Researchers developed a heat-venting ceramic metastructure with high terahertz shielding efficiency, combining material modification and structural design. The metastructure exhibited multifunctional characteristics, including hydrophobic and antifouling surfaces and excellent heat dissipation capabilities.
A research team at the University of Osaka has created a porous crystal that grows into a spring-like helix, changing shape as solvent molecules move in and out. The crystal has a high porosity and retains its structure even at high temperatures.
Researchers at Kyoto University developed a molecular strategy to change porous liquid viscosity by more than eight orders of magnitude while retaining its intrinsic porosity. The study used cuboctahedral rhodium-based metal-organic polyhedra with attached flexible polyethylene glycol chains, altering the surface groups to change the c...
Researchers developed a thermochromic ZnO coating that improves water repellency, self-cleaning behavior, and UV protection on wood surfaces. The coating reduces solar heat absorption while maintaining thermal radiation, resulting in a 10.4°C surface temperature reduction and 3.3°C average reduction in a model wooden house.
The study introduces a new bamboo fiber foam that combines electromagnetic shielding, flame retardancy, thermal insulation, and electrically driven heating in one lightweight material. The foam was created using ambient drying, which reduces energy consumption compared to traditional processing methods.
Researchers developed a cobalt-based catalyst that efficiently promotes oxygen reduction and evolution reactions in zinc-air batteries. The catalyst's curved carbon support and cobalt nanoparticles work together to improve oxygen electrocatalysis, enabling long-term bifunctional performance.
A new membrane combines food waste-derived biochar, graphene, and a phase change material to store thermal energy, improve heat transfer, and manage moisture. The membrane exhibits high thermal conductivity and water vapor permeability, making it suitable for energy recovery ventilation and smart building systems.
Long-term straw incorporation improves soil organic carbon by activating two mechanisms: physical protection in stable aggregates and chemical stabilization via iron-organic carbon associations. Straw return strengthens soil structure, promoting longer-term carbon storage.
Researchers at Graz University of Technology developed a cooling ceramic wall that utilizes porous ceramic cubes and energy-efficient evaporative cooling. The prototype, on display at TU Graz campus, significantly lowers the temperature by up to seven degrees Celsius in hot environments.
Researchers are transforming paper into sophisticated smart packaging that controls respiration, scrubbing ethylene to slow ripening for fruits and vegetables. For meat and seafood, the focus is on blocking oxygen and grease while embedding sensors that flag spoilage before it becomes obvious.
Fluctuations in nanopore structure are key to efficient molecule separation, according to a new study. The research found that dynamic 'breathing' motions can selectively accelerate the transport of one molecule over another, leading to improved separation performance.
Researchers developed a unified theoretical framework for ultrasound wave propagation and energy dissipation in porous rock formations. The study identifies three distinct longitudinal-wave types with different physical origins, providing a basis for understanding and predicting ultrasonic wave behavior in multiphase porous media.
Researchers developed a novel approach to convert technical lignin into functional coatings using low-energy suspension plasma spraying (LE-SPS). The new technique eliminates the need for solvents, crosslinkers, or catalysts, and produces continuous and dense coatings with improved UV attenuation and anti-fogging behavior.
Researchers introduce scaffold-microenvironment decoupling approach to construct hierarchically tough yet open polymer scaffolds with highly conductive microenvironments. The resulting hydrogel exhibits integrated properties, including high mechanical strength, ultra-high ionic conductivity, and practical efficacy in three demanding el...
A novel dual-scale encapsulation strategy for thermal energy storage using bio-derived palmitic acid and nanocellulose is reported. The composite achieved excellent shape stability and leakage resistance with a cumulative leakage rate of only 0.03% after heating.
A new study transforms agricultural waste from lavender straw into a highly sensitive biochar-based sensor for ethylene glycol detection. The sensor material exhibits exceptional room-temperature performance, a low detection limit of 0.36 ppm, and long-term stability.
A new study presents a greener way to make slow-release fertilizers that reduce nutrient loss and improve crop growth. The tea-based fertilizer, made with iron nanoparticles, biochar, and biodegradable materials, slows down nutrient release, retains soil moisture, and improves fertilizer efficiency.
A new study transforms spent coffee grounds into a high-performance, biodegradable thermal insulation material with potential applications in buildings and packaging. The material achieved comparable thermal conductivity to commercial expanded polystyrene and showed biodegradability under enzyme treatment.
Researchers used game theory to identify promising porous carbon materials made from agricultural and industrial waste. The study found that certain samples, such as rice straw-KOH-level 2, performed well in terms of surface area and pore volume, making them suitable for applications in soil amendment, water conservation, and pollutant...
Researchers at Kyoto University developed a porous polymer gel that selectively recognizes specific molecules through coordination chemistry, triggering visible color change and deformation. The gel's mechanical properties also strengthened upon recognition of guest molecules.
Researchers designed a biomimetic triple-network hydrogel inspired by octopus skin, combining rigid photonic ordering with soft polymer networks. The material demonstrated substantial improvements in mechanical strength and structural color response under deformation.
Researchers developed a cellulose/MXene sediment aerogel that combines EMI shielding, infrared stealth, and Joule heating within a single porous structure. The aerogel retained high porosity and specific surface area, enabling strong electromagnetic wave attenuation and thermal insulation.
Researchers developed a cellulose-based aerogel inspired by white beetles' optical structure, achieving high solar reflectance and infrared emissivity through hierarchical photonic scattering networks. The material achieved daytime subambient cooling of up to 7.1 °C and reduced building energy consumption by 43.5% on average.
A new study reveals a innovative fertilizer technology that combines biochar, natural polymers, and green-synthesized iron nanoparticles to release nutrients only when plants need them. The results show significant improvements in soil health and reduced environmental impacts.
Researchers developed a biodegradable composite made from spent coffee grounds and natural polymer, offering strong thermal insulation while being environmentally sustainable. The new material has a thermal conductivity comparable to commercial expanded polystyrene and is fully derived from renewable resources.
Researchers created a new type of microporous aerogel that overcomes limitations of conventional materials, enabling flexible and highly processable shapes. The material's flexibility arises from reversible van der Waals interactions between metal–organic polyhedra molecules.
Researchers have created a carbon-fiber composite that swallows sound waves while retaining the strength of industrial load-bearing panels. The design achieves an average sound absorption coefficient of over 0.9 across a frequency range of 1,500 to 5,500 hertz.
Researchers from Southeast University and Nanjing Normal University create supercapacitor technology using plant waste, enabling rapid-charging energy storage at 4.0 volts. The innovative approach combines a custom electrode with a specialized electrolyte to stabilize the system.
Researchers transformed waste into high-performance porous carbon materials for soil and water conservation. The study identified top-performing materials from agricultural wastes, which exhibited high surface areas and favorable pore structures, enhancing adsorption capacity and water retention.
Two types of biochar, rice husk and palm silk, influence water infiltration and leakage in phosphorus-enriched vegetable soils. Biochar slows water movement, reducing phosphorus leaching and improving water retention for crops.
A laboratory study found that adding biochar to living wall substrates improves thermal insulation while retaining moisture more efficiently. Biochar-amended mixes showed lower thermal conductivity and improved moisture retention, reducing irrigation demand and weight when fully saturated.
Researchers developed a synergistic structure-doping regulation strategy for lignin-based carbon aerogels using phytic acid, promoting uniform spherical hierarchical structures and dual phosphorus-sulfur doping. This approach achieves high-performance supercapacitors with superior power density and energy storage capabilities.
A team of researchers has developed a dual-response cellulose–WO3 composite film that can switch tint in seconds and survive 200 cycles. The membrane is made from wood and can be roll-coated on existing paper machines, making it a sustainable alternative to traditional smart glass.
Researchers developed a chitin-based carbon aerogel to stabilize phase change materials and improve their performance for energy applications. The material achieved high thermal storage density, durability, and improved thermal conductivity compared to pure stearic acid.
Researchers have discovered a zero-cost solution to reverse desertification by using food waste nanocellulose extracted from pineapple peels. The material cuts water leakage by 90% and triples phosphate retention, offering a more sustainable alternative to expensive hydrogels.
A joint research team from NIMS and Toyo Tanso has developed a carbon electrode that achieves higher output, longer life and scalability for practical lithium-air batteries. The electrode's hierarchically controlled porous structure results in high-output operation and improved durability.
Scientists have developed computer models to predict the spreading of saltwater in soils, like in southern Australia's Murray–Darling River. This helps manage river water quality while increasing ground salinity.
Researchers developed a novel biochar material with a high specific surface area and micropore volume, achieving a maximum CO2 adsorption capacity of 3.434 millimoles per gram at room temperature. The material's optimal mesopore proportion enabled rapid adsorption kinetics, resolving a long-standing trade-off in biochar design.
Researchers developed an ultra-sensitive hydrogel for human-machine interaction, achieving high-accuracy collaboration in remote surgical operations and virtual reality. The AirCell Hydrogel boasts a smooth surface and porous interior structure, allowing it to detect various human motions with exceptional accuracy.
Researchers at Universiti Sains Malaysia create a new material capable of capturing carbon dioxide from the air using oil palm ash, achieving impressive adsorption capacity and stability. Machine learning predictions also enabled the design of a highly optimized mesoporous structure.
Researchers developed hierarchically porous N-doped carbon nanofiber membranes with abundant hierarchical pores, enriched pyrrolic nitrogen. The optimized membrane exhibited excellent catalytic performance and stability in selective hydrogenation of phenol, achieving high conversion and selectivity rates.
Researchers develop multifunctional aerogels combining thermal insulation, flame retardancy, and mechanical robustness using bio-based nanocellulose. The resulting aerogels exhibit low thermal conductivity, high flame resistance, and impressive strength and flexibility.
Researchers have made significant advancements in soft porous crystals (SPCs) with promising applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis, and devices. The 'dose sensitivity' of SPCs directly affects their economic viability, with high performance and batch consistency crucial for trace or low-dose applications.
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.
A discarded ornamental shrub can now power electric buses thanks to a new material that triples the energy density of previous devices. The material, called PHAC, shows high surface area and mesopore volume, enabling rapid ion transport and long cycle life.
A Cu@MFI catalyst was developed via pore-confinement strategy, exhibiting exceptional catalytic performance in aqueous-phase hydrogenation of furfural. The catalyst achieved 100% conversion and selectivity with reduced side reaction pathway due to transition-state confinement effect.
Researchers develop a promising blueprint for 'Pore Science and Engineering,' proposing two key aspects: Pore Chemistry and Pore Structure. This concept aims to achieve precise molecular-level control guided by theoretical foundations, transforming the development of porous materials from trial-and-error to on-demand design.
The new MOF-derived Sn–O–Fe platform achieves high sensitivity (Rg/Ra = 2,646) for NO2 detection at 150°C, with a limit of detection of 10 ppb. The sensor's scalability and low power consumption make it suitable for wearable health and industrial safety applications.
Researchers at NJIT used artificial intelligence to discover new porous materials capable of revolutionizing multivalent-ion batteries. The AI-driven approach uncovered five entirely new materials with large, open channels ideal for moving bulky multivalent ions quickly and safely. These findings offer a promising solution for the futu...
Researchers developed a lightweight, mechanically robust porous polymer that mimics a natural loofah sponge. It can filter viruses, block objects, and has a range of functional properties due to its flexibility when wet and pH responsiveness.
Scientists from Institute of Science Tokyo successfully solubilize porous aromatic polymers (PAPs) in water using aromatic micelles, forming giant polycavity materials with high incorporation functions. The method enables the preparation of rare multi-component materials with potential applications in advanced functional materials.
A team of scientists from the University of Warsaw discovered that karstic solution pipes preserve a record of Earth's climatic history. The pipes evolve into an invariant shape as they deepen, encoding ancient rainfall patterns.
Researchers developed a novel approach to enhance chitosan aerogels' mechanical properties by incorporating silk microfibers with different aspect ratios. The study showed significant improvements in compressive strength, deformation mechanisms, and liquid transportation capabilities.
Researchers have developed a multifunctional aerogel for efficient crude oil cleanup, exhibiting high compressive strength, hydrophobicity, and photothermal conversion. The aerogel's unique structure enables rapid absorption of viscous crude oil, addressing environmental concerns related to increasing oil spills.
A team of engineers has created a new hydrogel that rapidly switches between soft and hard states, making it ideal for real-time applications such as impact-resistant wearables or soft robots. The 'instant armor' hydrogel achieves this with a high-entropy design that allows rapid recovery in just 28 seconds.
Researchers create WaaFs with high thermal stability and reversible assembly, opening avenues for gas storage, separation, and catalysis. The frameworks utilize van der Waals interactions to form robust structures, making them suitable for industrial applications.
Researchers at Tohoku University developed a new synthesis method for highly pure porous organic polymers (POPs), eliminating residual impurities and achieving high porosity. The obtained POPs exhibited improved CO2 adsorption capacity, proton conductivity, and unique gas adsorption behavior.
Researchers at HZB have developed a highly porous tin foam that can absorb mechanical stress during charging cycles, making it an interesting material for lithium batteries. The study showed that the morphology of the tin electrodes changes significantly due to inhomogeneous absorption of lithium ions.
Researchers at Institute of Science Tokyo developed porous organic crystals with ultrahigh-density amines, achieving fast CO2 adsorption and high thermal stability. The unique 2.5-dimensional skeleton reduces the cost for CO2 separation from flue gases.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University created nanostructured alumina surfaces with unprecedented antibacterial properties without hindering cell cultures. The technology promises a game-changer in regenerative medicine by enabling antibiotic-free cell culture and reducing the risk of antibiotic-resistant strains.