Articles tagged with Composite Materials
Carbon nanotubes have been used to increase the electrical conductivity of silicon nitride by 13 orders of magnitude, enabling the production of intricate micro-components without compromising production time or integrity. The resulting nanocomposite materials offer improved wear resistance and preservation of mechanical properties.
Scientists have developed a material that exhibits physical properties similar to graphene, including superconductivity and magnetic behavior. The discovery was made by combining ultra-high magnetic fields with the unique composition of SrMnBi2, which allows for easy doping with foreign atoms.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new form of graphene that resists aggregation, thanks to its crumpled shape. The material retains its surface area and remains pure, making it more useful for applications requiring large amounts of the material.
Automakers are embracing carbon fiber composites to reduce weight and improve mileage in electric and hybrid vehicles. The material is 50% lighter than steel and 30% lighter than aluminum, despite concerns about high cost.
Researchers have developed a new wind turbine blade material that is lighter, tougher, and more durable than current materials. The polyurethane reinforced with carbon nanotubes outperforms existing resins for wind blades applications.
Researchers developed a liquid composite material that can restore damaged soft tissue relatively safely and durably. The material, composed of biological and synthetic molecules, was tested in rats and humans, showing promise in facial reconstruction, particularly for soldiers' blast injuries.
Berkeley Lab researchers have created a graphene and tin nanoscale composite material for high-capacity energy storage. The new material, dubbed a 'sandwich' structure, bolsters battery performance and enables quick charging and repeated cycling without degradation.
Researchers at University of Illinois developed vascularized structural composites that are lightweight, strong and multifunctional. They achieved this by circulating fluids through tiny channels, creating materials that can regulate temperature, chemistry, conductivity and electromagnetism.
The new composites have a co-continuous structure, allowing for the combination of materials with different properties. This results in materials that are stiff, strong and tough, as well as damage-tolerant even when subjected to multiple cracks.
Electrical engineers at Duke University have created a unique metamaterial that theoretically enables efficient wireless power transmission to small and large devices. The material refocuses energy transmitted between devices, reducing power loss and enabling longer-distance energy transfer.
Researchers have developed a new technique for analyzing the local chemical composition and structure of nanoscale materials. The nano-FTIR instrument uses thermal radiation to focus light onto a sample, allowing for high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy of single nanoparticles or devices.
Researchers at MIT have devised a new method to detect internal damage in airplane composite materials, allowing for faster inspection. The approach uses a handheld device and heat-sensitive camera to reveal underlying problems.
Researchers at Rice University have created a synthetic material that gets stronger from repeated stress much like the body strengthens bones and muscles after repeated workouts. The team found that dynamic stress is necessary to improve the stiffness of the composite, unlike static loads.
Researchers create a new model of how self-repairing materials function, revealing that an ideal amount of weak bonds can make a material stronger and more resilient. The findings are corroborated by nature's example of the abalone shell, which absorbs stress through stretching and sliding.
Researchers have developed a new measurement technology to investigate the structure of composite and biological materials, providing microscopic insights into polymeric networks. The rheometer and confocal microscope system enabled visualization of fluorescently labeled actin networks and filming of polymer filaments' movement in 3-D ...
Dr. Chin-Teh Sun has made significant contributions to the fundamental understanding of impact damage and composite structure failure. He is being honored with the AIAA Chichlow Prize for his groundbreaking research on damage-tolerant design in aerospace materials.
Researchers have discovered a versatile method for creating atom-thin nanosheets from various materials, which could enable novel electronic and energy storage technologies. These nanosheets have the potential to generate electricity from waste heat and improve efficiency in thermoelectric devices.
Scientists at Northwestern University have developed new artificial composites inspired by nature's toughest material, nacre. The study reveals the secret to its remarkable properties and demonstrates how to replicate them in man-made materials.
Researchers create material with sections that independently respond to different temperature stimuli, enabling complex mechanical articulations. The development has numerous applications in industries such as shipping and food storage.
The ISIM structure passed extreme cryogenic temperature tests without cracking, with thermal contraction and distortion measured to be within the design requirement. The unique composite laminate and bonding technique used in its construction were successfully tested, ensuring the telescope's instruments remain in precise locations.
The Goddard team designed a one-of-a-kind structure made of never-before-manufactured composite material that withstood extreme cold temperatures. The structure survived temperatures as low as 27 Kelvin (-411 degrees Fahrenheit), exceeding design requirements.
Researchers at NIST have developed a technique using atomic force microscopy to study subsurface conditions in nanostructured composite materials. The method, which uses electrostatic forces, allows for the mapping of electric potential distribution and quantification of carbon nanotube concentrations.
Physicists at NYU have created colloidal dispersions with programmable particle interactions, offering opportunities for engineering smart composite particles and new functional materials. The 'lock and key' mechanism allows specific particles to join together based on shape, marking a next step in understanding self-assembly processes.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab have developed a method to design nanocomposites with desired properties, using a mix-and-match approach to combine materials on the nanoscale. This process enables new possibilities for electronic and energy technologies, including improved battery electrodes, photovoltaics, and electronic data storage.
Scientists from the University of Manchester and Leeds have developed a method to combine calcite crystals with polystyrene particles, resulting in a more ductile and tough material. This technique has the potential to be used in crack-resistant building materials and bone replacements.
The 2009 AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize was awarded to Christian Marois and colleagues for their direct imaging of multiple planets orbiting HR 8799, a distant star. The discovery, made using the Keck and Gemini North telescopes, reveals a system resembling our solar system's outer portion.
Scientists at Imperial College London are developing a composite material that can store and discharge electrical energy, making it ideal for use in hybrid vehicles. The material could reduce the number of batteries needed, leading to a 15% reduction in car weight and improved range.
A team of researchers has developed a new method to produce bioglass nanofibers, which can be used to regenerate bone tissue. The laser spinning technique allows for the production of flexible and continuous nanofibers with a nanometric structure, enabling the proliferation and spread of bone cells.
The University of Washington's Automobili Lamborghini Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory focuses on short-term industry-driven testing of new materials in real-world scenarios like bird strikes, lightning, and crashes. The lab aims to advance carbon fiber composite technologies for high-performance industries.
Using silk templates, researchers have created composite structures with unique properties. The bio-enabled approach mimics natural material growth processes, allowing precise control over particle size and spacing. The resulting films exhibit high tensile strength, elasticity, and toughness.
A new X-ray imaging technique has revealed unprecedented details of a painting hidden beneath another by famed American illustrator N.C. Wyeth. The confocal X-ray fluorescence microscope method is non-destructive and could reveal hidden images in hundreds of Old Master paintings.
A study by Prof. Herzl Chai and colleagues reveals that teeth's wavy hierarchy and micro-cracking mechanism can inspire stronger composites for planes and aerospace engineering. Dental specialists can also use the research to create smarter crowns with improved durability.
Dr. Xu's research aims to develop novel dental materials that release fluoride, inhibit bacterial growth, and promote bioactivity, potentially reducing secondary cavities and improving oral health outcomes. The project has the potential to impact high-risk populations, such as children, the elderly, and those with compromised oral health.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have created a non-toxic coating that resists barnacle buildup for up to 18 months, saving ship owners millions in cleaning and fuel costs. The unique wrinkled topography of the coating prevents barnacles from latching on, a finding that could significantly reduce drag and fuel consumption.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab and UC Berkeley have created a nanostructured silicon 'carpet cloak' that conceals objects from view, demonstrating invisibility in two dimensions. The all-dielectric material is easy to fabricate and scalable, paving the way for potential applications in microscopes and computers.
Six Arizona State University faculty members have earned NSF Career awards for their groundbreaking research projects. Junseok Chae is developing protein-based biosensors, while Yi Chen aims to unlock the Internet's hidden data reservoir. Hanqing Jiang seeks to harness carbon nanotubes for practical applications.
Researchers create 'composite doublers' that take stress from joints and allow it to pass through without stressing the structure, extending its lifespan. The technology also serves as a warning system for inspectors and road workers when it begins to wear out.
Raphael Haftka and C.T. Sun will receive the AIAA-ASC James H. Starnes, Jr. Award for their pioneering work on optimization techniques for composite structures and mentoring of students. The award acknowledges their significant contributions to structural mechanics over an extended period.
MIT researchers create nanostitching to reinforce aerospace materials, resulting in 10 times stronger skins and over a million times more conductive properties. Carbon nanotubes are used to stitch together materials, improving bulk multifunctional properties with minimal cost increase.
Scientists at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center have developed a novel method for creating massive telescope mirrors on the Moon, utilizing carbon nanotubes and lunar dust. The technique enables the production of highly reflective mirrors with minimal effort and cost, paving the way for giant telescopes up to 50 meters in diameter.
The discovery of the precise peeling force of nanotubes could lead to the creation of new composite materials, medical devices and industrial applications. Researchers used atomic force microscopy to measure the forces and found that the nanotubes lift off unevenly due to van der Waals forces.
Researchers at Shenyang National Laboratory for Materials Science developed a new material using carbon nanotubes to prevent lithium batteries from losing charge capacity over time. The new material achieved a discharge capacity of 727 milliamp hours per gram after twenty cycles, outperforming traditional sugar-coated silicon particles.
Researchers found that Bonelike-coated dental implants promoted extensive new bone formation and attachment, improving incorporation into the jaw. One implant was removed due to poor positioning, allowing for detailed analysis of the coating's effects.
CSIRO welcomes Boeing's establishment of Phantom Works, a branch of its advanced research organization, to foster innovation and growth. The partnership aims to develop breakthrough technologies in aerospace solutions, including lightweight composite materials and intelligent vehicle health monitoring.
Scientists find unusual electronic characteristics in lower mantle material, leading to slower sound wave propagation. This discovery challenges traditional techniques for understanding the region and may require re-evaluation of seismic data.
Engineers Dr. Colin P. Ratcliffe and Dr. Roger M. Crane developed SIDER, a nondestructive testing method for detecting flaws in composite materials. The method involves tapping the material with a specialized 'hammer' and recording data from mechanical vibrations.
Trinity College researchers have developed a technique to grow grid patterns of nanotube arrays, which can be used to strengthen polymer composites. This innovation is expected to lead to the incorporation of carbon nanotubes in various applications such as flat panel displays and flexible electronic devices.
A new fabrication technique using soft lithography has enabled the mass production of plasmonic metamaterials, which exhibit exceptional optical properties due to their unique structure. The technique allows for scalable manufacturing and can produce materials with high-quality transmission behavior, focusing light in microscale patches.
University of Michigan researchers developed a composite plastic that's as strong as steel but lighter and transparent by mimicking the molecular structure found in seashells. The new material consists of layers of clay nanosheets and a water-soluble polymer, achieving ideal transfer of stress between nanosheets and a polymer matrix.
The new Standard Reference Material (SRM) 955c provides a more effective tool for detecting lead poisoning, particularly in children. With its improved accuracy and expanded uncertainty, SRM 955c enables the development of next-generation clinical methods to accurately measure blood lead levels.
Purdue University engineers have developed a structural health monitoring system to detect flaws in new composite military missiles. The system uses triaxial accelerometers to pinpoint impact locations and severity, improving durability and performance.
A University of Wisconsin-Madison scientist has proven that composite materials can be stable even if one component is unstable, allowing for a wider range of properties and improved overall performance. This breakthrough could lead to materials with virtually limitless performance capabilities.
Researchers analyzed dust fragments from Comet Wild-2 to gain insights into the early Solar System's formation. The study found diverse mineral compositions in the comet dust, indicating extensive mixing before planet formation, and evidence of surprising variety in cometary composition.
Researchers have developed a breathable protective garment material that blocks toxic vapors while allowing water vapor to pass through, maintaining personal comfort and safety. The material is lightweight and selectively rejects chemical agents, making it an ideal solution for military personnel and emergency services.
Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a method to detect defects in composite materials using a network of carbon nanotubes. The discovery has significant implications for predicting the lifespan of composite materials and ensuring their safety in various applications, including commercial airliners.
Montana State University has developed a massive database of wind turbine material tests, spanning over 17 years and involving 150 different composite materials. The MSU/DOE Fatigue Database for Composite Materials is now one of the world's largest open-access libraries on wind energy research.
The study reveals that externally applied force influences the dispersion and orientation of carbon nanotubes in composites. The researchers mapped out a phase diagram to estimate the resulting order and achieved desirable properties.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a process to create graphene-based composite materials with exceptional properties. The method involves exfoliating graphite into individual layers, which can be mixed into polymers, glasses, and ceramics.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University developed a new vascular graft material combining polydioxanone and elastin fibers, ideal for strength and tissue regeneration. The material undergoes slow degradation, causing few adverse reactions and promoting cell recognition and interaction with the body.
Researchers have developed a triple threat polymer that can capture and release fragrance molecules, demonstrating unique properties. The material's complex surface structure allows it to act as a host for guest molecules, enabling controlled release.