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Melting glasses from unmeltable compounds

Researchers at Friedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena have created a way to melt normally unmeltable metal-organic framework compounds, or MOFs, into glasses. This process enables the production of glass components for various industrial applications, including energy and environmental technology.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 29, 2021

Unbreakable glass inspired by seashells

McGill University scientists created a new glass and acrylic composite material mimicking nacre for exceptional strength and durability. The material is three times stronger and five times more fracture-resistant than regular glass, with potential applications in phone screens and other industries.

SourceMcGill University·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2021

Scientists explore method to produce composites with ‘shape memory’

Researchers investigated glass fiber-reinforced epoxy-based flat laminates with pultrusion, a fast and versatile composite manufacturing process. The study found significant promise for structural applications of these 'shape memory' composites in various industries.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalComposites Part A Applied Science and Manufacturing·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 14, 2021

Plastics aren’t what we think. New study finds they’re a tad rubbery, paving the way for better products

Researchers at the University of South Florida discovered that glassy polymers, or plastics, have a soft, rubbery layer on their surface that can be controlled. This breakthrough could lead to improved properties such as adhesion and scratch resistance in materials like automobile paint and cellphone screens.

SourceUniversity of South Florida·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 18, 2021

Heisenberg under the microscope

Researchers from the University of Vienna and TU Wien have successfully controlled a large glass sphere's motion at the quantum level using control engineering methods. The experiment, published in Nature, demonstrates the potential for combining quantum physics and control engineering to enable more precise experiments.

SourceUniversity of Vienna·JournalNature·DateJul 14, 2021

Condensing by turning toward the crowd

A new mechanism of condensation has been discovered in self-propelled particles, where they turn and move toward dense regions to accumulate. This finding challenges the traditional understanding of condensation, which relies on attractive forces between molecules.

SourcePrinceton University·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 20, 2021

Diversity and universality of jamming

The study reveals that random close packing of spheres exhibits common universal critical properties, despite the diversity of its details. The researchers showed that jammed states are marginally stable and can be described under a unified framework.

SourceOsaka University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 6, 2021

Against presbyopia

A team of researchers from UPV, UV, and AIKEN Foundation has created the first fully transparent trifocal corneal inlay that allows good eyesight for people with presbyopia at multiple distances. The inlay is designed to be compatible with laser refractive surgery and may offer an alternative to glasses or contact lenses.

SourceUniversitat Politècnica de València·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 26, 2021

Photoexpansion: Bio-based polyesters hard film

Researchers at Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology discover a phenomenon called photoexpansion in hard plastic films, which exhibits convex deformation under UV light due to cis isomerization. The study reveals the unique deformation mechanism of bio-based polycinnamate films, offering potential for precise control of ph...

SourceJapan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateApr 22, 2021

Glass injection molding

A team of researchers at the University of Freiburg has developed a process for injecting glass into molds, allowing for high-throughput production of transparent glass components. This new technology combines polymer and glass processing, enabling quick and cost-effective replacement of complex polymer structures with glass.

SourceUniversity of Freiburg·JournalScience·DateApr 9, 2021

Spreading the sound

Researchers developed a new theoretical model explaining the spread of vibrations in disordered materials, showing that sound waves lose coherence on shorter length scales. This discovery may lead to the design of heat- and shatter-resistant glass for smartphones and tablets.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateJan 15, 2021

Neither liquid nor solid

Researchers at the University of Konstanz have discovered a new state of matter called liquid glass, which exhibits complex behavior. The particles in liquid glass are able to move but not rotate, leading to local clusters that obstruct each other and prevent an ordered state from forming.

SourceUniversity of Konstanz·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 5, 2021

What lessons can medicine learn from Father Christmas?

Doctors suggest Father Christmas's skills can inform medical practice, such as taking breaks, staying hydrated, and empowering team members to raise concerns. They also emphasize the importance of teamwork, effective communication, and situational awareness in high-pressure situations like Christmas Eve deliveries.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ·DateDec 16, 2020

Surprises in 'active' aging

Physicists from the University of Göttingen used computer simulations to investigate aging in living glassy systems, finding that persistent particle activity drives aging. This discovery has potential consequences for biological processes such as wound-healing and cancer metastasis.

SourceUniversity of Göttingen·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateNov 18, 2020

Looking inside the glass

A team of researchers from The University of Tokyo used electron spectroscopy and computer simulations to study the internal atomic structure of aluminosilicate glass. They found intricate structures that have not yet been analyzed by scientists, including complex coordination networks among aluminum atoms within phase-separated regions.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateNov 16, 2020

High pressure is key for better optical fibers

Researchers from Hokkaido University and the US used computer simulations to show that high pressure can reduce light scattering in silica glass fibers by over 50%. This could enable longer distance data transmission without amplification, revolutionizing global communication.

SourceHokkaido University·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateOct 19, 2020

Glass blowing inspires new class of quantum sensors

A team of scientists, led by RMIT University, has developed a new class of quantum sensors using high-performance diamond particles embedded in conventional glass fibers. This breakthrough enables the creation of cheap quantum sensor networks for applications such as underwater monitoring and mining.

SourceRMIT University·JournalAPL Materials·DateAug 12, 2020