Research on testing materials and how they perform. Covers spacecraft shielding, manufacturing challenges, metallic glass in space, and recyclable materials.
Researchers found that microscopic folds can act like programmable traffic gates for liquid droplets, stopping, letting pass, or merging them without contact. The folds sense droplets from a distance and adjust their curvature to control droplet size and shape.
Researchers have developed an eggshell-inspired aluminum material that offers significant protection from space debris. The material, which consists of water-filled aluminum eggshells arranged in an array, can withstand high loads and reduce the velocity of an impact projectile by nearly 65%. The design, which is inspired by the natura...
Industry leaders gathered at M2IND to discuss manufacturing challenges and technologies for US industry, focusing on alternatives to traditional methods. Key findings include a need for resilient supply chains, expanded critical material options, and faster qualification processes.
Researchers from Saarland University will test metallic glass alloys on the ISS to improve material properties and discover new applications. The experiments will examine levitated droplets heated to temperatures of up to 1,700 degrees Celsius to study material properties such as surface tension and thermal expansion.
Researchers have created a new, recyclable yarn that mimics the properties of spandex-based yarns, offering an alternative to non-recyclable stretchy garments. The yarn is made from a form of plastic and can be melted down and reused multiple times without losing its strength and flexibility.
The University of Tennessee has received a $20 million NSF grant to establish ATHENA, a national network of AI-powered laboratories for accelerating scientific discovery. The initiative aims to revolutionize materials discovery by accelerating design, synthesis, characterization and autonomous optimization of advanced materials.
Researchers used machine learning to analyze thousands of automated experiments and accurately predict how new material compositions will respond to heat, identifying the most promising materials. This approach gives scientists a roadmap for developing more durable perovskite solar cells that can withstand real-world operating conditions.
A team of researchers at Penn State developed a new design approach to reduce the cost of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) by optimizing metallic fibers, which currently make up 70% of the material's price. The new design can help produce stronger and more environmentally friendly concrete while reducing costs.
New instruments promise precise measurement and manipulation of tiny nanomaterials used in manufacturing, aerospace and medicine. Researchers can now study the smallest heavy metals with water filters, developing more resilient structures.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a way to achieve simultaneous high strength and plasticity in cobalt aluminum (CoAl) intermetallics. This is achieved through the introduction of dislocations and amorphous interfaces, which enable the materials to withstand extreme forces without fracturing.
Kirigami researchers create twisty structures for flexible robotic components and soft actuators, exploiting geometrical design to enable rotation under stretching. The unique mechanical properties of these kirigami materials offer new potential applications in robotics and engineering.
Scientists have demonstrated that megalibraries can design materials with specific properties, accelerating the traditional trial-and-error approach to rapidly designing and testing materials. The platform generates vast datasets needed to train AI systems to discover next-generation materials.
Researchers found that atoms on certain gold surfaces naturally rearrange themselves into protective patterns that suppress reactions with oxygen. This discovery helps explain why gold jewelry and objects can remain untarnished for centuries.
Tomas Grejtak has been selected for the Early Career Award from the Society of Tribologists and Lubrication Engineers (STLE) for his research on wear, friction, and material deformation. The award recognizes his contributions to advancing the field of tribology and improving machine efficiency.
Researchers at the University of Bath discovered that a fungus can break down hard-to-recycle construction waste and turn it into sustainable insulation. The resulting biomaterial has comparable thermal performance to conventional insulation products with significantly lower carbon emissions.
Researchers Nadim Hmeidat and Amber Hubbard have been honored with the 2026 Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award from the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) for their contributions to advanced manufacturing research and engineering innovation.
A new autonomous laboratory named PoLARIS has identified brighter, lead-free light-emitting nanomaterials in just 12 hours. By analyzing the optical properties and adjusting variables, PoLARIS has improved the brightness of these materials, enabling faster discovery of safer optical nanoplatelets for various applications.
Researchers at Texas A&M University and DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory developed a hybrid foam with a 3D-printed plastic skeleton, offering tunable, lightweight and ultra-durable properties. The composite combines ordinary foam with plastic struts, allowing it to absorb more energy and withstand greater forces.
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.
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.
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.
The Oak Ridge National Laboratory is partnering with Type One Energy and the University of Tennessee to establish a world-class high-heat flux facility in East Tennessee. The facility will evaluate how materials react under extreme conditions in a fusion device, accelerating the development of plasma-facing components and enabling the ...
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 have introduced a spatial-adaptive active-learning workflow to accelerate search for highly durable OER catalysts. The new method optimizes two objectives sequentially within a unified framework, identifying a Cu-RuO2 catalyst with exceptional performance and long-term stability.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have identified three bisphenols with negligible estrogenic effects, suitable for replacing BPA in consumer products. The safe and sustainable alternatives are made from renewable resources and demonstrate thermal stability and mechanical properties comparable to BPA-based plastics.
Researchers from the University of South Australia have developed a lightweight breathable fabric that reflects 96% of the sun's rays, keeping skin temperature 2-3.8 degrees celsius lower than bare skin. The innovative material actively releases warmth while keeping the skin dry.
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 ETH Zurich have successfully produced muscle tissue using a new biofabrication system called G-FLight in microgravity. The process enables rapid production of viable muscle constructs with similar cell viability and muscle fibers as those printed under gravity.
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 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.
Scientists at The University of Osaka developed a polymeric adhesive that can be reused repeatedly by introducing reversible bonds into the interface. This technology could improve manufacturing yield, reduce costs and minimize waste.
A study by NYU Tandon and Brookhaven National Laboratory shows that crystalline hafnium oxide substrates can provide guidelines for stabilizing the superconducting phase in vanadium silicide films. The researchers found that hafnium oxide offered greater chemical stability and suppressed unwanted secondary phases.
The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has been awarded $6.1 million to lead three research collaborations tackling fusion energy challenges. The projects focus on advanced materials, plasma diagnostics, and simulation technologies to accelerate the development of fusion energy.
The Society for the Advancement of Material and Process Engineering has awarded Oak Ridge National Laboratory the 2025 SAMPE Organizational Excellence Award. The award recognizes ORNL's extraordinary contributions to advanced materials and processes, enabling breakthroughs in industries such as aerospace and automotive.
Researchers at Aarhus University discovered that the crystalline material AgGaGe₃Se₈ exhibits a thermal conductivity of just 0.2 watts per meter-kelvin, three times lower than water and five times lower than typical silica glass.
Researchers have discovered a new material that matches or exceeds the performance of commercial iridium-based materials, but at a fraction of the cost. The breakthrough was achieved using a powerful new tool called a megalibrary, which rapidly screened vast combinations of metals to find a suitable alternative.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have created a more efficient method for manufacturing computer chips using ultraviolet-enabled atomic layer deposition (UV-ALD). This approach reduces the number of manufacturing steps, saving time and materials, while also minimizing the use of harmful chemicals.
Researchers from the University of Pittsburgh, University of Freiburg, and Saarland University launched a global challenge to measure and describe surface topography. The results showed that current industry-standard methods are limited and that more precise measurements are needed to accurately predict surface behavior.
Studies compare three helmet materials (ABS, fiberglass, and aluminum alloys) for reducing traumatic brain injury risk in elite athletes. ABS is sufficient for training and recreational sports, while fiberglass or aluminum alloys are recommended for elite athletes due to their unique benefits.
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.
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.
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.
University of Missouri scientists have developed an ice lithography technique that etches small patterns onto fragile biological surfaces without damaging them. The method uses frozen ethanol to protect the surface and apply precise patterns.
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.
Scientists have developed a new microscope that accurately measures directional heat flow in materials. This advancement can lead to better designs for electronic devices and energy systems, with potential applications in faster computers, more efficient solar panels, and batteries.
A synthetic lichen system developed by Texas A&M researchers enables concrete to heal itself without outside intervention. This innovation uses cyanobacteria and filamentous fungi to produce crack-filling minerals, setting it apart from previous self-healing concrete endeavors.
Researchers developed an advanced microscopic method to map residual stress in ultra-narrow weld zones, revealing the impact on P91 steel's strength and brittleness. The findings provide critical insights for designing safer and longer-lasting fusion energy systems.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a surface reconstruction pathway to produce durable non-noble metal-based cathodes for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance, paving the way for affordable commercial production.
Dr. Ali Khademhosseini, TIBI Director, receives the 2025 MRS Mid-Career Researcher Award for his groundbreaking contributions to biomaterials science and tissue engineering. His research has revolutionized engineered tissue constructs for drug discovery and regeneration.
Researchers at Columbia University have discovered over a dozen new quantum states in twisted molybdenum ditelluride, which can be created without an external magnet. These states hold promise for building topological quantum computers with unique properties that could reduce errors and improve performance.
A team of researchers at Kyoto University has developed a simple but effective method for detecting early wood coating deterioration, which can extend the life of wooden structures and improve sustainability. The approach combines mid-infrared spectroscopy with machine learning to predict the extent of deterioration, allowing for early...
Researchers have developed a new method to detect gunshot residue at crime scenes, offering exciting opportunities for crime scene investigations. The innovative light-emitting lead analysis method is faster, more sensitive, and easier to use than current alternatives.
Researchers from Tsinghua University sent 2D materials and field-effect transistors into orbit aboard China's reusable recoverable satellite, Shijian-19. The materials maintained their structural integrity, exhibiting stable switching characteristics after a 14-day space flight.
Researchers developed a novel 2D phase-transition memristor leveraging intrinsic ion migration to overcome existing device limitations. The device achieves record-low power consumption, ultrafast switching speed, and exceptional endurance, making it suitable for high-speed computing applications.
Quantum Base, a Lancaster University spin-out, has successfully floated on the London Stock Exchange with a £4.8 million fundraising. The company aims to harness quantum technology to address real-world challenges through its patented Q-ID solution for anti-counterfeiting.
Researchers from TU Graz and Vellore Institute of Technology have developed a 3D-printed skin imitation with living cells to test nanoparticles from cosmetics. The skin imitation mimics human skin's three-layer tissue structure and biomechanics, made possible by hydrogel formulations printed together with living cells.
Researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a simple and cost-effective method to test lithium-ion battery safety, enabling researchers to quickly screen battery effects on safety factors such as materials, design, storage conditions, and degradation. The innovative method uses miniaturized batteries that are intentionally un...
The device uses AI technology to detect potential heart problems and provides real-time health insights. It has multiple points touching the skin near the heart, allowing for more accurate tracking even during movement.
A new edible biofilm developed by Brazilian researchers extends the shelf life of strawberries by up to 11% while preserving their freshness, taste, and aroma. The film, made from pomegranate peel extract and natural polymers, acts as a barrier to microorganisms, moisture loss, and gas exchange.
Researchers developed a Cu-Ta-Li alloy with exceptional thermal stability and mechanical strength, combining copper's conductivity with nickel-based superalloy-like properties. The alloy's nanostructure prevents grain growth, improving high-temperature performance and durability under extreme conditions.