New insights from the University of Groningen reveal how the size and arrangement of building blocks affect the mechanical properties of metamaterials. This knowledge can be used to design safer, longer-lasting implants, robotic hands, and energy absorbers.
Dr. Barron Bichon has been promoted to vice president of SwRI's Mechanical Engineering Division, overseeing a team of over 400 staff members. He will lead the division in advancing additive manufacturing and composite material bonding for defense and aerospace applications.
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope
AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.
LIST's patented infrared welding process enables rapid assembly of thick carbon-fibre-reinforced thermoplastic components, reducing weight, costs and environmental impact. The innovation is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 12.5 tonnes per wing rib.
Researchers developed a new 'frequency-multiplexed elastic metasurface' that can precisely direct elastic waves at distinct frequencies onto different locations, enhancing signal intensity by up to 48 times. This technology breaks the conventional belief that one structure can perform only one function.
Researchers at Empa's Mechanics of Materials and Nanostructures laboratory are working to improve the insulation material used in satellites and space probes. They have developed a new intermediate layer that makes the material more elastic and resistant to cracks and flaking, enabling better superinsulation for future satellites.
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.
Researchers developed a transfer learning-enabled framework to predict mechanical properties of particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites. The model achieves high predictive accuracy, addressing the challenges of limited data availability in traditional machine learning algorithms.
Researchers develop composite metal foam that can withstand tremendous force at lower weight than solid steel, raising the possibility of creating safer tanker cars for transporting hazardous materials. The finding is validated through computational modeling and experimental testing.
Researchers have developed a halide perovskite volatile unipolar nanomemristor that achieves energy-efficient switching with minimal power consumption. The device uses a monocrystal nanocube with chemical composition CsPbBr3, placed between chemically inert contacts, to enable fast computation and readable memory states.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
A new composite material made from a recyclable polymer infused with microscopic droplets of liquid metal alloy can be broken down through a simple chemical process, freeing the metal for reuse. The material also has self-healing properties, allowing it to be cut, rearranged, and bonded back together using only heat and pressure.
CompositesAI helps users create and analyze composite products without requiring in-depth technical knowledge. The platform is initially focused on rotor blades for air mobility, helicopters, and wind turbines, but its uses will expand to handle other composite structures.
Researchers develop multifunctional aerogels combining thermal insulation, flame retardancy, and mechanical robustness using bio-based nanocellulose. The resulting aerogels exhibit low thermal conductivity, high flame resistance, and impressive strength and flexibility.
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
A minimal three-dimensional model successfully reproduced hallmark behaviors of tough composite materials, including mechanical hysteresis and sacrificial bond-driven toughening. The team discovered that optimal toughening occurs at a specific ratio of soft to hard components, governed by a universal scaling relationship.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a smart plastic that can self-heal and adapt to extreme conditions, making it ideal for aerospace and automotive applications. The material's unique properties allow it to restore its shape after deformation, improve vehicle safety, and reduce environmental waste.
Scientists have developed high-performance textile fibers from invasive paper-mulberry bark using a simple, scalable route. The coated fibers exhibit excellent tensile strength and antimicrobial properties, outperforming traditional materials like cotton.
A UC Irvine-led team has developed a multispectral composite material with adjustable visible and infrared properties, inspired by the structures found in squid skin cells. The material can dynamically adjust its color and reflectivity in response to environmental or mechanical stimuli.
An AI model developed by Ehsan Ghane at the University of Gothenburg can predict the durability and strength of woven composite materials, reducing development time. The model integrates material laws to make extrapolations outside training data, enabling better understanding of material behavior.
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
Researchers at DTU developed a new electronic material that behaves like human skin, offering self-healing and adaptive properties. The material can stretch up to six times its original length, regulate heat, and detect environmental factors, making it suitable for wearable devices, soft robotics, and healthcare applications.
Engineers mimic natural shells' behavior by programming individual layers of synthetic material to collaborate under stress, expanding design space for nonlinear stress-strain responses. The new framework enables multistage responses that adapt to collision severity, improving wearable bandages and car bumpers.
A novel construction material FHPRC boasts excellent mechanical properties and is suitable for super-high-rise structures. The research optimizes tensile behavior by combining UHPC with high ductility and crack control capacity of engineered cementitious composite.
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
The University of Tennessee and Volkswagen Group of America have partnered on strategic research projects accelerating technology discovery and commercialization. The two have collaborated on lighter composites, high-power wireless charging and material upcycling, influencing Volkswagen brands globally.
Researchers at Zhejiang University developed a novel 3D-printed hydrogel that can easily switch its Young's modulus from kPa to GPa through on-demand crystallization. The hydrogel exhibits a hardness of 86.5 Shore D and a Young's modulus of 1.2 GPa, surpassing current 3D-printed hydrogels.
Dongguk University researchers have developed a hybrid anode material for lithium-ion batteries, demonstrating exceptional performance and cycling stability. The innovative composite combines reduced graphene oxide with nickel-iron layered double hydroxides, resulting in a high specific capacity of 1687.6 mA h g−1.
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.
A research team at USTC has created a new strategy to prepare nacre-like ceramets using deformable alumina microspheres coated with nickel salt. The material exhibits excellent bending strength and fracture toughness, and can be mass-produced in various shapes through simple techniques.
Researchers develop sustainable passive cooling solution using mycelium-bound composites, outperforming conventional insulation materials in tropical climates. The 'fungi tiles' mimic an elephant's ability to regulate heat from its skin, improving cooling rates and thermal conductivity.
The study introduces a new way to apply cellulose nanocrystals, resulting in high-strength, reconfigurable, and mechanochromic hydrogels with improved mechanical properties and dynamic color-changing abilities. These materials have potential uses in sustainable bioplastics, flexible electronic substrates, and smart photonic devices.
New research at UC Santa Barbara illuminates a path to superior electro-optic performance in AlScN alloys by adjusting atomic structure and composition. The study found that precisely oriented layer structures and strain tuning can yield significant enhancements in electro-optic properties, potentially surpassing those of lithium niobate.
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
Researchers at Chuo University developed a non-destructive image sensor with a freely coatable and paintable design for functional photo-thermal modules. The new design enables the full utilization of photo-thermoelectric (PTE) sensors, overcoming trade-off trends between photo-absorptance values and Seebeck coefficients.
Researchers at Rice University have created a new 2D carbon material that is eight times tougher than graphene, according to a recent study. The material, known as monolayer amorphous carbon (MAC), incorporates both crystalline and amorphous regions, giving it unique toughness.
Ancient papermaking techniques have evolved to inspire the development of novel materials with exceptional properties. The principles of disassembly, refinement, and reassembly promote rapid dewatering and effective filtration, contributing to high productivity in sustainable materials production.
Researchers have made significant advancements in cellulose-based sutures, showcasing their potential as sustainable alternatives for wound closure and healing. The new materials demonstrate non-toxicity, biocompatibility, and mechanical strength, with nanocellulose showing particular promise due to its high strength and flexibility.
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
Researchers propose a novel strategy for highly controllable micro-nano fabrication using focal volume optics in transparent solids. The approach enables the creation of composite structures with finer structures and tunable properties, opening up new avenues for photonics and nanophotonics applications.
These materials integrate liquids within solid frameworks at the mesoscale, driven by competitive interfacial interactions. They demonstrate dynamic responsiveness leveraging force, heat, light, electricity, magnetism, and sound, and exhibit practical functionalities including anti-fouling and multiphase flow control.
Researchers developed novel 3D printed PLA-CaP scaffolds that support angiogenesis, reducing bone scarring and improving healing outcomes. In vitro tests showed stimulated vascular endothelial growth factor secretion and maintained calcium ion release, while in vivo testing demonstrated good integration and blood vessel infiltration.
Researchers have developed new approaches to enhance the processability of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, a strong and impact-resistant plastic. The methods, which include active site engineering, chain transfer agents, and blending with high-density polyethylene, can improve the material's properties without sacrificing its...
Researchers developed nanocomposites that effectively reduce noise and improve signal transmission for brain pacemakers. The materials use a combination of graphene and clay to absorb and disperse energy, reducing the impact of external electrical fields on patients.
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
Researchers have compiled a comprehensive review of SiCf/SiC composites, highlighting advancements in preparation processes, material properties, and performance under extreme conditions. The review emphasizes the need for further innovation in preparation processes to enhance the materials' long-term use in nuclear reactors.
Scientists at Queen Mary University of London have developed a new material that creates synthetic heart valves as effective as native ones. The innovative material, created by Dr Roberto Volpe, has anisotropic properties that mimic natural tissue and can be fine-tuned for rigidity and flexibility.
AnalySwift will develop a composite heater layer for trusses and other infrastructure, enabling the reconfiguration of structural elements in space. The company's software tool will simulate multiphysics modeling and analysis of thermoplastics.
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter
GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a material that combines stiffness and damping properties, making it suitable for various applications. The new composite material features layers of stiff materials connected by ultra-thin rubber-like layers, resulting in excellent vibration-damping performance.
The review highlights the potential of cellulose-based materials in purifying wastewater without causing environmental harm. Cellulose can be converted into valuable products like hydrogels, aerogels, and nanocellulose for sustainable water remediation.
The integration of MXene with cellulose creates a material with enhanced photothermal, electrothermal, biocidal, and piezoelectric characteristics. The composite showcases remarkable pressure sensitivity, efficient electromagnetic interference shielding, and superior antibacterial activity.
Researchers developed a heat-adjusting material inspired by squid skin, allowing for user-adjusted warmth and breathability. The fabric is breathable, washable, and can be integrated into flexible clothing, making it suitable for cold weather applications.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.
The ADA Forsyth Institute has received a $6.2 million grant from the NIH to design an AI-driven amalgam replacement for dental restoratives. The new material will feature self-healing and antimicrobial properties, responding to biological signals in each individual patient's mouth.
A novel multi-frequency ultrasonic drying technology accelerates the drying of renewable cellulose nanocrystals by up to 50% while minimizing energy consumption. This method demonstrates superior stability in aqueous solutions and aligns with global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have created a world-leading structural battery that can halve the weight of laptops and make mobile phones as thin as credit cards. The battery has increased its stiffness, allowing it to be used in vehicles, increasing their driving range by up to 70 percent on a single charge.
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
Researchers at Graz University of Technology developed two techniques to join wood with metals and polymer composites without adhesives or screws. The AddJoining technique uses 3D printing to create strong joints, while the Ultrasonic Joining method employs high-frequency vibration to melt polymer into wood pores. These methods show pr...
A research team from Aarhus University has found a method to recycle polyurethane foam into its original components, polyol and isocyanate. The new process recovers up to 82 weight percent of the material, making it possible to reuse them as raw materials in new PUR products.
Researchers at Singapore University of Technology and Design have developed a novel approach to metalworking using chitinous colloids and composites. By leveraging the affinity between chitin and metals, they created functional metallic structures without high temperatures or pressures.
Researchers developed a technique that leverages component-based reduced order modeling to analyze composite laminates. The 'Lego-like' construction method offers improved speed and accuracy, making it a viable alternative to traditional finite-element analysis.
A UVA research team introduces a game-changing additive to 3D-printed concrete, enhancing its printability and mechanical properties. The study demonstrates the potential for more resilient and eco-friendly construction practices using cellulose nanofibrils.
Meta Quest 3 512GB
Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.
Researchers at Ben-Gurion University's PAI Lab developed groundbreaking multifunctional material-sensors that emulate natural systems, advancing Physical AI. The sensors can process diverse signals concurrently through ions and electrons, enabling versatile and lifelike interactions in fields like robotics and healthcare.
Scientists at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology developed a tiny 'claw machine' that can pick up and drop a marble-sized ball in response to exposure to chemical vapors. The material's properties can be precisely controlled, making it easy to customize.
Boris Yakobson aims to transform the future of advanced materials through Rice University research. His projects focus on developing predictive synthesis models and automating the search for new materials, with applications in energy and electronics.
The research develops composite microspheres with a hollow structure, enhancing microwave absorption performance and stability in extreme environments. The results show that SiC/C composite materials demonstrate outstanding wave absorption and radar stealth performance, unaffected by temperature and environmental conditions.
Researchers from Shinshu University have created a novel composite material with exceptional capabilities for motion and physiological sensing. The new sensor design showed significant performance and stability improvements, enabling practical use in wearable applications.
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)
Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.
Researchers found that mycelium composites, made from fungi and agricultural residues, can have a greater environmental impact than conventional fossil-fuel-based materials in countries like South Africa. The technology's overall potential damage on the environment can be mitigated by incorporating alternative energy sources.
A new study from China reveals a novel strategy for enhancing the strength-ductility synergy of particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites. The approach involves regulating the heterostructure of the matrix grain and particle distribution to achieve a balance between strength and ductility.
Researchers developed a groundbreaking data-driven model to predict dehydrogenation barriers of magnesium hydride, a promising material for solid-state hydrogen storage. The model offers a faster, more efficient way to assess the performance of hydrogen storage materials, bridging the knowledge gap left by experimental techniques.
A Binghamton University professor investigates the adaptive response of fire ant rafts to mechanical load, discovering that they exhibit catch bond behavior under force, which enhances cohesion for survival. This phenomenon is being explored to develop artificial materials with autonomous self-strengthening properties.
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
A team of Tohoku University researchers developed an environmentally friendly composite material from washi, showcasing improved strength and biodegradability. The new material boasts a tensile strength over 60% higher than pure PBS, making it suitable for sustainable applications.