Articles tagged with Materials Engineering
Researchers have created a wearable insect repellent by encapsulating IR3535 in biodegradable polymer and shaping it into a ring or bracelet. The repellent continuously evaporates, forming a barrier for insects, offering several hours of protection.
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 developed hydrophilic slipper surfaces that are both extremely slippery and water-attracting, countering conventional wisdom. These SLIC surfaces have potential applications in biomedical technologies and condensers, where they offer anti-fouling properties and improved efficiency.
A new category of shape-memory materials made of ceramic, rather than metal, has been discovered by MIT researchers. The ceramic material can actuate without accumulating damage and withstand much higher temperatures than existing metals, making it suitable for applications such as actuators in jet engines.
Researchers developed a plant-inspired extrusion process for synthetic material growth, enabling soft robots to create new material and navigate obstacles. This technology has applications in remote areas and biomedical fields, potentially reducing the need for expensive machinery.
Researchers from Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University found that brain stimulation combined with a nose spray containing nanoparticles can improve recovery after ischemic stroke. The treatment increased cognitive and motor functions, and weighed more quickly than those treated with TMS alone.
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.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to capture and predict the fatigue strength of metallic materials using automated high-resolution electron imaging. This approach allows for rapid prediction of metal failure and breakage, leading to design of safer and more resilient materials for various applications.
Scientists developed a software platform to analyze surfaces, creating digital twins that predict material properties like adhesion and durability. The contact.engineering platform standardizes procedure and facilitates open science, allowing users to share measurements and collaborate.
Researchers found that inland water carbon emissions are on the rise, with estimates suggesting 4.4 billion metric tons of carbon are released annually, primarily as carbon dioxide or methane. A new thermal insulation composite made from silica particles also shows promise for improving energy efficiency and reducing moisture damage.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong create lightweight, ultra-tough hybrid carbon microlattices that are 100 times stronger and doubled in ductility compared to original polymers. The new method enables the creation of sophisticated 3D parts with tailored mechanical properties for various applications.
Researchers have developed a new technique to dope gallium nitride (GaN), creating high-power electronic devices with reduced energy loss and increased efficiency. This breakthrough enables the use of GaN in compact power electronics for sustainable infrastructure, such as smart grids.
Researchers at Washington State University have created a strong and high-performance material by mixing Martian regolith with a titanium alloy. The composite showed better properties than the metal alone, making it suitable for making tools or rocket parts on Mars.
Researchers aim to create crack-resistant, uniform materials with reduced residual stresses and porosity for use in AM. The project will combine the best processing features of existing alloys groups, resulting in lightweight, rigid, and thermally stable components.
Researchers used laser melting to produce composite particles with sizes ranging from 400 to 600 nanometers. They discovered how to determine the critical size of particles that begin to change under laser light, and found that larger particles reach lower temperatures.
Researchers discovered that irregularities between grains in the battery's electrolyte can accelerate failure by moving ions at varying speeds. Adjusting material processing techniques may help solve reliability problems with solid-state batteries.
The Graphene Flagship is showcasing the potential of graphene-enabled alternatives to traditional semiconductors, with recent advancements in integrating 2D materials into silicon wafers. The project's European Chip Act aims to mobilize €43 billion in investments to alleviate the global chip shortage.
KAUST researchers created a more efficient solar-cell module by redesigning its optical design, reducing power conversion efficiency loss in real-world applications. The new module achieved an efficiency increase from 25.7% to 26.2% due to refractive-index engineering.
Researchers at Osaka Metropolitan University have developed a thermally stable bulk-type all-solid-state capacitor with a highly deformable oxide solid electrolyte. This innovation enables high current densities and high-capacity charging/discharging at temperatures up to 300°C, opening doors for high-temperature applications.
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University have developed an invisible coating that can 'fireproof' wood by forming a char that expands to prevent combustion. This technology has the potential to reduce costs and improve fire resistance, making it an attractive solution for the construction industry.
Scientists at Giessen University used high-performance computing to understand the optical response of cluster glass, a material that generates bright, clear white light. The study verified the experiment through simulation and showed the link between the observed properties and molecular structure.
A new study creates a photochromic nylon webbing that changes color in response to UV exposure, allowing for long-term UV sensing. The webbings' color decay rate depends on the initial dye concentration, with customized dye levels enabling varying lifetimes.
MIT researchers developed a method to create 3D-printed materials with tunable mechanical properties and embedded sensors, enabling real-time feedback on movement and interaction. The sensing structures use air-filled channels that deform when moved or squeezed, providing accurate feedback for robotics and wearable devices.
A research group from Tokyo University of Science has discovered molecular features that govern the filling process at nanoscales, enabling finer resolutions in ultraviolet nanoimprint lithography. The findings provide valuable insights for guiding the selection and design of optimized resists for sub-10 nm resolution.
A new study from Tokyo Institute of Technology introduces a novel crystal engineering strategy to design ultrabright fluorescent solid dyes. This approach allows for monomeric emission and suppressed intermolecular interactions, enabling the creation of highly dense crystalline structures with controlled electronic properties.
Researchers created a dual-phase, nanostructured high-entropy alloy with unprecedented strength and ductility through 3D printing. The alloy's unique microstructure enables cooperative deformation of two phases, resulting in ultrahigh strength and enhanced ductility.
Researchers used machine learning to predict protein adsorption onto polymer brush films, identifying key film characteristics that impact adsorption. The study found hydrophobicity index to be the most critical parameter, with thickness and density also playing a significant role.
A research group developed a novel antifouling nanofiltration membrane by regulating pore size distribution through one-step multiple interfacial polymerization. The resulting membrane exhibits stronger antifouling performance and long-term stability, promising improved robustness in industrial liquid separation.
A team of scientists from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has designed a new material system to overcome the challenges of mixed-plastic recycling. They created customized polydiketoenamine (PDK) plastics that can be recycled efficiently and indefinitely, providing a low-carbon manufacturing solution for plastic products.
Scientists from Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg discovered that precisely applied mechanical pressure can improve the electronic properties of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films. The team used atomic force microscopy to control and reorient electrical charges in the material, enabling stable nano-scale structures with high ...
Researchers at Harvard University have developed inflatable actuators that can bend, twist, and move in complex ways using origami-inspired designs. The actuator's bistable origami blocks allow it to perform up to eight different motions with a single pressure source.
Researchers observe a significant increase in electrical conductivity when mica is thinned down to few molecular layers, exhibiting semiconductor-like behavior. The findings suggest that thin mica flakes have the potential to be used in two-dimensional electronic devices with exceptional stability and durability.
Researchers at NIST found that gecko setae are coated in an ultra-thin layer of lipids, which repel water and help maintain grip on wet surfaces. This discovery could lead to the development of biomimetic products, such as gecko boots or gloves for improved traction.
A comprehensive protocol for analysing nanomaterials has been introduced to support their safe use in various industries. The protocol allows researchers to determine and quantify metal-bearing nanomaterials in biological tissues and cells at trace-level concentrations.
University of Missouri researchers develop wearable smart bioelectronic devices, including a 'smart' face mask that can monitor physiological status and detect respiratory problems. The masks also use laser-assisted fabrication to provide breathable soft electronics for better real-time health monitoring.
Researchers created a light-activated fish robot that rapidly swims around and removes microplastics from waterways. The robot's unique material allows it to heal itself and maintain its ability to adsorb pollutants.
A team of researchers from Kyushu University has developed an olfactory sensor capable of identifying individuals by analyzing the compounds in their breath. The system, combined with machine learning, achieved an average accuracy of over 97% in authenticating up to 20 individuals.
Researchers found that hackmanite's structural breathing allows it to change color indefinitely due to sodium atoms moving inside a zeolitic cage. This property enables various applications such as UV monitoring and X-ray imaging.
Harvard researchers develop new method to extend the lifetime of organic molecules in organic aqueous flow batteries, improving their commercial viability. The approach works by periodically providing a shock to revive decomposed molecules, resulting in a net lifetime increase of up to 260 times.
The University of Illinois Chicago has joined the Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage, a US Department of Energy-funded center focused on building scalable quantum computer systems. The partnership will open new opportunities for UIC students in quantum engineering and collaboration with researchers.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a method to make shipping industry significantly greener by using hydrofoils to reduce water resistance. The new technology can increase the range of electric vessels and reduce fuel consumption by up to 80%.
A team of engineers is working on a novel treatment using nanoparticles carrying therapeutic proteins to promote regeneration of blood vessels and muscle in injured limbs. The approach, which has shown promising results in animal models, aims to treat critical limb ischemia, a condition that can lead to amputation or death.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a new pixel-by-pixel printing method that creates composite shapes, colors, and mechanical abilities using curable elastic polymers. The technique, inspired by inkjet printers, uses age-old fluid dynamics to fabricate precise and robust structures without complicated machinery.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel memristor design that can switch between two operation modes, enabling greater efficiency in machine learning applications. This breakthrough component is made of halide perovskite nanocrystals and simulates complex neural networks with high accuracy.
Researchers from Korea Maritime and Ocean University have developed a way to synthesize high-performance functionally graded materials with minimized defects. By controlling the mixing gradient of component materials, they improved mechanical properties and eliminated interfacial cracks.
Researchers at Drexel University have developed a design optimization system to incorporate blood vessel-like cooling networks into battery packaging for electric vehicles. The system balances performance-enhancing factors against problematic variables like weight and thermal activity to provide the best battery package specifications.
Researchers discovered hundreds of new gene functions in algae, which have counterparts in plants, enabling better understanding of photosynthesis, DNA repair, and stress responses. The findings can improve biofuel production and develop heat-tolerant crops.
The university's new Robotics and Autonomous Systems Teaching and Innovation Center (RASTIC) will provide students with hands-on experience in robotics, autonomous systems, and self-driving technology. The lab aims to boost Massachusetts' competitiveness in the tech sector by supporting innovative projects and startups.
The electrochemistry designette is a pedagogical tool that enables instructors to visualize students' competence and misconceptions on electrochemical principles. Developed by SUTD researchers, the designette has proven highly effective in allowing instructors to spot misconceptions and provide prompt intervention.
Researchers at Rice University have created a 'metalens' that transforms long-wave UV-A into a focused output of vacuum UV radiation. The technology uses nanophotonics to impart a phase shift on incoming light, redirecting it and generating VUV without the need for specialized equipment.
Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a single-material, single-stimuli microstructure that can outmaneuver even living cilia. These programmable structures could be used for soft robotics, biocompatible medical devices, and dynamic information encryption.
Companies are turning to biobased surfactants and renewable biomass feedstocks to make their products greener. These alternatives can have a lower carbon footprint than traditional surfactants, but may also be more expensive.
A research group has synthesized electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries using inexpensive elements, reducing industrial reliance on rare metals like cobalt and nickel. The new materials also show promise in improving the safety of LIBs.
Researchers have developed microrobot collectives that can move in various formations, reconfiguring their behavior quickly and robustly. The systems use a combination of magnetic forces, fluid dynamics, and computation to achieve coordinated patterns of motion.
Osaka University researchers have created a nanocellulose paper semiconductor with 3D network structures that can be tuned for use in various sustainable electronic devices. The treatment process allows for heat-induced conductivity without damaging the nanostructure, enabling flexible macro-scale structures and detailed designs.
Researchers have engineered a tiny living heart chamber replica to study disease progression and test new treatments. The miniPUMP device mimics the real organ's mechanics, allowing for accurate tracking of how the heart grows in embryos and studying the impact of disease.
Researchers at Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST) have developed a new technique to easily visualize viruses using an optical microscope, called the Gires-Tournois immunoassay platform. The platform uses 'slow light' technology to detect coronavirus particles by slowing down light that gets reflected around them.
Researchers have developed a novel method called 'dative epitaxy' for growing thin layers of crystals made from different materials on top of each other. This technique allows for the formation of special chemical bonds to fix crystal orientation, overcoming limitations of conventional and van der Waals epitaxial techniques.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology have discovered a way to enhance the surface adhesion of mussel adhesive proteins (MAPs) by converting oxidized Dopa into a stronger form called △Dopa. This breakthrough enables MAPs to maintain strong underwater adhesion, paving the way for potential biomedical applications.