Articles tagged with Polymers
A team of researchers has identified a critical variable that improves the efficiency of polymer-based heat energy harvesting. By exploring this new factor, they hope to design more efficient polymers for thermo-electric devices.
Researchers have developed a new laboratory technique to measure polymer flow at the molecular level, providing fundamental understanding of soft material behavior during rapid deformation. This approach has led to significant insights into designing biomedical, industrial and environmental applications.
Researchers at Kanazawa University found that electron beam irradiation improves the mechanical properties of short-carbon-fiber reinforced thermoplastics. The treatment strengthens and lengthens carbon fibers, reducing the negative effects of crosslinking and increasing recyclability.
A new polymer has been discovered that can effectively remove PFAS from water, reducing the risk of contamination in drinking water sources. The low-cost and environmentally friendly method uses waste cooking oil and powdered activated carbon to purify thousands of liters of water.
A new alliance of six German research institutions is investigating the nanostructure and microstructure of polymer gels to understand their capabilities. The group aims to create polymer networks with controllable structures to control the selective transport of active substances.
A Texas A&M research team has developed a new class of hydrogel bioinks loaded with therapeutic proteins, which can be used for precise deposition of protein therapeutics in 3D. The bioink formulation has unique shear-thinning properties that allow it to stay in place after injection, making it suitable for 3D bioprinting applications.
Researchers at Texas A⚬M University discovered a new type of fracture in silicone elastomer that allows for greater stretchability and resistance to tears. This breakthrough could lead to the development of more tear- and fracture-resistant materials for applications in healthcare, energy and military industries.
Researchers at McMaster University have developed a novel form of computing using light patterns and materials that react intuitively to light. This new approach enables simple calculations such as addition and subtraction without the need for power sources.
Researchers from Fujun Zhang's group have reported ternary polymer solar cells with 16.27% efficiency, surpassing binary systems without solvent additives. The addition of a third component enhances photon harvesting and optimizes exciton distribution, paving the way for industrialization of organic photovoltaics.
Researchers developed polymers that change color or fluorescence when subjected to mechanical load, addressing limitations of previous force-transducing molecules. The new concept allows for reversible detection of stress and is versatile, enabling applications in built-in monitors and stress mapping.
Researchers developed a first-of-its-kind elastic polymer blend that displays white fluorescence when deformed and then goes dark after relaxing. The material's color can be tailored by using different fluorescent rings, enabling the creation of a white-light-emitting polymer.
Researchers from TPU, Germany, and US successfully functionalized 'white graphene' using eco-friendly photopolymerization without altering its properties. The new material was used as a catalyst for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen, offering a promising alternative to expensive platinum or gold.
Researchers have developed a new method for transporting medicine through the body, using a sliding molecule that can jump between polymers to deliver medication to specific organs. Laboratory tests confirm the model's effectiveness in delivering molecules to gel-like materials.
A Northwestern University research team has developed tiny, fully reconfigurable metalenses made from silver nanoparticles that can adapt to different imaging applications. The new lenses have a thickness 100 times smaller than human hair and can form multiple images at various positions.
Brown University researchers create modular hydrogel components that can bend, twist, or stick together in response to treatment with certain chemicals. The components are designed for various
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a material that can change its color by manipulating the orientation of nanostructured columns in response to a magnetic field, mimicking the flashing colors of neon tetras.
Cornell researchers develop a new solid-state battery technology that is inherently safer and more energy-dense than traditional lithium-ion batteries. This breakthrough enables the creation of smaller, safer batteries with improved recharging capabilities and reduced risk of fires.
Researchers at Tokyo Tech report a unipolar n-type transistor with electron mobility of up to 7.16 cm2 V-1 s-1, exceeding previous results by 40%. The material achieves this performance through fine-tuning the backbone conformation and introducing vinylene bridges.
Scientists developed a new method to study ADP-ribosylation, a process linked to cancer growth and other diseases. The ELTA technique enables researchers to attach molecular beacons to ADP-ribose molecules, allowing for detailed studies on how this process affects cells in health and disease.
Hokkaido University researchers have developed a strategy to fabricate materials that become stronger in response to mechanical stress. By employing 'double-network hydrogels,' they were able to create soft, yet tough materials that can adapt and strengthen based on surrounding conditions.
Researchers have discovered a new class of polymer that can store and exchange electrons, leading to faster charging times for batteries. The organic radical polymers' unique structure allows rapid charge transfer during redox reactions.
Researchers at the University of the Basque Country have successfully encapsulated semiconductor nanocrystals into polymers, improving their optical properties and fluorescence control. The new method enables stable detection in biomedicine and detection of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with high sensitivity.
Researchers have developed a new method to monitor molecular aggregation in real-time, allowing for the analysis of conformational changes. The method uses the AACD effect and chiral molecules to track aggregation-annihilation circular dichroism, providing valuable insights into biological processes.
Researchers at the University of Würzburg have successfully applied U-ExM to image multi-protein complexes with unprecedented molecular resolution. This breakthrough resolves long-standing doubts about the method's reliability and preserves ultrastructural details.
The US military seeks to protect its troops against chemical attacks with a new color-changing fabric developed by University of Cincinnati Professor Anastasios Angelopoulos. The fabric, made from the polymer Nafion, detects chemical agents in the air while preventing them from interacting with the skin.
Researchers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute discovered that oscillating loads at certain frequencies can increase the strength of composites with a nanoglue interface by several times. The nanoglue layer facilitates load transfer and dissipates energy, leading to an increase in fracture energy.
The new solar cells, developed using a chlorinated polymer donor, achieved a power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.03% and enhanced build-in potential and morphology. This approach is an effective way to boost the PCE of all-polymer solar cells.
Researchers observed flexible changes on crystal surfaces using real-time imaging, finding porous coordination polymer crystals can dynamically change shape when introduced to guest molecules. This property makes them attractive for developing devices that selectively adsorb gas molecules.
Scientists at KIT have developed a simple and cost-effective method to create customized polymer nanofibers through vapor deposition of liquid crystal layers with reactive molecules. This process enables the creation of complex structures with tailored properties for various applications, including biological detectors and coatings.
Researchers from Ruhr-University Bochum developed a system combining gas diffusion electrode technology with the enzyme hydrogenase to achieve significantly higher current densities. The resulting biofuel cell achieved a power density of up to 3.6 milliwatts per square centimeter and an open circuit voltage of 1.13 volts.
Rice University engineers have developed flexible organic photovoltaics with improved mechanical properties, enabling them to withstand strains of up to 20%. The new material retains its efficiency and gains flexibility by incorporating a network of elastic additives.
Researchers at Siberian Federal University have created a new class of two-dimensional materials called circulenes, which exhibit high stability, symmetry, and optical properties. These materials show promise for nanoelectronics applications, including solar cells and organic LEDs, with advantages over traditional materials like silicon.
Researchers developed a novel method to control surface wettability of polymeric substrates using colloidal self-assembly and controlled strained-releasing. The approach enables the fabrication of eco-friendly waterproof polymer films with adjustable hydrophobicity.
Kanazawa University researchers create organic solar cells using wet processing method with molecule alignment, leading to improved light absorption and charge transport. The CuI layer introduction achieves a ten times higher substrate-facing orientation of active molecules.
A new class of polymer matrices has been developed to improve the detection of metabolites and track chemicals of interest in studying cancer. This breakthrough enables researchers to explore more research questions and increases the flexibility of the MALDI imaging technique.
Researchers have discovered that Nafion membranes partially unwind their fibers as they interact with water, leading to the growth of polymer fibers extending from the surface. This phenomenon is most pronounced in water with a high deuterium content, offering new avenues for optimizing fuel cell performance and electrical properties.
MIT researchers have developed a method to control the fracturing process of atomically-thin, brittle materials, directing it to produce miniscule pockets of predictable size and shape. Embedded inside these pockets are electronic circuits and materials that can collect, record, and output data.
Researchers from Vanderbilt University have developed atomically thin membranes with nanoscale holes, showcasing improved permeance and faster diffusion rates compared to traditional commercial membranes. This breakthrough has the potential to transform small molecule separation, fine chemical purification, and other processes.
Researchers at NC State have developed self-sterilizing antimicrobial materials that can inactivate bacteria and viruses using only visible-wavelength light. The new approach opens the door to a range of new products aimed at reducing the transmission of drug-resistant pathogens.
Researchers have developed a paint-like polymer that can cool down surfaces by reflecting sunlight and heat back into the sky. The PDRC polymer reflects over 96% of sunlight and achieves sub-ambient temperature reductions of approximately 6° Celsius in hot climates.
Researchers have discovered a new use for green tea's EGCG: delivering therapeutic siRNAs into cells. This breakthrough could lead to treatments for diseases caused by gene misexpression.
A collaboration between University of Pittsburgh and Lubrizol Corporation has revealed the molecular reaction mechanism of PIB polymer. The team found that a 'superacid' catalyst is required for initiation, which could lead to designing different catalysts and controlling the reaction.
Researchers have developed a lightweight, battery-powered freshwater harvester that can collect up to 10 gallons of water per hour from the air, even in arid environments. The nanofiber-based method could help address modern water shortages due to climate change and industrial pollution.
Researchers developed a novel Polyelectrolyte complex film to prevent post-surgical adhesions, offering a barrier against unwanted tissue bonding and reducing the need for secondary surgeries. The biodegradable film is strong, flexible, and inhibits macrophage, lymphocyte, platelet, and fibroblast adhesion.
Drexel University researchers have developed a new type of container that can deliver medicine to the bloodstream for extended periods. The 'crystalsome' nanoparticle lasts up to 96 hours in the bloodstream, surpassing current injectable medication with improved stability and reduced side effects.
An international team of materials scientists developed a way to boost the efficiency of organic solar cells by incorporating fluorine atoms in polymers. This process increased cell efficiency from 3.7% to 10.2%, making polymer-based cells a promising technology for power generation.
Researchers have developed a molecular labeling method using polymers to identify biomedical implants, even after prolonged periods inside the living being. The technique uses mass spectrometry to decode the 'code' of the labels, enabling unambiguous identification and potential extension to other healthcare materials.
A new study reveals how proteins with mixed electrical charges influence membrane crossing, shedding light on their multiple functions and disease mechanisms. The research focuses on Intrinsically Disordered Proteins, which can take on various shapes due to electric charge disorder.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a novel biosensor that can detect metabolites like lactate with high efficiency. This device combines an electron transporting polymer with lactate oxidase to realize efficient electron transfer, promoting electrical communication between the sensing electrode and enzyme.
Researchers have developed self-assembled energetic coordination polymers based on multidentate pentazole cyclo-N5-, which exhibit high energy density and detonation performance. The polymers outperform existing materials like TNT, RDX, HMX, and CL-20.
Researchers have developed a magnetic treatment to isolate and remove unwanted substances in cabernet sauvignon wine. This technique, using polymers with magnetic nanoparticles, shows promise in removing off-tasting compounds without altering the desired flavors.
Researchers at Université libre de Bruxelles estimate nanoconfinement impacts material contacts, interfacial interactions and vdW forces. Thinner films exhibit reduced contacts with silicon wafers due to weaker van der Waals forces.
Researchers used machine learning to automate the search for well-matched solar materials, creating a new organic photovoltaic polymer. The study suggests that AI could accelerate solar cell development by instantaneously predicting results and providing crucial support for molecular designers.
A new study by Maziar Heidari and colleagues introduces an adaptive resolution simulation technique that couples accurate models with simpler, idealized representations of solids. This approach enables efficient computation of thermodynamic properties at a reduced computational cost.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new composite material that can efficiently harvest mechanical and thermal energy using a 3D piezoelectric ceramic foam supported by a flexible polymer. The material outperforms traditional piezoelectric composites, offering improved flexibility and energy output.
A new nanoparticle vaccine developed by MIT researchers can deliver multiple doses of the polio vaccine in just one injection, making it easier to immunize children in remote regions. The vaccine uses a biodegradable polymer that releases the vaccine in bursts at defined time points, providing long-lasting immunity.
Researchers have developed a forming technology that allows for the structuring of quartz glass like a polymer, opening up new opportunities for the glass processing industry and various fields such as optics, data technology, and medical engineering. The process involves mixing small glass particles with a liquid polymer and then hard...
Engineers at Caltech and ETH Zurich developed self-propelled robots that paddle through water using temperature-responsive materials. The devices use a bistable element and polymer strips to activate a switch and propel forward.
Researchers propose a new method for orienting liquid crystals, increasing viewing angles in LCD displays. The technique uses liquid-crystal polymers with varying side-chain lengths to control orientation.
Researchers at TU Dresden are developing intelligent material combinations for autarkic fibre composites with integrated actuators and sensors. These materials can react quickly and precisely to environmental changes, making them suitable for applications in mechanical engineering, robotics, architecture, and orthotics.