The new battery has an energy density of 24 Wh/kg, ten times higher than previous prototypes, and a stiffness of 25 GPa. This breakthrough paves the way for 'massless' energy storage in vehicles and consumer electronics.
A new recycling method for carbon fibre composites has been developed by researchers from the University of Sydney, maintaining 90% of their original strength. The process uses a two-phase approach, including pyrolysis and oxidation, to preserve the functionality of carbon fibres.
Researchers have developed a new type of photonic crystal fiber with a hybrid Kagome-tubular lattice structure, achieving ultralow loss and single-mode operation. The fiber's cladding design significantly reduces confinement loss and ensures robust single-mode performance.
Researchers have successfully measured back-reflection in cutting-edge hollow-core fibers, revealing a property that outperforms standard optical fibers. This discovery has the potential to improve internet performance and enhance various photonic applications.
Researchers at KAUST developed a high-precision 3D printing process to fabricate photonic crystal fibers with unprecedented ease and precision. This allows for the creation of small-scale optical devices capable of using photons for high-speed information processing, featuring tight space confinement of light.
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have identified a new, primary phase of blood vessel restructuring that begins immediately after an aneurysm forms. This immediate adaptation enables the vessel to better handle new loads and reduces the risk of rupture.
Researchers at Rice University developed a computational model to fine-tune carbon nanotube fiber properties for aerospace, automotive and medical applications. The study reveals that longer nanotubes and increased crosslinks can strengthen fibers by reducing friction.
The study maps cotton fiber quality to determine how in-field practices impact fiber growth, enabling growers to maximize profitability and reduce environmental impact. By combining data on yield, fiber quality, and sustainability metrics, producers can provide customers with information on the cotton they use.
Researchers at UMD developed a morphing nozzle to control fiber orientation during composite additive manufacturing, enabling the creation of materials with on-demand properties. This innovation could lead to new biomedical and defense applications for 3D printed fiber-filled composites.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a method to create 3D images of fiber orientation in composite materials, enabling accurate predictions of thermal conductivity. This innovation has far-reaching implications for designing high-performance materials and heat shields.
Scientists at Kyoto University have discovered a new method for producing artificial spider silk by combining acidification and liquid-liquid phase separation. This breakthrough could lead to the development of sustainable, high-strength fibers with potential applications in manufacturing.
A curved blade is proposed for a laser scalpel to expand its medical applications, being two times thinner than the current cylindrical option. The concept utilizes a photonic 'hook' formed by an amplitude or phase mask at the fiber end, enabling precise tissue manipulation and reduced bleeding.
Researchers from Kanazawa University create a new, high-performance carbon fiber material by chemically modifying Kraft lignin, reducing its weight while maintaining mechanical strength. The resulting composite exhibits almost 3-fold improvement in mechanical strength compared to unmodified Kraft lignin.
A recent study published in Risk Analysis suggests that Effective Fiber Mask Programs (EFMPs) can help communities balance economy and curb community spread. By using non-woven materials like cotton batting, the effectiveness of cloth masks can be improved by up to 90% against aerosol particles.
Scientists at the University of Jena have developed a novel material platform by integrating 2D materials with glass fibers, enabling novel applications in sensors and non-linear optics. The breakthrough allows for the direct growth of 2D materials on optical fibers, overcoming laborious transfer processes.
A team of scientists developed wearable LiFi based on electroluminescence-photodetection bifunctional fibers enabled by perovskite QDs. The fibers possess a narrowest luminescence spectrum and can simultaneously transmit and receive information.
Researchers at UQ and KTH discovered how plant cell walls balance rigidity with flexibility, thanks to a family of polymers called hemicelluloses. This breakthrough has wide applications in nutrition, medicine, agriculture and more.
A new study reveals that microfibers from synthetic clothing released during washing exceed the amount entering waterbodies, with approximately 176,500 metric tons released annually. The majority ends up on cropland, highlighting the need for emission prevention and reduced wastewater treatment.
A novel process for fabricating special optical fiber has been developed by Brazilian researcher Cristiano Cordeiro, simplifying the conventional method that requires costly equipment. The new process can be completed in under an hour and is significantly cheaper, enabling more researchers to produce their own optical fiber.
Researchers at Rice University have developed carbon nanotube fibers that are stronger than Kevlar and conductive like copper. The fibers have doubled in strength and conductivity every three years, a trend spanning nearly two decades.
Scientists develop versatile materials by mixing silk fabric with synthetic polymers, offering improved properties for human body tissues. The composites show hardness and stiffness compatible with bone, making them potentially more resilient yet comfortable than metal structures.
A new study by Texas A&M University researchers demonstrates the use of cellulose nanocrystals to uniformly coat carbon nanotubes on carbon-fiber composites, resulting in increased strength and resistance. This innovative method enables the design of stronger, more efficient composite materials from the nanoscale.
A team of researchers at the University of Johannesburg has developed a natural fibre-reinforced polymer hybrid nanocomposite material using plantain fibers and carbon nanotubes. The resulting composite exhibits improved tensile and flexural strength compared to epoxy resin alone.
A new study reveals fibre-catching devices can significantly reduce microplastic particles in wastewater, with some devices reducing fibres by up to 78%. The research suggests that designing garments to last longer and shedding less fibres is crucial for long-term environmental benefits.
Researchers at KIST developed a flame-retardant carbon fiber-reinforced composite material using plant-originated tannic acid. The new method allows for the recovery of over 99% of the composite material through dissolution in water, eliminating toxic substances generated during recycling.
Researchers characterized carp scales using X-ray imaging, revealing a toughening mechanism called adaptive reorientation. The study's findings may inspire the design of advanced synthetic materials.
Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology create unique micro-springs from natural polysaccharide fibers with self-assembling twisted microstructures. The sacran fiber behaves like a mechanical spring under humid conditions, enabling fast bending and stretching responses to changes in humidity.
Osaka University researchers have developed a new method to create nanocellulose films with multiple axes of alignment using liquid-phase 3D-patterning. This technology has the potential to lead to affordable and energy-efficient optical materials, including smartphone displays.
Researchers developed a method to create affordable and stronger car materials using graphene-reinforced carbon fibers. The process reduces production cost by up to 67% while increasing strength by 225%. This technology has the potential to improve safety and reduce costs in vehicle production.
Researchers have discovered that single molecular nanowires outperform bundles in transporting energy with minimal losses. Coherence, which enables delocalized energy movement across multiple molecules, is lost in bundled fibers due to strain, hindering efficient energy transfer.
A recent study used fiber optic cables to capture seismic signatures of the Rose Parade, capturing the vibrations of marching bands and floats. The technique, called distributed acoustic sensing (DAS), revealed distinct signals from the parade, including harmonic frequencies corresponding to even-stepping marching bands.
Researchers have developed a material that can desalinate water up to 40 times faster than other materials, using electrostatic forces to attract salt ions. The porous carbon fibers have high surface areas and electrical conductivity, making them suitable for applications such as batteries and cars.
Researchers at Shinshu University developed electrospun manuka honey nanofibrous wound dressings with antimicrobial properties. The composite mats demonstrated effectiveness against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial strains, promoting wound healing and tissue regeneration.
A six-millimetre-long cord fragment discovered in Abri du Maras, France, dates back to between 41,000-52,000 years ago and features a three-ply cord made from natural fibres. The discovery suggests that Neanderthals may have possessed advanced cognitive abilities, including mathematical concepts and basic numeracy skills.
Researchers successfully demonstrated high-capacity transmission of 172 terabit/s over 2040km using a standard outer diameter coupled-3-core optical fiber. This achievement more than doubles the current world record and paves the way for early adoption in backbone high-capacity transmission systems.
Researchers demonstrate the potential for using existing optical fibers as seismic sensors, providing high-resolution maps of shallow subsurface and validating a new technique. The approach has great potential for use in large earthquake-threatened cities with extensive networks of buried optical cables.
Scientists developed an OLED with bright 1.5 μm electroluminescence due to enhanced Er emission through compositing an organic phosphorescent iridium complex with a separated organic erbium complex molecule.
Researchers explore alternative materials to improve optical fiber's data transmission capabilities, as telecom demands grow. They discovered fluoride glass can transmit light over a wider range of wavelengths, but it is more expensive and brittle.
Researchers created an electrospun fiber blending protein and polymer, demonstrating gradual protein release. The study showcases the versatility of blended mats for biomedical applications like burn dressings, drug delivery, and tissue engineering.
A team at NIST has developed a tool to monitor changes in composite materials, allowing for the measurement of damage that occurs as they age. This technology enables early warning systems for structures like wind turbines and aerospace components.
Researchers at the Beckman Institute developed a technique to create chemically cross-linked carbon-nanotube-based fibers, significantly improving their electrical and mechanical properties. This breakthrough enables the creation of high-performance supercapacitors with potential applications in fields like aerospace.
Scientists at the University of Tsukuba have identified two key enzymes, Sulf1 and Sulf2, critical for the normal development of the corticospinal tract (CST) in mice. The CST is a group of neuronal fibers connecting each side of the brain to the opposite side of the spinal cord, essential for voluntary motor movements.
Researchers have developed a multi-layered nano-barrier that bonds with carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRPs) to eliminate moisture absorption and expansion issues. This innovation enables the creation of high-precision instrument structures for future space missions.
Researchers have developed unique polymer fibers with high tensile strength and toughness, making them suitable for industrial applications such as textiles, medical technology, and aerospace engineering.
A new device uses acoustic focusing to gather microplastics in water, promising a practical solution to the pollution problem. The device collects particles of different sizes and types with high efficiency, showing promise for future improvements.
Researchers developed graphene-integrated composites to improve strength and properties of fibre-reinforced composites. These materials can withstand extreme temperatures, humidity, and lightning strikes, making them suitable for aerospace and automotive industries.
Scientists are exploring the use of fiber optic cables as earthquake sensors due to their potential for accurate seismic data collection. Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) technology uses internal flaws in fibers to detect changes in temperature, strain, or vibrations caused by seismic waves.
Researchers at VTT created an optical fibre from cellulose, suitable for measuring moisture levels in buildings. The cellulose-based fibre absorbs and releases water, allowing for accurate measurements.
The University of Texas at Arlington is conducting pioneering research on concrete pipes reinforced with synthetic fibers to test their strength and durability. The project aims to develop longer-lasting pipes that can last for over 100 years, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
The researchers developed a method to print silica optical fibers using additive manufacturing, eliminating the need for precise core centering. This allows for the creation of complex fiber designs and applications, such as fiber optic sensors, with reduced costs and improved longevity.
The 6-month study aboard the ISS will evaluate the ability of Lamborghini's carbon fiber materials to withstand extreme conditions, including temperature fluctuations, radiation exposure, and vacuum. The research aims to develop technologies and devices that could be used on Earth and in space.
Scientists have discovered a novel cooling method using twistocaloric yarns, which can cool materials by up to 4.7 degrees Celsius in a single cycle. This technology has the potential to replace traditional vapor-compression refrigeration systems with more energy-efficient and sustainable alternatives.
A team of researchers from the University of Oxford has discovered that silk's cryogenic toughness is due to its nano-scale fibrill structure. This finding has significant implications for the development of new materials and composites for extreme cold conditions such as space.
A new filter developed at the University of Exeter can degrade and dissolve plastic microfibres released during washing, which account for over a third of ocean microplastics. The smart filter catches microfibres and uses enzymes to break them down into safe compounds.
A Brazilian research group, supported by FAPESP, has developed a nanostructured titanium oxide material through electrospinning and atomic layer deposition. The material exhibits high surface area and reacts with UV light to degrade organic matter.
Researchers developed biomimetic hierarchical helical nanocomposite macrofibers with improved strength, elongation, and toughness. They used bacterial cellulose nanofibers and sodium alginate to create a new class of strong and tough nanocomposite fiber materials.
A team of seismologists from Caltech is tracking thousands of tiny aftershocks in the Ridgecrest region using a novel fiber optic network. This technique involves shooting light down unused fiber optic cables, which act as individual seismometers, allowing for unprecedented detail on the evolution of earthquake sequences.
Researchers at MIT develop fiber-based system that can contract and expand like a muscle, producing surprisingly strong pulling forces. The fibers can be manufactured in batches up to hundreds of meters long and are extremely lightweight and quick-responding.
A team of researchers successfully validated an optimized composite material structure created using additive manufacturing, resulting in a stiffer and stronger material. The structure features a curved deposition line pattern, which was found to be the most optimal for achieving maximum stiffness and strength.
Researchers at Kanazawa University found that electron beam irradiation improves the mechanical properties of short-carbon-fiber reinforced thermoplastics. The treatment strengthens and lengthens carbon fibers, reducing the negative effects of crosslinking and increasing recyclability.