Articles tagged with Materials
Researchers developed a multifunctional foam combining electromagnetic interference shielding, thermal management, and infrared stealth capabilities. The bio-based foam successfully blocks over 99.9989% of electromagnetic waves while regulating surface temperature through phase-change mechanisms.
Researchers at Princeton University have developed a new type of origami that changes its shape and properties in response to external stimuli. By introducing elastic components, they can execute precise folding patterns not previously possible. This technology has potential applications in prosthetics, antennas, and other devices.
Researchers have developed a new multifunctional catalyst for hydrogen evolution and alcohol oxidation, achieving superior performance and durability compared to commercial counterparts. The submonolayered Ru modification enhances atomic utilization efficiency and facilitates water adsorption, dissociation, and hydrogen desorption.
A newly developed mesoporous WO₃ film exhibits exceptional efficiency and stability for photoelectrochemical water splitting, enabling advanced tandem devices for renewable hydrogen production. The film achieved unprecedented efficiency and long-term stability, particularly in neutral pH conditions.
Researchers explore the role of atomically thin materials in single-atom catalysts for electrocatalytic water splitting, highlighting their potential for high performance and mechanistic insights. The study proposes a design framework for developing next-generation electrocatalysts with precise metal-support interactions.
Researchers have discovered that soft gels and lotions retain residual stress from the mixing process, affecting their behavior over time. The study reveals that common products like hair gel and shaving cream hold onto these stresses for longer periods than previously assumed.
A minimal three-dimensional model successfully reproduced hallmark behaviors of tough composite materials, including mechanical hysteresis and sacrificial bond-driven toughening. The team discovered that optimal toughening occurs at a specific ratio of soft to hard components, governed by a universal scaling relationship.
Researchers from Seoul National University of Science & Technology developed a smart adhesive system based on starfish for temporary and switchable underwater adhesion. The system exhibits high adhesion hysteresis, automatic release based on outside stimuli, and quick detachment by pneumatic actuation.
Researchers have confirmed the existence of hidden motions in granular materials like soil and snow, which can control their movement. This discovery could help understand how landslides and avalanches work, as well as benefit industries such as construction and grain filling.
A team of materials scientists at Rice University developed a new way to grow ultrathin semiconductors directly onto electronic components using chemical vapor deposition. The breakthrough technique eliminates the fragile manufacturing step, potentially speeding up development of next-generation electronics and computing.
Researchers have discovered a new material that matches or exceeds the performance of commercial iridium-based materials, but at a fraction of the cost. The breakthrough was achieved using a powerful new tool called a megalibrary, which rapidly screened vast combinations of metals to find a suitable alternative.
Researchers have developed a reusable, compostable material called jelly ice that keeps things cold without melting. The gelatin-based hydrogel has up to 80% cooling efficiency compared to regular ice and can be reused multiple times.
Researchers have developed a new way to 'edit' the internal layers of MAX phases, leading to the creation of novel layered inorganic materials. The discovery enables the transformation of covalent-bonded ternary compounds into 2D materials with tunable properties.
Researchers have discovered a way to turn material defects into an advantage for spintronic devices. By exploiting these imperfections, the team was able to boost both orbital Hall conductivity and angle, leading to a threefold improvement in switching energy efficiency.
Researchers have developed a novel way to reach the unexplored mesosphere using lightweight flying structures that can float using sunlight. The devices, which were built at Harvard and other institutions, levitated in low-pressure conditions and demonstrated potential for climate sensing and exploration.
The book sheds light on nanomaterials, metamaterials, and smart materials' synthesis, classification, and characterization techniques. It discusses size-dependent behavior, fabrication challenges, and interdisciplinary applications with practical implications for healthcare, energy, and electronics.
Researchers have developed a method to produce mirror-like graphite films with millimeter-sized grains, exceeding previous synthetic graphite's performance. The films demonstrate exceptional mechanical properties, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity, opening up new possibilities for high-tech applications.
Researchers at Rice University have demonstrated a strong form of quantum interference between phonons, revealing record levels of interference. The breakthrough could lead to new technologies in sensing, computing, and molecular detection.
Researchers at UC Irvine and Japan's Okayama and Toho universities discovered a novel formation process for chitons' hard, magnetic teeth. The team learned how iron-binding proteins are transported into teeth through nanoscopic tubules, enabling the creation of highly aligned magnetite nanorods.
Physicists from the IFJ PAN in Cracow have successfully produced homogeneous coatings of titanium oxide nanotubes on large metal surfaces, overcoming the obstacle of crystal grain boundaries. The method combines nanoparticle lithography and electrochemical anodization, enabling controlled material properties.
Researchers have discovered that electrical double layers (EDLs) organize into specific configurations in response to chemical deposition on solid surfaces. These configurations include 'bending,' 'breaking,' and 'reconnecting' patterns, which are universal due to the finite size of liquid molecules.
Researchers developed a new method to activate water-splitting catalysts at an oven temperature of just 300 °C, boosting oxygen evolution efficiency by nearly sixfold. This breakthrough enables large-scale energy storage and conversion using solar and wind power.
A new study uses molecular imaging to uncover structural defects in conjugated polymers formed through aldol condensation, a versatile and environmentally friendly synthesis method. By understanding these defects, researchers can develop more sustainable materials for electronics, computing, and other applications.
Researchers have pioneered new ways to apply intrinsic magnetic topological materials in spintronic devices, leading to breakthroughs in storage technology. The team discovered that asymmetric topological surfaces can generate persistent spin currents, allowing for efficient electric switching approaches.
This review highlights the potential of MXene-Ti3C2Tx as a universal platform for neuromorphic devices, offering sub-femtojoule synaptic events and nanosecond response times. The material enables flexible, multimodal, and biocompatible systems that classical silicon cannot match.
Researchers from Italy developed a conductive biopaste to accelerate coral growth and a natural healing patch to target antibiotic delivery to diseased corals, both showing promising results in laboratory tests.
Binary indium chalcogenides exhibit unique structural properties and excellent thermoelectric performance, making them valuable for research and applications. The review reveals the importance of mixed valence states and unconventional chemical bonds in regulating electron-phonon transport and achieving low lattice thermal conductivity.
Researchers have developed soft artificial muscles that provide the performance and mechanical properties required for building robotic musculoskeletal systems. The new muscles can be battery-powered, enabling robots to move more naturally and safely in unstructured environments.
Recent advances in spectrally selective daytime radiative cooling (SSDRC) materials have unlocked unprecedented cooling powers and multifunctional applications. SSDRC materials can outperform conventional broadband emitters by confining emissivity to the atmospheric transmission window while suppressing non-ATW radiation.
A multi-university team has developed a system combining magnetic steering and light-triggered release for precise targeted drug delivery. The researchers successfully steered microscopic drug delivery containers using magnetic fields, advancing the development of precision medicine.
Researchers have engineered a novel enzyme, PET2-21M, to enhance the biodegradation of bottle-grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics. This breakthrough offers a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional recycling processes, achieving significant improvements in catalytic activity and substrate efficiency.
Researchers from the University of Illinois have demonstrated a viable and high-performance modular architecture for superconducting quantum processors. Their work enables system scalability, hardware upgrades, and tolerance to variability, making it an attractive option for building system networks.
Researchers at Chinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters demonstrate quantum confinement in a new covalent organic framework without shrinking the material. The framework exhibits exceptional photoluminescence properties, making it suitable for applications such as lighting devices and chemical sensors.
A network of quantum computers employing optical clocks probes gravitational effects on quantum states shared between them. Researchers found that elevations as low as 1 kilometer can cause significant deviations from standard quantum theory.
Researchers developed a new method for building powerful, compact energy storage devices using thin-film supercapacitors without metal parts. The device can output 200 volts, equivalent to powering 100 LEDs for 30 seconds or a 3-watt bulb for 7 seconds.
Researchers developed a novel three-dimensional carbon nanofiber current collector to address challenges in anode-free sodium metal batteries. The new design features Zn–N x active sites that enhance interactions with electrolyte components and stabilize the solid electrolyte interphase, leading to improved cycling stability.
Researchers developed a novel strategy harnessing mechanical stimuli to generate an internal force within cobalt-containing ferroelectric material. This generates potent cleaning agents, enabling complete removal of the model pollutant Rhodamine B within 2.5 minutes.
Researchers used generative AI models like ChatGPT and DALL-E to analyze men's fashion trends and create realistic fashion collection images. The study highlights the importance of expertly worded prompts for accurate fashion design implementation, enabling efficient and creative use of generative AI in fashion.
Researchers developed a new scattering-type scanning near-field optical microscopy (S-SNOM) technique achieving 1-nm resolution, enabling atomic-scale imaging of materials. This enables studying of atomic defects and nanoscale structures with unprecedented precision.
The world's first thousand-ton-scale ionic liquid-based regenerated cellulose fiber project has officially commenced operations in Henan Province, China. The technology uses non-volatile, stable ionic liquids as solvents to replace toxic solvents, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by an estimated 5,000 tons per year.
A team of scientists has developed a novel CO2-activated porous carbon adsorbent that selectively traps impurities while purifying target gases. The material achieves a record C3F6/C3F8 uptake ratio and produces 99.999% pure C3F8 at industrial scales.
The European Research Council has awarded three ERC Proof of Concept grants to Göttingen University professors, enabling the development of initiatives that can benefit Europe's economy and society. The projects focus on harnessing renewable energy, reducing chemical waste, and improving biomedical image analysis.
Researchers developed a novel computational approach that predicts alloy microstructures in minutes, compared to years. The new model streamlines older approaches and avoids the 'curse of dimensionality', enabling rapid and accurate calculations of solidification and alloy microstructures.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a new type of adhesive that could improve the comfort and safety of wearable medical devices. The adhesive, made from polyelectrolyte-complex coatings, is water-based and has been shown to match the strength of commercial-grade adhesives while reducing skin irritation.
Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a model predicting contaminant influence on aerosol droplet size, finding it depends on oil layer thickness, viscosity, and surface tension. The study aims to understand airborne contaminants from oil spills and respiratory diseases.
A new approach harnesses radiant cooling to reduce outdoor temperatures by up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The technique uses water-cooled aluminum panels and see-through, infrared-reflective thin polymer film to create a cooler space while maintaining visibility.
Researchers developed a self-driving lab that collects at least 10 times more data than previous techniques, dramatically expediting materials discovery research while slashing costs and environmental impact. The system uses dynamic flow experiments to continuously characterize samples, capturing data every half second.
MXene materials have been engineered to respond to light, enabling their use in soft robotics applications. This breakthrough could lead to the development of new types of robots that can change shape and function in response to external stimuli.
The collaboration aims to increase print quality and consistency for large-format 3D printing, enabling applications in hydroelectric dams, oil and gas industries, and more. ORNL's slicing software and JuggerBot 3D equipment will be refined to process thermosets independently and simultaneously.
Researchers found that sewage spills from land to sea coincided with winds of at least 6.5m/s on 178 days within a two-year period, potentially sending microplastics into the air. The study suggests that coastal towns and cities may be exposed to billions of airborne microplastic particles.
The study created lightweight, highly deformable materials with tunable mechanical responses using one-DOF mechanisms. These materials enable rapid response switching and reprogramming of force-displacement curves, unlocking new customizable mechanical properties.
Researchers have discovered a way for caterpillars to metabolically degrade plastics in a matter of days, storing it as body fat. However, this process comes at a cost, ultimately leading to the caterpillar's death.
Scientists at Rice University developed a scalable approach to engineer bacterial cellulose into high-strength, multifunctional materials. The dynamic biosynthesis technique aligns bacterial cellulose fibers in real-time, resulting in robust biopolymer sheets with exceptional mechanical properties.
Researchers investigated low-density amorphous ice and found it was not fully disordered but contained tiny crystals. This discovery challenges the assumption that space ice is similar to liquid water and has implications for theories like Panspermia.
Researchers have developed a technique to grow stem cells into single sheets, increasing the secretion of signaling proteins that help repair tissue and regulate the immune system. This new approach could improve stem cell-based treatments for conditions such as heart disease, liver damage, and autoimmune illnesses.
Scientists have created a nanoscale 'cloud' metasurface capable of dynamically switching between white and grey states to enable daytime cooling, heating, and thermal camouflage. The system uses multiple scattering, absorption, and polarizonic reflection principles to modulate light and heat.
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the design and synthesis of biofunctional materials for medical applications. Machine learning models can predict material properties with over 90% accuracy, enabling faster and more cost-effective discovery.
A new silica aerogel has been developed for efficient carbon emission reduction, exhibiting high thermal resistance and gas adsorption capacity. The integration of amine and methyl groups in the aerogel is achieved through a facile and environmentally friendly self-catalyzed sol-gel reaction.
A nanometer-thin spacer layer has been inserted into exciplex upconversion OLEDs (ExUC-OLEDs) to improve energy transfer, enhancing blue light emission by 77-fold. This design enables the use of previously incompatible materials, paving the way for lightweight, low-voltage, and more flexible OLEDs.
The researchers developed a multifunctional phase-change composite that integrates multiple energy conversion capabilities with superior EMI shielding. The novel composite combines solar-thermal, thermoelectric, electrothermal, and magnetothermal energy conversion with high EMI shielding effectiveness.