Articles tagged with Material Properties
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that embryonic stem cell nuclei exhibit auxeticity, a property allowing them to 'sponge up' essential materials. This unusual behavior has potential applications in soundproofing, super-absorbent sponges and bulletproof vests.
INRS has secured a $10 million grant from the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI) to acquire cutting-edge biotech and nanophotonics equipment. The new laboratories will enable researchers to develop innovative materials and technologies, improving healthcare and information technology.
Researchers have developed a method to extract suberin from cork oak trees and re-make it into a waterproof, antibacterial plastic-like material. The material's biocompatibility makes it suitable for clinical usage, including potential applications in medical devices.
Researchers induce a bodily illusion where participants' hands feel stiffer and heavier, showing the brain can quickly update its perception of body material. This study reveals multisensory integration can alter perceived body properties, which may help explain how tools and prostheses integrate into our body schemas.
Researchers develop efficient method to study ring polymers, finding they behave differently from linear polymers due to lack of free ends. The method significantly reduces analysis time, revealing these materials are more fragile than expected.
Scientists from ETH Zurich have synthesized uniform antimony nanocrystals, which can store both lithium and sodium ions, making them prime candidates for anode materials in both lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries. The researchers found that the optimal size-performance relationship of these nanocrystals is between 20-100 nanometres.
Researchers at Duke University have successfully demonstrated the world's first three-dimensional acoustic cloak, rerouting sound waves to create an illusion of emptiness. The device has potential applications in sonar avoidance and architectural acoustics, altering sound wave trajectory to match a flat surface.
A new study reveals graphene's ability to absorb 90% more electromagnetic radiation, opening doors for secure wireless networks and improved communication devices. Researchers are now developing prototypes to translate this potential into practical applications.
Research reveals stick insects have developed a way to generate massive friction when walking upright through a hierarchy of grip with the slightest pressure, allowing them to grip but not stick. The insect's hairy friction pads employ three main tricks to increase contact area under pressure, creating a scale or hierarchy of grip.
Researchers focus on nanoscale innovations to enhance solar energy systems, leading to improved energy conversion efficiency and reduced costs. Nanotechnology advances could lead to the development of more efficient photovoltaic devices.
Researchers at the University of Huddersfield discovered that ion beams used to transform nanoscale materials can cause significant damage to computer chips and other products. The findings have important implications for medicine, particularly in the use of gold nanoparticles for tumour detection and drug delivery.
Archaeologists at the University of Cincinnati have uncovered a more complex picture of life in ancient Pompeii, finding that the poor did not scrounge for scraps but instead enjoyed a range of affordable food options. The research, led by Steven Ellis, reveals exotic spices and meats were part of non-elite diets.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have discovered that misfolded amyloid proteins react to multiphoton irradiation, opening up possibilities for new materials and technologies. These protein aggregates can be tuned for specific purposes and are as hard as steel, but with unique characteristics.
The DFG has approved 9 new Collaborative Research Centres (CRCs) focusing on topics such as ingestive behaviour, mathematical invariants and metal oxide-water interactions. The CRCs will receive a total of 64.4 million euros for an initial period of three years and nine months.
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 from Penn and Drexel have demonstrated a novel solar cell construction method, which may improve energy absorption efficiency and reduce manufacturing costs. The discovery is based on a material exhibiting the bulk photovoltaic effect, allowing for more efficient harvesting of visible light.
Researchers have discovered a new breed of materials with properties unlike those of their parent compounds, including conductive interfaces and topological insulators. These interfacial materials offer potential applications in tiny devices that consume less power.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a method to produce electronic inks using untangled carbon nanotubes, which are lightweight, strong and conduct electricity. The breakthrough enables the mass production of new applications using these 'wonder materials', including tablet computers and touchscreen phones.
Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have successfully integrated a graphene photodetector with a standard silicon chip, allowing for the conversion of light to electrical signals. This breakthrough enables faster data transmission and reduced energy consumption in computer chips.
A study by Washington State University researchers found that two softballs with different properties can result in significantly different injury risks when hit at high speeds. The team developed a virtual head model using Thums, a computerized skeletal system, to simulate collisions and quantify the effects of ball-impact.
Researchers have directly visualized magnetic charge crystallization in an artificial spin ice material for the first time. The team developed a new annealing protocol to realize the full potential of complex magnetic interactions in these materials.
Researchers used a new electron microscopy method to study high-pressure samples of carbon, detecting unexpected atom types and locations within minerals. The findings explain how large amounts of carbon reside in the Earth's interior, addressing a long-standing problem.
Researchers create metamaterials with unprecedented properties by mimicking the structures of geckoes' toes and mother of pearl. These materials could lead to improved aircraft coatings and other innovative applications.
The University of Akron researchers aim to understand the fundamental origin of glass transition, with potential applications in flexible electronics, corrosion-resistant coatings, and vaccine preservation. They plan to use biomimicry to evolve new materials with desired properties.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have demonstrated nanoscale alloys that emit bright near-infrared light, which could be used for cancer detection and treatment. The findings have the potential to lead to new applications in health and energy fields.
Researchers analyzed how particle shape affects the behavior of jammed materials, employing a computer algorithm to optimize shape configurations. The results were verified through large-scale 3D printed tests, providing insights into the complex interactions between particles and material properties.
Researchers have developed a graphene plasmonics device that can detect even trace amounts of substances in minutes, revolutionizing drug testing for athletes and detecting viruses. The breakthrough uses artificial materials with topological darkness to achieve high sensitivity.
Researchers at Caltech and JAMSTEC developed a new fault model that shows stable segments can behave differently during earthquakes, leading to larger events. This challenges current assumptions about seismic hazard in areas like the San Andreas Fault.
Scientists at the University of Luxembourg have developed a new calculation technique that accurately predicts the B-Z transition in DNA, which can lead to cancer. The breakthrough enables the prediction of material properties such as melting temperatures and elasticity with high accuracy.
Researchers at MIT have discovered a new type of magnetism called quantum spin liquid, which exhibits constant magnetic orientation fluctuations resembling those of molecules in a true liquid. The discovery has significant implications for data storage and communications technologies.
Researchers have shown that even in disordered structures, photons can sense and coordinate their travel through a medium. This is due to the wave properties of photons, which allow them to interact with each other. By analyzing these interactions, valuable insight into complex microscopic structures can be gained.
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 at MIT have created new materials inspired by spider silk and music, offering a potential solution for designing new biosynthetic materials. By analyzing the structural elements of music, they were able to predict the properties of new protein-based fibers, leading to the creation of stronger and more flexible materials.
The new consensus statement from the Hinxton Group highlights the tension between intellectual property policies and scientific norms in East Asia. Japan and China are underrepresented in patents and licensing, but have strengths in national health care systems that could benefit stem cell-based therapies.
Researchers found local configurations of atoms that tend towards a more ordered structure compared to looking at the whole structure. The underlying order in metallic glasses may hold the key to creating new alloys with specific properties.
Researchers aim to develop models that predict material response over years and decades for plasma reactor operation. The team will examine how surfaces respond to energetic neutrons and ions, tackling a critical aspect of achieving fusion energy.
Scientists at UNSW have developed a nano-structure that can store and release hydrogen, paving the way for practical applications in fuel cells and vehicles. The breakthrough uses sodium borohydride nanoparticles encased in nickel shells, demonstrating improved thermodynamic and kinetic properties.
A new guide addresses the challenges of researching multiblock polymers, which can result in a wide range of materials customizable to various specifications. The approach combines predictive computer simulation methods with advanced synthetic and structural characterization tools to address the vast number of possible combinations.
Researchers have predicted that a thin plate can be levitated using the Casimir force in certain circumstances. The repulsive force increases as the plate gets thinner, making it easier to lift, but experimental testing is needed to confirm the models.
A new iron-based metal-organic framework (MOF) can separate closely related components of natural gas, improving the distillation process. The material is capable of selectively adsorbing light hydrocarbons, reducing energy-intensive cooling steps and potentially eliminating them.
Researchers from the University of Southampton and Cambridge have made breakthroughs in understanding phase change memory materials under rapid heating conditions. Crystal growth rates are found to be faster than previously thought, with implications for improving memory performance and reducing energy consumption.
Researchers create 'Geckskin' device with integrated adhesive and soft pad for easy attachment and detachment, enabling heavy everyday objects to be stuck to walls. The innovative material shows promise for medical and industrial applications.
Research at Kansas State University is exploring the use of lignin, a plant-based material, to stabilize and strengthen unpaved roads. The study found that adding lignin to soil can improve road cohesion and reduce erosion, potentially reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact.
A team of researchers at the University of Notre Dame has created a one-coat solar paint that can be applied to any conductive surface without special equipment. The paint uses semiconducting nanoparticles to produce electricity, offering a potential solution for inexpensive and efficient energy production.
The Duke researchers have calculated the thermoelectric properties of over 2,500 compounds and provided detailed recipes for creating the most efficient combinations. This new database will allow scientists to stop using trial-and-error methods and instead use a rational basis to design thermoelectric devices.
Researchers at the University of Edinburgh have created a new generation of materials by tying molecules into complex knots that can give them exceptional versatility and flexibility. By producing chemicals with specific numbers of well-defined knots, scientists may be able to design materials with greater control over their properties.
The Materials Project, a Google-like search engine for materials research, uses supercomputers to characterize material properties and organize them into a database. This accelerates the discovery process, enabling researchers to develop novel materials for industries such as energy, transportation, and food packaging.
The Materials Project accelerates material discovery, enabling faster development of new materials used in clean energy technologies and common consumer products. Researchers can access a database of over 15,000 inorganic compounds to predict and discover new materials.
Researchers have created thin, flexible sheets of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) using a low-cost 'roll-to-roll' printing process. This technology could revolutionize lighting by being used for everything from home and office tiles to windows that simulate sunrise and sunset.
Researchers have successfully modified polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to make it nearly a million times more wear-resistant. They use atomic force microscopes and nanoparticles to study the effects of friction on wear and develop new materials to eliminate wear.
Researchers can create new materials with distinct electrical, optical, and mechanical properties using self-assembly processes. These developments have the potential to tackle challenges in catalysis, medical sensing, and other fields.
A new polymeric material has been developed that can disassemble in response to low-level near infrared light, making it suitable for non-invasive medical procedures. This breakthrough could allow previously inaccessible target sites to be reached for diagnosis and treatment.
The University of Houston is developing new oil dispersants as part of a major multi-institution project. The goal is to create biocompatible dispersants that are less toxic, allowing for reduced use and improved environmental impact.
Researchers have created a novel metamaterial structure that can 'steer' second-harmonic light, allowing for unprecedented control over light manipulation. This breakthrough has significant implications for all-optical communications and could transform telecommunications technologies.
Researchers at the University of Toronto have engineered nanomaterials that absorb and funnel light energy to specific locations. Inspired by nature's light harvesting antennas, these artificial molecules exhibit new properties with potential applications in fields such as electronics and photonics.
Researchers at the University of Manchester showcase graphene's remarkable story and potential applications. Visitors can interact with a virtual microscope, see real images of graphene, and learn about its unique properties, including superconductivity, transparency, and high strength.
Researchers from NPL and Linköping University have developed a method to identify graphene thickness using EFM, allowing for precise device applications. This technique is suitable for industrial environments and can be used to distinguish between one- and two-layer graphene.
A leading nanotechnology scientist proposes a 3nm diameter threshold for mass-produced structures, citing unpredictability in bottom-up manufacturing. This challenge raises concerns about the billions invested in nanotechnology research and development.
NYU's Robert Fergus, Jinyang Li, and Matthieu Wyart receive $50,000 fellowships to support their innovative work on computer vision, machine learning, and physical systems. The awards recognize the potential of these rising stars in their respective fields.
A team of scientists has made fundamental discoveries at oxide material interfaces, discovering how to manipulate electrons by inserting a single layer of atoms. The researchers found that the rare-earth element layer creates an electron gas with unique characteristics.