Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology developed a thermal wood composite using coconuts and lemons that can store both heat and cold. The material, which is transparent and energy-saving, can regulate temperatures around 24C, reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed an eco-friendly alternative to rigid foam boards, made without harmful blowing agents, using hollow glass spheres and expandable polymer microspheres. The new material offers improved thermal performance and is adoptable by industry, opening avenues for safer composite foams.
Researchers review numerical simulations for ultra-precision diamond cutting, exploring properties and microstructures of workpiece materials and their impact on the cutting process. The study provides guidelines for numerical simulations to predict machining responses for various materials.
Researchers create FMHE with tunable conductivity and stiffness, enabling compensation for robotic manipulators' positional errors. The material's deformation can reset current-liming fuse in case of overload.
EPFL researchers have created a 3D printing ink containing calcium carbonate-producing bacteria that produces bone-like composites. The resulting bio-composite is exceptionally strong, light, and environmentally friendly. This innovation has potential applications in art restoration, coral reef regeneration, and biomedical fields.
Scientists at Rice University have developed a new technique using the 'flash Joule' method to transform plastic waste into high-value carbon nanotubes and hybrid nanomaterials. This process is more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional methods, making it a promising solution for recycling plastic waste.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have designed a soft and breathable material that can be worn on the skin without causing discomfort. The material, made from liquid-metal elastomer composite, has integrated antibacterial and antiviral properties to prevent the formation of harmful pathogens.
A new injectable hydrogel has been developed to rapidly stop bleeding from traumatic wounds. The material becomes solid when injected into the body and can be easily washed away with a cold saline solution.
Dresden researchers have identified textile-technological and physico-chemical methods to improve fiber-matrix interaction at different temperatures. These modifications aim to enhance load transfer between carbon fibers and cement-based matrices.
Researchers at Pusan National University have developed a new, energy-efficient process to control the orientation of filler particles in thermally conductive polymer composites. This allows for improved heat dissipation in electronics and batteries, reducing energy costs and extending device lifespan.
Researchers are developing functionally graded materials using 3D printing, aiming to create sustainable and efficient materials for the air transport and security industries. The goal is to optimize mechanical properties and minimize production costs.
Researchers developed a novel insulation technology using sodium nitrate passivation, achieving maximum thickness of the insulation coating at optimal pH conditions. The passivation layer exhibited strong adhesion and satisfactory thermal stability, resulting in enhanced electrical resistivity and alternating current magnetic performance.
A University of South Australia physicist has solved the long-standing mystery of lightning's zig-zag pattern and dark electric column. The breakthrough explains how singlet-delta metastable oxygen molecules create these steps.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully converted asphaltene, a byproduct of crude oil production, into turbostratic graphene using flash Joule heating. This process utilizes the existing material to create useful graphene for thermal, anti-corrosion and 3D-printing applications.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have discovered genetic markers for autism, developed recyclable composites to drive the net-zero goal, and created a tool for real-time building evaluation. Additionally, they have made significant progress in growing hydrogen-storage crystals using a novel nano-reactor material.
Lehigh University researchers have developed a new fabrication method for high-entropy alloys that can operate in extreme temperatures. The process uses lower temperatures and a different reaction route to achieve a more homogenous microstructure, potentially leading to the development of more efficient materials for aerospace and indu...
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new self-healing composite that can repair itself in place without removal. The technology addresses two longstanding challenges, increasing the lifespan of structural components by up to 500%. This resolves limitations such as overheating and limited self-repair cycles.
A team of researchers from Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology developed an analytical tool to investigate the ordering of fluorine in lead titanium oxyfluoride. They used first-principles calculation to analyze experimental results and determined the element substitution positions, finding that fluorine atoms predominan...
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a new kind of wood-based degradable plastic with semi-structural strength, enabling the replacement of fossil-based materials in home construction and furnishing. The material can be broken down without harming the environment, allowing for recycling and reuse of fibers.
The researchers designed and fabricated three different paper-based metamaterials using their new technique, including a polarization converter, an absorber, and a conformal coding metasurface. These materials demonstrated unique properties such as high conductivity and radar cross-section reduction.
Researchers at Flinders University have created a new multi-functional material that can be used to purify water, as a recyclable construction material, and as a lightweight machine component for possible use in soft robotics. The material combines magnetic iron particles with a sulfur-rich polymer and can be moved remotely by a magnet.
Researchers from Rice University and European institutions developed a method to switch on and off topological states in a strongly correlated metal using magnetic fields. The strong electron interactions enable the material to be controlled, which could lead to new applications in sensor technology and electronics.
A newly developed composite sponge-based air filter has demonstrated strong potential for applications in automobiles and industry, with high efficiency in removing particulate matter under harsh conditions. The filter's unique design and materials ensure good structural stability and adaptability to various environments.
Researchers have created a biomimetic mineralized layer that replicates the structure of natural tooth enamel, exhibiting increased nanohardness and surpassing the natural tissue in terms of strength. The new material can be used to restore or repair damaged enamel due to abrasion, erosion, or improper diet.
Researchers have created composite 2D materials that are resistant to breaking and extremely stretchable, using biomimetic proteins patterned on squid ring teeth. The materials can be fine-tuned for unique thermal conduction regimes and strength properties.
Researchers have created a biodegradable seaweed-derived film that effectively absorbs sounds in the range of human voices, traffic, and music. The agar-based composite films outperform traditional acoustic foams in terms of sound-absorbing qualities.
A new biohybrid composite material demonstrates improved elasticity and fracture energy compared to existing zwitterionic materials, making it suitable for regenerative medicine applications. The material's biocompatibility allows it to recruit cells and support tissue regeneration.
A team of WVU researchers has developed a biodegradable composite material using cotton fibers from recycled mattresses, with the goal of replacing single-use plastics. The new material will be created through 3D printing and can be used to produce various consumer products, such as beverage straws and disposable packaging.
Researchers at the University of Utah designed composite materials using moiré patterns, resulting in abrupt transitions between electrical conductor and insulator properties. The study's findings have broad potential technological applications and demonstrate a new geometry-driven localization transition.
Researchers have developed a polymer composite binder that improves the performance of silicon anodes in lithium-ion batteries. The binder, consisting of P-BIAN and PAA polymers, stabilizes the silicon particles and maintains a thin solid-electrolyte interface layer, resulting in improved discharge capacity and structural integrity.
Researchers from Korea Maritime and Ocean University have developed a way to synthesize high-performance functionally graded materials with minimized defects. By controlling the mixing gradient of component materials, they improved mechanical properties and eliminated interfacial cracks.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a waterproof coating called Choetsu that adds strength to paper, making it a viable alternative to plastic. The coating, made from safe and low-cost chemicals, also has photocatalytic activity, protecting against dirt and bacteria.
Researchers developed a strong, water-resistant wood glue using glucose and citric acid for plywood. The adhesive meets China's standard requirement and is more energy-efficient than traditional adhesives.
Researchers are developing innovative ways to reuse automotive glass, crushing it into small pieces and purifying the polyvinyl butyral (PVB) for industrial use. This approach aims to reduce waste and conserve resources as the demand for automotive glass continues to grow.
Researchers at Ural Federal University improved the composition of borate glasses by adding heavy metal oxides, significantly increasing their density. The new glass samples showed good results as radiation shielding material in low and medium energy gamma radiation.
UCI engineers developed an adaptive composite material that regulates heat through reconfigurable metal structures. The material can be used in various applications, including temperature-controlled packages and cups, with potential benefits for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.
Researchers at UBC Okanagan have adapted a plastination technique to strengthen bamboo and reduce its degradation rate, making it more environmentally friendly. The innovation has the potential to significantly reduce non-degradable waste in industries such as construction and packaging.
Developing a design tool for tailorable composites will benefit NASA and industries by shortening the design period and improving structural properties. The tool, created with Purdue-affiliated company AnalySwift, has applications in aerospace, energy, wind, automotive, marine, and other industries.
Wind turbine blades made from glass fibre-reinforced polymer can serve up to 25 years before ending up in landfills. Lithuanian researchers have proposed a method to break down these composites, extracting usable materials like phenol and fibre for reuse.
Researchers developed an indentation test to evaluate mechanical properties of sulfide solid electrolytes, crucial for all-solid-state lithium-ion secondary batteries. The method enabled accurate assessment in inert atmosphere, confirming superior mechanical properties of sulfide-type solid electrolytes.
Researchers found variations in carbon isotopes in younger kimberlites, suggesting the Cambrian Explosion affected the Earth's lower mantle. The study suggests that changes in marine sediments leave profound traces on the Earth's interior.
The researchers developed a power suit made of a layered carbon composite material that works as an energy-storing supercapacitor-battery hybrid device. This material could increase an electric car's range by 25% and boost its power, giving it the extra push it needs to go from zero to 60 mph in 3 seconds.
Researchers created two types of hydrogenous-rich composites for shielding space radiation, which showed higher shielding abilities than traditional aluminum. The simulations also revealed that these new composites can reduce the mass needed for shielding by up to 77% when the thickness is larger than 10 g/cm².
Computer simulations reveal subtle changes in density near a stiff pillar cause a broader concentration of force than expected. The study's findings suggest that even small variations can significantly impact the properties of composite materials.
Researchers at MIT have engineered a composite made mostly from cellulose nanocrystals, which is stronger and tougher than some types of bone, and harder than typical aluminum alloys. The material has a unique brick-and-mortar microstructure that resembles nacre, making it resistant to cracks and plastic deformation.
Researchers at Virginia Tech created a soft robot that can change shape and return to its original configuration using a liquid metal composite. The material combines kirigami-inspired cuts with a metal endoskeleton embedded in rubber, allowing it to morph into different shapes and functions.
Researchers developed a data-guided combinatorial synthesis strategy and computational modeling to identify promising high entropy alloys for electrocatalysis. The method enables the exploration of atomic scale effects on catalytic activity, providing insights into composition-activity-stability trends.
A team of researchers found that the building blocks of Earth and Mars originated primarily from the inner Solar System, contradicting a popular theory. The study analyzed the isotopic composition of rocky planets and meteorites, revealing that only about 4% of the material came from beyond Jupiter's orbit.
Researchers designed a novel polymer to bind and strengthen silica sand for binder jet additive manufacturing, creating structures with intricate geometries and exceptional strength. The study demonstrates a 300-times-weight limit for a 3D-printed sand bridge.
Scientists at NTU Singapore develop a new electrochromic window material that can block up to 70% of infrared radiation while allowing 90% of visible light to pass through. The material is designed to be energy-efficient and durable, with improved performance compared to existing technologies.
Researchers developed a healable carbon fiber composite that can be repeatedly healed with heat, reversing fatigue damage. This material provides a way to break it down and recycle when it reaches the end of its life, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional thermosets.
Researchers created a laboratory to simulate comets in space-like conditions, measuring their properties and evolution. The CoPhyLab chamber allows scientists to compare samples and track gas evaporation and particle loss, providing insights into comet formation and solar system history.
Researchers at Skoltech and their colleagues have successfully created a magnetic material by 3D printing a gradient alloy from nonmagnetic powders. The resulting alloy exhibits ferromagnetic properties, opening up potential applications in machine engineering, such as electrical motors.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new synthesis process that increases the number of holes in p-type III-nitride semiconductor materials, leading to more efficient LEDs and lasers. This breakthrough could also help address the long-lasting problem called the 'green gap' in LED technology.
A new instrument at the Advanced Light Source enables simultaneous measurement of crystal structure and optical properties during perovskite synthesis. This allows for real-time monitoring of material quality and performance, leading to potentially more efficient solar cells.
Researchers developed a versatile composite fabric that can deactivate both biological threats like SARS-CoV-2 and chemical threats like chemical warfare. The material is also reusable and scalable.
Researchers have found a way to stabilize the novel quantum effect in graphene at room temperature, which could lead to breakthroughs in data storage and computer components. The discovery was made using standard microfabrication techniques and showed that the material can generate its own magnetic field.
Researchers investigated glass fiber-reinforced epoxy-based flat laminates with pultrusion, a fast and versatile composite manufacturing process. The study found significant promise for structural applications of these 'shape memory' composites in various industries.
Osaka University researchers have created an adhesive-free method to strongly combine copper foil with polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), reducing transmission losses in electronic circuits. The heat-assisted plasma treatment technique improves adhesion strength without adding intermediate layers.
Researchers at IBS developed a novel composite material consisting of metal nanowires within an ultrathin rubber film. The float assembly method creates a monolayer of nanowires in the rubber film, resulting in excellent physical properties such as high stretchability and metal-like conductivity.