Articles tagged with Materials Testing
The US is losing its leadership in discovering and growing new crystalline materials due to a decline in industrial research labs and foreign investment. The National Academy report highlights the Ames Laboratory as a center for new materials research and training ground for young researchers.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Austin have conducted a basic chemistry experiment in a world's smallest test tube, measuring thousandth of human hair diameter. The nano-scale test tube was heated and observed to melt gold at its tip, demonstrating well-known phenomena like melting, capillarity and diffusion at nanoscale.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a sustainable solution to the global period poverty issue by creating affordable sanitary pads from locally sourced, organic materials. The pads will be sold at a lower cost than existing brands, making them accessible to millions of women in impoverished countries.
Researchers at NIST developed a new reference material, Beryllium Oxide Powder (SRM 1877), which mimics the form of beryllium to which workers are exposed, enabling more representative toxicological studies and sensitive monitoring. This will facilitate effective clean-up of contaminated areas and aid in contamination control.
The researchers aim to discover new materials that can efficiently absorb sunlight and split water into clean hydrogen fuel, which could power cars and generate electricity. The project will focus on novel metal oxides as semiconductors, with the goal of creating cheap and abundant materials for sustainable energy production.
Researchers have discovered different friction forces when carbon nanotubes slide along their axis versus perpendicular to it, which could provide a new tool for assembling nanotubes into devices. The findings also offer insight into fundamental friction issues and potentially be used to sort nanotubes according to their chirality.
A unique study has successfully isolated long DNA fragments from dried, pressed plant material collected in the 1700s by Linnaeus. The findings have significant implications for understanding the evolution of plant species and may allow for the creation of a living herbarium.
The team aims to create biologically inspired material systems that can intelligently sense and actuate a network of distributed robust sensors and actuators. They will develop a robotic fish-like underwater vehicle by integrating biological investigations of fish with engineering knowledge about sensors and actuators.
Chinese researchers have created the first tunable electromagnetic gateway, using transformation optics and ferrite materials to block electromagnetic waves while allowing passage of other entities. The new configuration has optimum permittivity and permeability, making it tunable and remotely switchable.
Clemson University professor Rhett Smith receives $598,000 to study novel materials that can conduct electricity in thin, flexible plastic devices. The goal is to develop ultrathin displays and efficient thin-film solar cells.
A new material developed at the University of Virginia can visualize even minute levels of oxygen in tumors, which are associated with increased cancer aggressiveness. This technology has great promise for being able to perform measurements of tumor hypoxia cost-effectively and could lead to more effective treatments.
Researchers have created a new class of ultra-sensitive nanoscale devices capable of detecting the vibrations of individual gold nanoparticles. By studying bipyramid-shaped nanoparticles with highly uniform sizes and shapes, scientists overcame previous limitations in understanding damping in these systems.
Researchers developed a biologically-inspired robot, the Chewing Robot, to study dental wear formation on human teeth. The robot replicates natural bite forces and movements, allowing for improved testing of new dental materials.
Queen's University researchers will develop a unique capability to test nuclear materials in simulated reactor conditions using accelerator technology. The Nuclear Materials Testing Facility aims to improve understanding of materials degradation and development of materials for advanced reactors.
Scientists from A*STAR's IMRE invented the world's smallest controllable molecule gear of 1.2nm size, revolutionizing molecular machines. The breakthrough was achieved through optimizing molecular design, manipulation and surface atomic chemistry.
A Canadian research team has developed a lithium-sulphur battery that can store and deliver over three times the power of conventional lithium-ion batteries. The breakthrough involves using mesoporous carbon to improve the contact between sulphur and the conductor, resulting in exceptional electrochemical performance.
Researchers found that sending tailored nutrition materials through mail can significantly improve dietary habits, especially among less educated consumers. The study showed greater increases in vegetable and fruit consumption and reductions in fat intake among those receiving personalized guidance.
Researchers at UCSB are developing new techniques for manipulating single electron spins in diamond, aiming to build ultra-secure communication systems and lightning-fast database searches. The project will also focus on creating synthetic crystal diamond and heterostructure materials and devices.
Researchers discovered a five-sided ice chain structure, building from pentagon-shaped rings, which challenges the commonly seen hexagonal structures of ice formations. This finding could lead to new materials for seeding clouds and causing rain, improving weather modification techniques.
The new edition of Discovering Statistics Using SPSS provides an accessible guide to all aspects of statistics, using humorous real-world case studies. The book has been fully revised and restructured with updated materials and online resources, making it the only statistics textbook a student will ever need.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a new method to detect nitric oxide in exhaled breath, a potential indicator of diseases such as lung cancer and tuberculosis. The technique uses molecular gels that congeal when exposed to nitric oxide and oxygen, allowing for simpler and less subjective detection methods.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a high-performing photoconducting material using zinc oxide, offering environmentally benign chemistry, low-cost production, and high detectivity. The material's novel architecture enables efficient electron transport, comparable to amorphous silicon.
Dr. Jeffrey Stansbury, a University of Colorado professor, has been awarded the IADR Wilmer Souder Award for his work on dental and biomedical polymeric materials. The award recognizes his research group's development of novel polymeric materials for various dental applications.
A Purdue University researcher has discovered a way to increase access to cellulose in plant cell walls by shredding corn stover instead of chopping. This results in better access to the main component needed for making ethanol. Shredding corn stalks also increases the surface area of the material and reduces energy consumption.
A study published in the Journal of Consumer Research found that highly materialistic individuals were equally happy with positive purchases of either experiential or material goods. However, emotional intensity decreases more quickly after material purchases than experiential ones.
Researchers have observed a synchronized quantum dance in electrons' spin within a new material, enabling the transformation of computing and electronics. The discovery has significant implications for data storage, memory, and computation power.
New research suggests that material items can provide longer-lasting happiness than negative experiences. The study found that bad experiences lead to more lasting unhappiness than bad material purchases.
Researchers at Rice University have created hybrid carbon nanotube metal oxide arrays as electrode material that may improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The new design could lead to longer-lasting electric cars and gadgets, as well as enhanced capabilities for electrochemical capacitors and fuel cells.
The system will enable researchers from seven disciplines to perform virtual experiments and address open problems in their fields, including infectious disease dynamics, material development, and human interactions. The instrument is expected to promote technology transfer and enhance the diversity of computational science talent.
MIT researchers discovered a simple arrangement of proteins produces sturdiest product with great strength and robustness. The optimal composition includes two repeated hierarchies of alpha-helical proteins, providing the basis for optimal material performance.
Researchers at NIST have developed a new technique to measure the toughness of thin insulating films used in high-performance integrated circuits. This breakthrough could help improve the reliability and manufacturability of ICs by identifying films with brittle fracture failure, affecting both manufacturing yields and device reliability.
Researchers have developed a new theory that explains the behavior of molecules in plastics, leading to more precise and cost-effective production of specialty plastics. This breakthrough could have applications in fields like engineering, nanotechnology, renewable energy, and medicine.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new method for boosting the efficiency of solar photovoltaic cells by up to 50%. By applying antireflection coatings and complex reflective layer designs, they were able to increase the energy conversion rate. This breakthrough has significant implications for the future of renewable energy and could...
Researchers are developing a new high-speed environmentally-friendly packaging process that uses recycled materials and reduces plastic waste. The project aims to cut landfill waste by 13% and save over 39,000 tonnes per year.
The new online community aims to accelerate creation of critically needed nanotechnology standards, including reference materials and tests. The initiative will utilize Web 2.0-style social networking technologies to facilitate information sharing and deliberation among experts.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have discovered a new understanding of thermoelectric materials that can efficiently convert waste heat into electrical energy. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly improve fuel economy in vehicles and contribute to more environmentally friendly cooling methods.
Researchers developed a 'slug calorimeter' technique to measure thermal conductivity of fireproofing materials under extreme heat. This new method has been adopted commercially and published as a national standard, with potential applications in steel fireproofing, wood-based materials, and spacecraft insulation.
The Penn State MRSEC will continue its research in four areas: nanoscale motors, nanowires, optical metamaterials, and multiferroics. The center aims to design new materials with unprecedented properties and functions.
Cornell researchers have created a one-atom-thick graphene membrane that is ultra-strong, leak-proof and impermeable to gases. The membrane could be used for various applications such as imaging biological materials in solution or studying the movement of atoms through microscopic holes.
Aerospace engineer Michael Philen has received the Oak Ridge Associated Universities Ralph E. Powe Junior Faculty Award to develop fluidic flexible matrix composites, which can change modulus on demand. These innovative materials have potential for both government and commercial applications.
A new study published in the Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology found that conscious thinking can lead to better choices for complex decisions, debunking a controversial 2006 research result. The study suggests that unconscious thought is more susceptible to irrelevant factors and that conscious thinkers given adequate time t...
Researchers discovered a novel structure that enables oxygen ions to move through fuel cells at lower temperatures than previously thought possible. This breakthrough may lead to reduced operating costs and improved efficiency in stationary fuel cells.
Researchers in Spain have successfully created an acoustic cloak using metamaterials, which can make objects completely impervious to sound waves. The technology could be used for various applications such as warships to avoid sonar detection or concert halls to direct noise away from problem spots.
A Penn State team has shown that non-magnetic materials can have more properties than previously thought, thanks to their unique structure and symmetry. The researchers found that certain non-magnetic materials can exhibit roto second harmonic generation, a property previously associated with magnetic materials.
Researchers at the University of Oregon found that manipulating excitons in a semiconductor material can control electron spin, providing a new method for selectively manipulating spins. This discovery may prove useful in emerging optic devices and quantum computers.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has developed Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) for bitter orange, a compound used in herbal weight-loss products. Researchers can use these materials to develop and test analytical methods, as well as ensure the quality of their measurements.
Researchers developed a novel 3-D screening method for analyzing cell-material interactions, cutting initial search times in half. The technique enables rapid assessment of biomaterials' biocompatibility and properties, with applications in tissue and organ repair.
The discovery of the precise peeling force of nanotubes could lead to the creation of new composite materials, medical devices and industrial applications. Researchers used atomic force microscopy to measure the forces and found that the nanotubes lift off unevenly due to van der Waals forces.
Researchers from NC State University have made significant advancements in understanding how light interacts with matter at the atomic scale. Their work could lead to faster and more energy-efficient computers by improving the analysis of materials' bonding properties.
The study reveals that high-temperature superconductors do not rely on a 'glue' binding electrons, but instead utilize their strong repulsive forces to facilitate superconductivity. The researchers used specialized equipment to measure electron pairing mechanisms and found unique quantum properties at warmer temperatures.
A University of Missouri researcher is part of a multi-university team developing hybrid materials that combine magnetic and semiconductor functions. This innovation aims to create devices that operate at higher speeds and use less power than current electronic devices.
Researchers have developed new methods to block salt crystallization, a major cause of damage to historic buildings. These techniques have been tested on sodium nitrate and have shown effectiveness in reducing damage to ornamental porous materials.
Scientists at HMI and University of Applied Sciences in Berlin have successfully visualized three-dimensional images of magnetic fields inside solid, non-transparent materials. By detecting changes in neutron spin rotation, the researchers can reconstruct a three-dimensional image of the magnetic field distribution within the sample.
Scientists discover squid beak is both extremely hard and stiff at the tip and soft at the base, allowing it to capture prey without harming itself. This unique property inspires new possibilities for joining materials together.
Kristjan Haule, a Rutgers physicist, has received a $50,000 Sloan Foundation Research Fellowship to develop computer simulations predicting properties of novel materials with layers only a few atoms thick. These materials have the potential to replace traditional semiconducting devices for solar energy conversion.
Researchers developed a new, low-cost material to capture CO2 from coal-fired power plants. The hyperbranched aluminosilica (HAS) material has high capacity and can be reused multiple times, offering a cost-effective solution for large-scale carbon capture.
Researchers have developed a nanotech approach using coated silica particles that can efficiently remove biological molecules, pathogens, and organic pollutants from water. This innovative method could help prevent disease and poisoning for millions of people worldwide.
A recent study found that gadolinium-containing contrast agents can cause allergic-like reactions in premedicated patients, including children and adults. Pre-medication with corticosteroids and antihistamines may not completely eliminate the risk of breakthrough reactions.
Three students, Rajit Chaudhury, Carmen Reznik, and Christiana Chang, received top honors in the TcSUH Student Symposium for their research on superconductivity and related advanced materials. Their projects have potential applications in improving data storage, human health, and structural integrity.
Researchers found that people tend to focus on information supporting their pre-existing beliefs, even if it's accurate. The study suggests designing search engine interfaces to help users organize information and overcome decision biases.