Articles tagged with Fibers
Scientists have created a new type of stretchable neural implant that can be used to study spinal cord neurons and potentially restore function. The fibers, developed by MIT researchers, can flex and stretch while delivering both optical and electrical impulses.
The new composite fibers, developed in collaboration with NASA, have strong interlocking connections that make them less prone to cracking and seal the material to prevent oxygen from changing its chemical composition. The fibers are also resistant to high temperatures and can make entire turbo engines significantly lighter.
Harvard researchers developed a portable, handheld device to fabricate nanofibers with precise control over fiber orientation. The pull spinning method uses only one processing parameter to regulate nanofiber diameter, making it easy to use and flexible.
Scientists at Hokkaido University have created 'fiber-reinforced soft composites' that combine the flexibility of hydrogels with the strength of glass fibers. These materials are 5 times tougher than carbon steel, making them suitable for various applications such as artificial ligaments and tendons.
Researchers have developed a single flexible fiber that can deliver optical, electrical, and chemical signals to the brain, enabling precise recordings of neuronal activity. This breakthrough could provide a significantly more accurate understanding of brain function and interconnections.
Researchers have discovered a unique type of spider silk that can lift weights with high efficiency and speed. The silk fibers are actuated by water droplets, exhibiting shrink-stretch behavior similar to muscle performance.
Researchers at EPFL developed a simple technique for drawing nanometric patterns on hollow polymer fibers, overcoming previous limitations. The new method can create highly complex designs with feature sizes two orders of magnitude smaller than before, paving the way for various applications in biology, materials science, and beyond.
A team of researchers from Northwestern University studied the exoskeleton of the Cotinis mutabilis beetle using nanomechanics. They discovered unique fibers with higher density along the length than transverse, leading to improved mechanical properties and inspiring new artificial materials.
Researchers developed antibacterial agents using usnic acid-loaded electrospun fibers, which showed controlled release and mass production of active surface. The fibers demonstrated effective bactericidal activity against different bacteria, making them a promising secondary therapy for diabetic wound healing treatment.
Researchers developed electrospun fibers loaded with usnic acid, a strong lichen metabolite, to combat bacterial infections. The fibers show controlled release properties and mass production potential for antibacterial materials.
MIT researchers create a new system for producing artificial muscle fibers that contract and expand like natural muscles, using ordinary nylon fiber. The approach harnesses the bending motions of nylon fibers by selectively heating one side to produce complex patterns of movement.
Researchers have developed a method to create glass fibers with single-crystal silicon-germanium cores using laser recrystallization. This process enables the creation of functional materials for faster transistors and expands the capabilities of endoscopes.
Rice University scientists found polymer chains in common carbon fibers can misalign during manufacture, weakening the product. They suggest ways to improve the fiber's strength, including starting with graphene nanoribbons.
Harvard researchers have developed a new technique to produce tunable nanofibers, which could lead to stronger, more durable bulletproof vests and more robust cellular scaffolding for tissue repair. The method uses immersion Rotary Jet-Spinning (iRJS) to create fibers with controlled diameter and morphology.
Iowa State researchers developed a method to design and fabricate microfibers that support cell growth, which could be used to reconnect nerves and regenerate damaged tissues. The fibers are flexible, biocompatible, and biodegradable, and have been shown to promote neural stem cell survival, differentiation, and proliferation.
New research from Purdue University suggests that soluble corn fiber can help young women build bone and retain calcium during adolescence, while also preserving bone health in older women post-menopause. The studies found improved bone calcium retention and absorption by 4.8% to 7%.
A new carbon-based membrane demonstrates a potentially disruptive technology in separating xylenes and similar organic compounds. The membrane uses an 'organic solvent reverse osmosis' process, reducing the energy required by conventional separation processes.
Researchers at MIT have developed a method to reinforce composite materials using carbon nanotubes, resulting in substantially stronger and more resistant materials. The stitched composites were found to be 30% stronger and withstood greater forces before breaking than existing composite materials.
The study discovered that microstructure has a significant effect on suspension behavior under compression, with cellulose fibers showing more uniform solid fraction than nylon fibers. The two-phase model predicts the evolution of solid fraction and its relation to fiber and fluid phases.
Scientists found that the range of frequencies produced by vocal cords depends on their stretchiness and stiffness. This discovery has implications for treating damaged vocal cords and improving singing techniques. The researchers used data from 16 species, including humans, to develop a model that explains how the cord's properties af...
A new study from RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Science reveals that amino acid sequences are key determinants of silk fiber material properties. The research sheds light on the unique properties of silkworm silks, including their mechanical and thermal behavior.
Researchers at Kyoto University have observed artificial nanofibers sorting themselves into organized structures under artificial conditions, a phenomenon similar to that seen in living cells. This achievement elucidates the mechanism of self-sorting and has potential applications in developing intelligent biomimics.
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.
Researchers at Aarhus University are investigating the effects of increased incubation temperature on chicken growth and welfare. The study aims to improve animal welfare by reducing leg problems and increasing growth rates, ultimately leading to a more efficient production process.
Researchers developed a novel method to print composite materials using ultrasonic waves, enabling the creation of complex fibrous architectures. The technology can be easily integrated into existing 3D printers, offering tailored material properties and potential applications in smart materials.
Researchers have developed a hybrid material that can change shape in response to different stimuli, such as light and heat. The material combines photo-responsive fibers with thermo-responsive gels to create a composite that is both highly reconfigurable and mechanically strong.
Researchers have developed innovative, eco-friendly polyethylene fibers from natural fats like olive oil and peanut oil. These ultra-strong fibers can stop speeding bullets, serve as sails, ropes, and surgical sutures while minimizing environmental harm.
Researchers at Linköping University have developed power paper, a three-dimensional organic mixed ion-electron conductor that stores energy. The material has outstanding ability to store energy, can be recharged hundreds of times, and is produced from simple materials like renewable cellulose and an easily available polymer.
The new technology uses magnetic fields to shape composite materials into patient-specific products, resulting in stronger and lighter devices. The approach enables the creation of customized catheters for premature newborns, addressing a significant need in neonatal care.
Researchers find overexploitation of resources by adaptable predators can cause long-term negative effects on food webs. The change in prey can trigger an extinction cascade where species are wiped out in a domino effect.
A new method developed by Empa researchers could lead to the production of biodegradable motorcycle helmets made from carrot waste fibers. The 'MPAS' approach assesses market potential and ecological impact, identifying six possible customer segments for the Scottish manufacturer Cellucomp.
The new fibers have a unique structure that allows for reversible stretching without increasing electrical resistance. They enable the creation of artificial muscles, capacitors, and strain sensors with improved performance and durability.
Researchers develop a new method to create highly stretchable conductors by aligning carbon nanotubes with rubber cores, resulting in an impressive 1000% stretch-to-conductivity ratio. This innovation has significant implications for future medical devices, optical elements, and robotics.
Researchers say Americans fall short of recommended daily fiber intake, and choosing a variety of natural and added fibers can increase health benefits. A mix of fiber sources, including plant-based options and those with added fiber, is key to achieving optimal results.
Researchers study the behavior of liquids trapped between two parallel fibers, discovering that spreading is controlled by three key parameters: liquid amount, fiber orientation, and distance between them. This insight could lead to cheaper materials with better insulation properties.
Montreal researchers have created a polymer fibre with remarkable strength and elasticity, similar to spider silk. The fibre is made using a unique manufacturing process that mimics the natural structure of spider silk, making it suitable for various applications such as aircraft engine casings, surgical devices, and bulletproof clothing.
Scientists have successfully produced samples of strong and resilient synthetic silk with properties tailored for biomedical applications. The new material is created by genetically modifying bacteria to produce spider-like proteins, which are then extruded through microfluidic channels to form fibers.
Researchers found that actin fibers run throughout the cell, forming a network of 'roadways' for material transport. The study's findings could help engineer better cotton fibers, improve plant defense against insects, and alter plant architecture.
The US Army Research Laboratory is designing new polymers with enhanced ballistic capabilities to protect soldiers from emerging threats. By modeling polymer chemistry, microstructure, and energy absorption, researchers aim to create ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes for optimal performance at high strain rates.
Researchers found elevated levels of malignant mesothelioma cases in southern Nevada counties due to environmental exposure to carcinogenic mineral fibers. The incidence is higher in locations with known industrial exposure, with a male-to-female ratio of 2:1 in affected counties.
Researchers studied the 'garden centre spider' to understand how it spins ultra-fine filaments. The spider uses electrically charged threads to create 'catching wool', which is made of thousands of nano-scale filaments that are combed out and charged.
Researchers created novel, self-assembling nanoscale proteins capable of binding small molecules, resulting in fibers that crossed the diameter barrier to the microscale. This breakthrough advances tissue engineering and drug delivery, enabling potential applications for dual-purpose scaffolds and efficient drug delivery.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully created strong conductive carbon threads using single-walled carbon nanotubes. By infusing the nanotubes with potassium and employing cage-like crown ethers, they were able to align the tubes and create a gel that could be extruded into fibers.
Researchers at the University of Washington have discovered a potential solution for delivering anti-HIV drugs in a fast-acting, dissolvable fabric. The fiber material can hold up to 10 times the concentration of medicine as current topical gels, releasing higher doses in just six minutes.
Researchers have developed a microfluidic technique to fabricate molecular sieving membranes inside hollow polymer fibers, offering a potential solution to large-scale energy-intensive chemical separations. The new process could cut costs and reduce carbon dioxide emissions in industries such as petrochemicals.
A new method of making super tough fibers could be achieved by adding a slip knot to absorb additional energy, increasing its toughness from 44 to 1070 Joules per gram. The new approach allows ordinary polymers to reach unprecedented levels of resistance.
Researchers discovered that Darwin's finches will weave insecticide-treated cotton into their nests, keeping them parasite-free. The treatment proved effective in reducing mortality rates among young finches, making it a promising tool for bird conservation on the Galápagos Islands.
Researchers at MIT have successfully designed and created living materials that incorporate non-living components, such as gold nanoparticles and quantum dots. These hybrid materials exhibit unique properties, including the ability to conduct electricity and emit light, making them suitable for various energy applications.
Engineers at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have developed novel optical fibers that can transmit high-quality images, rivaling those of current commercial endoscopy imaging fibers. The fibers utilize a unique architecture that traps multiple beams of light, resulting in improved resolution and contrast.
Researchers have created artificial muscles that generate far more force and power than human muscles of the same size, using fibres from fishing lines and sewing threads. These inexpensive muscles can quickly lift weights up to 100 times heavier than humans can, with applications in medical devices, humanoid robots, and prosthetic limbs.
Carbon nanotube-based fibers have been shown to carry electrical current up to four times that of copper wires of the same mass. The fibers' ability to transmit current makes them ideal for lightweight power transmission in aerospace applications, where weight is a significant factor.
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 Tel Aviv University have developed spring-like fibers to engineer cardiac tissue that can pump more like the real thing. The new fibers show improved elasticity and contraction force compared to straight fibers, holding promise for repairing damaged heart tissue.
A new study by Dr. Peter Kronenberg and Prof. Olivier Traxer found significant discrepancies between advertised and measured laser fiber diameters, with some fibers being up to double the thickness promoted. The study's findings highlight the importance of accurate technical specifications in urology surgery.
Physicist Eden Steven found that coating spider silk with carbon nanotubes creates a humidity sensor, strain sensor, actuator, and electrical wire. This sustainable material has potential to replace toxic elements in electronic devices.
Researchers develop a technique using fluorescent tetrapod quantum dots to measure polymer fiber tensile strength without altering its mechanical properties. The tQDs act as non-perturbing probes that provide detailed stress monitoring, enabling the creation of stronger and more durable materials.
Researchers at Rice University developed a new type of carbon fiber with unique properties, achieving '100% knot efficiency' where the fiber is equally likely to break anywhere along its length. The fibers were created by spinning large graphene oxide flakes into fibers, resulting in enhanced strength and flexibility.
A nanofiber sensor developed by researchers at KAIST can detect acetone levels associated with diabetes and toluene levels linked to lung cancer. The sensor offers a highly sensitive detection of these biomarkers, which is important for accurate diagnosis.
Researchers created a 'cytophilic' wound dressing material that attracts new cells needed for healing, mimicking the underside of scabs. In laboratory experiments, human cells attached quickly to the membrane, suggesting its potential in rapid wound healing.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology create a new type of paper that repels a wide variety of liquids, including water and oil, using the 'lotus effect'. The modified paper could be used as a foundation for inexpensive biomedical diagnostics and provide an improved packaging material that is recyclable and sustainable.