Research on testing materials and how they perform. Covers spacecraft shielding, manufacturing challenges, metallic glass in space, and recyclable materials.
Researchers have developed a new class of semiconductor materials that can be used as light absorbers in solar cells, potentially using one hundred times less material than silicon. These materials have superior performance, reduced toxicity, and show promise for developing high-performance optoelectronic devices.
Professor Federico Rosei, Director of INRS Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, receives the 2017 IEEE Canada Outstanding Engineer Award. He is recognized for his important contributions to Canadian electrical and electronics engineering.
Researchers discovered that massive stars can exhibit instability for several months before a supernova explosion, creating a dense gas shell around themselves. This insight came from analyzing data collected by the Palomar Transient Factory telescope network.
The Graphene Flagship research team has successfully fabricated all-printed, all-layered materials transistors using graphene flakes and other layered materials. This innovation could enable the creation of affordable electronic devices such as smart labels and e-passports.
Researchers have created a self-healing material that can stretch up to 50 times its original size and automatically stitch itself back together within a day. The material, which uses ion-dipole interactions, could potentially be used to repair smartphones and other electronic devices.
Researchers have developed a new method to produce inorganic-organic hybrid perovskite solar cells (PSCs) with a high efficiency of 21.2% and excellent photostability, surpassing conventional limits.
Researchers at Hokkaido University have created a nickel complex that changes color and magnetism when exposed to methanol vapor. The material exhibits vapochromic properties, making it suitable for chemical sensing applications.
The American Chemical Society's 253rd National Meeting & Exposition will explore the impact of advanced materials, technologies, and systems on energy, environment, and health. The plenary talks will emphasize collaboration between industry and academia to foster sustainable development.
Researchers at Imperial College London found that a weak star's light can cause significant material loss from a protoplanetary disc. The study of the IM Lup system revealed that the disc will lose about 3,300 Earth's worth of material over its lifetime.
Researchers at Dartmouth College have developed a 3D printing method to transform microscopic nanorings into smart materials that perform work at human-scale. The new technique enables the creation of complex smart devices beyond current grasp, with potential applications in soft robots and other tasks.
Researchers have successfully filmed inter-molecular chemical reactions in real-time at the atomic level, revolutionizing material development and discovery. The study utilizes the electron beam of a TEM as both an imaging tool and energy source to drive specific chemical reactions.
Researchers at Yale University have created a new material that can be applied to any sulfur cathode, improving battery stability and cycle life. The gel-like coating increases the number of cycles to over 1,000, making it suitable for high-energy-density batteries.
Researchers have confirmed that doping spiro-OMeTAD with LiTFSI prevents holes from getting trapped, allowing them to move freely and generate electrical current. This process was observed using electron spin resonance spectroscopy and demonstrated a two-order-of-magnitude increase in the number of electron spins.
Researchers have created a nanoscale damage-sensing probe that can be embedded into lightweight composites made of epoxy and silk. The probe uses a dye that changes color in response to applied force, allowing for the detection of even minor breaks and fissures within the composite material.
Researchers at the University of Kansas have observed counterintuitive motion of electrons during experiments, moving from top to bottom layer without being spotted in the middle. This quantum transport efficiency is promising for new materials in solar cells and electronics.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed composite metal foams with enhanced properties, including reduced armor-piercing bullet penetration and effective radiation shielding. The new data provides a comprehensive overview of the materials' performance in various tests, including high-speed impacts and cyclic loading.
A team of researchers at MIT has developed a novel material with a laminated nanostructure that reduces metal fatigue, allowing it to deform without spreading microcracks. This breakthrough could lead to improved structural components in industries such as aerospace and automotive.
Researchers at MIT have created a new system for 3D printing with cellulose acetate, a renewable and biodegradable alternative to traditional plastics. The new process allows for customization and functionalization of the printed parts, making it suitable for various applications including medical devices and sustainable products.
A new European Union-funded project will develop satellites that can operate at lower altitudes, revolutionizing remote sensing technology. The project aims to create smaller, cheaper satellites with improved image quality, utilizing advanced materials and electric propulsion systems.
Professor Erik Bitzek aims to investigate the interactions between cracks and material defects to improve understanding of breaking processes in metals, intermetallic compounds, and semiconductors. He seeks realistic results through micromechanical models and fracture tests to develop novel, fail-safe materials.
Researchers at Osaka University create tri-color changing materials that exhibit efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence and enable the production of high-performance OLEDs devices. The materials display a range of colors in response to temperature and pressure, showing promise for applications such as pressure- and temperat...
Researchers at Harvard SEAS use kirigami cuts to create 3D structures from flat sheets by stretching and buckling material. The pop-up pattern and mechanical properties can be controlled by varying the cut orientation.
Researchers at Aalto University have visualized the effect of oxygen ion migration on complex oxide materials, leading to uniform and reversible changes in electrical resistance. This finding could pave the way for the development of resistance-switching random access memories.
The UK government is investing £128 million in the Henry Royce Institute to advance materials research and innovation. The institute aims to create a critical component of the UK's industrial strategy, providing a 'missing link' in the development of materials for various applications.
Scientists have developed a method to recycle unwanted Si sawdust into high-capacity and durable LIBs with capacities up to 3.3 times larger than conventional graphite. The proposed recycling process has the potential to be mass-produced at a reasonably low cost.
Researchers created a new membrane that improves the cycle life of lithium-sulfur batteries by reducing the shuttling of dissolved polysulfides. The MCM layer preserves energy density without losing capacity over time, leading to 100% capacity retention and up to four times longer life compared to batteries without it.
Researchers have developed a new method to characterise internal structures of natural materials and replicate their interaction with light using 3D printing of ceramics. This technique enables the design of new materials with different functionalities dependent on need.
Researchers at KFU's bionanotechnology lab used atomic force microscopy (AFM) to create 3D images of nematode cuticles. The study revealed new insights into the surface anatomy of Caenorhabditis elegans, a widely used model organism in genetics and biology research.
Researchers discovered that brown recluse spiders use a micro looping technique to make their threads stronger than other spiders, with the added benefit of preventing premature breakage. This technique could lead to new fibre technology inspired by the spider's silk, potentially improving impact absorbing structures in space travel.
The University of Texas at Arlington researcher is using a two-year, $360,000 contract to test the performance of geocells in a highway-widening project. Geocells are modular structures that can support a drivable surface and may provide cost savings by recycling valuable materials.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have successfully grown a single layer of tungsten ditelluride, a unique two-dimensional material with predicted topological electronic states. This breakthrough could lead to advancements in quantum computing, as these materials may enable intrinsically error-tolerant forms of computation.
Nagoya University researchers have developed a new class of composite materials with negative thermal expansion, offering potential solutions for industrial applications. The reduced ruthenate ceramic material shrinks by up to 6.7% when heated, making it more than double the current record-holding material.
Researchers tested over 400 fast food packaging samples and found 56% of dessert and bread wrappers contain PFASs, linked to kidney and testicular cancers, thyroid disease, and immunotoxicity. The study calls for nontoxic alternatives in packaging to reduce health risks.
Researchers developed a novel strategy to synthesize various metal-organic materials, including double-shell hollow MOMs. This approach enables control over particle sizes and shapes, critical for optimizing porous material performance in catalysis, adsorption, and separation processes.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a novel metamaterial that can switch between being hard and soft, maintaining its properties despite repeated changes. This breakthrough enables potential applications in various fields, including car safety and rocket technology.
Researchers at MIT found no evidence of dematerialization in 56 materials and goods, despite technological improvements. Despite increased efficiency, consumer demand for products continues to outpace material usage.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered a way to deactivate nano twins in superalloys, strengthening their high-temperature properties. This technique, called phase transformation strengthening, eliminates alloy deformation by half, enabling turbine engines to run cleanly and efficiently.
Researchers at DGIST have developed a technology to coat metals with several nanometers of semiconducting materials, enabling various color changes through thin-film interference. This breakthrough allows for the production of colors such as yellow, orange, blue, and purple on demand.
UNSW biomedical engineers create 'smart' fabric that mimics periosteum's complex properties, with potential applications in protective suits, compression bandages, and steel-belt radial tyres. The technique involves scaling up nature's architectural patterns to produce multidimensional fabrics.
Bioengineers at the University of Nottingham are trialling biodegradable prawn shopping bags as a 'green' alternative to oil-based plastics. The new material, optimised for Egyptian conditions, aims to lower carbon emissions and reduce food waste.
Researchers have demonstrated the magnetic behavior of iron trithiohypophosphate (FePS3) crystals, providing the first experimental proof of Onsager's 1943 prediction. The team used Raman spectroscopy to measure magnetism in 2D FePS3 monolayers and found consistent patterns with bulk samples.
Melanin, a natural compound found in mammals, has been successfully synthesized using a novel route that enables its use in sensors and other applications. This breakthrough material is promising for developing miniaturized implantable devices capable of altering and controlling electrical signals in the human body.
New research by University of Toronto professor Cindy Chan finds experiential gifts improve relationships from the recipient's perspective. Emotionally evocative experiences elicit a strong emotional response, making them more intensely emotional than material possessions.
Researchers at Nagoya University have synthesized stable antiaromatic nickel norcorroles and investigated their interactions, revealing face-to-face interactions that form a triple-decker structure with aromatic characteristics. The resulting materials exhibit nonlinear optical properties and potential applications in optoelectronics.
The researchers created synthetic materials that can react to their environment, recover from damage, and even self-destruct once their usefulness has come to an end. They developed microcapsules that contain a healing agent released automatically when exposed to specific environmental changes.
A UK-based research project aims to improve vehicle fuel efficiency by using lightweight, thermoplastic polymer springs. The innovative design is expected to lower emissions and enhance air quality, ultimately contributing to improved public health and environmental impact.
Researchers developed a method to continuously assess the aging of materials in high-radiation environments, speeding up testing and reducing material replacement. Transient grating spectroscopy induces acoustic waves that reveal subsurface defects, allowing for real-time monitoring without physical contact.
Researchers at PNNL have chemically modified sawdust to make it exceptionally oil-attracting and buoyant. The material absorbs up to five times its weight in oil and stays afloat for at least four months, ideal for cleaning oil spills in the Arctic.
Researchers created graphene-infused G-putty, a highly sensitive material that detects heart rates through skin and individual spider footsteps. The unique substance surpasses conventional strain sensors in sensitivity, with potential applications in various fields.
Jose Mendoza-Cortes, a Florida State University researcher, has designed new materials that can store hydrogen fuel more efficiently. These porous materials of transition metals allow for lower energy expenditure and increased hydrogen storage capacity, making them suitable for practical use in vehicles.
Scientists at the University of Surrey achieved record power conversion efficiencies for large area organic solar cells, outperforming traditional inorganic solar cells. The innovative cells can be printed in different colors and shapes, making them ideal for powering devices on-the-go, such as Internet of Things applications.
Researchers from Brown University have demonstrated a method to put brakes on superconductivity by creating a random gauge field, disrupting the propagation of Cooper pairs and converting the material to an insulator.
Researchers have developed a method to dissolve layered materials in liquids, producing single layers of 2D nanomaterials that can be applied over large areas at low costs. The new approach enables the creation of scalable solutions for various industrial applications.
A new material, MAGSS, can be applied to any surface to repel ice, outperforming existing technology in extreme environments. It has a lower freezing threshold than current technology, potentially improving safety in aviation and energy infrastructure.
Scientists from OIST Graduate University have modelled a spin liquid, showing disorder can co-exist with order in magnetic materials. The discovery offers exciting possibilities for new discoveries in physics and paves the way for finding real magnets in multiple states at once.
Researchers have developed a method for creating crumpled metal-oxide films using graphene templates, resulting in enhanced properties such as higher charge-carrying capacity and increased reactivity. This process allows for the introduction of wrinkle patterns on metal oxides, overcoming previous limitations.
Trinity researchers have been awarded €4.4 million in European funding to develop a new class of magnetic materials enabling ultra-fast data transfer at unprecedented speeds. The TRANSPIRE project aims to lay the foundations for high-speed data networks of the future.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a novel method to induce superconductivity in calcium iron arsenide, a non-superconducting compound. This breakthrough demonstrates a concept proposed decades ago and offers a new direction for finding more efficient and less expensive superconductors.
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a prototype of a next-generation lithium-sulphur battery, inspired by the cells lining the human intestine. The new design overcomes a key technical problem hindering commercial development and offers a fivefold energy density boost compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
Researchers found an unexpected method to control the thermal conductivity of two-dimensional (2-D) materials by introducing disorder through lithium ions. This approach allowed for a significant increase in the material's thermal anisotropy ratio, making it more efficient at dissipating heat in electronic devices.