Research on testing materials and how they perform. Covers spacecraft shielding, manufacturing challenges, metallic glass in space, and recyclable materials.
Researchers at Drexel University discovered that a thin MXene coating can enhance a material's ability to trap or shed heat. The coating, which is 200-300 times thinner than a human hair, can be used for both localized thermal management and large-scale radiative heating and cooling systems.
Researchers at the University of Missouri are acquiring a new transmission electron microscope (TEM) with a $800,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The TEM will allow them to conduct experiments in real-time and gain a greater understanding of material structure at an atomic level.
Researchers at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) have built and tested a full-scale bushfire safe room that demonstrates excellent heat resistance. The results suggest the shelter could keep people alive for up to two hours in extreme conditions, but further testing is needed to confirm human survivability.
Researchers developed a chemical scissors-mediated structural editing strategy to regulate the structure and elemental composition of MAX phases/MXenes. This approach enables the creation of novel MAX phase and MXene materials with improved functional applications.
Researchers developed an in situ technique to observe material behavior under various stresses, including shear stress. This allows for precise understanding of how materials respond and identify preferred slip planes.
A new 'best practice' protocol has been developed by researchers at University of Bath to standardize data collection and reporting in piezoelectric materials. This is crucial to ensure reproducibility in energy harvesting research, which is hampered by inconsistent experimental reports.
Scientists have identified a dozen new materials with high carrier mobility in 2D semiconductors, which could revolutionize electronic device capabilities. The discoveries were made using quantum-mechanical calculations and are an exception to the conventional wisdom that finding such materials is extremely challenging.
Scientists have developed a conductive polymer coating called HOS-PFM that can significantly enhance the performance of lithium-ion batteries in electric vehicles. The coating ensures battery stability and high charge/discharge rates while extending battery life by up to 15 years.
The University of Houston researchers have developed a new test that uses glow-in-the-dark materials to improve the sensitivity and accuracy of at-home COVID-19 tests. The test, which can detect COVID-19 proteins more efficiently, has shown excellent results compared to commercial tests.
A team of researchers at Tohoku University has developed an artificial intelligence-driven contact control system to minimize friction between moving parts in machinery, aiming to reduce wear and tear and extend lifespan.
A research team developed a new dentine analogue material that can substitute extracted human teeth in laboratory-based mechanical and fatigue tests. The materials were tested for their mechanical strength, elastic modulus, indentation hardness, and fatigue behaviour, showing comparable results to those based on extracted human teeth.
Channeling ions into grain boundaries in perovskite materials improves the stability and operational performance of perovskite solar cells, paving the way for more efficient and practical solar cell technologies. This breakthrough finding may also inform the development of more efficient energy storage technologies.
A novel air filter made from corn protein has been developed that can capture small particulates and toxic chemicals like formaldehyde. The filter, which uses functional groups to grab molecules, shows promise for improving air quality in regions with poor air pollution.
Scientists from NC State University have discovered a way to manipulate the flow of heat through ferroelectric materials by applying different electric fields. The study, published in Advanced Materials, found that varying electric field strengths, types (AC/DC), time, and frequency can alter the thermal properties of these materials.
Researchers found microorganisms in Martian rocks that are difficult to detect with current instrumentation. The team suggests more powerful tools or bringing samples to Earth to conclusively address whether life existed on Mars. A European Mars rover expected to launch in 2028 will carry a drill capable of analyzing sediments deeper, ...
Researchers found SARS-CoV-2 in 18.2% of tear samples from patients with COVID-19, and in 12.1% of those collected using the Schirmer strip test. The method may predict patient prognosis and provide an alternative to uncomfortable nasopharyngeal swabbing.
Researchers discovered a size threshold beyond which antiferroelectric materials become ferroelectric, losing energy storage advantages. At thicknesses below 40 nm, the material becomes completely ferroelectric, while above 270 nm, ferroelectric regions appear.
Researchers at North Carolina State University used a new laser technique to improve the performance of lithium-ion batteries. The technique creates tiny defects in graphite material, which can enhance battery performance, increase current capacity by up to 20%, and reduce the risk of fires. However, excessive defects can lead to probl...
A sunlight-powered porous hydrogel inspired by loofahs can rapidly absorb and release purified water. The material has the potential to meet a person's daily demand, regardless of light conditions.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a self-assembling peptide ink that enables the 3D printing of complex structures with cells, which can then be used to grow mature tissue in a petri dish. The ink allows for control over cell behavior using structural and chemical complexity.
Researchers developed an elastic material using liquid metal that resists both gases and liquids, offering a trade-off between elasticity and gas resistance. The material, created with gallium-indium alloy, has been tested to prevent the escape of oxygen and liquids, showing promising potential for use in high-value tech packaging
The Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation developed a contact lens prototype that facilitates tear flow in response to normal eye blinking, relieving CLIDE symptoms. The lenses, with microchannels and square cross-sections, can guide tear flow and combat dry eye syndrome.
Researchers have visualized the structural dynamics of 2D perovskite materials under light-induced excitation, revealing a transient lattice reorganization towards a higher symmetric phase. The study demonstrates the potential to tune the interaction between perovskite lattices and light.
Researchers at the University of São Paulo developed a portable, flexible copper sensor that can detect heavy metals like lead and cadmium in sweat. The device is made from ordinary materials and is simple to produce, making it accessible for non-specialists and technicians.
A new method for measuring bifacial solar panel performance has been developed by the University of Ottawa SUNLAB team. The study proposes a characterization method that considers external effects of ground cover like snow, grass, and soil, providing a way to accurately test panel performance indoors.
Researchers at The University of Tokyo have developed a cheap and simple method to bond polymers to galvanized steel, resulting in lightweight and durable materials. The process involves pre-treating the steel with an acid wash and dipping it in hot water, creating nanoscale needle structures that allow for strong mechanical linkages.
Researchers have developed an edible plant-based ink derived from food waste to create cost-effective scaffolds for culturing meat. This innovation could significantly reduce the cost of large-scale cultured meat production, making it more affordable and environmentally friendly.
Researchers have created a new metal alloy that boasts the highest recorded toughness, with properties that improve at lower temperatures. The alloy, CrCoNi, exhibits exceptional strength and ductility, making it ideal for structural applications, despite most materials becoming brittle at low temperatures.
Researchers used AI to design and test thousands of functional group patterns on a carbon nanotube pore, finding optimal arrangements that can filter out contaminants. The study demonstrates AI's potential in developing new types of water purification membranes.
The new monochromator optics increase photon flux in the tender X-ray range by a factor of 100, allowing highly sensitive spectromicroscopic measurements with high resolutions. This enables data collection on nanoscale materials, such as catalytically active nanoparticles and modern microchip structures, for the first time.
Researchers at Lehigh University have received a $1.2 million NSF grant to purchase a new plasma focused ion beam system for studying material deformation at the nanoscale. The system enables in situ mechanical testing and EBSD analysis, allowing for detailed study of microstructural elements and
Researchers from the University of Tsukuba developed a reliable means to quantify reinforced concrete structure deterioration using crack width measurements. Increasing crack width leads to decreased bond strength in infrastructure.
Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to identify topological materials using machine learning and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. The method is over 90% accurate in identifying known topological materials and can predict properties of unknown compounds.
Researchers have discovered a way to create ductile ceramics that can exhibit ultimate strength of up to 11 GPa, potentially leading to improved energy efficiency and reduced material usage. However, further studies are needed to scale up the process and apply it to larger materials.
A research team at UFSCar developed a biodegradable slow-release fertilizer using modified nanocellulose, which releases nutrients slowly and in a controlled manner. The material is designed to reduce the release of non-biodegradable chemicals into the ecosystem.
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have developed an algorithm that enables 2D materials to maintain their mechanical strength after conversion into 3D structures. The algorithm is inspired by kirigami art and mimics the structure of nacre, a natural shell coating known for its robust mechanical properties.
Researchers at Penn State developed a method to erase memories in disordered solids, allowing for new opportunities in diagnostics and programming of materials. The study provides insight into how memories form in these materials and demonstrates a way to 'read' and erase them.
A team at Nagoya University has created a new type of mechanochromic material, fluorenylidene-acridane (FA), which changes color in response to mechanical pressure. The material's unique properties allow it to be quantitatively analyzed, enabling the measurement of its color change and structural changes with high spatial resolution.
Researchers have developed a new approach to test the efficacy of multiple anticancer drug combinations simultaneously, rapidly, and accurately. Combi-seq overcomes limitations of conventional technologies by using microfluidics to carry out large-scale experiments with small sample volumes.
Scientists at the University of California San Diego have developed a new biodegradable polyurethane material that can break down in seawater, reducing plastic pollution. The material was tested in marine environments and found to be degraded by microorganisms, which consume the chemicals as nutrients.
Sooby's research aims to develop an AI algorithm to rapidly provide high-quality data during alloy fabrication, reducing time and cost. Her lab collaborates with Computer Science professor Amanda Fernandez to leverage deep learning approaches for image labeling, increasing efficiency by 99%.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method to capture and predict the fatigue strength of metallic materials using automated high-resolution electron imaging. This approach allows for rapid prediction of metal failure and breakage, leading to design of safer and more resilient materials for various applications.
Researchers from Rice University and partners identified three promising candidate materials using a new framework that cross-references information in a database of known materials with theoretical calculations. The method could help explore strongly correlated topological matter, a large and largely uninvestigated landscape.
Researchers at University of Göttingen develop a new method to convert CO2 into chemical substances by confining molecules in nano-sized environments. The team demonstrates the ability to break individual chemical bonds and restore them in single molecules under controlled conditions.
WaveLogix, a tech startup, has received a six-month SBIR Phase I grant from the National Science Foundation to develop its Internet of Things sensing system for infrastructure monitoring. The Rebel brand of concrete strength sensors directly measures real-time, in-place concrete strength without destructive testing.
A University of Houston engineer has developed a sprayable ice-shedding material that is 100 times stronger than any others. The new durable coating material controls interfacial fractures and can accelerate crack formation and growth.
Researchers at City University of Hong Kong create lightweight, ultra-tough hybrid carbon microlattices that are 100 times stronger and doubled in ductility compared to original polymers. The new method enables the creation of sophisticated 3D parts with tailored mechanical properties for various applications.
Researchers have developed a new technique to dope gallium nitride (GaN), creating high-power electronic devices with reduced energy loss and increased efficiency. This breakthrough enables the use of GaN in compact power electronics for sustainable infrastructure, such as smart grids.
Researchers have developed a novel smart material that enables high-performance and reliable light control of droplets. The material, which consists of micro-size liquid metal particles, polyvinylidene fluoride trifluoroethylene copolymer, and micro-pyramidal structures, exhibits superior photothermal and ferroelectric properties.
At extremely high speeds, friction decreases wear due to uneven heat distribution on the surface. The outermost layer of metal is damaged while deeper regions remain intact. This effect has implications for high-speed applications such as E-mobility and aircraft.
Researchers aim to create crack-resistant, uniform materials with reduced residual stresses and porosity for use in AM. The project will combine the best processing features of existing alloys groups, resulting in lightweight, rigid, and thermally stable components.
A computational model predicts semiconductor material properties, enabling researchers to identify and create materials useful in quantum applications. The method could speed the process of identifying and creating materials with desirable properties.
The new photodetector design combines long-range transport of optical energy with long-range conversion to electrical current, mimicking the photosynthetic complexes found in plants. The device can gather light from areas of about 0.01 mm² and achieve conversion of light to electrical current over exceptionally long distances of 0.1 nm.
A novel light-manipulating technology using nanodisk periodic structures has been developed by an international team, including Kyoto University. By controlling bound states in the continuum, researchers can systematically control light distribution states and manipulate near-infrared light within a nanodisk.
Researchers discovered that a naturally insulating material, lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP), emits bursts of superfluorescence at room temperature and regular intervals. This property is valuable for quantum optical applications, such as faster microchips or neurosensors.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a machine learning model to predict melting temperatures for any compound. The model enables faster and more accurate calculations of melting points, which is critical for designing high-performance materials in various industries.
A national collaboration will focus on creating durable and scalable soft semiconductor technologies for low-cost, highly efficient solar fuel production. Organic polymers offer 'exquisite control' over material properties, allowing for tunability and dynamic adjustment to maintain equilibrium.
Researchers have developed highly sensitive and mass producible organic photodetectors that can detect weak signals. The new photodetectors exhibited a detectivity comparable to those of conventional silicon photodiodes, operating stably under temperatures above 150 °C.
Researchers at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology have discovered an efficient and sustainable method for 3D-printing single-walled carbon nanotube films. The method uses powder, ink, and 3D printing to produce durable and conductive materials ideal for space exploration, wearable electronics, and more.
Researchers at Imperial College London have developed a new material, sodium bismuth sulfide (NaBiS2), that can absorb comparable levels of sunlight as conventional silicon solar cells but with 10,000 times lower thickness. The material has potential for making lightweight solar cells suitable for aerospace applications.