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Nanoscale lattices flow from 3D printer

Rice materials scientists develop a method to print arbitrary 3D shapes, creating micro-scale electronic, mechanical and photonic devices. The process involves two-photon polymerization and doping with rare earth salts for photoluminescent properties.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 14, 2021

Synthetic biology enables microbes to build muscle

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a method to produce synthetic muscle protein using microbes, which can be spun into fibers with exceptional toughness and strength. The resulting material has potential biomedical applications, such as sutures and tissue engineering.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 30, 2021

Polymer enables tougher recyclable thermoplastics

Cornell researchers created a chemically recyclable thermoplastic by synthesizing long polymer chains using a special catalyst. The resulting material, poly(1,3-dioxolane) or PDXL, has high tensile strength and can be easily depolymerized back to its monomer state, making it suitable for large-scale applications like packaging products.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience·DateAug 13, 2021

Researchers 3D print rotating microfilter for lab-on-a-chip applications

The researchers developed a filter that can freely switch between modes such as selective filtering and passing, expanding the usefulness of microfluidic devices. The magnetic material was used with a precise 3D printing technique to create the tiny turning filter, which can be remotely manipulated on demand.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateJun 15, 2021
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

You're so vein: Scientists discover faster way to manufacture vascular materials

Researchers at Beckman Institute develop new manufacturing process that shortens production time from two days to just minutes, enabling the creation of self-healing structural materials. The technology has potential applications in various fields, including aerospace and construction.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 14, 2021

Skoltech scientists find a way to make pultrusion faster

Researchers found that processing additives significantly impact the speed of polymerization in pultrusion, enabling faster production and improved efficiency. The study's findings have potential applications for enhancing profitability while maintaining quality in composite structures.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalJournal of Composite Materials·DateMay 7, 2021

Polymerization process of hydrogel microspheres on video

The study used direct visualization to clarify the formation mechanism of microgels during precipitation polymerization. The research revealed that the aggregation of polymer chains in the nucleation process is crucial for determining the nanostructures of microgels, leading to improved understanding of their formation.

SourceShinshu University·JournalLangmuir·DateMar 2, 2021
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.

Fabricating the future with a new environment friendly method of polymerization

Scientists at Nagoya Institute of Technology have developed a new, metal-free organocatalysis method for polymerization, which is more efficient and environmentally friendly than current methods. The technique uses non-ionic and multidentate organocatalysts to produce polymeric materials with reduced impurities.

SourceNagoya Institute of Technology·JournalPolymer Chemistry·DateFeb 24, 2021

Ultraheavy precision polymers

Researchers have developed a simple, environmentally friendly process to produce well-defined linear and star-shaped polymers with ultrahigh molecular weights from nonconjugated monomers. The photoenzymatic RAFT polymerization method offers outstanding control over composition, molecular weight, and architecture.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 27, 2020

Scientists propose multifunctional liquid metal nanocapsules

Researchers propose multifunctional liquid metal nanocapsules with tunable polylactone shells for improved thermal/photo-molding properties, electric conductivity, and notch-insensitive tearing. The powder of LM capsules combines exceptional properties of liquid metals and polylactone shells.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateSep 21, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Researchers discover new photoactivation mechanism for polymer production

Researchers at NC State University have developed a new method for producing polymer gel objects from pure monomer solutions using low-energy, visible light. This process has the potential to overcome current challenges in producing these materials and sheds light on the ways in which low energy photons can combine to produce high ener...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalChem·DateSep 16, 2020

Developing new smart soft materials

Researchers at Ehime University have successfully synthesized a new type of polymer with a carboxy-functionalized dendron structure. The polymer demonstrates pH-responsive behavior due to the dense accumulation of side chains, paving the way for the development of new functional poly(substituted methylene)s.

SourceEhime University·JournalMacromolecules·DateAug 4, 2020

Analyzing pros and cons of two composite manufacturing methods

Researchers at the University of Illinois compared two composite manufacturing methods, frontal polymerization and bulk polymerization. Frontal polymerization, a new out-of-autoclave method, offers several advantages, including reduced capital investment, faster curing times, and lower environmental impact.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalComposites Science and Technology·DateAug 3, 2020
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.

Tuning frontal polymerization for diverse material properties

The new method enables a wider range of materials with better control over their thermal and mechanical properties. Researchers used a mixture of two monomers to create materials tailored for various applications, including tires.

SourceBeckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology·JournalACS Macro Letters·DateJul 16, 2020

Researchers design microsystem for faster, more sustainable industrial chemistry

The research team developed an intelligent microsystem employing machine learning and automation to reduce chemical waste by two orders of magnitude and catalytic discovery from weeks to hours. By screening catalysts and polymers faster, the method could lead to more efficient design and environmentally benign plastics.

SourceNYU Tandon School of Engineering·JournalNature Machine Intelligence·DateApr 14, 2020
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

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.

SourceEhime University·JournalMacromolecules·DateSep 24, 2019
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.

Uncovering microgel mysteries

A team of scientists at Shinshu University used a newly customized tool to study hydrogel microspheres, observing structural differences that were previously unexplained. The study reveals that the method of production greatly affects the structure and behavior of thermoresponsive microgels.

SourceShinshu University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateMay 30, 2019

Green alternative to PET could be even greener

Researchers at the University of Groningen have developed an enzyme-based polymerization method to create a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional polyethylene terephthalate (PET). By using a commercially available enzyme, they successfully produced furan-based copolyesters with improved properties.

SourceUniversity of Groningen·JournalChemSusChem·DateJan 30, 2019
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Visualizing 'unfurling' microtubule growth

Microtubules form scaffolding for cell movement and division. Researchers at UC Davis discovered the mechanism behind their assembly, using an animation to illustrate TOG domains driving tubulin polymerization.

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·DateNov 13, 2018

New polymer manufacturing process saves 10 orders of magnitude of energy

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new polymer-curing process that uses minimal energy and cuts manufacturing time in half. The breakthrough could lead to cost-effective production of high-performance polymers for aerospace and automotive industries.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·DateMay 9, 2018
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.

Army research leading to materials of the future wins national award

Researchers at Cornell University developed a novel analytical technique to visualize polymer chain growth in real-time. By combining magnetic tweezers, optical microscopy, and spectroscopic techniques, they discovered that individual polymer chains undergo consecutive wait-and-jump steps.

SourceU.S. Army Research Laboratory·DateFeb 7, 2018

Photopolymerization-triggered molecular motion for flexible liquid crystal display

A new scanning wave photopolymerization technique allows for arbitrary alignment of liquid crystals with fine control over large areas without the need for strong dyes or additional processing steps. This method enables the creation of highly functional organic materials with arbitrary molecular alignment patterns on the nanoscale.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 13, 2017

Engineering on a blue streak

University of Delaware researchers have developed a novel method for creating interpenetrating polymeric networks using blue light, offering a more efficient and sustainable approach. This one-step process enables the formation of complex shapes without solvents or additives, resulting in enhanced toughness and reduced brittleness.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalPolymer Chemistry·DateJul 28, 2017
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Phosphorus rubber

Scientists have introduced a new, phosphorus-containing rubber analogue with similar properties to natural rubber. The polymerization of this compound offers prospects for further derivatization and crosslinking, enabling unique architectures and properties in commercial rubbers.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateJul 10, 2017

Breaking the backbone

Researchers have developed a method to produce degradable polymers through chemical vapor deposition (CVD), allowing for the creation of biodegradable implants and coatings. The new polymers can be tailored to degrade at specific rates, making them suitable for various medical applications.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 1, 2016

Tailored AFM probes created via 3-D direct laser writing

A team of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology researchers has developed a method to tailor AFM probes with unique designs using 3-D direct laser writing based on two-photon polymerization. The technique enables the creation of custom probes with nanoscale precision, opening up new possibilities for analyzing samples at the atomic scale.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 8, 2016

Researchers develop completely new kind of polymer

Researchers developed a new hybrid polymer that combines rigid covalent bonds with soft supramolecular polymers. This allows for the creation of self-repairing materials, drug delivery systems and artificial muscles. The unique structure enables the polymer to lift weights, contracting and expanding like muscles.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalScience·DateJan 28, 2016
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.

Artificial lung to remove carbon dioxide -- from smokestacks

Scientists have developed a new filtering system to remove carbon dioxide from electric power station smokestacks, inspired by the efficient lungs of birds and the swim bladders of fish. The technology uses an array of tubes with porous membranes, which can capture up to 50% more CO2 than existing methods.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateSep 9, 2013

UH students spent summer making a difference with hands-on research

Students from various majors spent 10 weeks conducting intensive research projects under faculty mentorship. The Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) program aims to provide students with a concentrated research experience, leading to groundbreaking discoveries in fields such as cancer and neurological disorders.

SourceUniversity of Houston·DateAug 9, 2012
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Metal-free click polymerization of propiolates and azides

Researchers from Zhejiang University have expanded metal-free click polymerization to propiolate-azides, efficiently preparing functional poly(aroxycarbonyltriazole) compounds with high molecular weight and regioselectivity. These polymers exhibit aggregation-induced emission characteristics and serve as sensitive fluorescent chemosens...

SourceScience China Press·DateApr 30, 2011

Super sticky barnacle glue cures like blood clots

Researchers discovered that barnacle adhesive polymerization is related to blood clotting, with a trypsin-like serine protease and human factor XIII proteins involved. The team found that the glue's proteins are remarkably similar to those found in human blood clots.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·DateOct 16, 2009
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.

The making and breaking of microtubules

The study reveals the forms taken by transitional structures of tubulin during microtubule assembly and disassembly, providing a new understanding of microtubule dynamic instability. The binding of GTP controls activity at the growing end of the microtubule, enabling rapid growth followed by sudden shrinking.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalNature·DateJun 22, 2005

Plastic is forever -- or not

Virginia Tech researchers have made a breakthrough in creating polymers that can be reversed using heat, opening up new possibilities for thermoplastic elastomers (TPE) and novel adhesives. The team synthesized nano-phase separated polystyrene and polyisoprene based materials containing reversible linkages.

SourceVirginia Tech·DateAug 29, 2001