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Cool textiles to beat the heat

Researchers have developed a new material for clothing that can cool people down without external energy needed, using a nanocomposite thread made from boron nitride and polyvinyl alcohol. The fabric is more efficient at moving heat away from the body than pure polyvinyl alcohol or cotton fabrics.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateNov 8, 2017

Artificial 'skin' gives robotic hand a sense of touch

Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new form of stretchable electronics that can serve as an artificial skin, allowing a robotic hand to sense temperature differences. The breakthrough enables the creation of biomedical devices such as health monitors and medical implants with improved functionality.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 13, 2017

Russian scientists improved an X-ray fluorescence analysis algorithm

Researchers from Lomonosov Moscow State University develop new equations to conduct XRF analysis with higher accuracy, reducing the need for reference materials and enabling analysis of complex composition samples. The method uses internal standardization and computations to compensate experimental factors and operate in wider ranges.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalNuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section B Beam Interactions with Materials and Atoms·DateMay 31, 2017

Graphene from soybeans

Graphene, a carbon material one atom thick, has been made more commercially viable thanks to the humble soybean. The novel GraphAir technology eliminates the need for high-controlled environments and expensive equipment, reducing production time and cost.

SourceCSIRO Australia·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 14, 2017

Record-breaking material that contracts when heated

Nagoya University researchers have developed a new class of composite materials with negative thermal expansion, offering potential solutions for industrial applications. The reduced ruthenate ceramic material shrinks by up to 6.7% when heated, making it more than double the current record-holding material.

SourceNagoya University·JournalNature Communications·DateFeb 8, 2017

'Nanoparticle taxicab' materials can identify, collect and transport debris on surfaces

Researchers at UMass Amherst developed polymer-stabilized droplet carriers that can recognize and encapsulate nanoparticles for transport in a cell. These 'nanoparticle taxicabs' pick up particles on one surface and drop them off on another, representing the first successful translation of biological processes in materials science.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalScience Advances·DateNov 2, 2016

Making a new pitch for coal

Researchers are working on a $1.6 million project to create a new use for coal, turning it into a carbon-fiber material that could help revitalize struggling coal communities. The process produces substantially less CO2 than traditional methods.

Ames Laboratory scientists gain insight on mechanism of unconventional superconductivity

Ames Laboratory scientists investigated the properties of iron-based superconducting materials, finding that transition temperature and magnetic field penetration depth depend on composition and disorder. The study provides new knowledge on unconventional superconductivity and will aid in discovering high-temperature superconductors.

SourceDOE/Ames National Laboratory·JournalScience Advances·DateOct 18, 2016

Novel 3-in-1 'Rheo-Raman' microscope enables interconnected studies of soft materials

The novel 'Rheo-Raman' microscope allows for interconnected studies of soft materials by correlating their microstructure, composition, and flow behavior. This enables the understanding of how structural make-up dictates macroscopic properties like strength, hardness, or electrical conductivity.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateOct 4, 2016

Graphene makes rubber more rubbery

Researchers at the University of Manchester have developed a composite material that combines graphene with natural rubber and polyurethane, resulting in increased strength and elasticity by up to 50%. The added graphene enhances the materials' ability to stretch and withstand force without breaking.

SourceUniversity of Manchester·JournalCarbon·DateMay 20, 2016

Speedy bridge repair

A team of researchers led by Chris Pantelides developed a new process to repair earthquake-damaged bridge columns in just a few days. The process uses concrete donuts lined with composite fiber material and can be used on not only bridges but also damaged columns around buildings.

Mix and match MOF

A team of scientists has created a composite material that can selectively separate oxygen from other gases, potentially revolutionizing energy applications such as fuel cells. The new material, made by combining a MOF with a helper molecule, shows promise for being inexpensive, reusable, and easy to prepare.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 8, 2016

New material to enhance battery life

Scientists at MSU have created a new cathode material for Li-ion batteries that can enhance charge rates drastically. The material demonstrated high charge/discharge rates while retaining over 75% of initial capacity, making it a promising contender for commercialized high-power cathode materials.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateFeb 20, 2016

New synthesis method developed at UEF opens up new possibilities for Li-ion batteries

Researchers at UEF have developed a new synthesis method for Li-ion batteries, which uses readily available materials, is safe to dispose of, and has significantly longer cycle lifetimes. The new method solves the low electric conductivity problem, promising applications in fast-charging electric buses and high-power hybrid vehicles.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds·DateFeb 17, 2016