Articles tagged with Materials Testing
The NREL Electric Calcium Test (e-Ca) detects infinitesimally small amounts of moisture, making it 100 to 1,000 times more sensitive than other commercial tests. The test can detect water vapor transmission rates as low as one ten-millionth of a gram per square meter per day.
Researchers at Florida State University have secured over $1.4 million in funding to develop a system for producing large quantities of buckypaper, a lightweight and high-performance material made from carbon nanotubes. The goal is to make the material more efficient and cost-effective for industries such as aviation and aerospace.
Researchers from Japan have developed a new method to align the individual grains of lithium cobalt oxide in a cathode, resulting in improved Li-ion battery performance. The aligned structure allows for easier access for lithium ions, reducing stress and increasing efficiency, making it a major breakthrough in Li-ion battery technology.
A new form of high-performance solar photocatalyst has been developed by combining TiO2 with metallic oxides, enhancing visible light absorption and efficient utilization of the solar spectrum. The material demonstrates 27 times larger photocatalytic activities than a single-layer TiO2 film.
Researchers have successfully shielded fusion facility walls using lithium vapors, extending protection to 10 times longer than expected. The breakthrough could alleviate concerns about plasma contamination and aborting fusion reactions in future devices.
Researchers at NIST have engineered a self-correcting crystal material that enables tunable dielectrics for microwave and advanced communication devices. The new material has perfect faults, reducing power loss and increasing efficiency.
Using genetic algorithms, researchers at Columbia University have developed an inverse design framework to create novel nanostructured materials. The study shows the potential of machine learning and
Large areas of vinyl flooring in daycares and schools are found to contain phthalates, which have been linked to reproductive and developmental problems. The study uses X-ray fluorescence analysis to verify the presence of these chemicals and highlights the need for further research on their indoor exposure.
Researchers used an X-ray laser to create movies of copper atoms' arrangement changes after extreme shock, pinpointing the breaking point of permanent deformation. This experiment enables direct comparison with complex computer simulations and helps predict material strength in extreme conditions.
Researchers in the US and China have grown two types of topological insulator materials on smooth and rough surfaces, showing promise for high-speed computing. The discovery could lead to faster, more efficient computers without energy dissipation.
Scientists have developed a way to generate electric current by rubbing or tapping paper made of everyday materials, such as polytetrafluoroethylene and plastic sheets. The created energy can be used to power devices like LED arrays, e-ink displays, and sound buzzers.
Researchers in Singapore create conductive nano-filaments in amorphous titanium dioxide thin films for resistive switching applications. The high density of uniformly distributed nano-filaments implies the possibility of making high-density memory cells, offering great advantages over current technology.
Researchers in Spain have created a 'Terminator' polymer that spontaneously regenerates itself, displaying impressive 97% healing efficiency. The material could enhance the security and lifetime of plastic components in various industries.
Researchers combine protein sequencing, amino acid composition and RNA analysis to develop unique materials with self-healing properties. Novel proteins like Suckerin-39 allow for reshaping and remolding of elastomers.
A new Australian study uses a novel modelling tool to calculate the 'material footprint' of 186 countries over two decades, revealing that pressures on raw materials do not decline with economic growth. The results confirm that decoupling of natural resources from economic growth has been exaggerated.
A Korean research team developed a new cathode material for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) that performs well even at the intermediate temperature range. The material has excellent oxygen reduction reaction and surface oxygen exchange, leading to improved efficiency and reliability.
Researchers have developed a technique to pattern and actuate hydrogel materials, enabling the creation of soft robotic devices with potential biomedical applications. The devices can manipulate objects using electrically assisted ionoprinting, opening new possibilities for drug delivery and tissue scaffolding.
Researchers at the University of Akron have developed new nanoscale materials that can be used to create ultra-lightweight electronics. These materials, known as 'giant surfactants,' have the potential to revolutionize the tech industry by enabling the creation of smaller and more efficient devices.
The NIST nanoindenter uses a touchless surface detector to accurately measure the mechanical properties of thin films and biomaterials without contact. It applies forces up to 150 millinewtons and takes readings a thousand times a second with an uncertainty lower than 2 micronewtons.
Researchers have unraveled the secrets of mussels' clinginess, discovering that their byssus threads can withstand impact forces nine times greater than stretching in one direction. The unique distribution of stiffness along the threads enables them to absorb nutrients while minimizing damage from waves.
A study by Stanford researchers found that genetic testing improved student learning in a personalized medicine class. Students who had their genome tested as part of the course showed a 31% increase in knowledge compared to those who didn't undergo testing.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon and Microsoft have developed InfraStructs, internal tags that can be encoded inside 3D-printed objects, enabling tracking and sensing capabilities. Terahertz imaging technology allows for safe penetration of common materials, paving the way for various applications beyond inventory management.
Uppsala University researchers develop a novel magnesium carbonate material called Upsalite, exhibiting exceptional surface area and water absorption properties. This breakthrough enables more efficient control of environmental moisture in various industries, including electronics and drug formulation.
Researchers have deciphered the color-creating mechanisms in butterfly wings, revealing subtle differences in crystal parameters that result in stunningly varied patterns of color. These findings could inspire new hue-changing materials with designer properties.
The new technique, PTIR, allows precise measurement of plasmonic nanomaterials at the nanoscale without affecting their function. Researchers can image hot spots and dark modes in plasmonic resonators with high spatial resolution.
Researchers at Saarland University used DESY's x-ray source to study the transformation of supercooled liquids. They observed that these liquids transition from a 'fragile' to a 'strong' state with increasing order despite constant density, and this process was detectable in temperatures ranging from 1200 K to 800 K.
Researchers have found conclusive proof that Ancient Egyptians used meteorites to create symbolic accessories. The evidence comes from a prehistoric iron bead discovered in Egypt, which was dated to around 3350-3600BC. Analysis of the bead's composition confirms its meteorite origins.
The University of Huddersfield has published the first academic book to address child sexual abuse in the Caribbean. The book draws from previously unpublished material and explores nuanced conceptual, cultural, and social behaviours underpinning the issue.
Dr Gao's project aims to reduce material waste and defects in products like photovoltaic films and micro-engineered products. The UK-based researcher will develop a high-speed inspection technique using white light spectral interferometry and signal processing.
Researchers at UB have made significant breakthroughs in developing photovoltaic cells that produce more power and cost less to manufacture. These devices use organic materials and plasmonic-enhanced technology to increase efficiency. The team aims to make solar panels as affordable as paint, paving the way for widespread adoption.
Professor Federico Rosei, INRS director, wins Canadian Association of Physicists' 2013 Herzberg Medal for his pioneering work on nanomaterials. His interdisciplinary research has led to new discoveries and applications.
Scientists at UC Santa Barbara have identified Auger recombination as the mechanism behind the LED 'droop' phenomenon, a drop in light produced when a higher current is applied. This discovery is expected to lead to new ways to design LEDs with significantly higher light emission efficiencies.
Researchers have synthesized a material that shows high capability for storing energy, enabling rapid charging of devices. The new material could provide rapid power to small devices and large industrial equipment.
Researchers at Harvard University developed a tunable material system that can adapt to different environments, functions like self-adjusting contact lenses, pipelines, and textile materials. The bioinspired material is a continuous liquid film that changes shape in response to deformation, offering fine control over various properties.
Harvard researchers found that students who took short tests between online lecture segments had reduced mind-wandering, tripled note-taking, and improved material retention. The testing act as an incentive for students to pay closer attention.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University have created a material that mimics the squid's beak to make medical devices safer and more comfortable. The new material has a mechanical gradient that acts as a shock absorber, reducing wear and tear on surrounding soft tissues.
Researchers at UPV/EHU have created a biodegradable polymer/bioglass composite system that can help mend broken bones. The addition of bioglass to the polymer improves its mechanical properties, but it also reduces thermal stability, which could lead to degradation and harm to cells.
Researchers have enhanced the ability of MEH-PPV polymer to confine light by reducing energy thresholds for laser production. The 'sandwich' approach limits exposure to oxygen and prevents degradation due to photo-oxidation.
Researchers at Kansas State University have developed a material that uses biofuel byproducts to make concrete stronger and reduce its carbon footprint. The new material replaced 20% of cement with cellulosic ash from biofuels, increasing the strength of concrete by 32%.
A multi-university research initiative aims to develop new materials for the automotive, building and construction, and energy industries. Researchers will focus on innovative materials with properties such as lightweight construction, new color effects, and bioinspired materials.
Adults of various ages improved retention of new information by taking tests and receiving feedback compared to restudying, according to a study published in Psychology and Aging. The results suggest that testing can be an effective way to increase learning in adults of all ages.
Researchers have engineered a unique multilayer material that achieves extraordinary superconducting properties, including increased current-carrying capabilities and improved magnetic field stability. The breakthrough could lead to real-world applications in electronic devices, transportation, and power transmission.
University of Illinois researchers have devised a method to make ferroelectric thin films with twice the strain, resulting in improved performance. The films have a built-in electric field, called an intrinsic potential, which opens the door for new applications such as smaller, faster and longer lasting computer components.
A large population-based cohort study of 7,500 men in Sweden found that permanent stress increases the risk of type 2 diabetes. The study showed that men who reported permanent stress had a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes compared to those with no or periodic stress.
EMBL-EBI researchers develop a DNA storage method that stores at least 100 million hours of high-definition video in about a cup of DNA, overcoming challenges of writing and reading DNA. The new method uses short strings of DNA and error-tolerant coding to ensure data retrieval without errors.
Scientists at CSIRO and RMIT University created a new conductive nano-material, enabling ultra-high electron flow at speeds exceeding industry standards. The breakthrough material was made from layers of molybdenum oxides, adapted from graphene's unique properties.
Researchers at the University of Alberta have developed a new technique to analyze the Barkhausen Effect, providing critical information for rapid prototyping of magnetic computational devices. The method measures magnetic jumps in a special 'vortex' pattern and converts it into a probe of magnetic interactions on an atomic scale.
The INRS Energy Materials Telecommunications Research Centre will have access to a cutting-edge Dynamic Transmission Electron Microscope (DTEM) with unprecedented high spatial and temporal resolution. This equipment will revolutionize materials research, enabling the study of ultrafast and ultrasmall material structures.
Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a synthetic material that can rebuild itself through chemical communication and interaction with light. The material, known as Belousov-Zhabotinsky (BZ) gel, exhibits autochemotaxis, allowing it to move in response to chemical signals and follow given actions or commands.
Researchers have developed a framework for creating new materials by applying mathematical theorems to liquid crystal mediums. This approach could lead to improved energy efficiency in display devices, such as laptops and TVs.
Using metamaterials, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed a theory for creating materials where electrons have nearly zero effective mass. This concept could lead to faster circuits with unique properties. The team's idea was inspired by the similarities between electromagnetic waves and quantum mechanics, and t...
A new study finds that most of the pipestone used to create ancient artifacts in Ohio came from quarries in Illinois, contradicting a long-held assumption. Researchers analyzed mineralogical signatures and found that over 65% of the pipes were carved from flint clay in northern Illinois.
A new code solves crystal structures automatically and sheds light on solids' fundamental properties. By integrating prediction and solution methods, Northwestern University researchers have developed a promising algorithm to understand the arrangement of atoms in solids.
Researchers have found that onion and garlic waste can effectively remove heavy metals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium from contaminated materials. The optimal conditions for this process include a pH of 5 and contact time of half an hour at 50 degrees Celsius.
A team of researchers at Georgia Institute of Technology has developed a low-temperature method to dope graphene films using self-assembled monolayers. This technique allows for the creation of p-n junctions with minimal disruption to the material's lattice structure and significant electron/hole mobility.
Scientists discovered a previously unrecognized degradation process in silicone-urethane plastics used in medical devices, including pacemakers and defibrillators. The plastics break down within 3-6 years under conditions simulating the human body.
A team of researchers developed a new method to significantly increase heat transfer rate across different materials by sandwiching an ultrathin layer of 'nanoglue' between copper and silica. The approach demonstrated a four-fold increase in thermal conductance, promising new innovations in cooling and energy applications.
Recent research at MIT shows that adding a layer of graphene to a surface has little effect on its interaction with liquids, except for extreme cases. The team's findings demonstrate the ability to manipulate wettability while preserving electrical conductivity and optical properties.
INRS Professor Federico Rosei has been elected as an AAAS Fellow, recognized for his outstanding contributions to the understanding of surface and interface properties. He is the only Canadian honoured in the physics section, reflecting his international stature as a researcher.
Researchers at Washington State University have successfully printed parts using materials from the moon, marking a significant breakthrough in additive manufacturing. The team used 3D printing technology to create simple shapes from lunar regolith simulant, which they plan to tailor for stronger building materials and remote repairs.