Articles tagged with Foams
Researchers at Texas A&M University and DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory developed a hybrid foam with a 3D-printed plastic skeleton, offering tunable, lightweight and ultra-durable properties. The composite combines ordinary foam with plastic struts, allowing it to absorb more energy and withstand greater forces.
Engineers at the University of Pennsylvania have discovered that foams exhibit internal motion resembling deep learning in AI systems. The study suggests a common mathematical principle underlying both foams and AI training, with implications for designing adaptive materials and understanding biological structures.
Researchers developed certified biodegradable and recyclable multi-purpose foams from cellulose, replacing oil-based products. The foams have potential applications in the automotive sector for crash impact energy management and construction as an insulating material.
Researchers at the University of Bristol and international partners discover a non-toxic form of fluorine that replicates its unique properties, making it suitable as a water-repellent substitute for PFAS. The breakthrough has significant implications for industries using PFAS in various products.
Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas have developed a durable and recyclable foam that can be 3D-printed using dynamic covalent chemistry. The new material has reversible bonds, allowing it to repair itself when damaged, making it more versatile and longer-lasting.
Researchers at the University of Gothenburg developed a bicycle helmet with improved shock-absorbing material that utilises auxetic metastructures. The new helmet design provides better protection against head injuries, is lighter, and can be customised to individual head shapes using 3D printing.
Researchers at Institut Laue-Langevin and Aarhus University developed a new method to characterise foam structure, enabling the creation of plant-derived foaming ingredients in food. The technique uses small-angle neutron scattering, imaging, and electrical conductivity measurements to provide insights into pea albumin-based foams.
A Washington State University-led research team has developed a plant-based substitute for fossil fuels in polyurethane foams, which are used in various products. The bio-based foam is as strong and flexible as typical polyurethane foam, making it a promising sustainable alternative.
Glioblastoma is a deadly form of brain cancer affecting 500 Swedes annually. Researchers have identified 'foam cells' that aid tumour growth by releasing signal substances and promoting blood vessel formation.
Researchers found that foamed cellulose diacetate (CDA) degrades 15 times faster than solid CDA and even faster than paper. The study's results suggest that foamed CDA could be used to replace Styrofoam plastic and single-use plastics, reducing plastic pollution and environmental impacts.
A new hemostatic sponge developed by UCF researchers can stop severe bleeding in under a minute, while also acting as an antibacterial agent. The liquid gel transforms into a spongelike foam upon exposure to the wound, applying pressure to restrict hemorrhage and promoting natural clotting.
LMU physicists have developed a new theoretical model that explains the formation of active foams from protein filaments and molecular motors. The research reveals that increasing microtubule density leads to the emergence of these complex patterns, which have an ordered structure and can rearrange themselves repeatedly.
A research team from Aarhus University has found a method to recycle polyurethane foam into its original components, polyol and isocyanate. The new process recovers up to 82 weight percent of the material, making it possible to reuse them as raw materials in new PUR products.
Engineers have shown that air flow through open-cell foam can be used to perform digital computation, analog sensing, and combined digital-analog control in soft textile-based wearable systems. The researchers designed foam-based fluidic resistors to create two-dimensional pneumatic logic circuits embedded in textile-based devices.
Researchers found that microplastics increase the height and stability of sea foam, particularly when part of smaller breaking waves. This positive effect reflects sunlight, potentially lowering ocean temperatures and driving more cloud formation.
Researchers found that denser foam sponges wear down more slowly and produce fewer microplastic fibers. The study estimated that 1.55 trillion fibers from melamine sponges could be released every month.
The researchers created a chemosensor that detects lactic acid levels in saliva without the need for an electrical power source, opening up possibilities for easy use in remote locations. The sensor uses graphene foam technology to measure changes in quantum capacitance when lactate binds, allowing for lower-cost and more reliable trac...
Volunteers collected nearly nine tonnes of marine litter from beaches across the Seychelles between 2019 and 2023. The clean-ups, led by the University of Plymouth, demonstrate the potential of citizen science to address marine pollution challenges.
Researchers at University of Liège have developed an innovative process for producing isocyanate-free, recyclable and biobased polyurethane (PU) foams by using rapid foaming technology from room-temperature formulations. This innovation offers a cutting-edge alternative to traditional toxic isocyanates-based processes.
Brazilian researchers create a nickel phosphide electrode that efficiently produces hydrogen through water molecule breakdown. The material's granular structure enables good interaction with the electrolyte, making it suitable for alkaline, neutral, and acidic conditions.
Researchers have developed a new padding design that can absorb forces in a more efficient way, with the potential to improve safety in various applications. The innovative technology uses a network of hexagonal towers and can be printed on commercially available 3D printers.
Researchers at the University of Bath have invented a new form of high-performance air purifier that uses FOAM3R filter technology, promising zero harmful waste. The purifier features a unique, mouldable foam structure that captures contaminants and viruses with high efficiency.
Researchers have discovered a novel mechanism by which elevated blood pressure transforms muscle cells into 'foam cells' that form the building blocks of plaque buildup in arteries. This finding provides crucial insights for developing new therapies to control or reverse arterial disease.
Researchers developed a new lightweight foam material that can dissipate an enormous amount of rotational kinetic energy from an impact, potentially preventing traumatic brain injuries. The material is 30 times better at absorbing shear strain than current foams used in military combat helmet liners.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have identified a welding technique that can join composite metal foam components without impairing their properties. The new method uses induction welding, which penetrates deeply into the material and insulates it against heat.
Scientists created a new type of foam packaging from upcycled cardboard waste, which is stronger and more insulating than traditional plastic-based cushioning. The biodegradable foam has excellent thermal insulation, energy-absorbing properties, and outstanding cushioning capabilities.
Researchers at Ohio State University have discovered that ultrasound can break down harmful PFAS compounds in groundwater, rendering them harmless. The technique works by emitting sound waves that compress and heat up the solution, breaking down the stable carbon-fluorine bonds that make up the toxic chemicals.
A proof-of-concept study reveals that 'forever chemicals' in soil from firefighting foam can be degraded through a simple and cost-effective method called ball milling. This innovative technique has the potential to revolutionize the cleanup of contaminated sites worldwide, addressing a significant environmental concern.
Researchers found that foam spreading changes with scraping speed and surface affinity, leading to different patterns on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces. The study's findings apply to various soft materials, including foams, paints, and coatings.
Researchers developed a liquid nanofoam cushion that can absorb and dissipate high-force blows in collisions, reducing the risk of injury. The material is more flexible, comfortable to wear, and can be designed as lighter and smaller protective devices.
A team from IISc has identified three key factors contributing to the lake's foaming: untreated sewage, surfactants that don't decompose, and heavy rainfall that churns up surfactant-laden sludge. The researchers propose removing accumulated sludge before rains and proper disposal to address this issue.
Developed by University of Georgia researchers, the superfoam conducts electricity, cleans polluted water, and resists blood, microbes, and proteins. Its versatility makes it a valuable resource for clinicians and environmental remediation professionals.
Research finds global emissions of several banned ozone-destroying chemicals are increasing, primarily due to their use in alternative products. These potent greenhouse gases affect the climate, equivalent to CO2 emissions from a smaller country like Switzerland, and may negate some benefits of the Montreal Protocol.
Scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory developed an eco-friendly alternative to rigid foam boards, made without harmful blowing agents, using hollow glass spheres and expandable polymer microspheres. The new material offers improved thermal performance and is adoptable by industry, opening avenues for safer composite foams.
Researchers developed a multiphase solver to predict beer foam features, including patterns, heights, stability, and volume fractions. The study found that foam generation is sensitive to temperature and pressure, with higher temperatures producing more foam.
A new process allows for the production of polyurethane foams without isocyanates, a toxic chemical compound. The technology uses water and cyclic carbonate compounds to create a solid material with low density and regular pores.
A Japanese research team successfully constructed the first polymeric Weaire-Phelan structure, a previously theoretical form predicted to be the most efficient solution for a century-old tessellation problem. The structure was achieved through a novel polymerization-induced phase separation method.
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 new study proposes a method of foam stabilization that could be used to make highly efficient hand sanitizers. The team added an anionic surfactant, long-chain alcohols, and an inorganic electrolyte to an aqueous solution containing 60% ethanol by volume.
Researchers at Rice University have developed a pneumatic robotic arm powered by compressed air that can grasp objects and go, using textile-based energy harvesting system. The device is designed for individuals with disabilities and can produce equivalent of 3 watts of power, outperforming other energy harvesting strategies.
Researchers at UMass Amherst investigate how embryonic exposure to PFAS chemicals affects pancreatic development and glucose regulation. Preliminary data suggest a link between PFAS exposure and elevated fructosamine levels, indicating potential long-term diabetes risk.
Researchers have created a biodegradable seaweed-derived film that effectively absorbs sounds in the range of human voices, traffic, and music. The agar-based composite films outperform traditional acoustic foams in terms of sound-absorbing qualities.
Researchers have designed a new anaerobic reactor using polyurethane foam, reducing nitrogen removal costs in Brazil. The system achieves high nitrogen removal efficiency by creating an environment that optimizes denitrification.
Researchers created a new gel that can protect fragile objects like eggs by adding starch to gelatin, reducing impact force up to 15%. The gel's flexibility and impact absorption make it suitable for sports equipment, defense materials, and packaging.
Researchers turn mixed plastic waste from F-150 trucks into graphene, then reuse it to create enhanced polyurethane foam with increased tensile strength and noise absorption. The circular recycling process has potential to reduce weight and increase fuel economy in the automotive industry.
Researchers have designed a lightweight wood-based foam that reflects sunlight, emits absorbed heat, and is thermally insulating. The material could reduce buildings' cooling energy needs by an average of 35.4% depending on weather conditions, making it a promising solution for hot climates.
Researchers found that Australian native rushes, including Phragmites australis, can significantly remove PFAS chemicals from contaminated surface water. The study used floating wetlands as a mechanism for plants to grow hydroponically and showed a 42-53% removal of legacy PFAS contaminants.
Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University found that a foam's liquid amount and extent determine its draining mechanism. They identified universal thresholds for different foams, promising clear design principles for new materials.
Researchers at KAUST have developed a low-cost method to generate carbon-free fuels by coating a metal foam with iron and cobalt nanomaterials. The device splits water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen, a potential green fuel, using renewable electricity.
Researchers at the University of Bath have developed a novel chemical glucose sensing method based on boronic acids and graphene foam. The new technique can accurately detect lower glucose concentrations than current systems, making it ideal for chronic conditions like diabetes.
Researchers at Harvard SEAS developed a new way to simulate tens of thousands of bubbles in foamy flows. This allows for predictive simulations in scales ranging from microfluidics to crashing waves, opening up possibilities for industrial applications such as food production and drug development.
A new study published in Environmental Research found that dust removal does not mitigate exposure to TDCIPP, a carcinogenic chemical commonly used in automobile seat foam. The researchers suggest that wearing a mask in the car may be an effective way to reduce exposure.
A research team at the Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology developed a chemical process to mimic trees' vascular systems in foamed polymers, adding structure and enabling directional fluid transport. The team discovered that increasing or decreasing gelation time enables direct control over the foam's cellular structure.
Researchers at Virginia Tech and Arizona State University develop strategies to recycle polyurethane foams, exploring life cycle thinking and stakeholder engagement. They aim to create viable systems for recovering, recycling, and redistributing these materials as part of a circular economy.
Researchers at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have achieved a new world record in materials research by using X-ray microscopy to create 1000 three-dimensional images per second. This allows for the non-destructive study of fast processes in materials, enabling researchers to gain insights into material properties and behavior.
A team of researchers from the University of Canterbury has developed a method to turn previously non-recyclable biodegradable plastic into a foam that can be used as insulation in walls or flotation devices. The process involves dissolving carbon dioxide into the plastic, creating foaming.
Researchers developed advanced imaging methods to study the life cycle of liquid foams, revealing that micelles play a crucial role in determining foam stability. The findings could aid in developing new products and improving industrial processes.
Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology developed a high-performance plastic foam from whey proteins that can withstand extreme temperatures. The material, which improves its mechanical performance after days of exposure to high temperatures, has potential applications in filtration, thermal insulation, and fluid absorption.
A recent study by Kazan Federal University explores the deformation of nitinol, a material with unique physico-mechanical properties. The research reveals that amorphous porous nitinol can sustain major mechanical loads significantly higher than crystalline nitinol.
A Rutgers University study found that volunteer firefighters have higher levels of 'forever chemicals' in their bodies than the general public. The chemicals, known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are linked to numerous health conditions including cardiovascular disease and cancer.