Articles tagged with Polymers
Researchers have gained new insights into the arrangement of stiff polymers in spherical cavities using computer simulations. The study reveals complex structures emerging on the sphere surface, including bipolar patterns and a tennis ball-like structure with four distinct poles.
A KAIST research team developed molecular pulley binders for high-capacity silicon anodes in lithium ion batteries, improving charge-discharge cycles. The innovative binding system, inspired by the 'mechanical bond' concept, enhances electrode stability and capacity retention.
Scientists at Eindhoven University of Technology developed a new material that can undulate and propel itself forward under the influence of light. The device, the size of a paperclip, is the world's first machine to convert light directly into walking using one fixed light source.
Researchers have developed a novel material that rapidly removes perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water, achieving concentrations below 10 parts per trillion. The material, made from a networked polymer, has shown greater affinity for PFOA than activated carbon and can be regenerated multiple times.
A synthetic sensor array, resembling an artificial tongue, can detect closely related whisky samples as distinct. The device identifies key qualities such as malt status, age, and country of origin, making it a valuable tool for spotting counterfeits.
Researchers from Kyoto University, Imperial College, and City University of Hong Kong have developed mixed matrix membranes that can capture and store carbon dioxide efficiently and cost-effectively. The new materials have the potential to reduce large project costs by up to tenfold, making CCS technology more politically acceptable.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University have developed a new biomedical polymer that targets damaged tissue, reducing existing plaque and preventing further progression and inflammation. The therapy has shown promising results in mice, improving myocardial function, decreasing inflammation, and thinning arteries.
Researchers developed a novel approach to create self-expandable polymer stents that can grow with pediatric patients, are biodegradable, and require minimally-invasive procedures. The stents were created using computational design, simulation tools, and 3D printing technology.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a strategy to create highly fluorescent nanoparticles through molecular design of conjugated polymers. The twisted shape of the molecules produces smaller, brighter particles with tunable spectroscopic properties, opening up new opportunities for bio-imaging and nanomedicine.
Scientists create novel technique to track molecular detachment from polymer, enabling precise control over self-assembling materials. The method uses hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry, avoiding the influence of added dyes or tags on molecular movement.
Engineers at UC San Diego developed a nano-sized optical fiber that can detect forces down to 160 femtonewtons and hear sounds down to -30 decibels, with applications in detecting bacteria, monitoring cellular behavior, and creating mini stethoscopes.
Researchers have developed a method to pattern materials with features as small as one nanometer, enabling the study of material properties at the atomic level. The technique has potential applications in materials engineering and could lead to the creation of new materials with unique properties.
Researchers developed a new photoluminescent sensor material that retains properties over time and under repeated mechanical stress. The material incorporates a stress-sensing molecule into a common polymer, allowing for efficient triggering of light emission with increasing force.
Researchers have developed a method to select semiconducting carbon nanotubes from a solution and make them self-assemble on gold electrodes, resulting in tiny transistors with nearly 100% purity. The process uses polymers with thiol side chains to bind the tubes to the electrodes.
Researchers have found that conventional desktop and professional 3D printers build objects at a slow rate of 10-20 cubic centimeters per hour. The team identified a pinch-wheel mechanism as a limitation, which can be improved to increase printing speed.
The Epps group has made significant strides in tuning and characterizing block polymers for various applications. They aim to optimize materials design by manipulating phase behavior, thermal transitions and mechanical properties. The goal is to create high-performance materials that reduce defects and mitigate environmental concerns.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new material that balances carbon dioxide sequestration and methane selectivity in natural gas production. The filter, made with a polymer-based sorbent, achieves optimal performance by adjusting the ratio of potassium, oxygen, and hydrogen activation reagents during processing.
Researchers at Rice University have developed an eco-friendly method to recycle electronic waste by using a cryo-mill to pulverize circuit boards into separated powders. The process breaks down components into homogenous powders that can be reused, reducing the need for energy-intensive processes and minimizing environmental harm.
A new hydrogel has been developed that can be injected into a rabbit's eye as a liquid and gel within minutes to replace the clear gel-like substance. The hydrogel exhibits no significant swelling pressures or side effects, suggesting it is safe for potential use in humans.
Researchers at TUM have produced a composite material combining silicon nanosheets and a polymer, creating a stable material with remarkable optoelectronic properties. The polymer-coated silicon nanosheets show promise for applications in flexible displays, field-effect transistors, photodetectors, and rechargeable lithium batteries.
Scientists at Lomonosov Moscow State University have developed nanozymes, which can degrade toxic organophosphorous compounds with high efficiency. The new technology uses an enzyme encapsulated in a biodegradable polymer coat, reducing immune responses and increasing storage stability.
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.
Researchers at MIT have created a new system for 3D printing with cellulose acetate, a renewable and biodegradable alternative to traditional plastics. The new process allows for customization and functionalization of the printed parts, making it suitable for various applications including medical devices and sustainable products.
Researchers developed a fluorescent polymer that can detect high levels of mercury in fish, which can lead to reduced fetal growth and placental development. The study found increased mercury levels in swordfish and tuna, with no mercury detected in farmed salmon.
Researchers at UCSB have developed a simple method to master the electrical properties of polymer semiconductors by adding specific molecules that 'trap' charge carriers. This technique allows for efficient design and manufacture of organic circuitry with varying complexity, while maintaining economical manufacturing costs.
Researchers have solved a long-standing mystery of how key sugars in cells bind to form strong, indigestible materials. Cellulose induces xylan to untwist itself and straighten out, allowing it to attach itself to the cellulose molecule, forming a 'glue' that makes very strong structures.
For the first time, a biodegradable polymer coating has been synthesized using chemical vapor deposition, addressing a long-standing gap in degradable implant coatings. The coating's degradation rate can be controlled by adjusting the ratio of monomer types and side groups.
Researchers found that ice surface melts in layers, with the first layer melting at -38° C and the second at -16° C. The team also discovered a distinct spectroscopic response between the quasi-liquid layer and supercooled water.
Researchers created graphene-infused G-putty, a highly sensitive material that detects heart rates through skin and individual spider footsteps. The unique substance surpasses conventional strain sensors in sensitivity, with potential applications in various fields.
A simple electrical doping technique could reduce the cost of polymer solar cells and organic electronic devices, enabling new applications for these technologies. The new process enables efficient single-layer solar cells, potentially transforming wearable devices and small-scale distributed power generation.
Researchers develop a simple processing technique to manufacture single-layer organic polymer solar cells, reducing production costs and enabling widespread adoption. The new method offers a simpler alternative to existing methods and has the potential to transform organic photovoltaics into commercial technology.
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.
Researchers at Duke University have developed a new PEG delivery system that avoids immune responses and extends the duration of drugs in the bloodstream. The technology, which produces more uniform results, shows excellent efficacy in controlling glucose levels in diabetic mice.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a novel fabrication technique for more efficient plastic solar cells. The new method uses sequentially cast ternary systems to prevent alloying issues, resulting in wider optical sensitivity and increased efficiency.
Researchers at Ruhr-University Bochum and Malmö University created a hybrid fuel cell and capacitor using biocatalytic processes, generating and storing energy efficiently. The new biosupercapacitor combines energy production and storage, offering high capacity and low weight for potential use in implantable devices.
An international group of researchers has developed self-powered mobile polymers that can move without traditional power sources. The polymers directly convert ultraviolet light into motion, eliminating the need for electronics or other mechanisms.
Researchers found that tooth shape influenced diet and feeding biomechanics, with selection favoring maximum damage, not just force or energy. The study used 3D-printed replicas of ancient mammal teeth to test the impact of different diets on early mammals.
The BIO-RESORT trial found that two thin-strut biodegradable polymer everolimus-eluting and sirolimus-eluting stents were non-inferior to a durable polymer zotarolimus-eluting stent in treating coronary artery disease. Patients with acute coronary syndromes showed excellent one-year clinical outcomes.
Researchers find that longer polymer chains exhibit higher fragility due to incomplete molecular scale relaxation, leading to new insights for material design. The study resolves a long-standing puzzle in polymeric materials, shedding light on their unique properties.
Researchers used DESY's X-ray source PETRA III to observe the degradation of plastic solar cells, revealing that domains shrink and efficiency decreases due to residual solvent additive. Strategies to stabilise structure through chemical bonding or customised encapsulating substances are proposed.
A team of Penn State materials scientists has developed a unique three-dimensional sandwich-like structure that protects the dense electric field in the polymer/ceramic composite from dielectric breakdown. The material has been shown to have high energy density, power density and excellent charge-discharge efficiency, making it highly ...
Researchers at UCSB discovered crystalline infinite iodide polymers, solving a centuries-old mystery of chemistry. This breakthrough has academic interest, but also potential for development of functional materials for new electronics.
A team of Russian physicists developed a method to use the magnetocaloric effect for targeted drug delivery to implants, avoiding rejection. The technique involves applying an external magnetic field to lower the temperature of a magnetic material, releasing a controlled dose of medication at the implant site.
Researchers at Iowa State University have created a quick-destructing battery that can power devices for up to 15 minutes before self-destruction. The battery's unique polymer casing breaks apart in water, dissolving or dissipating the components within 30 minutes.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a method to induce a new polymer phase in PLA, increasing its strength and prolonging its degradation rate. The new phase can make the material stronger while also making it last longer, potentially leading to improved medical applications.
Researchers at ICIQ and IMDEA Nanoscience introduce a new surface-confined thermally tunable reaction pathway to selectively synthesize monomeric or low-dimensional phthalocyanine polymers. The discovery presents an interesting alternative for developing polymeric materials with technological applications.
Scientists create a film that curls up and straightens autonomously when exposed to tiny changes in humidity, using it to transform environmental fluctuations into mechanical energy. The film can jump high and repeatedly bend and straighten without deterioration.
Researchers at the University of Washington have developed a simple expansion microscopy technique to visualize cellular structures on conventional laboratory microscopes. This approach uses an expandable polymer and fluorescent dyes, enabling high-resolution images while maintaining excellent resolution.
A Northwestern University research team has developed a tool to rapidly test millions of nanoparticles at once, similar to gene chips in biology. The combinatorial library approach enables scientists to quickly identify the best nanoparticle size and composition for various applications.
Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory have created a reactor that can continuously produce methanol from methane at room temperature and pressure. The innovative 3D-printed polymer-based system retains high enzyme activity, enabling highly controlled reactions with greater flexibility and efficiency.
Researchers successfully used terahertz lasers to induce permanent changes in a polymer's conformation, increasing its crystallization pattern by 20%. The study demonstrates the potential of terahertz waves as a 'soft' method for modifying materials without inducing chemical changes.
Physicists at Lomonosov Moscow State University propose a theoretical model for analyzing the conformational behavior of hydrophobically modified polymer gels in solution. The model explains experimentally observed phenomena and reveals new ways to control gel susceptibility, promising applications in drug delivery systems.
A new chemical sensor developed by Polish researchers can detect the presence of neopterin, a biomarker for certain cancers. The sensor uses molecular imprinting technology to capture molecules of neopterin from body fluids, with high accuracy and selectivity.
A silicone-based polymer coating has been developed to mimic the mechanical and elastic properties of healthy skin. The material can temporarily tighten skin, reduce water loss from dry skin and provide long-lasting UV protection.
Physicists have found a novel pattern-forming mechanism in biological systems, with the discovery of a crucial protein that forms ring-shaped filaments to constrict bacterial cells. At high concentrations, FtsZ polymers self-organize into ring-like structures, leading to the formation of Z-rings and daughter cells.
Developed by University of Cambridge researchers, the nanoscale engine harnesses light energy to generate elastic forces, making it suitable for water navigation and disease-fighting applications. With immense force capabilities and bio-compatibility, these 'ANTs' could revolutionize nano-machinery and microfluidics industries.
A Polish Academy of Sciences team devised a chemical sensor to detect fungi in just a few minutes, reducing detection time from days to hours. The sensor uses D-arabitol, a compound indicating fungal presence, detected with high certainty even in the presence of interfering substances.
A team of chemists has developed a unique combination of PBDB-T and ITIC that converts sunlight into electricity with an efficiency of 11%, surpassing most solar cells with fullerenes. The discovery paves the way for low-cost and reliable solar energy, with good thermal stability and potential for commercialization.
A new theory predicts the mechanical response of shells, from small pharmaceutical capsules to large airplane bodies. By controlling a few key variables, engineers can create uniformly smooth shells with precisely tailored thickness, with applications far beyond the chocolate shop.
Researchers from Drexel University have created a new method for producing polymer nanobrushes that repel dirt, allowing for greater control over their shape and size. This breakthrough enables the creation of more efficient and durable brush coatings with improved friction reduction, opening up new possibilities for various applications.