Research on testing materials and how they perform. Covers spacecraft shielding, manufacturing challenges, metallic glass in space, and recyclable materials.
A recent study assesses e-waste recycling's economic potential and finds it worth billions of euros, with potential revenues expected to rise from €2 billion in 2014 to €3.5 billion by 2020. The recycling industry also aims to reduce environmental pollution by conserving virgin resources.
Researchers at Drexel University have developed a method to combine disparate elemental layers into stable materials with uniform properties. By sandwiching two-dimensional sheets of elements, they created new layered materials that may expand options for faster, smaller, and more efficient energy storage.
Researchers at Disney Research have developed a method to create 3D-printed objects with varying levels of elasticity, enabling the creation of deformable toys and soft robots. By controlling the small-scale structure of the material, they can produce complex microstructures that mimic the properties of metamaterials.
Researchers from NC State University developed a new method to bind nanoparticles using oily liquid shells, mimicking the formation of sandcastles. The technique creates ultraflexible microfilaments and networks with reversible binding, enabling dynamic reconfigurable multifunctional materials.
New York University researchers have developed a method to prompt microparticles to form ordered structures, opening the door for improved materials used in consumer products. The technique, centered on DNA-coated colloids, allows for the creation of new compounds with unique properties.
Researchers designed a more efficient jumping robot using 3D printing techniques and combining hard and soft materials. The robot's unique design, inspired by nature, allows for improved durability and control.
Researchers create film using zeolites and cellulose to trap sulfur-containing compounds responsible for bad food smells. The material reduces odors to levels undetectable by humans, potentially solving issues with transporting and storing stinky edibles.
Scientists at Hiroshima University successfully compounded ultra-thin all-inorganic molecular nanowires composed of Mo and Te, exhibiting high activity as an acid catalyst. The wires' diameters were only 1.2 nm, making them a promising material for heterogeneous catalysts, thermochromic materials, and semiconductors.
Researchers have developed a method to visualize plant branching structures using MRI, gaining insights into the design of lightweight materials. The technique allows for non-invasive visualization of vascular tissues under stress, enabling optimization of branched, fibre-reinforced components in various industries.
USC Viterbi researchers have developed new layered semiconducting materials that can be adjusted to achieve unique electronic and optical properties. These materials have potential applications in LIDAR systems, infrared thermal imaging technology, and flexible night vision glasses.
A new polymer-piezoelectric hybrid material has been designed to perform computations based on changes in the environment or movement, potentially responding to human vital signs. The material system is small and flexible, allowing it to be integrated into fabrics or shoes.
Scientists at the University of Cambridge developed a method to combine multiple functions in a single material by integrating structure at the nanoscale. This approach enables the creation of multi-functional artificial muscles that can move, sense, and report on their environment.
Researchers at the University of Houston have developed a new formula to calculate the maximum efficiency of thermoelectric materials, which could lead to breakthroughs in clean energy generation. The formula takes into account temperature-dependent properties and can determine whether devices are efficient enough to be worth pursuing.
Researchers have developed a prototype coating for wind turbine blades that mimics the intricate structure of an owl's wing, reducing noise production by up to 30dB. The coating, made of 3D-printed plastic, has shown promising results in wind tunnel tests, potentially leading to more efficient and quieter wind turbines.
A research team at Georgia Institute of Technology has realized a nonlinear material with opposite refractive indices at the fundamental and harmonic frequencies of light, as predicted theoretically. This discovery has significant implications for controlling light in information processing, sensing, and signal generation.
Researchers at the University of Bristol have designed a smart materials system inspired by biological chromatophores, mimicking squid skin's camouflage abilities. The artificial skin, made from electroactive dielectric elastomer, can effectively copy biological patterns and even mimic complex dynamic patterning seen in real cephalopods.
The research develops a system to produce soft materials with dynamically controllable and reversible surface properties. By manipulating the spacing and shapes of embedded particles, the material's surface can change from smooth to ridged or bumpy, creating complex patterns that could guide fluids.
A new study from Washington University in St. Louis found that providing illustrative diagrams before lectures enhances student learning and recall, particularly for students who struggle with organizing information. The research suggests that teachers should consider individual differences in learning skills when presenting material.
A branching tree-like structure can increase the melting rate of materials for better energy storage. The study's findings could help improve phase change systems, essential for renewable energy sources like wind and sun.
Researchers at the University of Houston are working on discovering novel materials to improve superconducting properties, thermoelectric efficiency and microelectronic performance. They aim to develop new materials that can transform electricity generation, transmission and storage, as well as reduce greenhouse gases.
A study found that over 90% of educational materials for kidney disease patients have literacy levels above an average patient's grade level, making it hard for them to comprehend. This can lead to poor management and higher mortality rates among those with low health literacy.
Researchers at Ohio State University have confirmed and interpreted experimental findings using OSC services, showing that phonons have magnetic properties. A magnetic field reduced the amount of heat flowing through a semiconductor by 12 percent in simulations performed on the Oakley Cluster.
Researchers at SISSA propose a new family of materials whose topological state can be directly observed, simplifying the development of spintronics and quantum computing. The discovery uses mathematical models and simulations to identify materials with 'spectacular' features that are easily detected.
The team aims to create scalable nano-manufacturing processes for functional metamaterials, revolutionizing computing, communication, sensing, and imaging. By manipulating light in ways not possible in natural materials, they seek to overcome current roadblocks towards integrated photonics.
Washington State University researchers have developed a new method to create polyurethane using plant oils, offering a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional polyurethane. The new method allows for the creation of materials with varying flexibility and stiffness, making it suitable for a range of applications., Resea...
Researchers found that changes to histone proteins can be sustained from one generation to the next and influence trait inheritance. This discovery paves the way for studying epigenetic mechanisms and their link to health conditions and specific traits.
Researchers at Aalto University and German University of Marburg have discovered a new type of charge transport phenomenon that enables logical operations in microelectronics. The phenomenon involves the transfer of information between an electron hole pair without tunneling, opening up new possibilities for electronics and biology.
A Yale study assesses the criticality of all 62 metals, identifying those at risk due to supply shortages and environmental concerns. The researchers found that some metals used in emerging technologies like smartphones and medical imaging may become difficult to obtain.
The UChicago Materials Research Center has received a six-year, $20.6 million grant from the NSF to investigate materials formed far from equilibrium and explore new paradigms for material fabrication and response. The center will support three IRGs addressing fundamental issues in soft materials, active materials, and quantum materials.
Researchers at UT Dallas created new materials that can stretch up to seven times their length while remaining tougher than Kevlar, absorbing up to 98 joules per gram. These nanofibers exploit electromechanical properties to form strong attractions between molecules.
Researchers at Brown University have developed a method to create pure, p-type semiconductors from silicon telluride, which could be used in various electronic and optical devices. The materials can take up lithium and magnesium, making them suitable for battery electrodes.
Professor Federico Rosei has received the AVS Excellence in Leadership Award, a first for a scientist working in Canada. He is recognized for his extensive training and mentoring initiatives, which have benefited over 100 young researchers from 30 countries.
Researchers at Drexel University have created a two-dimensional carbon/sulfur nanolaminate that could be a viable candidate for use as a lithium-sulfur cathode, promising improved long-term stability and energy density.
Scientists have developed a new storage principle and material that enables the reversible storage of 1.8 Li per formula unit, increasing lithium storage density by up to 420 mAh/g. The new system allows for high packing densities and stable operation, making it suitable for energy supply of devices with high power requirements.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have developed a new glass ionomer cement for tooth fillings that is mercury-free and offers improved durability. The material has good biological properties and releases fluoride to prevent cavities, making it a promising alternative to existing composite filling materials.
Researchers at UCLA and Université Pierre et Marie Curie identified a method for manufacturing more durable glass that resists temperature variations and aging. This breakthrough could result in stronger materials for various applications, including display screens, fiber optic cables, windows, and cement.
Researchers at KAIST developed an ultrathin polymeric insulator using initiated chemical vapor deposition, overcoming limitations of traditional techniques. The resulting insulator enables the creation of low-power, high-performance field-effect transistors on flexible substrates.
Researchers have discovered a magnetic material that can heat cancer cells to high temperatures without harming healthy tissue. This breakthrough material uses a unique Curie temperature-dependent heating effect that stops quickly and cannot get hotter.
Researchers have found that electric current flows unimpeded through tiny channels on the surface of certain metals, reducing energy losses and enabling novel information processing techniques. This breakthrough has significant implications for the development of new electronic devices and quantum computing systems.
Research highlights the benefits of experiential purchases, finding that anticipating experiences brings more happiness than waiting for material goods. In contrast, wealth and abundance may undermine appreciation for everyday moments, while temporarily giving something up can provide a route to happiness.
A Florida State University researcher developed a theory to explain why certain materials behave, using quantum simulations and statistical methods. The study provides confidence levels in material predictions, enabling faster engineering design.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $56 million in funding to 12 Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers (MRSECs) for multidisciplinary research in materials science. The MRSECs will support collaborative projects across universities, national laboratories, industry partners, and international collaborations.
Researchers have developed a technique to observe minute distortions in the atomic structure of complex materials, influencing their properties. By mapping atomic organization, including distortions, they've found weaker chemical bonds make atoms more susceptible to variations.
Researchers created a new polymer material that can switch between two shapes without reprogramming, using internal stress to remember its shape.
Researchers have developed a thin film that maintains electric and magnetic properties even when highly curved, paving the way for wearable devices. The new material improves upon existing materials by reducing leakage current and increasing flexibility.
Researchers at University of Texas at Austin developed the first silicene transistors, made of one-atom-thick silicon material. The breakthrough paves the way for faster and energy-efficient computer chips.
Researchers develop a novel, bacteria-repelling coating material that attracts healthy cells to medical implants, reducing the likelihood of rejection. The breakthrough could significantly improve the success rate of medical implants, particularly for hip replacements where failure rates remain high.
A new thin-film material rapidly changes color in response to chemical nerve agents, offering a potential solution for real-time detection of deadly CWAs. This innovation is based on a distinct color change, a technique that could help save lives and hold aggressors accountable.
Researchers at EPFL have developed a way to control the formation of conductive pathways in ferroelectric materials, allowing for the creation of adaptable electronic circuits. This technology has the potential to miniaturize devices and enable resilient circuits that can function even with damaged components.
Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a material that can sense and manipulate sound and elastic waves. This technology could lead to advancements in imaging, military enhancements such as elastic cloaking, and super-resolution sensors.
Researchers at the University of British Columbia have detected 'charge ordering' in electron-doped cuprate superconductors for the first time, revealing a new avenue to study charge ordering and superconductivity. This finding challenges previous assumptions about the relationship between charge ordering and pseudogap states.
Researchers Rouzbeh Shahsavari and Saroosh Jalilvand found that atomic-level forces affect the mechanical properties of complex particle-based materials, such as concrete. They suggest new ways to fine-tune chemistry to make concrete less prone to cracking and more suitable for specific applications.
A North Carolina State University research team has created prototypes of novel multiferroic materials and devices integrated with silicon chips. These materials offer the possibility of switching magnetism with an electric field, making them attractive for next-generation memory storage devices.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a new glass material that can store more energy than traditional lithium-ion batteries. The vanadate-borate glass exhibits improved charging capacity and stability, paving the way for more efficient electric vehicles and longer-lasting portable electronics.
The Center will address four key topics: layered oxide ferroics, autonomously powered nano-motors, high-pressure electronic metalattices, and optically active particles. The grant supports 45 faculty members worldwide in interdisciplinary research.
Scientists at Penn State have discovered a miniscule vacuum gap that creates an energy barrier for electrons moving between layers of material. This gap is crucial for designing next-generation electronic devices, such as vertical tunneling field effect transistors.
A new EU project, LaWin, aims to develop functional façades and window modules that can generate electricity, heat, and algae biomass. The project, coordinated by Jena University, will create an integrated production process for these innovative materials, with the goal of achieving an unmatched readiness to market.
Virginia Tech's Giti Khodaparast has received a three-year, $1.2 million grant from the US Air Force to study electro-optic and magneto-electric materials, which could lead to faster optical computing devices. The research aims to develop multifunctional devices with giant optical nonlinear conversion capabilities.
Researchers developed a nanocrystalline high-entropy alloy with low density and high strength, surpassing titanium alloys. The alloy's unique properties make it suitable for various applications such as vehicles or prosthetic devices.
Washington State University researchers are working on a five-year NIH grant project to develop new bone-like coating materials that will allow titanium-based implants to integrate better into the body. The goal is to improve implant success rates, particularly for younger patients and those undergoing revision surgeries.