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Scientists ‘see’ nanoscale forces, providing evidence of electric fields at the air‑water interface

Researchers used 3D electron microscopy to capture direct evidence of electric fields at air-water interfaces, opening a path to rationally designed clean-energy materials. The study found a repulsive force holding thinnest films together, reaching 10 megapascals, and provided chemical evidence for the electric field's existence.

SourceKyushu University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeObservational study·DateAug 18, 2026

Reshaping gold leads to new electronic and optical properties

By changing the physical structure of gold, researchers can drastically change its interaction with light, leading to enhanced electronic behavior and improved absorption of light energy. This study demonstrates the potential of nanoporous gold as a new design parameter for engineering materials in advanced technologies.

SourceUmea University·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 2, 2026

3D-printed bone scaffolds unlock superelasticity and tunable performance

Researchers developed novel artificial bone scaffolds with high deformation recovery capabilities, exceeding those of natural bone and conventional metallic scaffolds. These scaffolds allow for flexible adjustments of properties like strength and modulus to meet specific implantation site requirements.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateSep 2, 2025

Penn engineers discover a new class of materials that passively harvest water from air

Researchers have developed a material that can collect moisture from the air and release it onto surfaces without external energy input. The material works through capillary condensation, where water vapor condenses inside tiny pores at lower humidity levels, creating a feedback loop of water harvesting.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalScience Advances·TypeObservational study·DateMay 21, 2025

Beyond ‘one pore at a time’

Researchers at University of Chicago developed a novel method to create high-density pores in membranes with intentional weak spots, enabling precise control over pore size and concentration. This technique has potential applications in water treatment, fuel cells, and other fields.

SourceUniversity of Chicago·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 2, 2024

New method for analyzing nanoporous materials

Researchers at TU Graz developed a new method to analyze nanoporous materials using single electron microscope images. The technique determines the three-dimensional distribution of ions in crystal channels or nanopores, leading to a better understanding of aquamarine's blue color and potential applications in material science.

SourceGraz University of Technology·JournalCommunications Materials·TypeImaging analysis·DateMar 21, 2024

Breakthrough research enables high-density hydrogen storage for future energy systems

Scientists have developed a nanoporous magnesium borohydride structure that stores five hydrogen molecules in three-dimensional arrangement, achieving unprecedented high-density hydrogen storage. The material exhibits a capacity of 144 g/L per volume of pores, surpassing traditional methods and offering a promising alternative to large...

A new era for accurate, rapid COVID-19 testing

Researchers at Osaka University have developed a novel platform that combines nanopore technology with artificial intelligence to detect different coronavirus variants quickly. The platform was tested on 241 saliva samples and detected the Omicron variant 100% of the time.

SourceOsaka University·JournalLab on a Chip·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateOct 26, 2023

Much ado about nothing: Insights into designing advanced stimuli-responsive materials

Researchers from Japan have solved a long-standing puzzle of porous soft materials, revealing the importance of elastic heterogeneity in tuning molecular adsorption/desorption properties. The study provides physicochemical insight into the origin of elastic heterogeneity within MOFs, with applications to imparting targeted properties.

SourceInstitute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 19, 2023

A simple, cheap material for carbon capture, perhaps from tailpipes

Researchers have created a cheap and energy-efficient way to capture carbon dioxide from smokestacks using porous melamine material. The process is simple to make and requires primarily off-the-shelf melamine powder, making it a promising solution for scaling down carbon emissions from vehicle exhaust or other movable sources.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 4, 2022

New photocatalytic membrane that can be cleaned using light energy

A new nanosheet-laminated photocatalytic membrane has been successfully developed by Kobe University researchers, demonstrating excellent water permeance and photocatalytic activity. The membrane's photocatalytic properties make it easier to clean, reducing fouling and increasing its potential for tackling global environmental issues.

SourceKobe University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 4, 2022

Developing inorganic lead-free perovskite for broadband emission

Scientists have successfully developed lead-free bismuth halide perovskites with broadband emission, overcoming toxicity and instability issues of traditional lead-based materials. The new material exhibits high efficiency and stability, paving the way for potential applications in artificial lighting and displays.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalEnergy Material Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 28, 2022

New materials for storing flammable industrial gases

Researchers have created new patented materials that can capture and release acetylene with high efficiency, outperforming existing porous materials. The flexible Metal-Organic frameworks (MOFs) offer tunable gas storage and release conditions suitable for industrial applications.

SourceCNRS·JournalNature Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 21, 2022

Special issue of energy material advances on research state of nanocrystals

This special issue of Energy Material Advances highlights recent progress in synthesizing and tuning perovskite nanocrystals and other emerging nanocrystal materials. Research focuses on fundamental understanding of doping, synthesis, and spectroscopy, as well as applications in solar cells and light-emitting diodes.

SourceBeijing Institute of Technology Press Co., Ltd·JournalEnergy Material Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 30, 2022

Simple creation of a super multi-element catalyst homogeneously containing 14 elements

Researchers developed a nanoporous super multi-element catalyst containing 14 elements through de-alloying. This alloy exhibits excellent water electrolysis properties due to the multi-element superposition effect. The breakthrough creation has potential for future development into an omnipotent and versatile catalyst.

SourceJapan Science and Technology Agency·JournalChemical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 7, 2021

Materials that open in the heat of the moment

Researchers at Kyoto University have designed a temperature-controllable copper-based material that can dynamically change pore sizes, allowing for improved gas separation and storage. The material can selectively adsorb gases based on temperature, opening channels to separate gases with different molecular sizes.

SourceKyoto University·JournalScience·DateJan 24, 2019

Mining for gold with a computer

The Texas A🏩;M/Virginia Tech team developed image-analysis software to quickly measure key features of nanoporous gold from 150 peer-reviewed papers, correlating them with processing techniques. This allowed the identification of a new parameter and a quantitative law for controlling NPG properties.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalScientific Reports·DateMay 3, 2018

New industrial possibilities for nanoporous thin films

Researchers at KU Leuven have developed an alternative production method to create nanoporous thin films, expanding their industrial possibilities. These materials can be used as catalysts, absorb large amounts of material, and store gases, opening up new applications in fields like nanoelectronics.

SourceKU Leuven·JournalNature Materials·DateDec 14, 2015

Super-slick material makes steel better, stronger, cleaner

Researchers at Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a way to make steel stronger, safer and more durable by creating a surface coating made from rough nanoporous tungsten oxide. The new material is capable of repelling any kind of liquid even after sustaining intense structural abuse.

Lawrence Livermore researchers develop efficient method to produce nanoporous metals

Nanoporous metals with superior qualities have numerous applications due to their high surface area for electron transfer and increased sites for analyte adsorption. Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers developed a cost-effective method to manufacture nanoporous metals over various scales, from nanoscale to macroscale.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateNov 25, 2014