Articles tagged with Materials Engineering
Researchers at Tsinghua University Press have created a novel process to manufacture low-cost carbon fibers using liquefied coal and waste plastics, reducing environmental pollution and economic costs. The new method produces general-purpose and high-performance carbon fibers with exceptional strength and durability.
Kono recognized for his contributions to optical physics, light-condensed matter interactions and photonic applications of nanosystems. His research explores how light interacts with materials at the nanoscale, potentially leading to new technologies in electronics and quantum communication.
Materials scientists at the University of Minnesota have discovered a way to control tiny 'flaws' inside ultra-thin materials, giving them new properties. The study found that patterned regions can achieve up to 1,000 times higher density of extended defects than unpatterned areas.
Researchers at UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering developed a fully automated system to optimize physical vapor deposition, a process used to make thin films. The self-driving lab uses robotics and artificial intelligence to decide the next best step without human intervention.
Researchers test plastination on Western red cedar to create a strong and durable composite material, reducing water absorption by nearly 60% and increasing surface hydrophobicity. The technique offers a powerful alternative to traditional wood preservatives without compromising environmental performance.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a new prototype of a knitting machine that can create solid, knitted shapes in any direction. The machine functions more like a 3D printer, building up solid shapes with horizontal layers of stitches.
Researchers have developed a bioinspired material that can regenerate demineralized or eroded enamel, strengthen healthy enamel, and prevent future decay. The new gel, applied like standard fluoride treatments, promotes controlled growth of new mineral to recover enamel structure and properties.
Physicists at Umeå University developed a laser made entirely from biomaterials, including birch leaves and peanut kernels. The environmentally friendly laser performs just as well as artificially engineered lasers and could be used for bioimaging, diagnostics, and optical tagging.
Researchers at the University of Turku developed a new innovative approach to create colour-tunable white OLEDs. By using a standard sky-blue, metal-free molecule and reshaping its light using a microcavity, they eliminated the need for scarce indium tin oxide and complicated RGB colour mixing.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new heat-resistant material made entirely of metals, creating a gel-like substance that can withstand extreme temperatures. This breakthrough could revolutionize energy storage and enable the use of liquid metal batteries in mobile applications.
Researchers aim to understand how mixtures of charged polymers form microscopic droplets with unique properties, enabling drug delivery and adhesive applications. The team uses high-resolution measurement techniques to study complex coacervates.
Researchers developed a nanoengineered polymer coating that reflects sunlight and radiates heat, capturing atmospheric water vapour to create a sustainable source of fresh water. The technology can be integrated into paint-like materials for large-scale use, complementing existing systems and addressing global challenges.
Researchers developed FerroAI, a deep learning model that produces phase diagrams for ferroelectric materials in just 20 seconds. The model discovered a novel material with an exceptionally high dielectric constant, advancing AI-driven ferroelectric materials research and accelerating functional materials design.
Researchers at KAIST have created a new manufacturing method for high-performance green hydrogen electrolysis cells, reducing production time from six hours to just ten minutes. The technique uses microwaves to heat ceramic powders uniformly, achieving stable electrolyte formation at lower temperatures.
Researchers have discovered a way to increase the energy state of iron in materials, enabling the creation of higher-voltage batteries. The breakthrough could also aid the development of superconductors and magnetism applications.
Researchers at South China University of Technology develop a method to solve unstable anode:electrolyte interfaces using digital light processing (DLP) 3D printing. The resulting batteries retain over 91% capacity after 8,000 cycles and achieve stable cycling over 2,000 hours.
A team of researchers has developed an artificial retina model using 3D printing technology, which closely replicates the pathological microenvironment of retinal vein occlusion. The model exhibited responses similar to those observed in clinical cases, validating its potential as a preclinical drug evaluation system.
A new approach enables simultaneous synthesis of SiC and Si3N4 powders with improved quality and reduced diluent usage. High-purity powders are achieved through optimized temperature field regulation and CO concentration control. The method paves the way for large-scale, low-cost manufacturing of high-performance Si-based ceramics.
Researchers have developed bioelectronic hydrogels made from conducting polymer microparticles that can be injected into the body or used as injectable therapies. The material has the potential to emulate properties of the body and leverage its functions for more sophisticated ways of doing it.
A new multi-scale graph neural network overcomes limitations of traditional methods, achieving improved prediction accuracy and reduced overfitting. The model's attention mechanism enables interpretable predictions, highlighting key features such as Zn–O bonds.
A UH crystals expert has shown how to bend and twist crystals without physical force, using a molecule called a tautomer. This discovery has potential applications in drug delivery and material properties, such as optoelectronics and soft robotics.
A new computational method, DIGIT, enables optical microscopes to resolve individual atoms and zero in on their exact locations in a crystal structure. This technique can help guide the design of quantum devices and provide insights into advanced materials.
A European research team has developed an Intrusion–Extrusion Triboelectric Nanogenerator that produces measurable electrical power from the cyclic intrusion and extrusion of water in nanoscale pores. The achieved energy conversion efficiency of up to 9% ranks among the highest ever reported for solid–liquid nanogenerators.
A new technique allows engineers to more precisely place patches on microscopic building blocks, controlling their assembly into designer structures. This stenciling method provides a quantum leap in control over the building blocks' designs, enabling the creation of sophisticated materials from nanoparticles.
UT Dallas researchers are developing a material to protect spacecraft from atmospheric drag and erosion, which can damage vehicles in space. The new coating has shown promising results, withstanding atomic oxygen conditions better than those in space.
Researchers developed an ultra-sensitive hydrogel for human-machine interaction, achieving high-accuracy collaboration in remote surgical operations and virtual reality. The AirCell Hydrogel boasts a smooth surface and porous interior structure, allowing it to detect various human motions with exceptional accuracy.
Researchers developed a method to trigger magnetic jamming in materials using wireless magnetic fields, enabling reversible and programmable clumping. This technique allows for the creation of structures that can assemble, stiffen, relax, or break apart under magnetic control.
Researchers at Sun Yat-sen University create a new method for fabricating ultra-uniform surface structures with features as small as 46 nanometers. The technique uses a carefully tuned femtosecond laser under water immersion, overcoming the challenge of creating uniform nanostructures smaller than 100 nanometers.
CompositesAI helps users create and analyze composite products without requiring in-depth technical knowledge. The platform is initially focused on rotor blades for air mobility, helicopters, and wind turbines, but its uses will expand to handle other composite structures.
Researchers have developed atomic-level precision patterning on nanoparticle surfaces using stencils, creating 'patchy nanoparticles' with various shapes and functions. The technique allows for large-scale production of batched particles with intricate designs, enabling the creation of novel materials and metamaterials.
A team of engineers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences designed a proof-of-concept walking robot using only four moving parts connected by rubber bands and powered by one motor. The robot can find its way through mazes, avoid obstacles, and sort objects by mass without electronic control systems.
A new study by MIT researchers evaluates the scale-up potential of over 16,000 quantum materials, finding that those with high quantum fluctuation in electrons tend to be more expensive and environmentally damaging. The team identified promising candidates with an optimal balance between quantum functionality and sustainability for fur...
Research finds that surface roughness influences the formation and size of hydrogen-related defects in iron, leading to a new approach to material design. The study provides fundamental understanding of hydrogen embrittlement mechanisms and could reduce life-cycle costs of hydrogen technologies.
Researchers developed a composite bioabsorbable hemostatic sponge inspired by mussels and extracellular matrix. The sponge quickly absorbs blood and firmly adheres to tissues, enhancing hemostatic performance. It promotes wound stabilization, accelerates blood clotting, and reduces inflammation and tissue damage.
A new project aims to develop a computationally efficient model that accurately predicts how additive manufacturing process parameters influence the solidification microstructure of binary alloy solidification. This will enable optimization of additively manufactured parts with confidence in critical industries.
A new AI tool, SpectroGen, uses generative AI to quickly assess material quality by generating spectra in less than one minute. It can replace traditional methods that take several hours or days, improving productivity and efficiency in industries such as manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.
Geoffroy Hautier, a materials scientist at Rice University, has been elected a fellow of the American Physical Society for his groundbreaking research in high-throughput computational materials design and discovery. His work bridges quantum mechanics, computation, and artificial intelligence to accelerate the discovery of new materials...
A polymer 'Chinese lantern' structure can snap into multiple curved shapes, controlled by a magnetic field. Researchers developed a mathematical model to program the shape and energy release, enabling diverse applications such as non-invasive grippers and filter systems.
Wiley has acquired Nanophotonics, a top-ranked open-access journal in Optics & Photonics. The acquisition enhances Wiley's impact portfolio covering physics, engineering, and materials science, focusing on emerging photonics applications.
Researchers at MIT have found a hidden atomic order in metals that changes their properties, including mechanical strength and heat capacity. The discovery reveals a new physical phenomenon explaining the persistent patterns and provides a simple model to predict chemical patterns in metals.
Researchers at Stanford University have solved the famous Poisson model for heterogenous materials, enabling the design of stronger, cheaper materials. The new approach uses a statistical method to predict material properties based on random point knowledge.
Griffith University researchers have developed a method to tune cancer cell behavior using re-entrant microstructures, which can guide cell attachment, spreading, and multiplication. The study uses simple design rules to achieve mechanosensitive behaviors that emerged when curvature and confinement were introduced.
A new AI-based system helps researchers design polymers with tailored electronic properties for next-generation bioelectronics. By processing a wide range of experiments, the system reveals the importance of local polymer order and dopant-polymer separation in controlling electronic properties.
Engineers have developed a new class of nontoxic, biodegradable solid lubricants to replace existing toxic lubricants in modern farming equipment. The new lubricant reduces friction and prevents seed jamming, outperforming commercial talc and microplastic lubricants.
Researchers found that composite metal foam can withstand repeated heavy loads even at temperatures of 400 and 600 degrees Celsius. The material's high strength-to-weight ratio makes it suitable for applications such as aircraft wings, vehicle armor, and nuclear power technologies.
Researchers at MIT have developed a 3D-printable aluminum alloy that is five times stronger than traditionally manufactured versions. This breakthrough could lead to lighter and more efficient aircraft parts, such as fan blades in jet engines, reducing energy consumption and costs.
A novel molecular coating enhances the consistency and precision of quantum light sources, increasing their spectral purity and controlling photon energy. The coating protects single-photon emitters from atmospheric contaminants, enabling reliable quantum devices for secure communications and ultra-precise sensors.
Aarhus University researchers have developed a transparent layer with silver nanorings that adapts to sunlight intensity, controlling heat entry through glass without dimming the view. The thermoplasmonic effect reduces near-infrared transmission, lowering cooling demand and CO₂ emissions in energy-efficient buildings.
Researchers have found a fungus, Marquandomyces marquandii, that can grow into hydrogels with unique structural properties, such as high water absorption and elasticity. These properties make it a potential candidate for biomedical uses like tissue regeneration and flexible wearable devices.
Researchers developed a platform called CRESt that incorporates insights from literature, chemical compositions, and imaging to optimize materials recipes. CRESt uses robotic equipment for high-throughput testing and large multimodal models to further optimize materials recipes.
Researchers from MANA develop a cost-effective, high-performance catalyst using green rust to support the use of sodium borohydride as a hydrogen storage material. The new catalyst achieves comparable performance to precious metal-based materials and shows excellent durability.
Researchers at MIT developed a new approach to design complex material structures that account for 3D printing limitations, improving reliability in aerospace and medical applications. The technique enables precise control over material performance and reduces deviations from intended mechanical behavior.
Researchers have developed lightweight aerogel beads that can absorb oils and organic solvents from water, as well as nanocellulose foams for wireless telecommunications technologies. These bio-based materials offer a sustainable alternative to fossil-based materials, reducing signal losses and enabling novel future technologies.
Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has completed its Center for Accelerating Materials and Processes (CAMP) facility, enabling faster production of high-speed propulsion systems. The new facility will focus on demonstrating more efficient techniques for manufacturing these systems.
Researchers develop multifunctional aerogels combining thermal insulation, flame retardancy, and mechanical robustness using bio-based nanocellulose. The resulting aerogels exhibit low thermal conductivity, high flame resistance, and impressive strength and flexibility.
Researchers at MIT developed a technique called SCIGEN that steers generative AI models to create promising quantum materials by following specific design rules. The approach led to the synthesis of two actual materials with exotic magnetic traits.
Scientists at the University of Gothenburg have developed the smallest on-chip motor in history, capable of fitting inside a human hair. The new motor uses laser light to set gears in motion, enabling microscopic machines that can control light and manipulate small particles.
The researchers developed a new microscopy method that enables imaging of vibrations in specific directions at the atomic scale. This allows engineers to tailor materials for use in electronics, semiconductors, optics and quantum computing.
Scientists at Linköping University develop artificial neurons made of conductive plastics that perform advanced functions like biological nerve cells. They simplify the basic structure to make it compact and biologically relevant.
Researchers at DTU Energy and DTU Construct developed a new fuel cell design using 3D printing and gyroid geometry for improved surface area and weight. The Monolithic Gyroidal Solid Oxide Cell delivers over one watt per gram, making it suitable for aerospace applications.