Research on testing materials and how they perform. Covers spacecraft shielding, manufacturing challenges, metallic glass in space, and recyclable materials.
Researchers at Drexel University have developed a conductive clay that can be easily molded into various shapes and sizes, representing a significant shift in the production of electrodes for energy storage devices. The clay's high conductivity and plasticity make it an attractive candidate for use in batteries and supercapacitors.
Researchers at University of Nebraska-Lincoln enhance ferroelectric tunnel junction performance, increasing disparity between 'on' and 'off' conditions to improve RAM reliability. The team's graphene-ammonia combination also addresses the challenge of maintaining polarization in thin ferroelectric layers.
Researchers have developed a fast and low-cost method to create flexible electronic sensors on paper using silver nanowire ink. The new technology has the potential to make medical tools more accessible and affordable.
Researchers at INRS have developed a new class of multiferroic materials for solar cells, increasing conversion efficiency to 8.1%. The team's triple-layer coating captures different wavelengths of light, converting more light into electricity.
The BIOMAT group has created a transparent, biodegradable container for oily products with enhanced barrier properties and natural antioxidant agents. This innovation aims to prolong the shelf life of packaged food while reducing environmental impact.
Researchers at RIKEN have developed a method to manufacture highly symmetric, three-dimensional metamaterials with isotropic optical responses. The team created a large metamaterial, up to 4 mm x 4 mm2 in size, using a combination of top-down electron lithography and bottom-up self-folding mechanism.
Scientists have developed a new device that captures information about both temperature and crystal structure during extremely fast reactions in thin-film materials. This breakthrough will help researchers optimize the process of making advanced technologies, including state-of-the-art semiconductors.
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have designed a material that manipulates the Cherenkov cone to distinguish between common and rare particles. The material uses transformation optics to create distinct light cones for particles with high momentum, making it possible to efficiently separate and identify these particles.
The National Science Foundation has awarded $18 million in grants to research nine teams of scientists working on 2-D atomic-layer research and engineering. These researchers aim to create new devices for photonics, electronics, sensors and energy harvesting by exploring the properties of two-dimensional materials.
A Wayne State research team is developing new, more efficient catalytic materials to reduce energy consumption in chemical conversion systems. The project aims to create multicomponent catalysts that can improve reaction efficiency and reduce unwanted byproducts.
Purdue researchers have discovered the structure of the enzyme responsible for producing cellulose, a key breakthrough in understanding plant cell wall composition. The findings could lead to improved methods for breaking down plant materials and creating sustainable biofuels.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a novel oxide-based magnetism that follows electrical commands, paving the way for spin-based computing. This breakthrough could lead to ultrahigh density storage and computing architectures by combining magnetic materials with semiconductors.
The researchers created a new nanoscale structure called PlaCSH that increases the brightness and efficiency of LEDs made of organic materials by 58 percent. The method also improves picture clarity of LED displays by 400 percent.
Researchers have developed an electronic skin device that can detect and image small lumps in the breast, allowing for earlier identification of breast cancer. The device has been tested on a silicone breast model and shown to be highly accurate, with a potential survival rate increase of over 94%.
A research team at AIMR has developed a new bottom-up fabrication method that produces defect-free graphene nanoribbons with periodic zigzag-edge regions. The method controls GNR growth direction and length distribution, enabling the potential for self-assembling single graphene devices at desired locations.
Researchers at Helmholtz Munich have created a novel fluorescent marker that excites in the far-red spectrum and emits in the infrared range, enabling better-quality images with advanced bio-imaging. This technology allows for the delineation of tumor and metastasis, tracking drug responses within whole-body imaging.
A team of European researchers has successfully synthesized germanene, a 2D material with impressive electrical and optical properties. The material was synthesized by depositing individual germanium atoms onto a gold substrate under high temperatures and in an ultra-high vacuum, revealing its characteristic honeycomb structure.
Using a neutron beam, researchers at Ohio State University track lithium atoms in real time as batteries charge and discharge. This technique, called neutron depth profiling, may help explain why rechargeable batteries lose capacity over time.
Researchers have developed the thinnest-possible semiconductor junctions, made in sheets only three atoms thick, allowing for flexible and transparent computing, LEDs, and solar technologies. The discovery enables new kinds of transistors, LEDs, nanolasers, and solar cells to be developed within a single atomic plane.
New research suggests that anticipating experiential purchases can bring more enjoyable anticipation and greater happiness. Studies show that people tend to report higher levels of happiness when thinking about future experiential purchases compared to material ones.
A team of international researchers has successfully isolated thick multilayers of silicene and demonstrated its stability in the presence of oxygen for at least 24 hours. The breakthrough allows scientists to further explore the material's properties, which have made silicene a promising candidate for the electronics industry.
A new study by Washington University in St. Louis found that students who were told they would later teach a passage performed better on recall and organization tasks than those expecting a test. The study suggests that instilling an expectation to teach may be a simple, inexpensive intervention with the potential to increase learning ...
A team of UC Riverside engineers will characterize, analyze, and synthesize van der Waals materials for novel electronic devices, optical detectors, and energy conversion systems. The research aims to produce new material synthesis techniques and enable practical applications in ultra-thin film materials.
Scientists from South Korea convert used-cigarette filters into a superior carbon-based material for supercapacitors, offering an eco-friendly solution to meet increasing energy demands. The material stores more electrical energy than commercially available options and has potential applications in various devices.
Researchers found that experiential products satisfy a different psychological need than life experiences, providing similar levels of happiness. These products allow consumers to utilize and develop new skills and knowledge.
Researchers at Penn State and Cornell University have discovered a new material combination that can control magnetic memory or logic 10 times more efficiently than current methods. The discovery uses topological insulators to manipulate spin orientation, overcoming a key challenge in developing spintronics technology.
The research aims to improve the accuracy of failure and reliability prediction in ultra-high strength steel autobody manufacturing systems. By incorporating material microstructure and micro-damage information, the study may lead to solutions for manufacturers in reducing tool failures and improving product quality.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool have successfully extracted atoms of rare or dangerous elements such as radon from the air using a material called CC3. This new method has potential applications in industries like lighting, medicine, and nuclear waste clean-up.
Researchers have developed a new breed of metamaterials that can twist light's polarization, orders of magnitude stronger than natural materials. The breakthrough could lead to the creation of compact opto-electronic devices, such as light-based computer chips.
A phase-changing material developed by MIT researchers allows robots to transform between a rigid and soft state, enabling them to navigate through tight spaces without damaging organs or vessels. The material can also self-heal and repair damage, making it suitable for applications such as surgical robotics and search-and-rescue opera...
Researchers at Oxford University have developed a new discovery of nano-pixels that can be electrically switched on and off to create high-resolution images. The tiny 'nano-pixels' are just 300 nanometres in size and can be used for applications such as smart glasses, synthetic retinas, and foldable screens.
Researchers at Penn University have proposed a new concept called the anticrystal, which is a theoretical solid with complete disorder. The study suggests that understanding the mechanical properties of materials can be improved by starting with the framework of the anticrystal and adding order.
Scientists have developed a method to create stronger and more ductile metal materials by adjusting the internal structure, similar to bone and bamboo. This technique can be customized for various applications, including improving industrial steel's strength and ductility.
Engineers at MIT and LLNL have created a system to fabricate microstructured materials with great stiffness and strength at ultralow density. The new material has been tested using three engineering materials, metal, ceramic, and polymer, and shown comparable properties.
Researchers have developed a technique to produce soft machines made of elastic materials and liquid metals using a custom-built 3D printer. The technique enables the creation of strain gauges that can detect high strains and deform with almost any material, making it suitable for wearable technology and sensory skin.
Researchers have developed a powerful imaging tool to study electrically anomalous regions called domain walls in ferroelectric materials. The technique, X-PEEM, reveals enhanced electronic conduction properties in tail-to-tail domain walls, which are crucial for improving solar panels and other applications.
Researchers at JCAP devise a method to protect common semiconductors like silicon and gallium arsenide from corrosion in solar-fuel generators. They use a process called atomic layer deposition to form a protective layer of titanium dioxide, allowing the materials to absorb light efficiently while preventing corrosion.
Harvard scientists produce the first realistic simulated shark skin, which reduces drag and increases swimming speed by 6.6% while decreasing energy expenditure by 5.9%. The artificial skin's performance is comparable to that of real shark skin, with improved drag reduction at slower flow speeds.
Researchers at San Francisco State University found that material buyers who purchase life experiences are not happier due to a lack of identity expression. Similarly, spending money on material items does not improve their happiness levels either.
Researchers create robust connections between carbon-based materials and metallic leads, revealing their electric and mechanical properties are representative of larger materials. The study paves the way for systematically classifying different metallic species for emerging carbon-based electronic devices.
Researchers created a hybrid material that aligns dyes along nanochannels, improving luminescence and optical switching. The material exhibits colour changes depending on light polarisation, opening doors for new photonic and biomedical applications.
Researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital have successfully treated C. difficile infection with frozen fecal material, achieving a 90% success rate and offering a safer alternative to traditional Fecal Microbiota Transplant (FMT). The treatment involves administering the frozen material through a nasogastric tube, which is as effec...
A University of Cincinnati researcher explores the Maya perspective on material objects and finds interesting parallels with today's online culture. The study reveals that the Maya considered material possessions alive and even named them, leading to questions about the nature of reality.
Scientists at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology have developed a chemical crosslinking reaction that ensures good short-term healing properties of the material under mild heating. The self-healing mechanism can be initiated by heat, light or chemical substance.
Researchers are studying ways to selectively use high-performance fiber-reinforced concrete in buildings, exploring its potential to improve strength without increasing costs. The approach focuses on using advanced materials only at vulnerable joints, such as beam-column connections, to enhance structural resilience.
Researchers created logical circuits using living slime molds, which can process information and carry out Boolean logic operations. The slime mold-based system could potentially be used to build low-cost, biological computing devices and sensors.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a novel solar cell architecture based on dense arrays of coaxial p-n junction InGaAs nanowires on InAs stems grown directly on graphene. The resulting ternary InGaAs NW arrays demonstrate a conversion efficiency of 2.51% under air mass 1.5 global solar illumination, representing ...
Researchers at Nanyang Technological University have developed a next-generation solar cell material that can also emit light, doubling its potential applications. The material, made from Perovskite, has been found to be highly luminescent and suitable for both solar energy conversion and light emission.
A new method to tune topological insulators has been found, enhancing surface conduction by applying stress at grain boundaries. This discovery could lead to the development of ultra-energy efficient electronics.
By patterning the surface of nickel ferrite (NFO) thin films, researchers have reduced coercivity by 30-80%, depending on film thickness. This technique improves device performance and reduces energy use in applications like sensors, microwave devices, and antennas.
Scientists at Empa have developed a material that can adapt its vibration properties electronically, allowing for the precise control of wave propagation. This breakthrough enables the creation of mechanical components with freely programmable properties, revolutionizing fields like mechanical engineering and plant construction.
The new journal Frontiers in Materials will utilize the unique Frontiers platform for open-access publishing and research networking. The mission is to empower researchers by promoting constructive criticism and fair evaluation of their work. Key sections for submissions include Biomaterials.
Researchers at NIST and American University suggest changes to the common furniture fire test to make it more realistic, focusing on air flow and foam materials. The modifications aim to identify upholstery materials most likely to prevent smoldering ignition, with potential implications for fire safety regulations.
Research integrates vanadium dioxide onto a silicon chip to create infrared smart sensors that are faster, more energy-efficient, and lighter than conventional sensors. This breakthrough paves the way for multifunctional spintronic devices with enhanced memory capacity, data transfer speed, and computational power.
Researchers at Washington State University have developed a gum-like lithium battery electrolyte that works as well as liquid electrolytes but doesn't create a fire hazard. The new material, which is a hybrid of liquid and solid, contains liquid electrolyte material suspended in solid particles of wax or a similar material.
Researchers at MIT have developed flexible materials with nanoscale wrinkles that can control the wavelengths and distribution of waves, including sound and light. This technology could lead to new diagnostic tools for diseases like cancer and enable advanced noise-cancellation systems.
A computer-based individualized study schedule has been shown to significantly improve students' memory of material presented months earlier. Personalized review helped students remember more material on tests given at the end of the semester and a month later, with benefits also seen in long-term educational outcomes.
A European Union-funded project investigates how pressure vessels in nuclear power stations age and lose their toughness due to neutron radiation. The study highlights the need for monitoring and adapting procedures to ensure safe long-term operation.
Researchers have discovered a new class of high heat-tolerant electronics using supercapacitors made from CCTO, which could compete with existing devices and operate at higher temperatures. The material's permittivity and loss tangent properties are linked, allowing for efficient energy storage.
A team of scientists has discovered that charge carriers in cuprate high-Tc superconductors form nanostripes that can suppress superconductivity. The research uses synchrotron radiation to detect the elusive phenomenon of charge order and measure related nanostructures with high precision.