Articles tagged with Polymers
Membraneless compartments, known as complex coacervates, respond predictably to wet-dry cycling, a process likely common during the early development of life on Earth. The behavior informs current applications of the droplets found in household items and has implications for the evolution of life.
Researchers have developed a new polymer that can be applied to textile fibers, turning them into flexible solar collectors. These solar concentrators can capture a wider spectrum of light and offer an immense benefit for portable devices.
A randomized trial found that durable polymer drug-eluting stents are non-inferior to biodegradable polymers in patients with acute coronary syndrome, with a higher risk of device-oriented composite endpoint. The study suggests improved outcomes for patients with significant coronary stenosis and eligible for stent implantation.
Researchers discovered that polyphosphate synthesis is deeply integrated with cellular metabolism, allowing organisms to adapt to nutrient deprivation. This knowledge could enable scientists to engineer the metabolism of organisms to be more resilient in a range of environments.
Researchers have developed core-sheath polymer fibers that combine strength with bioactivity, enabling various biomedical applications. The fibers can be tailored to specific needs by carefully selecting inner and outer layer materials, and can even include antiviral agents or drugs.
Researchers found that molecular dynamics simulations confirm interactions between triplet excitons and impurities in polymer layers significantly enhance PLED efficiency. This new understanding could lead to more widespread applications of the devices in the future.
Researchers from Eindhoven University of Technology and University Paris-Saclay found a five-phase equilibrium in mixtures, breaking the Gibbs phase rule. The discovery provides useful insights for industries working with complex mixtures.
Scientists from KIT and Heidelberg University have developed a photoresist for two-photon microprinting, enabling the creation of three-dimensional polymer microstructures with cavities in the nano range. The novel material allows for controlled porosity and affects light scattering properties.
Researchers have successfully observed the desorption of long polymer chains from a surface, classifying it as a first-order phase transition. This breakthrough study uses fast scanning calorimetry to measure heat exchange and characterizes the elusive adsorption/desorption transition.
Researchers developed a smart wall that functions as both a support structure and a cooling system, potentially lowering energy bills. Scientists also discovered a way to control the size of magnetic quasi-particles called skyrmions, which could advance high-density data storage and quantum magnets. Additionally, a new method for gaugi...
Researchers create temporary synthetic coating that can be adapted to deliver drugs, aid in digestion, or prevent nutrient absorption. The coating, made from dopamine molecules, can improve lactose digestion efficiency up to 20-fold and potentially treat conditions like diabetes and obesity.
Researchers at Ehime University have successfully synthesized a new type of polymer with a carboxy-functionalized dendron structure. The polymer demonstrates pH-responsive behavior due to the dense accumulation of side chains, paving the way for the development of new functional poly(substituted methylene)s.
Scientists have created next-generation solar modules with high efficiency and good stability using perovskite material. The breakthroughs address key issues such as scalability and durability, paving the way for commercialization.
Researchers created jellyfish-bots that can outswim real-life counterparts and exhibit powerful movement. The new technique uses pre-stressed polymers to make soft robots more efficient, enabling faster speeds and improved performance.
Stanford researchers developed a new ultrafast insulin formulation that stabilizes monomeric insulin for over 24 hours, allowing it to take effect almost immediately upon injection. The formulation could potentially reduce the time it takes for insulin to reach peak activity by four-fold.
Researchers have developed a multifunctional nanofiber material that can protect wearers from both extreme temperatures and ballistic threats. The material combines the strength of woven fibers with the thermal insulation of porous aerogels, providing a lightweight solution for protecting extremities in explosive environments.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new method to produce more efficient and precise diffraction gratings, which can be used to create miniaturized optical devices. These devices have potential applications in futuristic smartphone cameras, biosensors, and autonomous vision for robots and self-driving cars.
Scientists at Tokyo University of Science developed a novel laser-based strategy to degrade cellulose into glucose and cellobiose, precursor molecules for bioethanol production. The technique uses an infrared-free electron laser and achieves high yields without harsh reaction conditions.
Researchers have synthesized a porphyrin polymer that can capture precious metals from chemically digested electronic waste. The polymer, COP-180, shows high efficiency in capturing gold, with an estimated worth of $64 per $5 of the material.
Adding polymers to a solution containing hollow silica nanocubes can adjust their attractions, leading to stable mixtures. By varying polymer concentrations, researchers can manipulate the behavior of colloidal mixtures and explore new technologies in light sensing and manipulation.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are using a new scalable manufacturing method to create customizable types of nanocarbons directly on flexible materials. This process enables patterning functional nanocarbons needed for emerging flexible-device applications in healthcare, energy, and consumer electronics.
Researchers developed an artificial molecular pump to install rings onto polymer strings, enabling precise control over ring threading and opening up new possibilities for scratch-resistant coatings and actuators. Polyrotaxanes show promise in soft materials and can be fine-tuned by accurately defining the polymer's structure.
Researchers have successfully synthesized a 2D honeycomb kagome polymer, revealing predicted topological properties and opening up new possibilities for electronic devices. The material's unique structure combines the properties of graphene and superconductors.
The TWILIGHT trial found that bioabsorbable polymer DES (BP-EES) performed similarly to durable polymer DES (DP-DES) in high-risk patients undergoing PCI. The study also showed a lower frequency of prior MI in BP-EES patients compared to DP-DES patients.
Researchers at Kyoto University have created a coordination polymer glass membrane that functions similarly to liquid-based counterparts but offers improved mechanical and thermal stability. The new membrane enables efficient proton movement under dry conditions, leading to higher voltage production in hydrogen fuel cells.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered a polymer composite material with bismuth trioxide particles that can effectively shield against ionizing radiation while being lightweight and non-toxic.
Researchers at ICFO have developed a new photothermal sensitizer using tungsten oxide nanoparticles, enabling the production of high-color-purity 3D objects and overcoming previous limitations. The new method allows for efficient and cost-effective fabrication of complex geometries with precise color control.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have created mesh-like mats with prolonged antioxidant activity that can be used in bandages or food storage containers. The mats are made from an intertwined network of ultra-fine strands of a polymer and tannic acid, which enhances antioxidant functionality.
A new method of making gecko-inspired adhesive materials has been developed, enabling mass production and the spread of versatile gripping strips. The materials can be used to make extremely versatile grippers that pick up different objects on the same assembly line.
Researchers at University of Nottingham have developed biomaterials that can control the body's immune response, potentially reducing implant rejection rates. The new materials use surface shape and chemical composition to influence macrophage attachment and behavior.
Researchers at UMass Amherst have developed a new tool for controlling reactions in microrobots and microreactors, leveraging capillary forces to create self-assembling hanging droplets of aqueous polymer solutions. This technique enables selective transport of chemicals and can be used as encapsulated reaction vessels.
Researchers at Linköping University have discovered a quantum phenomenon that influences the formation of free charges in organic solar cells. Vibronic coherence contributes to photocurrent generation and can be used to increase efficiency.
Researchers at Penn State developed a laboratory method to create membraneless compartments within a liquid, allowing them to segregate and concentrate components for important cellular functions. The findings could provide insight into how cells use these compartments to perform different tasks in different locations, with potential a...
Scientists have successfully developed a rotary micromotor with a diameter of 5 millimeters that can rotate using laser power. The motor utilizes liquid crystal elastomers, which exhibit fast and reversible shape changes under visible light illumination.
A new Australian technology developed by Flinders University and Clean Earth Technologies can absorb pollutants, including mercury and oil spills. The solution uses a polymer made from sulfur and plant oil to capture toxic substances in water, reducing environmental harm.
Researchers created a potential new adhesive using poly(vinyl alcohol) to improve the adhesion of wearable sensors. The modified compound, 4C3-PVA, was found to be hydrophobic but have less tensile strength compared to other versions.
The study suggests a fast and reliable method to determine the degradation behavior of complex biomacromolecules using Langmuir technique. The research paves the way for designing innovative, multifunctional polymers for regenerative medicine with improved performance in medical implants.
A new device uses specialized polymer electrodes to reduce arsenic in water by over 90% while using less energy than traditional methods. The process is powered by electrochemical reactions, making it suitable for field deployment in areas with limited electricity.
Researchers from Université libre de Bruxelles found that large molecules move faster near rougher surfaces at the nanometric scale, defying simulations. The team created a rough surface of aluminum and applied weak electric fields to measure molecular motion.
University of Seville researchers successfully printed a 3D image using stabilised gold nanoparticles and biodegradable polymer systems. This breakthrough has significant implications for the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in the development of personalized biosensors.
Researchers created a biocompatible material by engineering E. coli to overproduce an enzyme that makes extremely long polymer brushes. These bristles are virtually impenetrable to bacteria, hindering the spread of biofilms and potentially improving medical applications.
The new method enables the creation of tall-and-narrow nanostructures with controllable dimensions, including transparent nanoelectrodes with high optical transmission and tunable conductivity. Researchers achieved this by adding 'table salt' to the polymer solution, improving electrostatic attraction between nanofibers.
Scientists at North Carolina State University have designed a new type of material, called active kirigami, which can autonomously change shape in response to heat. This innovation enables the creation of programmable robots with increased freedom of actuation.
Scientists developed flexible and efficient transparent solar cells with colour-neutrality using silicon microwires embedded in a polymer matrix. The devices demonstrate transparency of up to 55% and excellent flexibility, making them promising for future transparent solar cells.
Researchers at SMART and NTU have designed a polymer that can kill bacteria resistant to commonly used antibiotics, including MRSA. The breakthrough could lead to the development of medicine to which bacteria are significantly less resistant, saving hundreds of thousands of lives.
Researchers have developed unique polymer fibers with high tensile strength and toughness, making them suitable for industrial applications such as textiles, medical technology, and aerospace engineering.
Researchers found that charged polymers increase viscosity by altering water-water interactions, which is influenced by a nuclear quantum effect. This discovery has fundamental implications for developing new technologies in health, biosciences, materials science, and environmental science.
Researchers from University of Groningen create a molecular motor-based catalyst that switches the preference of anion-binding, enabling selective production of one enantiomer. The discovery has potential applications in pharmaceuticals and polymer production.
Researchers have created a new polymer gel with an ordered structure, allowing for potential uses in chemical filters, sensors, and drug release. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in various fields by providing a more consistent material.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine developed a nanosize container made of biodegradable polymer to deliver protein-based medicines and gene therapies, including CRISPR, into specifically selected target cells. The invention could offer a way to efficiently ferry larger medical compounds into cells with fewer side effects.
Researchers at Aalto University trained a liquid crystal polymer to move and stick to objects of a given color using light-based conditioning. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for materials to 'learn' and adapt to their environment.
Researchers have developed a method to precisely control the size and shape of nanoparticles, which could lead to more effective drug delivery systems. By modifying a base nanoparticle with a second polymer, scientists can create nanoparticles of specific dimensions.
Researchers at MIT have developed a way to encapsulate iron and vitamin A in a biocompatible polymer, which can be easily added to staple foods. The technology has the potential to help billions of people suffering from micronutrient deficiencies, particularly children who are more susceptible to diseases like measles.
Skoltech researchers created potassium-based batteries with record-high energy density and impressive stability, offering an alternative to lithium-ion batteries. The batteries charge in under 10 seconds and retain their capacity after thousands of cycles.
Researchers develop a versatile yet affordable battery membrane technology using AquaPIMs, enabling long-lasting and low-cost grid batteries. The new membrane reduces costs by eliminating expensive fluorinated polymer membranes, making flow batteries more viable for widespread adoption.
Researchers have developed a high-performance cathode made of an organic polymer for sodium-ion batteries, achieving excellent electrochemical performances. The new material outperforms current polymeric and inorganic cathodes in capacity delivery and retention.
A team of researchers from University College London has developed a new method for fabricating polymeric nanofibers and microfibers without the use of electric fields. The technique, called pressure gyration, produces thinner and more consistent fibers than traditional centrifugal spinning methods.
Researchers at NC State University have developed soft polymer microparticles with hierarchical branching on the micro- and nanoscale, exhibiting strong adhesion and structure-building properties. These materials, inspired by gecko feet, have potential applications in various fields such as gels, pastes, foods, nonwovens, and coatings.
Researchers develop mathematical model to describe how polymers contract into spiral structures, known as loxodromes, with complex patterning. The discovery could lead to the creation of manmade patterns that are difficult to produce using traditional methods.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a new production method for the high-performance polymer Zylon using nanoparticle catalysts, which can produce degradation-resistant materials. The new approach reduces energy consumption and eliminates a corrosive acid that causes degradation.