Articles tagged with Polymers
Semi-crystalline polymers' structure and properties depend on molecular chain entanglement. The researchers developed a model to predict their microscopic structure and properties, offering potential improvements or replacements with more sustainable materials.
The study, published in Advanced Functional Materials, reveals a novel light-activated material that can be used to effectively reshape and thicken damaged corneal tissue, promoting healing and recovery for patients with keratoconus. The technology has tremendous potential to impact millions of people suffering from corneal diseases.
Researchers have developed a set of biocatalysts that enable precise control over free radical reactions, solving a decades-old challenge in asymmetric catalysis. The metalloenzymes can selectively convert chiral compounds into desired products, opening up new possibilities for the synthesis of bioactive molecules and everyday polymers.
Researchers successfully fabricate a microlens on a single-mode polarization-stable VCSEL chip using 2-photon-polymerization 3D printing, reducing beam divergence from 14.4° to 3° and enabling compact optical gas sensors with improved performance.
Researchers from Shinshu University develop a novel polymer interlocking mechanism to produce tough and additive-free latex films. The rotaxane-based strategy results in unusual crack propagation behavior, increasing tear resistance and preserving flexibility.
Researchers developed super flexible composite semiconductors using inkjet printing, outperforming previous studies with up to 40% polymer addition. The material maintains electronic transport properties while achieving high flexibility and foldability.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a new way to recycle polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic using electricity and chemical reactions. In small-scale lab experiments, PET was broken down into its basic building blocks, which can be recovered and potentially reused to make new plastic bottles.
A novel technique allows for the observation of colloidal particle degradation in real-time, providing valuable insight into the mechanisms of micro- and nanoplastics origin and change over time. The study demonstrates the potential to assess temperature variations, ultraviolet light, and stress on nanoscale particles.
Researchers have developed a biodegradable ultrasound device that can open the blood-brain barrier, allowing chemotherapy to penetrate and kill brain cancer cells. The device is as powerful as traditional ceramic-based devices and has shown promising results in animal trials.
Researchers developed a model to predict microplastic concentrations in Swiss waters, finding that around half of the microplastics remain in the country. The Rhine river near Basel has the highest concentration of microplastics, with major cities contributing significantly to pollution.
A team of researchers from China and the UK has developed new ways to optimise the production of solar fuels by creating novel photocatalysts. These photocatalysts, such as titanium dioxide with boron nitride, can absorb more wavelengths of light and produce more hydrogen compared to traditional methods.
Researchers investigated LECs made from Super Yellow and found that increasing voltage applied resulted in increased emission and ESR signals. Theoretical analysis showed holes and electrons being electrochemically doped into the material, leading to a correlation with luminance increase.
Researchers at HSE MIEM develop mathematical model to enhance supercapacitor electrical capacitance by utilizing polymers with large pore sizes. This enables storing more energy and preventing potential adverse effects.
Researchers have developed a modular system to recognize chiral molecules, which could lead to more effective methods of separating enantiomers in drugs. The system uses metallopolymers with chirality to sense two enantiomeric molecules through electrochemical interactions.
Scientists have discovered a universal method to bond soft materials together using electricity, eliminating the need for traditional adhesives. The new technique, called electroadhesion, uses oppositely charged materials to form strong bonds that can withstand gravity and last for years.
Xiayun Zhao receives $657,610 NSF CAREER Award for her research in photopolymer additive manufacturing. She aims to develop a smart digital light processing method that uses two wavelengths to control curing and curb exposure, improving the accuracy and strength of printed parts.
Researchers used microscopy techniques to study polyfluorene chains and found that intra-chain aggregation causes green emission, which disappears when the chain unfolds. The team also discovered a novel optomechanical force acting on some chains, originating from van der Waals interactions and excitonic coupling.
Organic solar cells fabricated with tin oxide exhibit high performance, surpassing current records. The design involves a conductive layer of tin oxide grown via atomic layer deposition, improving device stability and efficiency.
Researchers discovered a hydrogel material that maintains its ability to absorb moisture despite rising temperatures, contradicting intuition. The material, polyethylene glycol (PEG), doubles its water absorption between 25-50 degrees Celsius, making it suitable for passive cooling and water harvesting applications.
Researchers have developed a biodegradable skin patch that can deliver multiple doses of antibodies over several weeks, reducing pain and infection risks. The patch uses a stabilized powder of antibody, which is slowly released into the bloodstream as it degrades.
Researchers have created a new material that responds to substantially lower electrical charges, making it suitable for use in medical devices. The material, made of bottlebrush polymers, was found to expand and contract over 10,000 times before degrading when stimulated by voltages as low as 1,000 V.
Researchers have developed a new host material that enhances the efficiency of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) by reducing concentration quenching and increasing thermally activated delayed fluorescence. This breakthrough could lead to improved displays, lighting, and medical treatments.
A new study by University of Toronto researchers found high levels of toxic PFAS chemicals in Canadian fast-food packaging, contaminating the food people eat. The study suggests that PFAS can enter the environment through waste streams and never break down, posing significant health risks.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed an eco-friendly alternative to rigid foam boards, made without harmful blowing agents, using hollow glass spheres and expandable polymer microspheres. The new material offers improved thermal performance and is adoptable by industry, opening avenues for safer composite foams.
A recent study found that polymeric PFAS used in food packaging break down into toxic smaller molecules, contaminating food and the environment. The research contradicts claims that polymeric PFAS are harmless and poses a risk to human health.
A comprehensive product stewardship scheme has been proposed to address the environmental impact of solar panel disposal in Australia. The plan includes recycling steps, serial numbers for tracking, and legislation to ensure environmentally friendly disposal.
A new method developed by scientists at Argonne National Laboratory and Cornell University converts used HDPE into a fully recyclable and potentially biodegradable material. The approach uses catalysts to break polymer chains, making the material easier to decompose.
The new technique allows for the production of a dozen different soft polymer material morphologies, including ribbons, nanoscale sheets, rods, and branched particles. By precisely controlling three sets of parameters during manufacturing, researchers can fine-tune the morphology of polymeric materials at the micro- and nano-scale.
Chemists have developed a high-performance catalyst specifically designed for solid-state mechanochemical synthesis, achieving efficient reactivity at near room temperature. The approach uses a metal catalyst attached to a long polymer molecule, which traps the catalyst in a fluid-phase, enabling fast and energy-efficient reactions.
A new study suggests that a sustainable plastics economy is possible by increasing recycling rates to 74% and using innovative production methods, such as carbon capture and utilization. This would require a fundamental shift in the way plastics are produced, consumed, and disposed of.
A Berkeley Lab-led team has designed a new type of solid electrolyte consisting of a mix of various metal elements, resulting in a more conductive and less dependent material. The new design could advance solid-state batteries with high energy density and superior safety, potentially overcoming long-standing challenges.
Researchers from Saarland University have developed a method to create complex, structurally colored 3D objects using core-shell particles. These materials can be used in anti-counterfeiting technology and versatile measurement sensors.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have designed a soft and breathable material that can be worn on the skin without causing discomfort. The material, made from liquid-metal elastomer composite, has integrated antibacterial and antiviral properties to prevent the formation of harmful pathogens.
Assistant Professor Mohammad Asadi has published a paper in Science describing the chemistry behind his novel lithium-air battery design, which could store one kilowatt-hour per kilogram or higher. This breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize heavy-duty vehicles such as airplanes, trains, and submarines.
The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation developed a contact lens prototype that facilitates tear flow in response to normal eye blinking, relieving CLIDE symptoms. The lenses, with microchannels and square cross-sections, can guide tear flow and combat dry eye syndrome.
Researchers at Tampere University have developed a polymer-assembly robot that can fly by the power of wind and be controlled by light. The fairy-like robot has several biomimetic features, including high porosity and lightweight structure, allowing it to float in the air and travel long distances with stability.
Researchers have developed a chemical variation that significantly improves the stability of perovskite thin films in solar cells, achieving efficiencies of up to 24.6%. The new coating, b-pV2F, wraps around individual microcrystals like a soft shell, reducing thermal stress and increasing efficiency.
Researchers have developed flexible polysulfate compounds that can form thin films, enabling the creation of energy-storing capacitors that withstand extreme temperatures and electric fields. These new materials could lead to cheaper, simpler, and more durable power systems in electric cars and other applications.
A new optical coating system combines antifogging and antireflective properties, enhancing the performance of lidar systems and cameras. The technology, developed by Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Optics and Precision Engineering, has been tested in laboratory tests and has shown promising results.
Scientists have created a multinetwork polymer that exhibits sensitivity to mechanical forces triggered by solvent swelling, leading to a notable color change. This innovation sheds light on the process of swelling in polymer networks and paves the way for designing stimuli-responsive materials.
Researchers used machine learning to create molecule chains that display designated colors in response to different stimuli, such as light, chemicals, and energy. This breakthrough enables faster and more efficient data storage and security applications.
Researchers from Nara Institute of Science and Technology have developed a straightforward means of fabricating high-quality soft semiconductors for advanced electrical circuits. The new method offers superior control over the resulting semiconductor film morphology, critical to its electrical properties.
Researchers at ETH Zurich developed novel fluorescent dyes with modular structures, producing a wide color palette. The dyes have potential applications in security ink, solar power plants, and organic light-emitting diodes.
Developed by Incheon National University researchers, the new membranes exhibit high mechanical strength, phase separation, and ionic conductivity. The 40% crosslinked membrane showed the highest relative humidity, normalized conductivity, and peak power density, surpassing commercial membranes.
ETH Zurich researchers have created a range of affordable fluorescent inks with machine learning algorithms to determine the right molecular subunits. The new dyes can be used for security features and applications like solar power plants and organic light-emitting diodes.
Researchers have created a hydrogel-based material that can absorb up to three times more water-based liquid than traditional paper towels. The gel sheets also show promise in absorbing thick liquids, such as blood and syrup, with high efficiency and stability.
A team of researchers from Lithuania has developed organic dyes showing a particularly long afterglow after being excited by light. The new material exhibits persistent thermally activated delayed fluorescence and long phosphorescence at room temperature, enabling color-tunable room-temperature organic afterglow.
MIT researchers have identified molecules found in mucus that can block cholera infection by interfering with the genes that cause the microbe to switch into a harmful state. The protective molecules, known as glycans, prevent Vibrio cholerae from producing the toxin that usually leads to severe diarrhea.
Researchers have developed a way to encapsulate vitamin A in a protective polymer, preventing its breakdown during cooking or storage. The technology has shown similar bioavailability when consumed as bread fortified with encapsulated vitamin A compared to eating vitamin A on its own.
Graham Collier's research aims to streamline synthetic polymer production using pyrrolopyrrole building block, reducing steps and natural resource usage. The project could lead to faster, more sustainable electronics production and contribute to KSU's mission as a top-tier research university.
Machine learning is being explored as a tool to speed up the identification of biomaterials. Researchers have also developed a guide on how to incorporate ML into research programs. Additionally, studies have investigated ways to model polymers at multiple scales and created a self-healing hydrogel for sustained release of medications.
Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz has been awarded funding for three Collaborative Research Centers in the life sciences, including CRC 1551 and CRC/Transregio 355. The centers will focus on investigating polymer concepts in cellular function and heterogeneity of regulatory T cells in distinct microenvironments.
The new CRC 1551 will study the polymer properties of DNA, RNA, and proteins to understand their interaction in cells. The researchers aim to describe and understand nonequilibrium processes in cells triggered by complex interplay of cellular polymers.
Researchers have developed a polymeric carrier for mRNA vaccines that reduces inflammation and maintains efficiency, potentially offering better cancer treatment options. The new carrier, tested in preclinical studies, shows promise for low-side-effect cancer therapy.
Researchers are developing functionally graded materials using 3D printing, aiming to create sustainable and efficient materials for the air transport and security industries. The goal is to optimize mechanical properties and minimize production costs.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have discovered a new class of polymer that can promote wound healing in hard-to-treat diabetic wounds. The polymer actively drives fibroblasts and immune cells to aid healing, resulting in three times more fibroblast activity and over 80% wound closure.
A new flow photo-on-demand synthesis system using chloroform as a precursor has been successfully developed by researchers at Kobe University. The system achieves high conversion rates and can synthesize various chemical products continuously in large quantities, offering a safe, inexpensive, and environmentally friendly alternative to...
Researchers at Rice University have successfully converted asphaltene, a byproduct of crude oil production, into turbostratic graphene using flash Joule heating. This process utilizes the existing material to create useful graphene for thermal, anti-corrosion and 3D-printing applications.
A research team has developed a method to easily synthesize a self-healing polymer gel made of ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) polymers and non-volatile ionic liquids. The gel exhibits superior mechanical properties, high self-healing capabilities, and can be recycled via thermal processing.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered genetic markers for autism, developed recyclable composites to drive the net-zero goal, and created a tool for real-time building evaluation. Additionally, they have made significant progress in growing hydrogen-storage crystals using a novel nano-reactor material.