore co-polymerization of glycol nucleic acid monomers with dicarboxylic acids to produce branched and linear xeno nucleic acid polymers. These findings suggest that diverse prebiotic organic molecules could have led to population-level differences in abundance of genetic polymers.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalChemical Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 21, 2023

Impact of cortactin in cancer progression

Researchers discuss cortactin's impact on cancer progression by modulating the Wnt5a/ROR1 signaling pathway. Cortactin expression is found in various cancers, including breast and chronic lymphocytic leukemia, suggesting its potential role in promoting metastasis.

SourceImpact Journals LLC·JournalOncotarget·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateApr 4, 2023

The secrets of polydopamine coatings revealed

Researchers at the University of Groningen have discovered the exact structure of polydopamine coatings, which could lead to new applications in surface adhesion and neurodegenerative disease treatment. The study found that these coatings form through auto-oxidation, crosslinking and isomerization processes.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 16, 2023

‘Magic’ solvent creates stronger thin films

A new technique uses reactive vapors to create thin films with enhanced properties, such as mechanical strength, kinetics, and morphology. The synthesis process is gentler on the environment than traditional methods and could lead to improved polymer coatings for microelectronics, advanced batteries, and therapeutics.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Synthesis·DateFeb 14, 2023

Fiber sensing scientists invent 3D printed fiber microprobe for measuring in vivo biomechanical properties of tissue and even single cell

Researchers at Shenzhen University have developed a compact fiber optical nanomechanical probe (FONP) to measure in vivo biomechanical properties of tissue and even single cells. The high-precision mechanical sensing system enables accurate measurements with spring constants as low as 2.1 nanonewtons.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateFeb 10, 2023

Tracing the origin of life

Researchers discover abiotic peptide chain formation from glycine in space conditions, shedding light on the origin of life. The study shows that small clusters of glycine molecules exhibit polymerization upon energy input.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry A·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2023

Baylor Chemistry researchers synthesize new groundbreaking compound

Researchers at Baylor University have synthesized a new, one-step Lewis superacid called tris(ortho-carboranyl)borane (BoCb3), which has applications in the production of common plastics. The compound is more efficient to produce, safer for the environment, and could potentially save billions of dollars in manufacturing costs.

SourceBaylor University·JournalAngewandte Chemie·TypeExperimental study·DateDec 15, 2022

Introduction of fluoroethylene carbonate into a poly(1,3-dioxolane)-based polymer electrolyte to stabilize a sodium metal anode

The introduction of fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) into a poly(1,3-dioxolane)-based polymer electrolyte improves the performance of sodium metal batteries. FEC forms a passivation layer that inhibits side reactions between DOL and the Na metal, reducing interfacial resistance and improving battery overall performance.

Engineers discover new process for synthetic material growth, enabling soft robots that grow like plants

Researchers developed a plant-inspired extrusion process for synthetic material growth, enabling soft robots to create new material and navigate obstacles. This technology has applications in remote areas and biomedical fields, potentially reducing the need for expensive machinery.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2022

Towards higher nanopatterning resolution with molecules that fill nanogaps better

A research group from Tokyo University of Science has discovered molecular features that govern the filling process at nanoscales, enabling finer resolutions in ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography. The findings provide valuable insights for guiding the selection and design of optimized resists for sub-10 nm resolution.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalNanomaterials·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateAug 8, 2022

Combining techniques to create more environmentally friendly, heat resistant, and transparent plastics

Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new technique for creating polymers with controlled molecular weight and high optical activity. The discovery uses a combination of living cationic polymerization and asymmetric cationic polymerization, resulting in optically active polymers with unique properties.

SourceNagoya University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 8, 2022

A light twist

A researcher at the University of Tsukuba has developed a method for producing electrically conductive polymers with helical configurations, which can convert linearly polarized light into circular polarization. This approach may lead to cheaper and more energy-efficient electronic displays.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalMolecular Crystals and Liquid Crystals·DateJun 16, 2022

Toward new degradable polymers

Researchers have developed a new degradable polymer material with improved biodegradability, outperforming existing bioplastics like PLA or PCL. The material can degrade by over 70% in a week, making it suitable for applications such as thermosensitive nanoparticles for medicine administration.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 24, 2022

Environmentally-friendly coatings

Researchers from Konstanz University have developed a new class of water-soluble catalysts that allow for the direct manufacturing of polyethylene dispersions in water. This breakthrough enables environmentally-friendly and emission-free production of plastic coatings, reducing energy consumption and pollution.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateApr 21, 2022

Study led by Wu Kai and Zhou Xiong published in Science to visualize on-surface ethylene polymerization

Researchers visualize ethylene polymerization on ordered iron carbide surface using in situ technology, revealing molecular insertion mechanism and chain initiation process. The study clarifies the scientific debate regarding chain initiation over Phillips catalysts and provides a method for controlling product chain length distribution.

SourcePeking University·JournalScience·DateMar 10, 2022

Listening to the leaves: Adding bioinspired veins to foamed polymers

A research team at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology developed a chemical process to mimic trees' vascular systems in foamed polymers, adding structure and enabling directional fluid transport. The team discovered that increasing or decreasing gelation time enables direct control over the foam's cellular structure.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJan 12, 2022