Articles tagged with Polymers
Researchers developed new materials with enhanced adsorption capabilities, promising advancements in hydrogen storage, oil spill cleanup, and sensor development. The polymerization mechanism and kinetics were analyzed, revealing a significant impact of solvation on reactivity.
Researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of polymer-coated nanoparticles in delivering drugs to the brain, overcoming the blood-brain barrier challenge. The study showed that zwitterionic polymers improve accessibility but are rapidly absorbed by blood vessel walls.
A multidisciplinary team of researchers used a new X-ray technique to discover zinc-containing nanoparticles lodged within the wooden hull of the Mary Rose, leading to its deterioration. The nanoparticles, likely from anaerobic bacteria, have been found in conjunction with polymer deposits that were added to preserve the ship's remains.
Researchers develop solid-state battery material derived from trees, offering improved ion conductivity and potential solutions to safety concerns. The new material could enable the mass market adoption of solid-state battery technology.
Scientists at the University of Groningen developed wearable, stitchable, and sensitive sensors from flexible polymers and carbon fibre. These sensors can measure body position, movement, and touch, offering new possibilities for health monitoring and athlete performance tracking.
A team of researchers at UMass Amherst has developed a method to count the number of strength-enabling entanglements in glassy polymers, which can be used to create stronger, more cost-effective materials. By combining computer simulations with experimental processes, they found that not every entanglement contributes to the polymer's ...
Researchers studying azobenzene-based polymers found that free volume affects mechanical energy conversion, with a 10-fold increase in efficiency at higher volumes. This discovery could lead to new smart materials technology using light to control machine components.
A 13-year-long study finds that fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) coatings can sustain concrete structures for extended periods. The study tested FRP and glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) systems under various environmental conditions, revealing significant impact on bond behavior.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong discovered a way to steer the spreading direction of liquids on a surface inspired by the Araucaria leaf. By adjusting the surface tension, they can control the liquid flow direction, with implications for fluidics design and heat transfer enhancement.
Researchers developed a new material that can form nanoscale thickness water-resistant coatings with self-healing properties. The coating is robust enough to survive scratches and has potential applications in various industries.
A new indigo dyeing technology reduces water usage by up to 90% and eliminates toxic chemicals, securing over 90% color retention with only one coat. The process also streamlines the industry, saving time and energy for workers.
Researchers have developed a shape memory polymer that can store up to 17.9 J/g energy, allowing it to lift objects 5,000 times its own weight upon heating. The polymer's high energy density and low cost make it an ideal material for soft robotics, smart biomedical devices, and deployable space structures.
Researchers developed a lightweight and flexible passive air-breathing PEMFC with simplified components. The new design allows for easy assembly and folding, reducing the number of parts and increasing power output when connected in series.
Researchers from Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation develop methods to enhance mechanical properties of hydrogels, including toughness, stretchiness, and adhesive strength. By introducing dopamine and alkaline conditions, they create gel-like materials with improved biocompatibility and regenerative capabilities.
Scientists have developed novel gas sensors with improved detection sensitivity and durability by combining organic and inorganic materials. The hybrid sensors boast high durability and high sensitivity, making them suitable for portable gas sensing applications.
A team of chemists developed a new set of modifiable polymers made from SOF4, allowing for environmentally safe reactions and fast production. This breakthrough enables the generation of a vast library of polymers with distinct properties for applications in drug discovery and material science.
Researchers have developed a special polymer to coat blood vessels on transplanted organs, reducing rejection rates in mice by substantially diminishing immune system response. The breakthrough has the potential to eliminate the need for drugs that prevent organ rejection and improve transplant outcomes.
Researchers at C-Crete Technologies have developed a method that utilizes deep learning to quickly predict and design novel hybrid organic-inorganic materials, offering improved materials design for various industries. By feeding quantum mechanics calculations to layered machine learning based on artificial neural networks, they can un...
Researchers from NUST MISIS and international partners create a radar-absorbing polymer composite with excellent magnetic and microwave properties. The composite can absorb 99.9% of incoming electromagnetic radiation, making it suitable for EMI shielding applications in industries such as 5G networks and radar absorbing coatings.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science developed a copper-containing polymer that greatly enhances the antibacterial activity of hydrogen peroxide. The use of these tailored polymers resulted in higher catalytic activity and more effective killing of bacteria, opening up new design avenues for antimicrobial drugs.
Researchers have discovered polymers in CV3 meteorites, providing clues to the early solar system's space chemistry. The polymers, composed of glycine and other elements, formed organized structures with a high deuterium-to-hydrogen-isotope ratio, confirming their extraterrestrial origin.
Researchers propose a new method to control temperature through designing nanoantennas on engraved Si nanopillars, enabling local sensing of glass transitions in amorphous polymers with nanometer spatial resolution. This technology opens unique opportunities for studying the physicochemical properties of nanostructured polymers.
Researchers developed a new LEGO-like technique to assemble DNA molecules with protruding bumps, allowing precise measurement of DNA speed through nanopores. The study revealed a two-step process where DNA speed slows down before accelerating near the end of translocation.
Researchers at Tomsk Polytechnic University developed a scalable method to produce polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) membranes using electrospinning. The membranes demonstrate high chemical stability and biocompatibility, making them suitable for various industries such as petrochemicals, aerospace, and medicine.
Researchers have developed a novel cancer treatment approach that utilizes Cerenkov radiation energy to activate semiconducting polymer nanoparticles, killing cancer cells. The approach amplifies weak Cerenkov luminescence with semiconducting polymers, increasing its potential to target and destroy cancer cells.
Researchers develop a new method to create ultrathin functional materials with highly defined structures, using self-organization and photopolymerization. The process produces porous two-dimensional polymers with nearly perfect order, opening up potential applications in filtration, membranes, and other contexts.
Scientists demonstrated spatial distribution of circularly polarized light emitted by micro-spherical molecular assemblies, shedding light on helical molecular structures and chirality. This finding may inspire new versatile tools for studying molecular structure to enhance computer displays and everyday technologies.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new way of generating electricity using tiny carbon particles that can create a current simply by interacting with liquid surrounding them. This technology allows for electrochemistry without wires, enabling applications such as powering micro- or nanoscale robots and driving chemical reactions.
Researchers at Tufts University created a strong adhesive by mimicking the molecular bonding tricks used by sea creatures. The glue achieves 2.4 MPa of strength when resisting shear forces, outperforming most existing commercial adhesives.
Researchers developed new methodologies to analyze evanescent wave-induced scattering in transmission SAXS for semi-crystalline polymers. The methods provided information on lamellar thickness and long period of lamellar stacks.
Experts from the University of Goettingen and Hereon have developed new research strategies for polymer membranes, promising relatively inexpensive production and strong separation selectivity. Computer simulations will play a crucial role in understanding these systems.
A team from Kazan Federal University and King's College London has developed a thermoplasmonic sensor that can detect phase transitions in nanoscale materials with high sensitivity. The sensor uses metallic nanoantennas to heat up the material, allowing for the detection of changes in its properties.
A research team has developed a platinum-free biocatalyst that efficiently produces hydrogen using electricity and generates electricity from hydrogen. The enzyme system is embedded in a polymer film, making it viable for industrial use, with potential applications in fuel cells and water electrolysis.
Researchers at UC3M's 4D-BIOMAP project have developed magneto-active polymers that can alter mechanical properties, stiffness, and shape. These materials could be used in epithelial wound healing stimulation, soft robots, and artificial muscles, revolutionizing biomedical engineering.
Scientists at Texas A&M University designed a new type of battery that eliminates the need for metals and flammable electrolytes. The metal-free, water-based battery shows improved energy storage performance despite lower capacity compared to traditional Li-ion batteries.
A team of researchers has developed a method to create biodegradable polymer microcapsules with non-spherical shapes, which can enhance targeted drug delivery. The capsules are designed using soft lithography and have shown promising results in retaining hydrophilic molecules and being internalized by cells without causing toxic effects.
University of Maryland researchers have made surprising discoveries about the behavior of functionalized nanochannels, including the phenomenon of overscreening, where a negatively charged polymer layer can become positively charged due to attraction of positive ions. The team also found that increasing the electric field strength can ...
Researchers have proposed a new microscopic theory of polymer gel collapse, shedding light on the dramatic reduction in volume of zwitterionic hydrogels when cooled. The theory explains the role of electrostatic interactions between polymer units in leading to gel collapse, and identifies key parameters that influence this transition.
A new polymer-based battery can charge in seconds, outperforming traditional lithium-ion batteries. It is also safer and has a lower environmental impact due to the use of nickel instead of cobalt.
Researchers successfully synthesize armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNRs) on Cu(111) via lateral fusion of poly(para-phenylene). Oxygen introduction reduces temperature required for reaction, opening up new avenues for surface chemistry. This breakthrough could benefit various dehydrogenation reactions in on-surface synthesis.
Researchers developed PTVT-T, a low-cost polymer with high photovoltaic performance, revitalizing classical conjugated polymers for efficient OSCs. The study achieved a remarkable 16.2% efficiency and demonstrated the potential of PTVT-T to match with new emerging acceptor materials.
Researchers at University of Illinois developed a new mechanophore molecule that changes color when applied with stress, enabling rapid detection of material failure. This breakthrough could enable better monitoring and response to overstressed materials in various fields.
GIST scientists create a radiative cooler that keeps wearable devices cool even under direct sunlight, enabling accurate measurements and improving human body monitoring. The innovative material has high reflectivity and emissivity, making it suitable for outdoor wearables.
Scientists from Japan's Institute for Molecular Science have created a new recipe for stable radical-based coordination polymers, which have potential applications in electronics and spintronics. The materials exhibit photoluminescence properties and can be produced using different metal ions or complexes.
Researchers at University of British Columbia discovered a simple polymer additive can cut agricultural pollution in half by improving fertilizer stickiness. The study found that combining fertilizers with a miniscule amount of polyethylene oxide nearly eliminated environmental loss, reducing percentage from 30 to just five.
Engineers at the University of California, Riverside developed a flexible film that combines excellent electromagnetic shielding with ease of manufacture, promising for high-frequency communication technologies. The film, made from a polymer matrix filled with bundles of quasi-one-dimensional van der Waals materials, demonstrates excep...
Researchers found that microbes from termite species can break down lignin, the toughest of three polymers in straw, up to 37%. The microbes also efficiently degrade hemicelluloses and cellulose, which could lead to increased biofuel production.
The new sensor measures small pressure changes in the body with high sensitivity and can detect pressure changes of just 2 kilopascals. It is designed to be implantable for long-term health monitoring and has a resolution of 2.0 kilopascals.
Researchers demonstrate that anionic polymers can inactivate human coronaviruses quickly and efficiently, with full inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 possible in just 5 minutes.
Researchers at Uppsala University have developed a new method to produce sustainable hydrogen using composite polymer nanoparticles. The 'polymer dots' showed promising performance and stability in laboratory tests, with a 7% efficiency rate at 600 nanometres.
Pitt and CMU researchers create a high-torque light-powered actuator that can compete with electrical and pneumatic systems. By forming a polymer sheet into a curved shape, the bending action happens quickly and generates more torque.
A new strategy enhances the performance of polymer membranes for filtering CO2 from industrial emissions by integrating metal-organic frameworks. The MOF-filled polymer membranes demonstrated outstanding characteristics, including high permeability and selectivity towards CO2, as well as stability and tolerance to harsh conditions.
Researchers have developed a novel inkjet printing method to fabricate biocompatible polymer microdisk lasers for biosensing. The approach allows for the production of both laser and sensor in an open-air environment, enabling on-site biosensing for health monitoring and disease diagnostics.
Researchers developed segmented polyurethane polymers with hard and soft functional segments containing a 'mechanophore' molecule that splits into radicals under mechanical stress. This triggers cross-linking between polymers, enhancing their strength and enabling intuitive damage detection.
The KAUST team created conjugated microporous polymers with uniform pore sizes and high surface area through electropolymerization. These membranes showed faster solvent transport and narrow molecular sieving due to their unique structure.
A new polymer patch provides controlled release of a drug blocking COX-2 enzyme, driving pain and inflammation. The patch can provide three to four days of localized pain control for critical post-surgical period.
Researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute designed a porous polymer capable of capturing small molecules, including toxic ammonia. The polymer's strong binding properties have significant implications for reducing environmental harm and improving human health.
Scientists at Incheon National University investigated the impact of crosslinker length on anion-exchange membrane fuel cell performance. They found that excessive crosslinker length can compromise properties, but optimal lengths improve AEMs' hydrophilicity and conductivity.
Researchers from RUDN University have synthesized new chitin-based antibiotics with enhanced antibacterial activity, outperforming existing compounds like ampicillin and gentamicin. The newly created substances also exhibit non-toxicity and potential as catalysts in organic synthesis.
Researchers have developed a new method for storing digital information in biological molecules using aerolysin nanopores. This technology has the potential to revolutionize data storage by offering high accuracy, low costs, and compactness.