Articles tagged with Materials Engineering
The European Research Council has awarded three ERC Proof of Concept grants to Göttingen University professors, enabling the development of initiatives that can benefit Europe's economy and society. The projects focus on harnessing renewable energy, reducing chemical waste, and improving biomedical image analysis.
A team at Binghamton University has developed a process to convert food waste into biodegradable plastic, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and offering a sustainable alternative. The process utilizes bacteria to synthesize polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) plastic, which can be harvested and shaped into various products.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new type of adhesive that could improve the comfort and safety of wearable medical devices. The adhesive, made from polyelectrolyte-complex coatings, is water-based and has been shown to match the strength of commercial-grade adhesives while reducing skin irritation.
Twisted trilayer graphene creates a pattern that changes the material's properties and can turn it into a superconductor. Researchers used a microscope to probe the properties of supermoiré patterns, revealing new states of matter with precisely controllable properties.
Researchers at Rice University developed a new glass coating that forms a thin, tough layer that reflects heat and resists scratches and moisture. The coating improves energy savings by 2.9% compared to existing alternatives, making it a promising solution for cities with cold winters.
MXene materials have been engineered to respond to light, enabling their use in soft robotics applications. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new types of robots that can change shape and function in response to external stimuli.
A new laser machining method enables high-precision patterned laser micro-grooving with root mean square errors below 0.5 μm. This technique allows for rapid and scalable manufacturing of custom microstructures, advancing applications in microfluidic devices, sensors, and heat dissipation systems.
The collaboration aims to increase print quality and consistency for large-format 3D printing, enabling applications in hydroelectric dams, oil and gas industries, and more. ORNL's slicing software and JuggerBot 3D equipment will be refined to process thermosets independently and simultaneously.
Researchers developed pulsating, fabricated microneedles that can deliver medication into the body without causing pain. The PIDES method produces microneedles with a sharp and rigid tip, ideal for skin penetration, and demonstrates controlled time-dependent drug release profiles.
A new study maps the internal behavior of soft materials when deformed, revealing localized fracture events and heterogeneous flows. The findings challenge long-standing assumptions and provide valuable insights for improving manufacturing techniques.
A fully autonomous robotic system developed by MIT researchers can measure important material properties like photoconductivity, increasing the speed and precision of research. The system uses machine learning and robotics to analyze new semiconductors and optimize the development of more powerful solar panels.
Case Western Reserve University researchers have developed an environmentally safer type of plastic that can be used for wearable electronics, sensors, and other electrical applications without fluorine. The new material exhibits tunable ferroelectricity and flexibility, making it suitable for various electronic uses.
The ReSURF sensor can detect various pollutants, such as oils and fluorinated compounds, in water droplets using its unique self-powered and self-healing properties. It offers a sustainable solution for real-time water quality monitoring with capabilities to be applied in soft robotics and wearable electronics.
Scientists at the University of Copenhagen have developed a way to transmit phonons through an ultra-thin membrane with almost no signal loss. This breakthrough has potential applications in quantum computing and sensing, where precise signal transfer is crucial.
A new blue fluorescent molecule, TGlu, has been discovered that reaches record-breaking brightness and efficiency in both solid and liquid states. The molecule's design could cut down development time and cost for future applications.
Researchers at George Mason University conducted impact testing on utility poles made of different materials to determine acceleration and behavior during impact. The study, funded by the Electric Power Research Institute, aims to compare performance across various material types.
The study highlights the challenges of commercializing renewable polymers, but also emphasizes the potential of chemical modification to improve their properties for clinical use. The research aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these sustainable materials in biomedical practice.
Tina Rost will use a $800,000 NSF CAREER award to control the disorder in high-entropy ceramics, making them stronger and more heat-resistant. Her team aims to develop new materials with tailored electrical, magnetic, and mechanical properties using machine learning-enhanced analysis.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology developed a novel dry adhesive technology using shape memory polymers, allowing for precise micro-LED chip transfer with minimal residue. The technology offers significant advantages over conventional methods, including high adhesion strength and easy release.
Researchers introduced hydrogen into high-quality Ge thin films, reducing hole density by three orders of magnitude. Low-temperature annealing repaired surface defects, further improving device performance and applicability.
A team of Korean researchers has successfully recreated a golden fiber akin to that of 2,000 years ago using the pen shell cultivated in Korean coastal waters. The breakthrough reveals the scientific basis behind its unchanging golden color and demonstrates the potential of eco-friendly materials.
A nanometer-thin spacer layer has been inserted into exciplex upconversion OLEDs (ExUC-OLEDs) to improve energy transfer, enhancing blue light emission by 77-fold. This design enables the use of previously incompatible materials, paving the way for lightweight, low-voltage, and more flexible OLEDs.
Advanced computer simulations reveal shear deformations and internal mechanical stresses play a crucial role in grain growth and evolution. This discovery helps explain why real polycrystals behave differently than predicted and offers insights into designing stronger materials.
Scientists at Rice University develop a new method to align boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) in water using a common surfactant, creating ordered liquid crystalline phases. The discovery enables the production of transparent, robust films ideal for thermal management and structural reinforcement applications.
Scientists at KIT have produced an MOF in thin-film form that exhibits metallic conductivity, enabling new possibilities for electronic components and applications. The breakthrough was achieved using a self-driving laboratory and precise control over crystallinity and domain size.
Researchers develop biodegradable material that cools temperatures by up to 9.2°C and reflects 99% of sun's rays, reducing energy consumption by 20% a year in hot cities.
Researchers have developed a method to transform polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic waste into paracetamol using genetically reprogrammed E. coli bacteria. The new process creates virtually no carbon emissions and can be completed in under 24 hours.
Scientists at Rice University have developed a scalable method to create high-performance single-photon emitters in carbon-doped hexagonal boron nitride, paving the way for practical quantum light sources. The findings overcome long-standing challenges in the field and set a new benchmark for qubit production.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have created a living material that can absorb CO2 from the air through photosynthesis and store it in a stable mineral form. The material, made with cyanobacteria, can be shaped using 3D printing and requires sunlight, water, and nutrients to grow.
International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing (IJEM) achieves a new Impact Factor of 21.3, surpassing 20 for the first time and maintaining its position as top journal in the field. IJEM has attracted submissions from 853 institutions in 81 countries.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel solution for image sensors, utilizing lead halide perovskite to capture every photon of light. This allows for improved color recognition and higher resolution, as well as advantages in hyperspectral imaging.
Researchers have developed a technique to observe phonon dynamics in nanoparticle self-assemblies, enabling the creation of reconfigurable metamaterials with desired mechanical properties. This advance has wide-ranging applications in fields such as robotics, mechanical engineering, and information technology.
A research team at TU Wien has demonstrated how electrical current can be generated using 'traffic jam of electrons' in certain materials. By incorporating additional immobile charge carriers into the material, they were able to create a significant improvement in thermoelectric properties.
Researchers Mostafa Bedewy and Ahmed Aziz Ezzat are advancing nanomanufacturing by using machine learning to control the formation of nanoparticles and grow carbon nanotubes. The team aims to reveal which nanoparticles act as seeds for growing nanotubes, a key step towards creating ideal high-density structures.
Bioengineering researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences developed a soft, thin, stretchable bioelectronic device that can be implanted into a tadpole embryo's neural plate, recording electrical activity from single brain cells with millisecond precision.
The Beckman Institute team created a computational model that predicts how materials self-organize to give rise to new textures and properties. By understanding the chemical 'recipe' of polymer manufacturing, manufacturers can design and simulate materials with built-in patterns, enhancing toughness and reducing weight.
A team from Institute of Science Tokyo has developed a postfunctionalization technique allowing for the incorporation of phosphonate esters under visible light conditions. This breakthrough paves the way for a broader range of polymer modifications, enabling the creation of novel polymer architectures with unique properties.
Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics launches first room-temperature quantum accelerator, enabling energy-efficient hybrid quantum-classical computing. The QB-QDK2.0 system uses synthetic diamond substrates and NV centers to create stable qubits for industrial applications.
MIT engineers developed a new resin that turns into two different solids depending on the type of light, enabling the creation of complex structures with easily dissolvable supports. This method speeds up the 3D-printing process and reduces waste by allowing for recycling and reuse of the supports.
Researchers developed self-propelled ferroptosis nanoinducers to enhance cancer therapy by inducing programmed cell death. The nanotherapeutics exhibited enhanced diffusion and deep tumor penetration while maintaining biocompatibility.
Empa researchers have developed a novel deposition process for piezoelectric thin films using HiPIMS, producing high-quality layers on insulating substrates at low temperatures. The technique overcomes the challenge of argon inclusions by timing the voltage application to accelerate desired ions.
Himanshu Jain, Lehigh University professor of materials science and engineering, received an honorary doctorate from the University of Pardubice in the Czech Republic. The recognition honors his influential research on glass materials and leadership in advancing graduate education.
A team of researchers at Texas A&M University has received a $1.6 million grant to develop a system for rapidly accelerating the certification process of 3D-printed critical components used in military applications.
Researchers have demonstrated a new technique using lasers to create ceramics that can withstand ultra-high temperatures. The technique allows for the creation of ceramic coatings, tiles, or complex three-dimensional structures, enabling increased versatility in engineering new devices and technologies.
Researchers created a soft robotics technology that can identify damage, pinpoint its location, and autonomously initiate self-repair. The system uses a multi-layer architecture featuring liquid metal microdroplets, thermoplastic elastomer, and electromigration to melt and seal damaged areas, effectively self-healing the wound.
Researchers at Rice University have successfully created a genuine 2D hybrid material called glaphene by chemically integrating graphene and silica. The new material exhibits unique properties, including new electronic and structural behavior, due to the interaction between its layers.
Researchers discovered ferroelectric phenomena at a subatomic scale in Brownmillerite, overcoming collective atomic vibrations limitations. This property enables selective domain formation within tetrahedral layers when an electric field is applied.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a new method to fabricate ultrapure diamond films for quantum and electronic applications. By growing an extra layer of diamond on top of the substrate after ion implantation, they can bypass high-temperature annealing and generate higher-purity films.
Researchers developed AI system that detects 'fingerprint' from 3D printed parts, tracing origin to specific machine. This technology has major implications for supplier management and quality control.
The new 3D-printed device, STOMP, enhances tissue-engineering methods by allowing for precise control over cell types and spatial arrangement. This enables scientists to model complex diseases and recreate natural habitats of cells, paving the way for advancements in biomedical research.
A new membrane developed by MIT researchers separates different types of fuel based on their molecular size, eliminating the need for energy-intensive distillation. The membrane can efficiently separate heavy and light components from oil, and is resistant to swelling.
Materials researchers at Harvard have created a way to produce natural rubber that retains its stretchiness and durability while improving its ability to resist cracking. The new material is four times better at resisting slow crack growth during repeated stretching and 10 times tougher overall.
Researchers from Florida Atlantic University and the German Electron Synchrotron mapped the internal structure of blacktip sharks in unprecedented detail, discovering a microscopic 'sharkitecture' composed of densely packed collagen and bioapatite. This intricate structure gives cartilage surprising strength while allowing flexibility.
Researchers have developed thin films that can compress infrared light, improving its propagation distance and wavelength range. The technology has potential applications in thermal management, molecular sensing, and photonics.
Engineers mimic natural shells' behavior by programming individual layers of synthetic material to collaborate under stress, expanding design space for nonlinear stress-strain responses. The new framework enables multistage responses that adapt to collision severity, improving wearable bandages and car bumpers.
The University of Michigan researchers discovered a simple annealing method that enhances the quality of materials used in cell phones, sensors and energy harvesting devices. The process boosts piezoelectricity eight times beyond current technology.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a new 3D printing method for smart fabrics that improve comfort and durability. The technology uses biodegradable materials and a more environmentally friendly process, allowing fabrics to withstand repeated washings and abrasion tests.
Researchers at the University of Turku developed a simple, eco-friendly approach to fabricate optical microcavities, allowing for precise study of polaritons and potential applications in ultra-efficient lasers and quantum optics. This innovation makes quantum and photonics research more accessible and energy-efficient.
Researchers developed a method to produce tissues with controlled cellular organization, mimicking human tissue structure. The technique uses light-based 3D printing to create microgels with tailored internal architectures, enabling precise control of cell growth and behavior.
Empa researchers have developed a bio-based, biodegradable material from fungal mycelium that avoids chemical processing. The material has versatile functional properties, including emulsification capabilities, and is suitable for various applications. Its biodegradability makes it an attractive alternative to traditional materials.