Research on testing materials and how they perform. Covers spacecraft shielding, manufacturing challenges, metallic glass in space, and recyclable materials.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology have discovered a promising alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries made from a common material: rubber. The material, when formulated into a 3D structure, acts as a superhighway for fast lithium-ion transport with superior mechanical toughness.
A research team at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology developed a chemical process to mimic trees' vascular systems in foamed polymers, adding structure and enabling directional fluid transport. The team discovered that increasing or decreasing gelation time enables direct control over the foam's cellular structure.
KTU researchers have developed new materials that significantly improve the stability and efficiency of perovskite solar cells. The new materials use a passivation method to prevent degradation, achieving an efficiency of 21.4% in record-breaking solar modules.
Research reveals organic aggregates can emit polychromic and white light with high efficiency, opening up new avenues for OLEDs and encryption. However, more work is needed to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and improve performance.
A novel, simple, and extremely compact terahertz radiation source has been developed at TU Wien, enabling high intensities and small size. The technology uses resonant-tunnelling diodes and can be used in various applications such as material testing, airport security control, radio astronomy, and chemical sensors.
The Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory has developed a novel method for 3D printing refractory materials into complex shapes needed for advanced nuclear reactor designs. USNC plans to incorporate this technology to boost their mission to develop safe, commercially competitive, and simple nuclear energy equipment.
A team of engineers found that thermal conduction is the most prominent form of heat transfer during droplet impact on smooth surfaces, influencing cooling efficiency and droplet behavior. Heat conduction also affects droplet dynamics on rough surfaces, leading to lower heat transfer rates.
Researchers from Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) have discovered a way to perform 'general inverse design' with high accuracy. This breakthrough enables the creation of materials with specific characteristics and properties, paving the way for revolutionizing materials science and industrial applications.
Scientists have successfully detected two-dimensional kagome surface states in the material RV6Sn6, offering a new approach to investigating intrinsic physics of kagome lattices. The detection was achieved using angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES) with real-space resolution.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated ULTRARAM¼trade mark computer memory on silicon wafers for the first time, combining non-volatility with speed and energy-efficiency. The technology outperforms previous incarnations, offering data storage times of at least 1000 years and fast switching speeds.
A team from University of Science and Technology of China discovered the microscopic mechanism behind traditional Xuan paper's high strength and toughness. They developed a high-performance, high-haze transparent film with excellent properties, including high light transmittance, flexibility, and thermal stability.
Harvard researchers create first topological acoustic transistor, utilizing sound waves to control flow on and off. The device demonstrates scalable and controllable 'acoustic switches' with potential applications in efficient noise reduction, ultrasound imaging, and more.
Silk's unique properties make it a promising material for biomedical devices, wearable sensors, and optics. The researchers aim to harness its versatility for future technologies, including reducing food waste.
Researchers developed an injectable, adhesive surgical gel that prevents postoperative adhesions and improves wound healing. The gel, dubbed HAD, was tested in rats and rabbits with promising results, showing a significant reduction in inflammation and mortality rates.
Researchers at Nagoya University and Zeon Corporation have developed a new thermoplastic rubber material, i-SIS, with an extremely high tensile toughness of 480 MJ/m³. The material's impact resistance surpasses that of glass-fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP), making it suitable for use in automotive and other industries.
Researchers have successfully incorporated phosphorene nanoribbons into new types of solar cells, achieving an efficiency above 21%, comparable to traditional silicon-based solar cells. The unique properties of PNRs, including improved hole mobility, enable the creation of high-performance optoelectronic devices.
Researchers have created a rechargeable lithium-ion battery in an ultra-long fiber that can be woven into fabrics, enabling self-contained wearable electronic devices. The 140-meter long fiber battery demonstrates the potential for practical applications in various fields, including communications, sensing, and computational devices.
Researchers at MIT developed a selective separation process using sulfidation to target rare metals like cobalt in lithium-ion batteries. The approach reduces energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional liquid-based separation methods.
The Li Faxin Research Group at Peking University has developed the world's first dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) suitable for hard materials. This instrument measures Young's modulus, shear modulus, and internal friction under variable temperature conditions, offering accurate and quick analysis of material properties.
Researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology created soft flexible photodetectors that are up to 200% stretchable and can detect fainter light levels than conventional devices. The breakthrough material has potential applications in medical wearable sensors, implantable devices, and intelligence systems.
Researchers developed a new process to produce stable formamidinium perovskite (FAPbI3) materials, which can be used to make more efficient and stable solar cells. The novel approach uses lower temperatures and eliminates additives, making it suitable for large-scale production and flexible solar cell applications.
Surrey experts identify overlooked factors contributing to inefficient TFTs, suggesting optimization opportunities for SGTs. They share crucial electrostatic properties secret ingredient for successful transistor realization.
A new database has been launched to systematically record findings on perovskite semiconductors, featuring over 42,000 individual data sets and analysis tools for interactive exploration. The FAIR principles guide the preparation of the data, enabling easy searching with modern algorithms and artificial intelligence.
The University of Central Florida researchers have developed an alcohol-based power source for cars and other technology that uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions compared to traditional fossil fuels. The ethanol fuel cell has achieved a maximum power density and operation time of over 5,900 hours, making it a promising alternat...
Scientists have created a new material using nanometer-scale ceramic particles decorated with polymer strands that exhibit enhanced toughness. The material's unique property allows it to dissipate energy from impacts rapidly, making it suitable for applications such as body armor and bulletproof glass.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have developed a new use for e-waste plastics by repurposing them as an alternative to laboratory cell culture containers. The team found that over 95% of human stem cells seeded on e-waste plastics remained healthy after a week, comparable to cells grown on conventional plates.
The coating protects bacteria during the freeze-drying and manufacturing process, allowing them to be used therapeutically. The researchers tested the coating on a strain of E. coli and another species that aids in digestion of plant starches.
A Washington State University research team used advanced radiocarbon dating to determine the age of ancient stone monoliths in southern Ethiopia's Gedeo zone. The findings push back the construction date by a millennium, shedding light on the region's culture and trade networks.
A team of researchers from the University of Exeter has made a breakthrough in developing all-optical switching of magnetization using transition metals. The new technology enables energy-efficient nanoscale magnetic storage devices with unprecedented tunability and scalability.
Researchers have created reconstructable uterus-derived materials (RUMs) to aid in the recovery of damaged uteruses. The materials, which can be formed into different states and shapes, prevent intrauterine adhesion and promote angiogenesis, endometrial regeneration, and muscle collagen rebuilding.
Scientists have developed a unique measurement technique to study oxygen exchange pathways on pristine SOFC cathode surfaces, revealing that different materials follow the same mechanism. This breakthrough enhances understanding of defects and optimizes material performance.
Researchers from OIST and Kyushu University have developed a method to generate a glow-in-the-dark light using organic materials. The new method produces emissions that last for over one hour at room temperature, improving performance by tenfold compared to previous work.
A new study uses a microspectroscopic technique to measure micro- and nano-sized plastics in steam-disinfected silicone-rubber baby bottle nipples. The research found that these fine particles can be released into the environment and ingested by babies, posing health risks.
Researchers at University of South Australia are developing a world-first product to design traffic lights that absorb kinetic energy, stopping them from crumpling when hit by a vehicle. The technology has the potential to reduce road safety-related costs and injuries worldwide.
Researchers have developed a new pressure sensor that can be stretched up to 50% while maintaining its sensing performance, enabling advanced robotics and prosthetic applications. The sensor is sensitive enough to detect the pressure of small objects and responds rapidly to changes in pressure.
Researchers categorize origami- and kirigami-based mechanical metamaterials into six groups based on folding and cutting patterns. Hybrid designs offer great potential for shape morphing and real-world applications.
A study found a significant increase in requests for anti-racism books and materials following police brutality events and BLM protests, particularly among teachers of younger students. The demand for inclusive curriculum materials also rose sharply, with over $3.4 million worth of books acquired for half a million students.
Researchers at MIT observed the intricate choreography of butterfly scales forming during metamorphosis, revealing a shingle-like pattern and nanometer-high ridges. The findings could inform the design of new materials like iridescent windows and waterproof textiles.
Scientists from UCLA develop a do-it-yourself radiative cooler using household materials, achieving moderate to large temperature drops. The design's reproducibility and low cost make it an attractive standard for research settings.
A team of Boston College researchers has discovered a dramatic re-arrangement of magnetic domains with thermal cycling in a Mott insulator. They used spin-polarized scanning tunneling microscopy to map the local strength of antiferromagnetic ordering on nanometer length scales.
A team at Sandia National Laboratories tested specially designed stainless-steel containers for fire safety and found they did not split open even when heated to 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. The containers developed small pinholes instead, allowing superheated gas to escape without pressurizing the container.
A new process has been identified to accelerate the use of low-cost materials, transforming the energy sector with potential to replace silicone-based solar panels. The dynamic dimeric copper complexes offer a novel combination of fast charge transport and efficient redox mechanisms.
A new coating developed by researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago uses thermoresponsive properties to create a hygroscopic slippery layer that prevents harmful substances from coming into contact with surfaces. This technology delays ice and frost formation, outperforming commercial products by up to ten times.
The study found that applying an electrical potential can stabilize high-temperature superconducting superhydrides at much lower pressures than previously thought. This new method could lead to the creation of new materials with broad applications in consumer and industrial sectors.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a sustainable, non-toxic, and vegan glitter made from cellulose nanocrystals. The material is biodegradable, plastic-free, and free from carcinogenic effects, offering a promising alternative to traditional cosmetics.
Scientists at NTU Singapore develop a new electrochromic window material that can block up to 70% of infrared radiation while allowing 90% of visible light to pass through. The material is designed to be energy-efficient and durable, with improved performance compared to existing technologies.
Researchers have developed the world's thinnest X-ray detector, made from tin mono-sulfide nanosheets, which could enable real-time imaging of cellular processes. The detectors possess high photon absorption coefficients and rapid response times, making them suitable for studying soft X-rays.
Researchers used fusion reactors to test spacecraft heat shield materials, achieving conditions similar to those encountered during high-speed atmospheric entries. The experiments demonstrated improved accuracy in modeling heat shield behavior, offering promise for developing advanced materials necessary for future missions.
Researchers at UC Santa Barbara successfully reconstructed a Bloch wavefunction from physical measurements, shedding light on electron behavior in materials. The team's method, using a terahertz laser and infrared excitation, overcomes previous challenges in measuring wavelike properties.
Researchers created a laboratory to simulate comets in space-like conditions, measuring their properties and evolution. The CoPhyLab chamber allows scientists to compare samples and track gas evaporation and particle loss, providing insights into comet formation and solar system history.
Researchers developed a healable carbon fiber composite that can be repeatedly healed with heat, reversing fatigue damage. This material provides a way to break it down and recycle when it reaches the end of its life, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional thermosets.
Stabilized blue phase crystals could lead to new optical technologies with better response times. By using a core and shell structure, researchers were able to trap chiral liquid crystal in a 'blue phase' state, allowing for perfect, uniform crystals that can be controlled and predicted.
Researchers at University of Missouri and University of Chicago develop an artificial material that can respond to its environment, make decisions, and perform actions not directed by humans. The material uses a computer chip to control information processing and convert energy into mechanical energy.
A team of researchers from Georgia Tech has discovered that zirconium dioxide antiferroelectric material exhibits predictable behavior when miniaturized, following a familiar law similar to ferroelectrics. This finding could lead to the design of more effective memory components and has implications beyond memory applications.
The University of Central Florida has received a $1.5 million U.S. Department of Defense award to develop high-performance fuels for hypersonic propulsion. The project aims to create new solid fuels that can provide wider flammability limits and longer range while constraining volume.
Researchers analyzed tree rings from Batavia's hull timbers to understand the VOC's 17th-century shipbuilding materials and global trade strategies. The study found that the Dutch successfully coped with timber shortages by diversifying sources.
SMART researchers have discovered a practical method to overcome current challenges in the manufacture of indium gallium nitride (InGaN) LEDs with considerably higher indium concentration. The new approach uses intrinsic defects in semiconducting materials to form quantum dots that emit long-wavelength light.
Researchers have developed metal-halide perovskite semiconductors as a cheaper alternative to silicon for solar cells and LEDs. The new material class offers excellent functionality and can be processed from solution, allowing for the creation of efficient devices.
A new 'smart bandage' has been developed to track wound moisture levels wirelessly, enabling doctors to monitor wounds without removing the bandage. The technology could help improve wound healing rates by detecting optimal moisture levels, reducing the risk of disruption to the healing process.
Researchers from City University of Hong Kong created a new titanium-based alloy using additive manufacturing, boasting unprecedented structures and properties. The alloy exhibits high tensile strength, excellent work-hardening capacity, and is up to 40% lighter than stainless steel, making it suitable for various structural applications.