Articles tagged with Polymers
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.
The research focuses on improving oil recovery efficiency through innovative integrated methods and polymer solutions. Laboratory experiments demonstrate the significant influence of mineral skeleton properties on polymer viscosity, highlighting the importance of optimal concentration selection.
Researchers have developed all-polymer photodetectors with single carrier transport property, exhibiting high external quantum efficiency and low dark current density. The photomultiplication type PPDs demonstrate improved performance and versatility for applications in biological detection and image sensing.
Researchers developed artificial 'chameleon skin' that changes color when exposed to heat or light using nanoparticles coated in a polymer shell. The material's color-changing abilities rely on light-powered nano-mechanisms, similar to nature's chromatophores, allowing for dynamic displays and active camouflage.
Scientists at North Carolina State University have created a method to remotely control, lock into place, and later transform the shape of soft robots using light and magnetic fields. The technology is promising for medical and aerospace industries.
Researchers used a novel super-resolution microscopy technique to directly observe depletion layers in polymer solutions flowing through microchannels. The study found that changes to the depletion layer dimension occurred at unexpectedly low flow rates, and hydrodynamic lift forces played a key role in this phenomenon.
Researchers developed an elastic polymer with broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, effectively killing viruses and drug-resistant bacteria. The polymer's unique molecular architecture attracts water to kill microbes within five minutes, making it a potential solution for hospital-acquired infections.
Researchers from Kanazawa University have developed a three-state switchable chiral stationary phase that can be controlled using metal ions, enabling efficient separation of enantiomers. The phase's stability and separation performance were demonstrated over multiple cycles, opening new doors for drug discovery and other research areas.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a new polymeric cryoprotectant that protects cells during freezing, leading to more cells being recovered and less solvent-based antifreeze being required. The material was shown to be very potent in protecting cell monolayers, which is crucial for biomedical research.
A team of researchers from ICFO demonstrates an adjustable technique to manipulate light without mechanical movement, enabling the creation of dynamically tuneable lenses with high control and low power consumption. The Smartlens technology has potential applications in high-end systems and simple end-user-oriented imaging devices.
Researchers have developed a new method to stabilize collapsing metal-organic frameworks by adding small amounts of polymer, resulting in significant increases in surface area. This breakthrough enables the creation of mesoporous MOFs that were previously inaccessible due to pore collapse.
Researchers created a 'polyCOF' material by adding polyethylene glycol to an existing COF structure, enabling the formation of flexible membranes. The resulting material allows for the creation of a paper doll with an artificial muscle that can perform sit-ups by expanding and contracting in response to ethanol vapors.
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.
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.
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.
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.