Articles tagged with Materials Engineering
A team of scientists and industry experts investigated the challenges of developing new solar cells, including copper indium gallium diselenide and perovskite. They recommend focusing on material resilience, stability, and sustainability to ensure long-term success.
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have created protein fibers that can exhibit high tensile strength, toughness, and mechanical stability, making them suitable for active wear and biomedical implants. The materials are grown using synthetic biology approaches and can be processed into a meat-like structure.
A new material composed of rice grains can bend, buckle, or stiffen differently under slow movements versus sudden impacts without electronics or sensors. This innovative material has potential applications in soft robotics, creating machines lighter, safer, and more adaptable.
Researchers at the University of Oulu have developed new bio-based resins that match or exceed the performance of fossil-based counterparts. The resins are produced from biomass-derived platform chemicals and offer a critical sustainability advantage: chemical recyclability.
Researchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a new fabrication method for printing robotic devices with long filaments featuring precisely placed hollow channels. This allows the device to bend and deform in predetermined ways, enabling the creation of soft robots with predictable s...
Researchers at the University of Turku developed a unified theory guiding the design of more efficient and sustainable devices. The work reveals that squeezing light too tightly inside OLEDs can reduce performance, and optimal efficiency is achieved through a delicate balance of material and cavity parameters.
The Harvard team developed a new microfabrication method to produce high-performance, curved optical mirrors with extremely smooth surfaces. The mirrors can control light at near-infrared wavelengths, enabling fast and efficient quantum networking.
Researchers from Duke University found that uniform materials without complexity are the culprit behind deadly infections after heart surgery. Bioengineered grafts with decellularized tissue can greatly reduce complications. The study suggests designing new solutions similar to vascular tissue in interior complexity.
Researchers at Jeonbuk National University have developed a new Prussian-blue based electrode that can effectively remove cesium from water. The electrode, made by combining Prussian blue with chemically treated carbon cloth, demonstrates high capacity for cesium adsorption and excellent reusability.
University of Oklahoma researchers created new hybrid materials that emit light quickly when exposed to radiation. The materials combine the strengths of both organic and inorganic components, resulting in a five-fold increase in light emission efficiency compared to organic molecules alone.
A new method allows for precise visualization of modern polymer binders in negative lithium-ion battery electrodes. The study found that small changes in binder distribution can significantly affect charging efficiency and battery lifespan.
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University has created a new method to produce ultra-stretchable, superomniphobic materials using laser ablation. The materials can withstand extreme stretching and deformations while maintaining their liquid-repellent properties.
A new ceramic material overcomes long-standing limits in proton conductivity, achieving record-high performance at intermediate temperatures. The innovative donor co-doping strategy combines increased proton concentration and mobility with chemical stability under various environments.
Researchers developed a reusable electro-kinetic filtration platform capable of filtering over 99% of ultrafine nanoplastics particles smaller than 50 nm. The system achieves commercial-level high-flow conditions and demonstrates energy self-sufficiency through a triboelectric generator.
Researchers at TUM developed a coating that makes UV-A radiation visible using proteins and bacteria, opening up new possibilities for sustainable materials. The coating, which includes the protein mEosFP, reliably detects contact with UV-A light and can be integrated into paints and coatings without compromising material properties.
Graphene and diamond hybrids show promising performance in electronic devices, sensors, and machining tests. However, major challenges remain, including producing large-area hybrids with consistent quality and understanding fundamental properties.
Researchers at Harbin Institute of Technology in China report a method to fabricate transparent conductive films on curved surfaces. The technique, using multi-angle co-velocity fitting deposition model, produces smooth and continuous films with high transparency and low electrical resistance.
A Fe@ZSM-5 catalyst demonstrates improved high-temperature NO conversion and stability in NH3-SCR, thanks to the regulation of molecular sieves. The research reveals two kinetic regimes, with optimal Si/Al ratio of 27 for high-temperature NO conversion.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed carbon spheres filled with iron oxide, achieving promising results for environmentally friendly lithium-ion batteries. The material's storage capacity increases over time as the iron oxide is electrochemically activated, making it a potential solution for renewable energy storage.
By adjusting the ratio of two elements, researchers can switch exotic quantum states on and off in materials highly desired for quantum computing. The team found that changing the correlations between electrons in the material allows for sensitive control over exotic quantum phases.
Researchers at King's College London and San Diego State University identified the molecular interactions that give spider silk its exceptional strength and flexibility. The findings provide general design principles for developing high-performance, sustainable fibers.
Researchers have developed a chemical-free method to upcycle waste chitin into high-performance porous carbons, which can efficiently capture and release hydrocarbons. The materials' pore structure can be precisely tuned through steam activation time, leading to improved adsorption and desorption performance.
New insights from the University of Groningen reveal how the size and arrangement of building blocks affect the mechanical properties of metamaterials. This knowledge can be used to design safer, longer-lasting implants, robotic hands, and energy absorbers.
Dr. Barron Bichon has been promoted to vice president of SwRI's Mechanical Engineering Division, overseeing a team of over 400 staff members. He will lead the division in advancing additive manufacturing and composite material bonding for defense and aerospace applications.
Researchers at Duke University have created a programmable Lego-like material that can change its stiffness and damping in response to temperature changes. The material, made from gallium and iron, can be programmed to mimic various commercially available soft materials.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a secure hologram platform that stores information using the wavelength of light and spacing between metasurface layers. The technology enables information processing using light alone, without electrical power or electronic chips.
MIT engineers have designed a 3D-printed floor truss system made from recycled plastic, which exceeds building standards set by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. The printed flooring can hold over 4,000 pounds and weighs about 13 pounds per truss, making it a lighter alternative to traditional wood-based trusses.
Researchers at MIT developed a generative AI model called DiffSyn that suggests promising synthesis routes for complex materials like zeolites. By using this model, scientists can test millions of theoretical materials in under a minute, accelerating the materials discovery process.
Researchers at Harvard University have developed a new design method for optimizing rolling contact joints in robots, which can lead to better grippers, assistive devices, and more efficient robotic movement. The optimized joints performed spectacularly, correcting misalignment by 99% in knee-assist devices.
By changing the physical structure of gold, researchers can drastically change its interaction with light, leading to enhanced electronic behavior and improved absorption of light energy. This study demonstrates the potential of nanoporous gold as a new design parameter for engineering materials in advanced technologies.
A team of researchers from Okayama University directly observes the atomic-scale growth of ultra-thin semiconductor crystals using a microreactor. They identify multiple growth regimes and dynamics, shedding light on how crystal shape and quality depend on conditions.
Researchers created eco-friendly, high-performance gas sensors with blended polymer films combining poly(3-hexylthiophene) and poly(butylene succinate). The sensors demonstrated stable performance and higher sensitivity to nitrogen dioxide and other gases.
LIST's patented infrared welding process enables rapid assembly of thick carbon-fibre-reinforced thermoplastic components, reducing weight, costs and environmental impact. The innovation is estimated to reduce CO2 emissions by 12.5 tonnes per wing rib.
Researchers develop a coating strategy using lignin nanoparticles to stabilize an oil-in-water emulsion, forming a multifunctional coating that enhances paper performance while maintaining environmental compatibility. The coated paper exhibits improved barrier properties, mechanical strength, and biodegradability.
The B-STING silica nanocomposite acts as a nanofactory of reactive oxygen species, activating itself in response to changes in the chemical environment. This material can be used to create biocidal coatings that are safe, durable, and resistant to dirt, with potential applications in medicine and other industries.
Researchers developed a synergistic structure-doping regulation strategy for lignin-based carbon aerogels using phytic acid, promoting uniform spherical hierarchical structures and dual phosphorus-sulfur doping. This approach achieves high-performance supercapacitors with superior power density and energy storage capabilities.
A Cornell University team is developing a method to 3D-print concrete underwater, which could revolutionize on-site maritime construction and repair of critical infrastructure. The technology aims to minimize ocean disruption while creating more efficient and effective construction methods.
Researchers at the University of Rochester create a new process to turn ordinary metal tubes unsinkable by etching micro- and nano-pits on their surface, making them superhydrophobic. The tubes stay afloat in water, even when damaged or submerged for extended periods.
Researchers have discovered that twisting and stacking oxide crystals can create specific atomic configurations that act as an 'invisible fence' to trap or repel electrons. The study reveals charge disproportionation due to subtle distortions in oxygen octahedra, leading to altered electron accumulation patterns.
Researchers have found that nanoplastics interact with environmental microbes, strengthening bacteria and antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. This can lead to challenges for water treatment and distribution systems. More research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions.
Researchers have developed a new method to fabricate three-dimensional nanoscale devices from single-crystal materials using a focused ion beam instrument. They created helical-shaped devices that behave like switchable diodes, allowing electricity to flow more easily in one direction than the other.
Researchers developed an autonomous AI network technology that enables multiple AI systems to spontaneously collaborate and share knowledge to discover new materials. This collaboration improves exploration efficiency and paves the way for the creation of numerous new materials.
Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have created a molecule that naturally forms p/n junctions, structures vital for converting sunlight into electricity. The new design offers a promising shortcut to producing more efficient organic thin-film solar cells.
Researchers present novel theoretical framework explaining non-monotonic temperature dependence and sign reversal of chirality-related AHE in highly conductive metals. The study reveals clear picture of unusual transport phenomena, forming foundation for rational design of next-generation spintronic devices and magnetic quantum materials.
A UCLA-led research team has discovered a new metallic material that conducts heat nearly three times more efficiently than copper, opening up new pathways for cooling electronics and AI hardware. The material, theta-phase tantalum nitride, boasts an ultrahigh thermal conductivity of approximately 1,100 W/mK.
A partnership between University of Copenhagen and Danish Technical University aims to improve Europe's resilience and competitiveness by boosting innovation. The initiative seeks to develop the innovation ecosystem, drive urban development, and attract talent, companies, and investors.
Researchers developed a self-healing composite that can repair itself over 1,000 times and extend the lifetime of conventional fiber-reinforced composite materials by centuries. The material targets interlaminar delamination, which occurs when cracks cause fiber layers to separate from the matrix.
Scientists created biologically realistic artificial cilia using hydrogel, enabling precise control over their motion. The tiny structures can be powered by low-voltage electrical signals and have shown remarkable durability and versatility.
Researchers have developed a new method to print custom microstructures directly into living cells, enabling the study of biological functions and instilling enhanced properties. The breakthrough uses light-sensitive materials and laser polymerization to create structures within cells.
Researchers developed a flexible OLED display that can be stretched to 1.6 times its original size while maintaining most of its luminescence. The technology uses MXene nanomaterial and an exciplex-assisted phosphorescent layer, improving the OLEDs' ability to efficiently produce light under strain.
A new study from Nagoya University in Japan has found that petrolatum-based eye ointments can cause MicroShunt glaucoma implants to swell and potentially rupture. The study suggests that clinicians should avoid using these ointments on patients with the implant, particularly when it is exposed outside the conjunctiva.
A team of researchers has developed a dual-response cellulose–WO3 composite film that can switch tint in seconds and survive 200 cycles. The membrane is made from wood and can be roll-coated on existing paper machines, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional smart glass.
Researchers at Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics created an active metal metamaterial that can bend and recover its shape, enabling aircraft wings to morph smoothly in flight. The material is lightweight, strong, and capable of adjusting its shape on demand.
Researchers at Princeton University developed a machine learning tool to predict the stability of MOF structures, allowing for faster discovery of advanced materials. The tool achieved accurate predictions 97% of the time and could lead to breakthroughs in battery chemistry, carbon capture, and clean water access.
A novel optical microneedle device developed by researchers can quantify glucose levels in ultra-trace samples with high precision, offering a potential solution for blood-sampling-free clinical testing. The device features a functional hydrogel at its tip that reversibly binds to glucose, enabling accurate analysis without consuming t...
Researchers at Nagoya University and Tokyo Electron Miyagi Ltd. have developed a new semiconductor etching method that significantly reduces processing time and enhances energy efficiency. The process employs plasma etching with hydrogen fluoride at very low temperatures, eliminating the need for fluorocarbon gases.
Researchers from Japan successfully downscaled a total ferroelectric memory capacitor stack to just 30 nm, maintaining high remanent polarization and paving the way for compact and efficient on-chip memory. This breakthrough demonstrates compatibility with semiconductor devices and paves the way for future technologies.
Researchers have developed a strong, defect-free composite material that can phase-shift under stress to dissipate energy. The material, created using additive friction stir deposition, has potential applications in defense, infrastructure, aerospace, and sporting equipment.
A team of researchers developed a multi-material, multi-module microrobot that can grab, carry and release microscopic objects. The microrobot features two parts: one reacts to pH changes to grip an object, while the other responds to magnetic fields for movement.
Researchers at China Jiliang University have developed a comprehensive review of metasurfaces for generating and controlling perfect vortex beams. The advancements in this field offer new possibilities for high-precision optical applications.