Articles tagged with Material Properties
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new robot called RoboMapper that can conduct experiments more efficiently and sustainably to develop new semiconductor materials. The robot automates the process of testing multiple samples simultaneously, reducing time and energy consumption by nearly 10 times.
Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories have discovered that metals can heal themselves by fusing back together microscopic cracks without human intervention. This breakthrough could lead to the development of self-healing machines and structures, reducing wear and tear damage and making them safer and longer-lasting.
Fiber sensing scientists from Shenzhen University have developed an encrypted fiber optic tag that can be used for all-optical labeling and recognition of optical transmission channels. The team proposed a method using fiber Bragg grating arrays prepared by femtosecond laser direct writing to flexibly store different coding sequences.
AnalySwift will develop DATC, a design tool for engineers to analyze lightweight structures made from advanced tailorable composites. The tool aims to improve NASA's capabilities in designing and analyzing aerospace structures, reducing the need for costly physical experiments.
Researchers from Osaka University have demonstrated a method of dehydrating CNFs to a dense powder without affecting their three key properties. The resulting CNF powders retain high viscosity, transparency, and tunable properties.
Researchers at USTC developed a high-performance cellulose-based nanopaper with excellent mechanical and electrical insulating properties under extreme conditions. The material exhibits high tensile strength, toughness, and electric breakdown strength, making it suitable for protecting equipment in harsh environments.
Researchers at MIT have developed a superabsorbent material that can soak up record amounts of moisture from the air, even in dry conditions. The material is made by infusing hydrogel with lithium chloride and has shown to absorb and retain unprecedented amounts of water vapor.
Scientists designed materials with mechanical memory by introducing frustration into their structure, resulting in a new type of order. This breakthrough could be used to create robotic arms and wheels with predictable bending mechanisms, as well as more efficient quantum computers.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo have developed a new atomic layer deposition (ALD) technique for depositing thin layers of oxide semiconductor materials, resulting in high carrier mobility and reliability. This breakthrough enables the production of devices with normally-off operation, high mobility and reliability.
Researchers from the University of Amsterdam have created a new class of materials that combine stiffness with vibration-absorbing properties. These 'buckled' materials have a wide range of potential applications across various scales, from aerospace to microscale designs.
The new Collaborative Research Center will explore opportunities of defect engineering in soft matter, aiming to develop a novel design concept. The researchers will focus on doping, connectivity, and topological defects, with the ultimate goal of combining them into one single system.
Researchers from Osaka University discovered a novel material that transitions from a crystal to a liquid when exposed to ultraviolet irradiation, enabling a detailed understanding of the crystal-melting process. The material exhibits changes in luminescence during melting, indicating molecular-level changes in shape.
Researchers have developed software to remove signal interference from neutron experiments under megabar pressures. This enables the accurate extraction of data on extraordinary atomic structures of materials.
Researchers found that orb weaver spiders' glue proteins differ in proportion between dry and humid environments, enabling rapid adaptation to local conditions. The study sheds light on the evolution of biological glues and their potential applications in industry and medicine.
Osaka University researchers develop a cellulose-based material, called nanopaper e-skin, that makes effective contact with the skin while maintaining breathability and comfort. The substrate can withstand deformation, sterilization, and environmental sustainability, making it a promising candidate for electrophysiological monitoring.
A team led by Associate Professor Jonathan Boreyko has discovered that ice can quench heat more effectively than water, especially at high temperatures. The study found that ice absorbs heat as it melts, reducing the amount of heat available for vapor bubbles to form.
A team of researchers at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia has developed a totally edible and rechargeable battery cell, utilizing riboflavin and quercetin as anode and cathode. The battery can provide current for small electronic devices and may have applications in health diagnostics, food quality monitoring, and edible soft robotics.
Researchers developed a method to characterize nanomaterials using sequential infiltration synthesis in nanostructured polymers. This technique allows for the creation of extremely small structures on semiconductor surfaces, enabling further miniaturization of next-generation microelectronic components.
Researchers engineered a lightweight material by fine-tuning interlayer interactions in 2D polymers, retaining desirable mechanical properties even as a multilayer stack. The material's strong interlayer interaction is attributed to hydrogen bonding among special functional groups.
Scientists at TU Wien have developed a technique to control the shape and size of nano gold structures using highly charged ions. The experiment shows that the impact force is not the decisive factor, but rather the electrical charge of the ions, which deposits energy at the point of impact and disrupts the crystal structure of the gold.
Researchers discovered that cancer cells' glycocalyx thickness affects immune cell evasion and engineered immune cells work better with thinner barriers. They also developed special enzymes to overcome the barrier, potentially improving immunotherapies.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are acquiring a new transmission electron microscope (TEM) with a $800,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The TEM will allow them to conduct experiments in real-time and gain a greater understanding of material structure at an atomic level.
A team from Chalmers University of Technology has developed a method to observe the formation of lithium microstructures in real-time using X-ray tomographic microscopy. This breakthrough aims to improve the safety and capacity of lithium metal batteries, which could replace traditional lithium-ion batteries in the future.
Researchers discover that graphene oxide's surface oxygen content is crucial for its antibacterial activity, with different interaction modes leading to distinct effects. Understanding this relationship can help design safer materials and combat antimicrobial resistance.
Channeling ions into grain boundaries in perovskite materials improves the stability and operational performance of perovskite solar cells, paving the way for more efficient and practical solar cell technologies. This breakthrough finding may also inform the development of more efficient energy storage technologies.
Scientists at SLAC and Stanford University have created a new type of quantum material with a herringbone-like pattern, showcasing the Jahn-Teller effect in a layered material. The resulting distortions are huge compared to those achieved in other materials, offering exciting possibilities for further investigation.
Rice University scientists have developed a method to engineer wood that traps carbon dioxide while increasing its strength. This process involves removing lignin and hemicellulose from the wood and replacing them with metal-organic framework particles, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional materials.
Researchers from City University of Hong Kong have developed a novel, tiny device to observe liquid-phase electrochemical reactions in energy devices at nanoscale. The device enables real-time and high-resolution visualization of complex electrochemical processes.
Researchers at Drexel University have developed a thin film device that can dynamically control electromagnetic wave shielding using MXene materials. The device can convert from shielding to quasi-electromagnetic wave transmission by electrochemical oxidation, making it suitable for various security applications.
Researchers at Beihang University discovered ultrathin vanadium oxychloride's optical anisotropic properties, which will facilitate the design of novel functional devices. The material's unique characteristics make it suitable for emerging nanotechnology applications such as spintronics and optospintronics.
A Polish-German-Italian team developed a new simulation tool called XSPIN to simulate X-ray-induced demagnetisation in multilayer materials. The tool allows for control over laser pulse parameters, such as energy and duration, to achieve specified spatial and temporal scales.
A quarter-mile segment of the Klamath Geo Trail was successfully resurfaced using volcanic ash from Mount Mazama, demonstrating its potential as a more sustainable and locally sourced pozzolan. The surface treatment improved firmness and stability, making it accessible to people with mobility devices.
Scientists at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz have developed a new class of materials for transporting spin waves over long distances in antiferromagnets. This breakthrough could significantly increase computing speed and reduce waste heat in microelectronic devices.
An international team has discovered a quantum state in which atomic alignment does not order at ultracold temperatures, unlike usual behavior. This liquid-like quantum state could be used to develop highly sensitive quantum sensors, enabling precise registration of magnetic fields or temperatures.
A Japanese research team successfully constructed the first polymeric Weaire-Phelan structure, a previously theoretical form predicted to be the most efficient solution for a century-old tessellation problem. The structure was achieved through a novel polymerization-induced phase separation method.
Researchers at Monash University found that electric fields and applied strain can turn magnetism on and off in two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks. This discovery could lead to applications in magnetic memory, spintronics, and quantum computing.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new self-healing composite that can repair itself in place without removal. The technology addresses two longstanding challenges, increasing the lifespan of structural components by up to 500%. This resolves limitations such as overheating and limited self-repair cycles.
Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have discovered a novel phenomenon in a type of quantum material that can change its electrical properties under specific conditions. The material, known as Mn3Si2Te6, exhibits colossal magnetoresistance when exposed to certain magnetic fields, allowing it to behave like a metal wire.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an algorithm that enables 2D materials to maintain their mechanical strength after conversion into 3D structures. The algorithm is inspired by kirigami art and mimics the structure of nacre, a natural shell coating known for its robust mechanical properties.
Scientists at Duke University have engineered materials capable of producing tunable plasmonic properties while withstand extremely high temperatures. The new high-entropy carbides can achieve improved communications and thermal regulation in aerospace technologies, including satellites and hypersonic aircraft.
Researchers at the University of Turku discovered that hackmanite changes color when exposed to nuclear radiation, retaining a memory trace that allows it to be reused. This unique property enables the development of reusable radiochromic films for measuring radiation doses and mapping dose distribution.
Scientists at Drexel University have created a new secondary-ion mass spectrometry technique to study the atomic layers of MXenes and MAX phases. The technique allows for deeper understanding of the materials' structure and composition, leading to breakthroughs in their properties and potential applications.
A team of researchers from NIST, UW-Madison, and Argonne National Laboratory identified key compositions that enable consistent 3D-printing of 17-4 PH stainless steel with favorable properties. The new findings could help producers cut costs and increase manufacturing flexibility.
Engineers at Duke University developed a scalable soft surface that can continuously reshape itself to mimic objects in nature. It uses electromagnetic actuation, mechanical modeling, and machine learning to form new configurations and adapt to hindrances.
Scientists at University of Texas at Austin and NC State University have discovered anelasticity, a phenomenon where materials react to stresses over time, allowing for energy dissipation. This property could lead to the development of lightweight shock absorbers for electronics.
Researchers at KAUST have discovered that the energy level alignment between donor and acceptor components in organic solar cells is crucial for device performance. Contrary to current belief, blends with little to no difference in one energy level metric were found to be poor performers.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new material, sodium bismuth sulfide (NaBiS2), that can absorb comparable levels of sunlight as conventional silicon solar cells but with 10,000 times lower thickness. The material has potential for making lightweight solar cells suitable for aerospace applications.
EPFL researchers have discovered a material called Vanadium Dioxide (VO2) that can remember its previous external stimuli for up to three hours. The material's structural memory is capable of anticipating future events, similar to how neurons in the brain function.
Scientists have analyzed the interaction between highly charged ions and graphene at a femtosecond scale, revealing complex processes involved in material response. The study provides fundamental new insights into how matter reacts to short and intense radiation exposure.
A research team from the University of Göttingen has observed the build-up of dark Moiré interlayer excitons for the first time using femtosecond photoemission momentum microscopy. This breakthrough allows scientists to study the optoelectronic properties of new materials in unprecedented detail.
Researchers used machine learning to identify the key characteristics of gallium oxide, a complex material with five different crystal structures. The study provided a detailed understanding of the influence of structural disorder on its electronic structure, crucial for optimizing applications.
A new technique discovered by Boise State University researchers can create novel lithium-ion battery materials with exceptional Li storage and fast cycling. The process starts from an amorphous material, like niobium oxide, which is cycled with lithium to induce a transformation to a crystalline material.
Researchers developed a machine learning method to predict material structure, overcoming a key bottleneck in materials science. The approach accurately predicts the structure of materials with five times the efficiency of current methods, paving the way for advances in battery technology and photovoltaics.
Using the Stampede2 supercomputer, researchers have developed a deep learning model that predicts the properties of over 370,000 high-entropy alloy compositions. The study also applied association rule mining to discover design rules for high-entropy alloy development and proposed several compositions for experimentalists to synthesize.
Researchers at the University of Bayreuth have created a test system to characterize and compare passive cooling materials, overcoming challenges in determining their performance. The system mimics key factors influencing passive cooling performance, allowing for reproducible tests under identical conditions.
A Polish-Japanese team demonstrates a salutary delay in the reaction of crystal atoms to an avalanche of photons, using X-ray laser pulses. This discovery enables the observation of an undisturbed structure of matter by using sufficiently short laser pulses.
Scientists at Imperial College London have created a laser device that can reconfigure its structure in response to changing conditions. The innovative technology mimics the properties of living materials, enabling self-healing, adaptation, responsiveness, and collective behavior.
Swansea University's nanomaterials researcher, Professor Christian Klinke, has secured £250,000 in funding to recruit early-career scientists. The new appointments will strengthen the research group's focus on nanocrystalline materials used in solar cells and LEDs.
Scientists have found a new phenomenon where an atomic switch has to be switched back and forth four times to return to its original state. The spin of gadolinium atoms performs one full rotation during this process. This discovery opens up possibilities for material physics and could potentially be used to store information.
Researchers at Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena create a material that can emit visible or invisible light in response to ultrasound, also providing feedback on local temperature. This innovation could enable new applications in medicine, such as photodynamic therapy, and other areas where targeted light and heat are required.