Research on testing materials and how they perform. Covers spacecraft shielding, manufacturing challenges, metallic glass in space, and recyclable materials.
Dr. James Walker has received the Distinguished Scientist Award for his significant contributions to hypervelocity impact science and penetration modeling. His research applications include body armor, ground vehicle armor, and shielding against orbital debris.
New research found that bio-based fibres have a range of adverse effects on earthworms, animals critical to environmental health. The study highlights the importance of testing new materials before they are released on the market.
The project aims to identify and fabricate optimized first-wall materials using advanced computer simulations enhanced by machine learning, accelerating the discovery of new materials by 100-fold. The research will leverage synthesis, irradiation, and testing facilities to conduct a high-impact materials discovery campaign.
Three Ph.D. students and a postdoctoral researcher from Texas A&M are working on RTE projects to create new materials for future nuclear reactors. They are using the Texas A&M Accelerator Laboratory and Idaho National Laboratory to irradiate material, creating voids that can help understand swelling in nuclear reactors.
University of Texas at Dallas researchers have designed a 3D-printed femur that can help doctors prepare for surgeries and develop treatments for bone tumors. The bone replica is made of polylactic acid, a bio-based polymer, and performed as well as a human femur in biomechanical tests.
Researchers designed a skin patch that uses imperceptible electric currents to control microbes, stopping 99% of biofilm formation in bacteria. The device, called Bioelectronic Localized Antimicrobial Stimulation Therapy, could lead to a wearable patch with a wireless circuit to control infections without drugs.
A University of Virginia-led research team has developed new protective coatings that allow turbine engines to run at higher temperatures before components begin to fail. The coatings were created using rare earth oxides and have shown improved performance without complex multi-layer coatings.
Researchers at Tohoku University have developed a novel catalyst to control the atomic arrangement of carbon nanotubes, achieving ultra-high purity and precise chirality. The breakthrough could lead to significant advancements in semiconductor device manufacturing.
A new MOF has been developed using a 'Merged-Net Strategy' inspired by skyscraper architecture, resulting in enhanced porosity and structural stability. The material exhibits superior water adsorption capacity and reusability compared to conventional MOFs.
Researchers create flexible, lightweight, and durable antennas using kirigami and MXene nanomaterials. The antennas can be adjusted to change transmission frequency by simply pulling or squeezing the shape, making them ideal for soft robotics and aerospace applications.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a material that combines stiffness and damping properties, making it suitable for various applications. The new composite material features layers of stiff materials connected by ultra-thin rubber-like layers, resulting in excellent vibration-damping performance.
Researchers developed a soft robotic finger that can perform routine doctor office examinations, including taking patient pulses and checking for abnormal lumps. The device's advanced sense of touch allows it to detect stiffness similar to human fingers, enabling early disease detection and more efficient medical exams.
Researchers at University of Göttingen studied Bronze Age spear combat using multi-stage experiments to understand fighting styles and mark formation on spearheads. The study provides insights into wear formation, trauma, and combat contexts, benefiting future research and museum curation.
The National Science Foundation has awarded Wavelogix a two-year, $999,910 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II grant. The funding will help the company develop a complete solution for scaling up production of its REBEL concrete strength sensors, enabling faster and data-driven decisions in construction engineering.
The ADA Forsyth Institute has received a $6.2 million grant from the NIH to design an AI-driven amalgam replacement for dental restoratives. The new material will feature self-healing and antimicrobial properties, responding to biological signals in each individual patient's mouth.
Despite decades of efforts to reduce lead exposure, toxic metal still poses dangers in consumer products. Strengthening laws and international cooperation can further protect consumers.
A recent study published in Cell Reports reveals that a pregnant woman's genetic background significantly affects the effectiveness of Non-Invasive Prenatal Tests (NIPTs). The study found that a specific genetic variant in approximately 7% of women increases the odds of inconclusive results and impairs test sensitivity. This discovery ...
Engineers at RMIT University have designed a self-locking tubular structural system inspired by curved-crease origami that can be packed flat for easier transport. The system transforms into strong building materials, suitable for large-scale use, with capabilities to support heavy loads.
Researchers create interlocking glass bricks that can withstand pressures similar to concrete blocks, aiming to reduce embodied carbon in construction. The 3D-printed bricks are designed to be reused and repurposed, promoting a circular construction method.
Researchers have developed a new technique to study anisotropic materials, capturing full complexity of light behavior in these materials. The method revealed detailed insights into how light scatters differently along various directions within materials, allowing retrieval of scattering tensor coefficients.
Researchers develop AI-driven catalyst discovery and simulate complex interactions to enhance hydrogen generation, carbon capture, and energy storage efficiency. The project aims to create a knowledgeable and skilled workforce capable of addressing critical challenges in the clean energy transition.
Researchers at Aston University have created a potential treatment for bone cancer using gallium-doped bioactive glasses, which has shown a 99% success rate in killing osteosarcoma cells. The therapy also promotes early stages of bone formation and regenerates diseased bones.
Researchers have found that MXene catalysts are more stable and efficient than metal oxide compounds for the oxygen evolution reaction. The discovery holds promise for developing low-cost, high-performance electrolysers for producing green hydrogen.
Researchers developed a novel strategy for designing MOFs, merging bottom-up and top-down approaches to explore structures based on metal clusters. The Up-Down Approach enables the creation of novel materials with tailored properties, including high chemical stability and diverse chemical properties.
A new filtration material developed by MIT researchers uses natural silk and cellulose to remove persistent chemicals, including PFAS and heavy metals. The material's antimicrobial properties help keep filters clean, providing a nature-based solution to water contamination.
Researchers found metal bats produce exit speeds 5% faster than wood bats, especially on optimal hits. The USA Baseball standard bats offer a similar performance to wood, making them acceptable for leagues.
Researchers have identified specific materials that can effectively block harmful space radiation on Mars, including plastics, rubber, and synthetic fibers. The findings provide crucial insights for designing protective habitats and spacesuits, paving the way for safer long-duration Mars missions.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a water-enhancing gel that lasts longer and is significantly more effective than existing commercial gels. The new gel creates a silica-based aerogel shield that protects structures from heat and flames, offering enhanced and long-lasting wildfire protection.
The WVU team, led by Yu Gu, is testing Loopy's ability to 'co-design' itself and learn to mark contaminated areas. Inspired by natural phenomena like ant swarms and tree roots, Loopy changes form in response to its environment.
A research project, ACCELERATE, aims to significantly reduce operational qualification time and cost in additive manufacturing by improving validation through detailed tasks and documentation. The project will tackle various aspects of AM operations, including facility controls, operator training, software configuration, and process mo...
Researchers at Stanford University developed a nanoparticle platform to make vaccines more effective against various pathogens. The platform allows for the elicitation of different immune responses, enabling the identification of the most effective type of protection.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have demonstrated a technique for creating strain sensors that can function both in air and underwater. The sensors, called 'amphibious,' enable applications such as wildlife monitoring and biomedical research.
Researchers developed a technique that leverages component-based reduced order modeling to analyze composite laminates. The 'Lego-like' construction method offers improved speed and accuracy, making it a viable alternative to traditional finite-element analysis.
A new national standard approved by AASHTO COMP uses Purdue-developed sensor technology to provide real-time data on concrete strength, potentially saving states and contractors time and money. The method aims to reduce uncertainty in determining when concrete pavement is strong enough to handle heavy truck traffic.
Researchers have discovered a method to identify shark species using medical gauze from first-aid kits after bite incidents. This approach can provide accurate and timely information on species, aiding prevention measures and reducing incidents.
Researchers developed an approach to boost cellulose production in bacteria by inducing mutations through UV-C light. This method produced bacterial variants that generate up to 70% more cellulose than the original form, paving the way for industrial-scale production of sustainable materials.
Researchers developed a system that passively alternates between capturing and generating water, eliminating manual labor requirements. The system uses mass transport bridges to optimize efficiency and effectiveness, producing 2-3 liters of water per square meter daily.
Terasaki Institute scientists have created a novel bioink derived from egg whites, offering abundant proteins and excellent biocompatibility. This breakthrough technology has the potential to create more accurate tissue models for drug testing and develop functional tissue replacements for regenerative medicine applications.
Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have developed biodegradable and recyclable luminescent polymers that can break down under heat or mild acid. The material showed a tenfold increase in light-emitting efficiency, making it suitable for applications such as displays and medical imaging.
A study published in Science Advances investigated the formation of cracks in a nickel-base alloy. The researchers found that one widely-held hypothesis does not apply to this alloy and discovered new information about crack initiation. This breakthrough helps lay the groundwork for better predictions of hydrogen embrittlement.
Researchers have created a cost-effective and efficient method to test seabed soil when designing offshore wind farms. The new device, based on a modified speargun, can penetrate sandy seabeds more effectively than existing probes, offering significant time and cost savings.
The Purdue researchers created a patent-pending process to develop ultrahigh-strength aluminum alloys suitable for additive manufacturing. The alloys exhibit high strength and beneficial large plastic deformability, exceeding the range of traditional high-strength aluminum alloys.
The team created stable microbial therapeutics using synthetic extremophiles, maintaining potency and function over time despite extreme temperatures and harsh manufacturing processes. These formulations have potential applications in healthcare, agriculture, and space exploration.
A new study by UC Berkeley researchers finds that tampons from various brands contain toxic metals, including lead and arsenic. The findings highlight the potential public health risks associated with tampon use.
A team of researchers from Drexel University and UCLA used scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy to study the surface chemical structure of titanium carbide MXene. They found features on the surface, including titanium oxide clusters and functional groups, which could explain MXene's extreme properties and potential applications.
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a flexible and durable bioelectrode material composed of single-wall carbon nanotubes on a stretchable poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) nanosheet. The material showed impressive flexibility, high water vapor permeability and resilience for extended use.
Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) made a small change to develop highly efficient SOT materials. By creating an imbalance in the spin-Hall effect, they controlled magnetization switching without magnetic fields, achieving 2-130 times higher efficiency and lower power consumption than known single-layer ...
Scientists at Tohoku University have discovered a new magnetic material that generates terahertz waves with an intensity four times higher than typical materials. This breakthrough enables the development of efficient terahertz wave emitters for various industrial fields, including imaging and medical diagnostics.
Researchers are developing advanced electronic bandages to improve chronic wound monitoring and healing. These 'smart' dressings can sense and respond to changing conditions, providing continuous data on healing and potential complications.
Researchers developed a new method to identify altermagnets using X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and theoretically predicted its fingerprint. The approach was successfully applied to manganese telluride (α-MnTe), revealing the material's hidden fingerprint of altermagnetism, which could accelerate spintronics applications.
A new type of dart launcher has been developed as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to firearms or air guns for injecting animals with drugs. The prototype uses electromagnetic coils and lidar technology to deliver a projectile with controlled kinetic energy.
The ELITE satellite, scheduled for completion by 2025, will validate new satellite technologies and study unique conditions of Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) and the Earth's surface. The satellite is equipped with a special electric propulsion system and will operate in VLEO, a relatively unexplored region of space.
A Trinity College Dublin team, led by Professor David Taylor, has developed a machine to study hair splitting using biomechanics. The 'Moving Loop Fatigue machine' recreates the damage caused by combing tangled hair, revealing that split ends split more quickly and generated longer splits.
A team of researchers from Japan have employed an innovative technique to directly observe the origin of FSDP and the atomic density fluctuations in silica (SiO2) glass. The study reveals alternating arrangements of chain-like columnar atomic configurations and interstitial tube-like voids.
Scientists have engineered materials that are both stiff and excellent thermal insulators, opening up new possibilities for applications such as electronic device coatings. The discovery allows for controlling the material's properties through composition adjustments.
This study investigates the impact of Zeolitic tuffs on the dynamic creep and tensile performance of Superpave asphalt mixtures. The results show that incorporating Zeolitic tuffs improves the mixtures' resistance to rutting and fatigue, with enhanced performance at 25% and 50% filler concentrations.
Researchers developed adhesive hydrogel coatings that eliminate fibrosis, a common issue with medical implants. The coatings bind devices to tissue and prevent the immune system from attacking them.
Researchers at MIT found that copper can be as strong as steel when struck by a super-high velocity object, contradicting decades of studies. The new discovery could lead to new material designs for extreme environments, such as hypersonic aircraft and equipment for high-speed manufacturing processes.
A team of researchers at Nagoya University has developed a novel method to seal cracks and fractures in rocks using a concretion-forming resin. The resin holds its shape and seals flow-paths rapidly, withstanding six earthquakes in a test period, making it more durable than conventional cement-based materials.
A US Army research collaboration with Boston University's KABlab used an AI machine learning robot to create a record-breaking energy-absorbing shape, breaking the known record of 71% efficiency. The shape has four points, like thin flower petals, and is taller and narrower than early designs.