Articles tagged with Composite Materials
Researchers have discovered that the mantis shrimp's dactyl club can filter out certain frequencies of shear waves, making it an effective material for body armor and athletic gear. The study aims to develop synthetic materials with similar filtering properties for various industries, including aerospace and automotive.
Scientists have developed a new type of sensor using a composite material that interacts with CO2 molecules, changing its conductivity depending on the concentration. The sensor can measure CO2 concentrations over a wide range without requiring high temperatures or energy.
Aerospace engineers at MIT have developed a carbon nanotube film that can heat and solidify composites without massive ovens, using only 1% of the energy. The technique has been tested on common carbon-fiber materials and found to produce composites with similar properties as traditionally manufactured materials.
Researchers at Durham University and the University of São Paulo discovered a correlation between single-walled carbon nanotube concentration and computational capability in composite materials. The emerging field of 'evolution-in-materio' uses natural evolution principles to train materials to mimic electronic circuits.
Researchers have created a textured rubber material that provides better traction on ice, offering a potential solution for slip-resistant winter boots. The material, made of glass fibers embedded in a compliant rubber, was developed to reduce incidents of pedestrian slips and falls on icy surfaces.
Rice researchers Rouzbeh Shahsavari and Navid Sakhavand have created universal maps that predict the properties of natural and biomimetic platelet-matrix composites. The maps are dimensionless and can be applied to materials built with nanoscale blocks as well as brick walls, or bigger.
Scientists have developed a new storage principle and material that enables the reversible storage of 1.8 Li per formula unit, increasing lithium storage density by up to 420 mAh/g. The new system allows for high packing densities and stable operation, making it suitable for energy supply of devices with high power requirements.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new glass ionomer cement for tooth fillings that is mercury-free and offers improved durability. The material has good biological properties and releases fluoride to prevent cavities, making it a promising alternative to existing composite filling materials.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a novel method to control the electronic band gap in complex oxide materials without altering their composition. This can lead to better performance in electro-optical devices and new energy-generation materials.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have successfully controlled a material's structure to generate both magnetisation and electrical polarisation, two contradictory properties. This breakthrough has significant implications for low-energy information technology applications, such as efficient information storage and logic devices.
Researchers develop new hydrogel with electrostatic repulsion properties, inspired by articular cartilage and maglev trains. The material easily deforms under shear forces but resists compressive forces.
Researchers developed a 'virtual lab' to study nanocomposites, allowing for prediction of material properties based on chemical composition and processing conditions. The simulations revealed how polymers and clay particles interact, enabling the development of improved composite materials.
Yuliya Gorb received a $420,000 NSF CAREER Award for her research on complex composite materials and an after-school program for high school girls. The award aims to promote STEM education and careers in mathematics, science, and engineering.
The team developed a method to controllably construct precise inter-nanotube junctions, allowing the physical properties of nanotube networks to be tailored. This enables applications in electronic devices and CNT-reinforced composite materials found in cars and sports equipment.
Researchers have developed the thinnest-possible semiconductor junctions, made in sheets only three atoms thick, allowing for flexible and transparent computing, LEDs, and solar technologies. The discovery enables new kinds of transistors, LEDs, nanolasers, and solar cells to be developed within a single atomic plane.
A team of astronomers has created new maps of the interstellar medium in the Milky Way, revealing clues about the composition and distribution of mysterious complex molecules. The findings could provide insights into how stars form and the conditions that lead to their creation.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to study bonding failures in materials, revealing the crucial role of moisture in setting the stage for failure. The findings could lead to the design of more durable composites and prediction of their strength under specific conditions.
Researchers developed cellular composite materials with unprecedented light weight and stiffness using epoxy-based resins and 3D printing techniques. The materials mimic balsa wood's mechanical properties and offer improved performance over commercial 3D-printed polymers and polymer composites.
Researchers have made breakthroughs in developing flexible and stretchable electronic materials that can conform to non-planar surfaces without wrinkling. These materials have potential applications in energy harvesting, biomedical devices, wearable electronics, and consumer electronics.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have developed a new Germanium-based photo initiator that hardens dental fillings faster. This innovation increases the hardening depth from 2 mm to 4 mm, making dental treatment more efficient.
Researchers at the Beckman Institute developed a vascular network system that heals fiber-reinforced composites autonomously through polymerization of healing chemistries. This technology overcomes long-standing challenges in composite materials, enabling repeated self-healing and increasing structural reliability.
Researchers have developed degradable polymer composite materials suitable for electronic components and a degradable antenna capable of data transmission. The technology, called transient electronics, allows for devices to self-destruct or degrade over time, eliminating the need for permanent storage or disposal.
Researchers have created a new ceramic material that can harness energy from visible and infrared light, not just ultraviolet light. The material has shown significant improvement over today's classic ferroelectric material, absorbing six times more energy and transferring a photocurrent 50 times denser.
Researchers develop composite material that can change shape in response to temperature, enabling applications such as dynamic scaffolds and implantable materials. The material's reversible properties make it suitable for biomedical applications where shape changes need to be repeated.
Researchers have developed a novel aluminum hybrid with enhanced impact resistance, mimicking the strength of pomelo fruit peels. The composite exhibits superior tensile strength and ductility, making it suitable for safety materials in various industries.
A new study demonstrates that electrical resistivity in composite materials follows a staircase-like pattern with increasing conducting particle concentration. The findings, published in European Physical Journal B, use percolation theory to explain the discrete series of resistances observed.
Researchers have discovered a new class of bulk metallic glasses that exhibit enhanced fatigue endurance, thanks to a unique staircase-like fracture mechanism. This breakthrough paves the way for widespread adoption in industries such as smartphones, biomedical implants and aerospace engineering.
Researchers at MIT's Plasma Science and Fusion Center have developed a novel diagnostic instrument that can remotely map the composition of material surfaces inside a magnetic fusion device. This new approach promises to provide scientists with insights into the dynamic interaction between fusing plasma and its surrounding materials.
Researchers at CU-Boulder have developed a method for 4D printing, creating composite materials that can change shape in response to temperature or other stimuli. The technology has potential applications in manufacturing, biomedical devices, and more.
Researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have created a method for combining different types of nanoparticles to produce large-scale composite materials. By using DNA-based assembly methods, they can control and optimize the properties of newly formed materials.
Researchers at Rice University have created a polymer material infused with graphene nanoribbons that can contain pressurized gases for extended periods. The material has potential applications in the automotive industry, food packaging, and beverage containers.
Researchers from NC State University have developed a theoretical model that can predict the grain size of nanomaterial alloys at elevated temperatures. The model allows for targeted alloy design without trial-and-error, enabling the development of temperature-stable nano-alloys.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created a new class of materials that change their electronic properties when exposed to light. The composite material combines gold nanorods and zinc oxide, leading to improved performance in solar cells and potential applications for sensitive sensors.
Researchers have developed a nanobiocomposite material by combining the natural properties of Morpho butterfly wings with carbon nanotubes, showing promise for wearable electronic devices and sustainable energy applications. The new hybrid material exhibits high electrical conductivity and self-cleaning capabilities.
Researchers have unraveled the secrets of mussels' clinginess, discovering that their byssus threads can withstand impact forces nine times greater than stretching in one direction. The unique distribution of stiffness along the threads enables them to absorb nutrients while minimizing damage from waves.
Scientists have found that the thickness of sub-surface layers affects frictional forces between two materials, allowing for new ways to control friction. By carefully designing layer structures, friction can be reduced by up to 30%.
Physicists at U-M create topological insulators by doping bismuth telluride with thallium, enabling control over electrical conductivity and unique surface properties. The new approach reveals the properties of the surface states, opening doors to applications in quantum computing and Majorana fermions.
Researchers at MIT have identified a hidden reservoir of lead-laden rocks in the Earth's mantle, which would make the planet's composition more similar to meteorites. This discovery could help explain the Earth's origins and provide insights into its evolution through history.
Nikhil Gupta, a NYU-poly professor, has been recognized with the ASM International Silver Medal for his work on lightweight composites. His research on polymer-based composite materials and metal-based blast armor has significant applications in reducing fuel consumption and improving safety.
Researchers at MIT develop approach to print synthetic materials with fracture behavior similar to natural bone, using computer-optimized designs and 3-D printing. The new material exhibits a fracture resistance of up to 22 times larger than its strongest constituent material.
A University of Texas at Arlington aerospace engineer is developing diagnostic and predictive tools to aid aircraft manufacturers in analyzing composite structures. The work integrates design and manufacturing processes to advance the performance of composite materials, improving safety, speed, and reliability.
The University of Nebraska-Lincoln materials engineers developed exceptionally thin polyacrilonitrile nanofibers that are both strong and tough. This breakthrough could lead to lighter, safer products in various fields, including aerospace and body armor.
Scientists have created a composite material that can bend and twist in response to external stimuli like temperature or moisture. This programmable plasticity enables the material to take on various shapes, making it suitable for applications such as self-shaping ceramic parts and biodegradable implants.
The Visio.M project aims to develop a safe and efficient electric vehicle with a lightweight carbon fiber body structure. The design incorporates innovative materials and technologies, such as a monocoque chassis and ultra-lightweight gears, while maintaining the highest level of safety protection.
Using metamaterials, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a theory for creating materials where electrons have nearly zero effective mass. This concept could lead to faster circuits with unique properties. The team's idea was inspired by the similarities between electromagnetic waves and quantum mechanics, and t...
Researchers have successfully formed graphene into useful three-dimensional structures by mirroring the structure of cork, enabling record-breaking strength and elasticity. The breakthrough, published in Nature Communications, has opened up new avenues for investigations of graphene's potential applications.
Scientists have created a novel concept for self-reporting materials that utilize zinc oxide tetrapod crystals to detect internal damages in composite materials. The resulting composite material exhibits improved strength and emits light when exposed to UV light, providing a visual warning of potential failure.
Researchers have found that graphene membranes contain tiny pores, allowing small molecules to pass through while blocking larger ones. This discovery opens up new possibilities for creating membranes that can filter microscopic contaminants from water or separate specific types of molecules from biological samples.
Scientists from NC State University have developed a method to align carbon nanotubes in composite materials, resulting in significantly improved tensile strength, stiffness, and thermal conductivity. The new technique enables the creation of ultrastrong and multifunctional composites suitable for aerospace and sports applications.
Researchers aim to improve laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique for detecting trace amounts of substances of interest to Homeland Security. The project seeks to develop a more sensitive emission process, enabling analysis at a distance with greater accuracy.
Researchers warn of CNTs' potential harm to environment and human health due to toxicity in aquatic organisms like mussels, worms, and crustaceans. The study calls for proper waste management and monitoring to minimize risks associated with composite materials manufacturing.
Researchers at the University of Exeter have developed a new method for making three-dimensional aluminium composite parts using Selective Laser Manufacturing (SLM). This process produces strong, lightweight parts with innovative geometries, reducing weight and material usage.
Researchers at Sandia National Laboratories have developed a new approach to creating multilayered, ceramic-based microelectronics circuits that can maintain stability in resonant frequency despite temperature fluctuations. This technology has the potential to improve the performance of cell phones and reduce costs by eliminating unnec...
Researchers at Georgia Tech develop Nano-photonic Composite Scintillation Detector to enhance radiation detection effectiveness and reduce cost. The detector combines rare-earth elements with nanotechnology techniques for improved sensitivity, accuracy, and robustness.
Scientists developed a new fabric coating that repels water, acids, bases, and organic solvents, outperforming existing stain-resistant technologies. The coating remained intact after multiple wash cycles, showcasing its durability.
Researchers at the Public University of Navarre have designed and manufactured composite PVC materials with enhanced thermal stability based on nanofillings. These materials can improve photostability, thermal resistance, and gas permeation properties.
Researchers at NYU-Poly and REL, Inc. are developing a next-generation aluminum composite brake rotor with triple the life expectancy of traditional cast iron rotors. The new rotor is expected to weigh 60% less and improve fuel efficiency by shaving approximately 30 pounds from a mid-size sedan.
Researchers developed an infrared-based method to measure material temperatures in the presence of flames, providing a clear picture of thermal behavior. This technique has applications in the aeronautical industry and can be applied in other sectors where fire resistance is crucial.
Researchers at MIT have created an analogy between the physical structure of spider silk and the sonic structure of a melody, showing that the structure of each relates to its function in an equivalent way. The study reveals that structural patterns are directly related to functional properties such as lightweight strength and sonic te...
The U.S. Department of Energy will fund two cutting-edge projects to replace rare-earth materials in magnets for wind turbines and electric vehicles. Researchers aim to develop new high-strength permanent magnets using cerium and manganese, reducing dependence on critical materials like rare earths.