Articles tagged with Polymers
The study highlights the challenges of commercializing renewable polymers, but also emphasizes the potential of chemical modification to improve their properties for clinical use. The research aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these sustainable materials in biomedical practice.
A new e-textile platform developed by KAIST's research team combines 3D printing technology with advanced materials engineering to create customized training models for individual combatants. The platform uses flexible and highly durable sensors and electrodes printed directly onto textile substrates, enabling precise movement and huma...
Researchers at DTU developed a new electronic material that behaves like human skin, offering self-healing and adaptive properties. The material can stretch up to six times its original length, regulate heat, and detect environmental factors, making it suitable for wearable devices, soft robotics, and healthcare applications.
Scientists at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University developed a new nanoparticle capable of carrying high doses of chemotherapy drugs while staying stable for extended periods. This innovation could make treatments more effective and reduce side effects.
Bioengineering researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences developed a soft, thin, stretchable bioelectronic device that can be implanted into a tadpole embryo's neural plate, recording electrical activity from single brain cells with millisecond precision.
A team from Institute of Science Tokyo has developed a postfunctionalization technique allowing for the incorporation of phosphonate esters under visible light conditions. This breakthrough paves the way for a broader range of polymer modifications, enabling the creation of novel polymer architectures with unique properties.
Scientists from Institute of Science Tokyo successfully solubilize porous aromatic polymers (PAPs) in water using aromatic micelles, forming giant polycavity materials with high incorporation functions. The method enables the preparation of rare multi-component materials with potential applications in advanced functional materials.
Materials researchers at Harvard have created a way to produce natural rubber that retains its stretchiness and durability while improving its ability to resist cracking. The new material is four times better at resisting slow crack growth during repeated stretching and 10 times tougher overall.
Researchers at University of Michigan have discovered a rule-breaking silicone that can conduct electricity, upending assumptions about the material class. The semiconducting properties of the silicone copolymer enable its spectrum of colors, with longer chain lengths producing red tones and shorter chains emitting blue light.
Researchers have discovered a new enzyme called CelOCE that can cleave cellulose using an unprecedented mechanism. This discovery has the potential to significantly increase the production of second-generation ethanol from agro-industrial waste, enabling the large-scale production of biofuels.
Researchers have developed a technique for in vivo 3D printing of polymers using sound localization, which can be used for drug delivery, tissue repair, and internal wound sealing. The new method, called deep tissue in vivo sound printing (DISP), has been successfully tested in mice and shows promising results.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a dynamic material that can self-heal after puncturing, changing from solid to liquid and back, allowing it to absorb kinetic energy and leave tiny holes. The polymer's unique properties make it suitable for protecting space vehicles and military equipment.
A new study by Columbia University researchers reveals that 75-80% of plastics, known as semicrystalline polymers, break down into hazardous micro- and nanoscopic fragments. These fragments can persist in the environment for centuries and cause significant damage to living things.
A team of researchers led by UMass Amherst discovered that imperfect polymer fillers can enhance thermal conductivity, challenging conventional wisdom. Polymers with defective fillers performed 160% better than those with perfect fillers in conducting heat.
A team of scientists discovered a method to produce a stable and conductive bioelectric material without the need for a chemical crosslinker. The new process uses high heat to stabilize the material, producing devices with three times higher electrical conductivity and more consistent stability.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg developed a bicycle helmet with improved shock-absorbing material that utilises auxetic metastructures. The new helmet design provides better protection against head injuries, is lighter, and can be customised to individual head shapes using 3D printing.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new synthesis method for highly pure porous organic polymers (POPs), eliminating residual impurities and achieving high porosity. The obtained POPs exhibited improved CO2 adsorption capacity, proton conductivity, and unique gas adsorption behavior.
Researchers found that polymers used as flame retardants can break down into dozens of smaller molecules, causing mitochondrial dysfunction and developmental harm. The study also detected these pollutants in soil, air, and dust near electronic waste recycling facilities.
The Dielectric Elastomer Sensor (DES) offers real-time pressure and vibration monitoring in soft fluidic actuators, ideal for robotics and biomedical devices. The sensor's flexibility and ability to withstand large deformations make it suitable for applications in automobile designing and structural health monitoring.
Scientists at the University of Groningen have created a novel microwave-assisted chemical recycling process for aramid fibers, including Twaron and Kevlar. The new method achieves a high conversion rate of 96% in just 15 minutes, without using organic solvents.
Physicists from ISTA reveal that the contact history of materials determines how they exchange charge, explaining the unpredictability of contact electrification. By analyzing identical materials, they discovered a triboelectric series and found that repeated contact allows samples to evolve and order correctly.
Researchers have developed a 3D printing technique to create liquid crystal elastomers with controllable alignment, leading to new possibilities for shape-morphing materials. By tuning nozzle design, print speed, and temperature, they achieved uniform molecular-scale alignment, translating to prescribed mechanical behavior.
Researchers synthesized optically active conducting polymers through physical methods using liquid crystals as solvents, achieving asymmetric (chiral) living polymerization. The resulting polyisocyanides exhibited optical activity and properties of twisted-bend nematic liquid crystal.
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.
Three UVA engineering professors, James T. Burns, Coleen Carrigan, and Liheng Cai, have received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE) from President Biden. The award recognizes their innovative work in science and technology, including Burns' research on material fracture under unique conditions and...
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a stronger, biodegradable adhesive polymer that can replace common superglues. The new polymer, made from P3HB, offers tunable adhesion strength and is biodegradable under various conditions.
D-Glue, an eco-friendly adhesive designed to break apart at lower temperatures, will partner with Plug and Play Japan's Deeptech Program. The debondable glue aims to reduce landfill waste and energy consumption, with the potential to expand production on a mass scale.
Researchers have successfully prepared stable polymeric nitrogen materials at ambient conditions using azides as precursors through a thermal treatment process. The yield is significantly higher than that of polymeric nitrogen materials prepared by high pressure methods, making it a promising technique for scale-up preparation.
Researchers used a machine-learning technique to accelerate discovery of materials for film capacitors, identifying a compound with record-breaking performance. The study aims to improve capacitor shielding properties and enhance energy savings in common electric power applications.
A research group at Chalmers University of Technology has developed a silk thread coated with a conductive plastic material that can generate electricity from temperature differences. The thread shows promising properties for turning textiles into electricity generators, which could be used to monitor health or charge mobile phones.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new method to turn stripped-down plant cells into other types of cells, revealing the banding patterns in plant cell walls that increase stability. The study's findings provide insights into how cell walls are created and can inform methods to break down plant cells for biofuels.
Scientists successfully synthesized polyaniline in iron sulfate, revealing perfect diamagnetism and minimal temperature dependence on electrical conductivity. This discovery opens up novel possibilities for conductive polymers, potentially leading to advancements in electromagnetic wave shielding and anticorrosion materials.
Scientists developed a novel method to create colloidal molecules with specific symmetry using fluorescent polymers and self-assembly. The process allows for the formation of soft materials with various symmetries depending on the polymer mixing ratio.
Researchers from Osaka University have developed tough biodegradable plastics with movable cyclodextrin crosslinks, which improve both durability and degradation capabilities. The new polymers can be broken down by enzymes into useful precursor molecules, reducing waste generation.
Researchers developed a light-driven, toroidal micro-robot that can navigate complex environments like medicine and environmental monitoring. The innovation uses liquid crystalline elastomer to overcome viscous forces and enables autonomous movement in low Reynolds number regimes.
Researchers at Osaka University have developed a way to make tough, chemically recyclable polymers without compromising on heat and chemical resistance. This breakthrough could hugely expand the uses of chemically recyclable polymers.
Materials scientists at Stanford employed a novel electron microscopic technique to study the structural microstructure and electrochemical properties of organic mixed ionic-electronic conductors, revealing how they maintain electronic functionality despite swelling by up to 300%.
A team of researchers from the University of Washington has developed a flexible pipe with an interior helical structure inspired by shark intestines, which can keep fluid flowing in one direction without flaps. The design rivaled and exceeded Tesla valves, a one-way fluid flow device invented over a century ago.
Researchers at Nagoya University developed a new adhesive combining epoxy resin and hydrogen-bonded styrenic thermoplastic elastomers. The breakthrough offers unparalleled impact strength, enabling lighter vehicle production with improved fuel efficiency and reduced emissions.
The researchers synthesized supramolecular polymers with the ability to form larger complexes in response to external stimuli, which may shed light on biomolecular self-assembly and other ‘smart’ materials. The resulting shape of the assemblies can be controlled based on the concentration of a specific additive.
Researchers investigated peptide clumping behavior using molecular dynamics simulations and AI techniques. They discovered that aromatic amino acids enhance aggregation, while hydrophilic ones inhibit it, offering insights into peptide structure and function.
Early porous coordination polymers (PCPs) exhibit a flexible 'soft' nature, allowing them to adjust their shape and hold more gas. This finding offers new insights into the evolution of PCPs and paves the way for future research and applications.
Researchers at Rice University developed a thermochromic material that outperforms existing varieties in terms of durability, transparency, and responsiveness. The new polymer blend significantly enhances energy efficiency for indoor space cooling, potentially reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint.
Researchers at Osaka University have created molecular wires with periodic twists that increase electrical conductivity. The discovery could lead to the development of cheaper and biocompatible electronic devices.
A recent study developed a new folded supramolecular polymer that spontaneously undergoes interchain aggregation, exhibiting potential applications in stimuli-responsive materials. The research team used atomic force microscopy to demonstrate the relationship between unfolding and aggregation.
A new mechanism uses common building materials to absorb or radiate heat, reducing the need for air conditioning and heaters. This passive approach can save energy and is particularly beneficial for low-income communities with limited access to cooling and heating systems.
Researchers developed a new reaction using nickel as a catalyst to create polymers with unique structures and fine-tunable properties, opening doors for applications in drug delivery, energy storage, microelectronics, and beyond. The sustainable method holds promise for environmentally friendly polymer production.
Liheng Cai, a UVA engineering professor, has received a $1.9 million NIH grant to create advanced biomaterials that can be used to repair living tissues and build organ structures. His lab aims to develop polymers that mimic human biology and integrate healthy cells into the human body.
Researchers developed CLEAR, a novel 3D printing technique using light and dark chemical reactions to create densely entangled polymer chains. This improves mechanical properties and enables applications in biomedical manufacturing, such as adhering to wet tissues.
Researchers developed a library of 27 polymers to improve RNA drug delivery, using design-of-experiment approach and statistical analysis. The study improves quality, efficiency, and precision of RNA drugs with optimized polymer nanoparticles.
Developed by University of Tsukuba researchers, the wearable patch accurately measures insensible perspiration, allowing for real-time hydration monitoring. The patch also detects variations in pH levels and chemical components, making it a promising tool for dehydration management, stress monitoring, and disease detection.
Researchers from Chiba University develop sustainable method for producing biodegradable polymers using cuttlefish ink melanin. Decomposition products are converted into polymeric materials with potential applications in circular economies.
Researchers at Princeton and UCLA developed a passive mechanism to cool buildings in summer and warm them in winter by restricting radiant heat flows. Common materials like polyvinyl fluoride and plastics can be adapted for this purpose, achieving energy savings and thermal comfort beyond traditional building envelopes.
Researchers have developed a method to deliver drugs to specific areas of the body using ultrasound waves, triggering drug release from stable nanocarriers. The approach is made both safe and efficient for the first time, paving the way for clinical trials.
A team of researchers from DGIST developed a soft and flexible balloon implant for controlled and targeted drug delivery. The balloon demonstrated sustained drug release for over five months with minimal variation in dose, and showed reduced foreign body responses compared to previous devices.
Researchers have developed a novel solubilizer for olaparib, a selective PARP inhibitor, using π-π-stacked poly (ɛ-caprolactone)-based micelles. The studies found that these micelles improved the solubility of olaparib and exhibited sustained release behavior in vitro.
Researchers aim to create polymers that can form the basis of effective sensors for applications in physiological, environmental, and Internet of Things monitoring. The goal is to increase energy efficiency and broaden material choices, enabling devices to operate at low voltage and interact with ions and transport ionic charges.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have designed a new type of recyclable resin made from biosourced materials for use in 3D printing applications. The feedstock is made from lipoic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid molecule, and can be recycled back into its constituent parts.
A Binghamton University professor investigates the adaptive response of fire ant rafts to mechanical load, discovering that they exhibit catch bond behavior under force, which enhances cohesion for survival. This phenomenon is being explored to develop artificial materials with autonomous self-strengthening properties.
A research team at Waseda University has discovered a family of poly(thiourea)s (PTUs) with exceptional optical properties, including transparency over 92% and a refractive index of 1.81. The polymers can be easily degraded into simpler molecules, making them suitable for sustainable optoelectronic applications.