Articles tagged with Polymers
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a method to break down certain polymers into their basic building blocks, enabling full recycling. The breakthrough involves creating 'radicals' at the end of a polymer chain, triggering depolymerisation and recovering up to 92% of the monomers.
Dr. Perla Balbuena's study uses quantum chemical methods to track specific reactions on Li-metal battery surfaces, revealing insights into polymer formation and surface chemistry. The research aims to optimize Li-metal batteries' performance and lifespan by controlling reactivity.
A team of researchers created a theoretical model demonstrating the difference in electrical differential capacitance between polymeric and ordinary ionic liquids. They predict a huge increase in capacitance for polymeric ionic liquids compared to regular ionic liquids with the same chemical composition.
Researchers found that polymer molecules interact with the flow around gas bubbles, causing a sudden increase in velocity. This knowledge can be used to predict oxygen input and design equipment for industries like biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
Researchers developed a new technique called dual-detection impulsive vibrational spectroscopy (DIVS) to measure two distinct types of vibrational signals. DIVS enables synchronous measurement of THz- and fingerprint region vibrations, offering high temporal resolution for real-time chemical analysis.
Researchers at Osaka City University have developed a new technique for controlling the luminescence color of materials using optical tweezers and nanotextured black silicon. The system can change the color of a material in response to changes in light pressure, allowing for fully reversible remote control.
A team of researchers has designed a compound with 'wings' that makes polymers change color when stressed, allowing for the detection of stress before breakage. The new probe is more accurate in detecting mechanical stresses in both polymer gels and films, paving the way for tougher gel materials and nanoscale tension probes.
A team of scientists at KAUST has created adjustable and biodegradable nanofiltration membranes from date seeds using an environmentally friendly process. The new membranes demonstrated excellent performance in oil and solvent filtration experiments, outperforming traditional methods.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have developed a tuneable, elastic and temperature-sensitive gel by using complementary DNA strands to connect star-shaped polymer molecules together. The gel exhibits predictable behavior, self-healing properties and durability suitable for medical and engineering applications.
Researchers develop a novel nanoplatform that can deliver drugs directly to T cells, which play a crucial role in immune reactions. The platform uses pH-sensitive dendrimers with phenylalanine and has shown promising results for cancer immunotherapy.
The University of Texas at El Paso Aerospace Center will engage in nuclear materials technology research with a five-year, $5 million grant from the US Department of Energy. This partnership aims to transform national nuclear security through nuclear material science applications and provide opportunities for underrepresented students.
Magnesium-based batteries offer a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries, with several significant advantages. However, developing cost-effective and high-performance batteries requires further research on electrolyte development, anode design, and cathode structure.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen found hundreds of chemical substances in tap water stored in reusable plastic bottles, including some potentially harmful to human health. The study revealed that machine washing and dishwasher use can increase the leaching of toxic substances from the plastic.
Researchers developed a self-cleaning bioplastic that repels liquids and dirt like a lotus leaf, breaking down rapidly in soil. The bioplastic is made from cheap raw materials, compostable, and suitable for fresh food and takeaway packaging.
The study found that trace solvent additives enhance ordering and crystallization of polymer microstructure, increasing power conversion and photocurrent density by up to 3 times. This improvement helps form a network that efficiently transports photogenerated charges, increasing local photocurrents.
Researchers at Kumamoto University developed a novel 'supermolecular' material that binds to protein drugs, prolongs their effect without impairing activity, and improves overall drug performance. The material, called PEG-PRX, adds polyethylene glycol chains to proteins without compromising biological action.
Researchers have created a new, simpler way to fabricate SERS nanostructures with superior stability and performance at low cost. By using a heat-resistant polymer called polyimide (PI), they can produce nanosurfaces with nanopillars that enhance signal intensity for efficient chemical detection. The new fabrication method has the pote...
A new wearable sensor has been developed using MXene nanomaterials that can detect changes in pH levels in sweat, which correlate with muscle fatigue. The device measures electrical resistance patterns in response to mechanical stress and pH changes.
Scientists developed a breakthrough fabrication process for microneedle arrays capable of administering protein-based drugs without damaging the skin. The microneedles offer several advantages, including being painless and easy to dispose of.
Researchers developed a method to directly bond gold electrodes onto separate ultra-thin polymer films without adhesives or high temperatures. The new technique, called water-vapor plasma-assisted bonding, creates stable bonds between gold electrodes printed into ultra-thin polymer sheets.
Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology have developed a promising anode material for lithium-ion batteries that can enable extremely fast charging. The material, made from a bio-based polymer, showed enhanced lithium-ion kinetics and durability, retaining up to 90% of its capacity after 3,000 charge-discharge...
Scientists have created a new material using nanometer-scale ceramic particles decorated with polymer strands that exhibit enhanced toughness. The material's unique property allows it to dissipate energy from impacts rapidly, making it suitable for applications such as body armor and bulletproof glass.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science have developed a novel polymer-based hydrogel that can prevent postoperative pancreatic fistulae, a frequent complication of pancreatic surgery. The Exceval hydrogel shows great promise for clinical applications due to its adjustable properties and high absorption abilities.
A team at the University of Cambridge created a jelly-like material that can withstand compression forces equivalent to an elephant, while maintaining its original shape. The material's properties are seemingly contradictory, but can be controlled through changing the chemical structure of guest molecules.
An international research team led by Jennifer L. Schaefer has analyzed the potential of magnesium-ion-conducting solid polymer electrolytes in two separate battery systems. The study found that these electrolytes exhibit higher thermal, mechanical, and electrochemical stability compared to traditional liquid electrolytes, making them ...
Researchers at Rice University developed a method to decontaminate disposable surgical masks by heating them to 70 degrees Celsius, eliminating 99.9% of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and preserving mask material. The study provides promise for adapting this protocol to future outbreaks.
Researchers at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) have developed a system to study cellular reactions in a way that more closely reflects how molecules behave in a living cell. By mixing a polymer with protein, they created membraneless droplets that can mimic the molecular properties of how molecules move in the cell.
Researchers used a see-through porous medium to analyze polymer solutions' movement, overturning the assumption of uniform laminar flow. The polymers stretched out, creating turbulence and slowing the velocity of the flow.
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.
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 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.
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 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 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 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.
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.
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.
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.