Articles tagged with Polymers
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a ring-shaped soft robot capable of crawling across surfaces when exposed to elevated temperatures or infrared light. The 'ringbots' are made of liquid crystal elastomers in the shape of looped ribbon, resembling a bracelet, and can pull a small payload across various environments.
Researchers have successfully segregated oppositely helical supramolecular polymers in a solution using audible sound, inducing surface vibrations and advection currents. This approach allows for the spatiotemporal control of chiral supramolecular systems, enabling the segregation of multiple aggregates.
Researchers have validated a new theory for molecular diffusion in polymer matrices, explaining how molecules move through complex media. The study found that temperature and molecule size significantly impact transport rates, enabling the design of more selective polymer membranes.
Researchers at MIT have created biomedical devices made from aluminum that can be disintegrated by exposing them to a liquid metal called eutectic gallium-indium. This process could eliminate the need for surgical or endoscopic procedures to remove medical devices, such as staples and stents.
Researchers at the University of Luxembourg created colour-changing CLCE fibres that can be easily sewn into fabric, shifting colours continuously from red to blue upon stretching, and remain colourful even after repeated wear and washing.
A German Research Foundation-funded research unit is developing switchable polymer gels for biomaterial applications, including tissues for biotechnological or biomedical uses. The team has successfully explored the nature of amphiphilic co-networks and will now focus on material design.
Researchers at Flinders University have created a new multi-functional material that can be used to purify water, as a recyclable construction material, and as a lightweight machine component for possible use in soft robotics. The material combines magnetic iron particles with a sulfur-rich polymer and can be moved remotely by a magnet.
Researchers developed a fabric with nano-scale threads containing phase-change materials to regulate body temperature. The textile combines electrothermal and photothermal coatings for enhanced thermal regulation. It has the potential to alleviate heat or cold stress in workers and travelers, offering improved comfort and safety.
Researchers have created a wearable insect repellent by encapsulating IR3535 in biodegradable polymer and shaping it into a ring or bracelet. The repellent continuously evaporates, forming a barrier for insects, offering several hours of protection.
Researchers at KAUST have developed ultrathin polymer-based ordered membranes that simultaneously exhibit high water flux and high salt rejection. The membranes display excellent performance in both forward and reverse osmosis configurations, surpassing those containing advanced materials like carbon nanotubes and graphene.
The researchers used a 3D laser printing approach to create high-quality, complex polymer optical devices directly on the end of an optical fiber. The device turns normal laser light into a twisted Bessel beam with low diffraction and can be used for applications like STED microscopy and particle manipulation.
Scientists at Shinshu University created an ultrathin fiber-mesh thermistor that improves the performance of wearable medical sensors. The new technology provides overheat protection, gas-permeability, and transparency, making it suitable for on-skin or implantable devices.
Researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, have developed a novel polymer-based solution that enables easy delivery of large molecules to cells. By applying hypertonic solutions, they can induce osmotic stress and relax the cell membrane, allowing for precise control over molecule transfer.
Researchers developed bioresponsive polymers for targeted delivery and controlled release of therapeutic agents. However, achieving exclusive selectivity remains a challenge due to complex biology.
Researchers have developed a synthetic drug that stops cancer cells from producing energy by blocking oxygen conversion. The tiny hairs formed by the drug's molecules can kill even aggressive and untreatable cancer cells within four hours.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong create lightweight, ultra-tough hybrid carbon microlattices that are 100 times stronger and doubled in ductility compared to original polymers. The new method enables the creation of sophisticated 3D parts with tailored mechanical properties for various applications.
Researchers have identified surface-based chiral nanostructures as the potential culprit behind plastics turning yellow over time. The study suggests that these structures, formed on the surface of polyethylene films exposed to UV light, are a key factor in the degradation process and the resulting yellow color change.
New polymer-based membranes developed at KAUST enable greener separation of simple to complex hydrocarbon mixtures, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions in crude oil refineries. The membranes' stability and selectivity can be tuned by thermal crosslinking, allowing for higher purity components and removal of byproducts.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a new type of carbon molecular sieve membrane that overcomes drawbacks of existing polymer membranes. The membrane, made from 6FDA-DMN, exhibits high rejection of small molecules and exceptional stability in various organic solvents.
Researchers characterize material properties of IP-Q using Raman spectroscopy and nanoindentation, revealing elastic parameters and their effects on acoustic behavior. The study optimizes elastic parameters for TPP-fabricated structures, benefiting applications in life science, mobility, and industry.
Researchers at the University of Connecticut have developed a potential breakthrough treatment for rotator cuff tears, using an advanced polymer to stimulate regeneration of both the tendon and muscle. This approach addresses the real problem of muscle degeneration and fat accumulation that often leads to re-injury after surgery.
Researchers developed a flexible, stretchable computing chip that processes information like a human brain to analyze health data. The device aims to change the way health data is processed, enabling continuous tracking of health without sending data wirelessly.
Stabilized coacervate droplets can be steered using an electric field, allowing for controlled manipulation and delivery of biomolecules like enzymes. The technology has potential applications in drug delivery and other encapsulation technologies, as well as explaining the stability of biological condensates.
Researchers used machine learning to predict protein adsorption onto polymer brush films, identifying key film characteristics that impact adsorption. The study found hydrophobicity index to be the most critical parameter, with thickness and density also playing a significant role.
Scientists from Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg discovered that precisely applied mechanical pressure can improve the electronic properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films. The team used atomic force microscopy to control and reorient electrical charges in the material, enabling stable nano-scale structures with high ...
Scientists from Shibaura Institute of Technology developed a simple method to produce polyethylenimine-based network polymers by dissolving triaziridine compounds in water. The resulting porous polymers exhibit versatile properties, including tailored morphological and mechanical characteristics.
Researchers at NICT developed an organic electro-optic polymer for visible light, significantly improving efficiency and miniaturization. The new modulator has lower absorption loss and higher electro-optic coefficient in visible light compared to conventional optical modulators.
Researchers showcase electrospun nanomaterials' advantages over conventional materials for wearables. They offer enhanced porosity, breathability, and biocompatibility, enabling rapid charging, high energy storage capacities, and comfortable wearability.
Researchers developed a new method using magneto-active polymers to study cellular behavior and replicate complex biological processes. The system allows for real-time control of mechanical forces on cells, enabling the analysis of mechanisms behind traumatic injuries and tissue damage.
Researchers created a new gel that can protect fragile objects like eggs by adding starch to gelatin, reducing impact force up to 15%. The gel's flexibility and impact absorption make it suitable for sports equipment, defense materials, and packaging.
A research team from Tokyo University of Science has developed a new method to create copolymers with different metal species, which have potential uses in catalysis and drug discovery. The technique allows for controlling the composition of metal species in the resulting polymer.
Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a tiny, flexible neural probe that can record and stimulate neural activity while minimizing injury to surrounding tissue. The probe is ideal for studying peripheral nerves or the spinal cord, where traditional probes may not fit due to its small size and flexibility.
Researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology observed structural chirality in achiral conjugated polymers, which can enhance solar cells' charge capacity. This discovery introduces new opportunities for research at the convergence of biology and electronics.
Scientists construct figure-eight-shaped machines with rotary motors and polymer chains to enable measurement of mechanical work and forces. The machines twist and untwist like whirligig toys, exerting similar torque to the enzyme that produces ATP.
Researchers created a new fiber that performs like a muscle actuator, outperforming existing options in efficiency, flexibility, and strain handling. The fibers can be easily made and recycled, opening up potential applications in prosthetic limbs, robotic arms, and self-closing bandages.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have made significant advancements in recovering rare earth metals, developing safer batteries, and enhancing material properties through tailored molecules and advanced microscopy. These discoveries could lead to more efficient clean energy technologies and reduced carbon impacts.