Articles tagged with Materials Engineering
Researchers created a new form of ultrastrong, lightweight carbon by pressurizing and heating glassy carbon to extreme temperatures. This material has unique properties that make it suitable for various applications, including aerospace engineering and military armor.
New ultrathin films with varying properties are being created, falling into five major groups: MXenes, Xenes, organic materials, transition metal dichalcogenides, and nitrides. These materials have flexible, transparent, and tunable properties, and some are electrical conductors or insulators.
A Penn State researcher has been awarded nearly $8 million by DARPA, the US Navy, and Lockheed Martin to continue his work on engineered metamaterials. The project aims to develop new algorithms and simulation tools for designing optical materials, with potential applications in electromagnetic cloaking technology.
Researchers at Berkeley Lab expand the temperature range of ferroelectric materials by creating a polarization gradient in a thin film. This enables devices to operate reliably in extreme environments, reducing power consumption and component count.
A team of researchers has designed a standard set of building-blocks to assemble complex structures and engineer arbitrary 3D metamaterials. The breakthrough aims to overcome the bottleneck in translating scientific progress to commercial applications.
A Northwestern University and Los Alamos National Laboratory team developed a novel workflow to design new materials with useful electronic properties. By combining machine learning and density functional theory calculations, they created design guidelines for ferroelectricity and piezoelectricity.
Researchers at Brown University have discovered the optimal shape of sea sponge spicules, which provides a blueprint for increasing buckling resistance in human-made structures. The tapered shape, similar to a Clausen column, offers improved buckling resistance due to its consistent and nearly identical dimensions.
A new study by an international team of researchers highlights how manipulation of 2D materials can improve device speed, size, and efficiency. The findings could unlock new possibilities for electronic and photonic devices, enabling applications such as sensing, fingerprinting minute amounts of biomolecules, and energy harvesting.
A new trilayer structure developed by Yuan Yang increases energy density in lithium batteries by 10-30%, allowing for longer operation times. The method stabilizes the battery even in ambient air, reducing costs and manufacturing time.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a new method to synthesize two-dimensional gallium nitride using graphene encapsulation, opening up new avenues of research in 2D materials. The process produces ultra-thin sheets of gallium nitride with improved properties for applications in electronics and optoelectronics.
Researchers at Lehigh University have discovered a high-speed nano-avalanche in glass, which can lead to more energy-efficient manufacturing and applications. The phenomenon involves transformations in glass under intense electrical and thermal conditions.
Engineers from the University of Bristol have developed a new shape-changing metamaterial using Kirigami, a class of material engineered to produce unusual properties. The Kirigami metamaterial can seamlessly change shape, exhibits large variations in mechanical performance with small geometry changes.
Researchers at Colorado State University have developed a superhydrophobic coating made from edible waxes, allowing liquids to be easily slicked away. The coating is nontoxic and safe for use in food packaging.
Researchers develop a simple, affordable method to produce strong, tunable carbon foam by using super-toasted bread, a potential game-changer for various industries. The foam's inner pore structure can be adjusted by changing the yeast and water content.
Researchers have identified an 'inverted Cheerios effect' where liquid droplets interact on soft solid surfaces, allowing for control over interactions through substrate thickness and softness. This phenomenon has implications for designing fog-free car windows and improving heat management in conditioners and boilers.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have discovered new catalyst materials for lithium-air batteries that can increase capacity by five times. The breakthrough could enable electric cars to drive 400 miles on a single charge and mobile phones to last a week without recharging.
Researchers at Northwestern University have stabilized exfoliated black phosphorus by covalently bonding a single-molecule-thick layer onto its surface. This enhances electronic properties and prevents degradation in open air, making it suitable for applications such as sensors, transistors, and optoelectronics.
qPAINT allows for accurate counting of biomolecules at specific locations within cells, extending the capabilities of DNA-PAINT and Exchange-PAINT techniques. The method utilizes transient interaction of short DNA strands to deduce molecular numbers with high precision.
Researchers at Washington State University are developing a computer model and designs for improved liquid transport systems using capillary forces to move liquids through narrow spaces in space. By studying the effects of viscosity in microgravity, they aim to conserve energy and enable longer space missions.
Researchers at University of Utah have discovered a new kind of 2D semiconducting material that could lead to much speedier computers and smartphones. The material, made of tin and oxygen, allows electrical charges to move through it faster than conventional materials.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have designed and constructed interfaces between materials with different structures, leading to improved physical properties. This breakthrough enables the creation of better batteries, fuel cells, and other devices that rely on well-ordered interfaces between materials.
EPFL scientists have engineered a molecularly engineered hole-transporting material for perovskite solar cells, achieving competitive power-conversion efficiency of 20.2%. The new material is significantly cheaper to synthesize and purify than existing alternatives.
Researchers from Zelinsky Institute examine key features of routine analytic characterization, addressing common mistakes in NMR, EI-MS, and ESI-MS measurements. The study provides concise descriptions to achieve reliable measurements in various scientific fields.
A UCL-led team used sophisticated imaging to track the degradation of disposable Lithium batteries in real-time, revealing internal structural damage that affects performance. The study provides valuable insights for manufacturers to predict battery performance and optimize material design.
Researchers have developed a road material that de-ices itself by releasing de-icing salt as it wears away, potentially eliminating the need for annual salt applications. The new composite, combining potassium formate with styrene-butadiene-styrene and bitumen, significantly delays ice formation in lab studies.
Amar Flood's team at IU has created a tricarb molecule that self-assembles into flower-shaped crystalline patterns, a breakthrough in materials science. The team plans to use computer-aided design software to virtually experiment with millions of molecular compounds, reducing the time and cost of creating new materials.
New research proposes using numerical modeling to evaluate fracking's seismic effects prior to drilling. This process aims to prevent unwanted ground shaking caused by movement of large faults, particularly in tight rock masses and near fault zones.
The USC Viterbi School of Engineering Center has been awarded an $8 million grant under the White House Materials Genome Initiative to develop new nanomaterials. The center will use open-source software, experimental data, and immersive visualizations to accelerate innovation in materials science.
The Brown University Superfund Research Program will advance research on toxicant exposures and safety, focusing on biomedical and engineering solutions for regulatory uncertainty. Researchers will investigate physiological effects of toxicants on the male reproductive system and explore graphene's potential to block toxicant releases.
Researchers have developed a new computational tool to predict nanometer-level molecular interactions, enabling the design of stable and functional nano-scale materials. The 'Gecko Hamaker' project provides transparent calculations and data, allowing users to verify reproducibility and improve the software's quality.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University developed two novel methods to characterize 3-dimensional macroporous hydrogels, a promising material for creating responsive catalysts and tissue engineering scaffolds. The team successfully visualized the reversible porous structure within these materials using noninvasive X-ray microscopy.
Scientists designed a new biochemical pathway in E. coli that can efficiently produce isobutyl acetate from both glucose and acetate, increasing its yield to 75 percent. This breakthrough could have significant applications in biotechnology, particularly in the production of flavoring agents, solvents, and fuels.
A new system developed by Joanna Aizenberg's lab uses phase separation to create dynamic designer polymers with self-relubrication and regulated anti-fouling behavior. The system can adapt to its surroundings and respond to fluid consumption, enabling responsive and long-lasting material applications.
Triceratops teeth have five layers of tissue, each with a unique function, allowing them to slice through dense material and vary their diet. The discovery reveals complex dental structures among dinosaurs, inspiring new engineering techniques.
A team of researchers has developed a semiconductor chip made almost entirely of wood, using cellulose nanofibril as a biodegradable material. The new device demonstrates the feasibility of replacing traditional chip substrates with a more environmentally friendly alternative, reducing waste and toxicity.
Researchers at Penn University developed liquid-crystal-based compound lenses that work like insect eyes, enabling 3D image reconstruction and light polarization sensitivity. The lenses produce images with different focal lengths, allowing for reconstruction of spatial relationships.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new material that stays liquid at temperatures below its expected freezing point but crystallizes upon writing or rubbing. This unique property makes it highly sensitive to pressure and could lead to breakthroughs in biosensors, optical memory, and electronic devices.
The team has calculated the complete elastic properties for 1,181 inorganic compounds, increasing data availability by almost ten-fold. This new dataset is expected to aid materials scientists in developing new materials with specific mechanical properties.
Professor Tyagi's team has developed an integrated approach to resource management that can produce biodiesel from various raw materials. They have also perfected a process for converting wastewater effluent into biodiesel, reducing greenhouse gas emissions due to incineration and disposal of wastewater sludge.
Researchers have found a minimal mechanism for stabilizing overlapping microtubules, allowing cells to divide correctly. The study reveals that weakly binding proteins create an 'ever growing counter-pressure' between microtubules as they slide apart.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a novel method to control the electronic band gap in complex oxide materials without altering their composition. This can lead to better performance in electro-optical devices and new energy-generation materials.
Pablo Tarazaga, a Virginia Tech engineer, has developed a novel approach to manipulate wave propagation in solid materials, enabling the creation of smart structures with diverse capabilities. His work holds promise for improving aircraft aerodynamics performance and creating controlled fluid-structure interactions.
Researchers at Northwestern University discovered that silver nanowires can partially recover from permanent deformation under cyclic loading, indicating potential for long-term durability in flexible electronics. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of cost-effective alternatives to indium tin oxide.
The Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science at UT Dallas sponsors Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) projects on software safety and surface engineering, providing students with $500/week stipends and state-of-the-art research experience. Participants often pursue advanced degrees and careers in STEM fields.
Researchers at MIT found that raindrops can release aerosols when hitting porous surfaces, trapping tiny air bubbles and bursting them out into the air. This mechanism may explain petrichor, the smell released after a light rain, and potentially spread soil-based diseases.
Zhang will study synthetic regulatory systems to improve productivity in metabolic pathways with a $605,000 NSF grant. His research aims to create artificial biosystems for efficient production of biofuels and other chemicals from sustainable resources.
Researchers at Northwestern University found that Blu-ray discs' quasi-random patterns enhance solar cells' light absorption and performance by up to 21.8%. The discovery could lead to new manufacturing methods for efficient solar cells.
Scientists at Yale University have successfully changed the color of butterfly wings using evolutionary principles, producing the first structural color change in an animal. The research has implications for the design of new materials and devices, and may help physicists and engineers develop more efficient designs.
Berkeley Lab researchers have developed the world's first fully two-dimensional field-effect transistor (FET) using layered materials with van der Waals interfaces. This breakthrough promises to improve the performance and scalability of electronic devices, enabling the creation of faster and more efficient electronics.
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 at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed a new battery design that incorporates an electrolyte with dual functions. This cooperative chemistry increases capacity and extends lifespan, enabling longer-lived disposable batteries for medical devices and other applications.
Researchers at SLAC and Stanford University discovered a potential way to make graphene superconducting, which could transform the engineering of materials for nanoscale electronic devices. They found that electrons scatter between graphene and calcium layers, interacting with natural vibrations to conduct electricity without resistance.
A University of Cincinnati-led team studied four distinct magnetized nanoparticle systems to determine which one works best in delivering heat directly to cancer cells. The research found that uncoated iron-oxide nanoparticles and those coated with polyacrylic acid heated quickly to temperatures sufficient to kill breast cancer cells.
Researchers developed a new technique that accounts for sample drift and eliminates distortion in scanning transmission electron microscope images. This allows for accurate representation of material structures and enables the discovery of crystalline structures in unknown samples.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London uncovered a critical mechanism in tendon function, revealing why older individuals are more prone to tendon injuries. The study found that fascicle helices are essential for tendon elasticity and that ageing alters this structure, increasing the risk of injury.
Researchers at Harvard University have created a new method to quantify the mechanical forces produced by living cells, which shape tissues and organs. By injecting tiny oil droplets into 3D tissues and embryos, scientists can measure the forces exerted by individual cells, shedding light on the role of mechanics in development and dis...
NJIT's Technical Assistance to Brownfield Communities Program will continue to provide scientific, planning, and engineering expertise to communities in the New England and Mid-Atlantic region. The program aims to transform underutilized properties into productive use, improving environmental conditions and strengthening communities.
Researchers at University of California, Riverside, have received a $360,000 NSF grant to study graphene's thermal properties and develop new approaches for removing heat from electronic devices. The team will investigate the effect of rotation angle on twisted bilayer graphene's thermal conductivity.
Scientists have made significant strides in harnessing the properties of resilin, a natural protein that enables insects to flap their wings and jump. Resilin has been modified for use in diagnostics, engineered to act like human cartilage, and developed into hybrid materials for cardiovascular applications.
Researchers created a new technique for creating biomolecular gradients using semiconductor materials, allowing scientists to monitor molecular behavior and interactions. The technique creates surface characteristics that enable monitoring of other aspects of molecular interaction.