Articles tagged with Foams
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Researchers have developed copper foams with microscopic pores that effectively filter out submicron-sized aerosols while being durable enough to be decontaminated and reused. The foams are also antimicrobial and recyclable, making them economically competitive with current products.
A new study shows that replacing couches with no added flame retardants significantly decreases levels of toxic chemicals in household dust. Replacing foam inside cushions is also effective, confirming that choosing healthier furniture can make a big difference in people's everyday exposures to these toxic chemicals.
Researchers have developed a new testing method to identify and quantify previously undetectable per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) compounds in watersheds on Cape Cod. The study found large quantities of PFAS, including those from fire-retardant foams, exceeding state maximum contaminant levels.
Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University used high-speed video microscopy to observe individual foam collapse events. They found that cracks in films lead to a receding liquid front, sweeping up the original film border and releasing droplets that break other films.
The use of polymeric flame retardant PolyFR in eco-friendly foam insulation poses health risks and environmental concerns. Alternative insulation materials like mineral fibers can be used instead.
Two international studies show levels of CFC-11 emissions are back on the decline, dropping by thousands of tons per year between 2017 and 2019. The rapid action in eastern China and other regions likely prevented a substantial delay in ozone layer recovery.
Global emissions of CFC-11 have fallen dramatically, with thousands of tonnes per year dropped between 2017 and 2019. The rapid decline is attributed to enhanced international efforts in eastern China and other regions, preventing a substantial delay in ozone layer recovery.
A team at Tokyo Metropolitan University studied liquid foams and found that bubble movement was qualitatively different depending on the range of bubble sizes present. They discovered a 'relaxation' phenomenon where bubbles rearranged themselves to reach a new stable state, leading to unique correlated motion observed in hexagonal foams.
Researchers from the University of Houston and Oregon State University have discovered that water-in-oil microemulsions formed by firefighting foam can retain high levels of PFAS in soil, making remediation difficult. This new understanding may help identify contamination sources and develop new clean-up methods.
Researchers at the University of Córdoba have created a new, sustainable material by using wheat straw to manufacture polyurethane foams. The resulting foam exhibits desirable parameters, including high biodegradability and comparable performance to traditional materials.
A mechanical engineer uses pancake batter to teach students about viscosity, while a group at ETH Zurich studies the stability of foam in beers and breads. The research reveals diverse mechanisms behind fluid dynamics, potentially leading to new materials and applications.
Researchers created a cost-efficient method to synthesize eco-friendly 'pseudo' gemini surfactants with comparable performance to existing compounds. The new surfactants have desirable properties, such as low superficial tension and biodegradability, making them suitable for various industries like skincare, medicine, and construction.
A liquid nanofoam material with nanopores creates a large surface area, making it pliable and deformable for effective protection. The material outperformed traditional foam in laboratory tests, offering potential to be used in helmets and other safety devices.
A study by Brown University researchers reveals that firefighting foams contain a complex mixture of PFAS compounds that behave differently than individual substances. The findings suggest that these foams have a greater affinity for the air-water interface, which can help predict pollution spread and inform cleanup efforts.
Cuttlebone's unique chambered 'wall-septa' design optimizes weight, stiffness, and damage tolerance, allowing for controlled failure and energy absorption. The structure's wavy walls induce fractures at the middle of walls, limiting external impact.
Researchers at Stanford University have developed a system that can reconstruct three-dimensional hidden scenes based on the movement of individual particles of light. This technique complements other vision systems and is more focused on large-scale situations, such as navigating self-driving cars in fog or heavy rain.
Researchers created polyurethane foams from algae oil that meet commercial specifications for midsole shoes and footbeds of flip-flops. The biodegradable materials degraded after 16 weeks in compost and soil, showing potential for full recyclability and addressing the plastic waste problem.
Researchers designed an air filter that can trap and kill the coronavirus and other pathogens, with a 99.8% kill rate in a single pass. The filter uses nickel foam heated to 392 degrees Fahrenheit, eliminating the need for external heating sources and minimizing strain on HVAC systems.
The giant sequoia's bark has a three-dimensional network of fibers and air-filled cavities that distribute energy and insulate against heat. This unique structure helps protect the tree from wild fires and rock falls, with the bark returning to its original state after damage.
Researchers developed an expandable resin that can be used to print large objects with an inexpensive, commercially available 3D printer. The material expands upon heating, creating a porous, polystyrene foam-like material up to 40 times larger in volume than the original printed object.
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method for upcycling polyurethane foams, turning them into higher-value rubbers and hard plastics. This process removes air from the foam to create durable plastics or soft films, paving the way for recycling of polyurethane foam waste in various applications.
Researchers have developed a way to recycle conventional polyurethane (PU) foams into rubber and hard plastic using a twin-screw extrusion process. This new method improves the mixing and air removal in recycled foams, producing high-quality products without the need for toxic starting materials.
Emissions of CFC-11 and CFC-12 are larger than expected, with CFC banks slowly leaking these chemicals into the atmosphere, delaying ozone recovery and contributing to climate change.
Nikhil Gupta received the prestigious Brimacombe Medalist Award from the Minerals, Metals and Materials Society for his innovations in lightweight porous materials. His work has led to eco-friendly materials with applications in marine, automotive, and aerospace industries.
A new study led by UC Berkeley researchers found that San Francisco women firefighters are exposed to higher levels of toxic PFAS chemicals than office workers. The study aims to document the risks faced by women firefighters and ensure they receive necessary protections for cancer prevention and compensation.
The U.S. Army Research Laboratory has developed new materials and manufacturing methods to create higher performing helmet padding that reduces the likelihood of head injury. The new padding consists of highly-tuned open-cell lattice structures, demonstrating a 27% increase in energy attenuation efficiency compared to existing foam pads.
A new method using bubble-attracting sheets of specially textured mesh can significantly reduce or eliminate foamy bubbles in industrial processes. The system works by attracting and shedding bubbles, allowing them to dissipate quickly and reducing the need for chemical additives.
Researchers have made significant progress in understanding foam film stability by studying the behavior of liquids containing multiple additives. This breakthrough has potential applications in improving the creamy topping on flat whites, making beer heads last longer, and developing more effective fire-fighting foams.
A RMIT University study found that floral foam breaks into tiny pieces, ingested by freshwater and marine animals, causing stress responses. The vast majority of florists dispose of foam particles down the sink or drain, contributing to microplastic pollution.
Researchers have developed elastic microlattice pads that can withstand both single hits and repeated impacts better than existing state-of-the-art foams. The new material absorbs up to 48% more energy efficiently compared to the top vinyl nitrile foam during repeated impacts.
HRL Laboratories' microlattice impact attenuator pads demonstrate up to 48% improved absorption efficiency over vinyl nitrile foam when impacted repeatedly. The unique open-celled structure of the microlattice allows for better airflow, resulting in a cooler wearing experience.
A Princeton University study reveals a type of foam can block specific wavelengths of light while allowing others to pass through, creating a photonic band gap. This property has the potential to control the flow of electrons in materials and could lead to breakthroughs in telecommunications.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have demonstrated that metal foam can enhance the evaporation process in thermal conversion systems, enabling the development of compact heating, ventilation and refrigeration units. The small-scale evaporator proved metal foam is well-suited for compact systems.
QUT researchers have created a new, safe way to clean up oil spills using a nontoxic, low-cost foam. The foam can be sprayed onto the surface of an oil spill and easily scraped away for safe disposal, offering a more efficient solution than current methods.
A recent study by the University of Leeds found that high-tech air mattresses provide only minimal gains in preventing pressure ulcers compared to specialist foam mattresses. The study involved over 2000 patients and showed that the benefits were mostly limited to those who were completely immobile, confused, or had nutritional deficits.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a method to break down polyurethane waste into other useful products, such as adhesives and glues. This approach reduces the amount of toxic byproducts generated from incineration, providing an environmentally friendly solution to managing polyurethane waste.
Scientists have developed a new imaging method called tomoscopy using synchrotron radiation to observe the foaming of liquid metals in great detail. This technique allows for the analysis of dynamic processes with high temporal resolution, providing insights into material distribution and pore formation.
Researchers at Penn State have developed a novel method to create skim milk powders with enhanced properties and functionality, offering a potential replacement for synthetic emulsifying agents. The new processing technology could lead to the creation of foaming agents that are recognizable on food labels.
Foam collapse occurs via two distinct mechanisms: 'propagating' mode, where a film is absorbed into the surrounding liquid, and 'penetrating' mode, where droplets release from a rupture event break other bubbles. Understanding these mechanisms can help tailor foams to specific applications.
Researchers have developed 'tension pistons' that generate more than three times the force of comparable conventional pistons, eliminating friction and improving energy efficiency. The new design has potential applications in various machines and devices, including shock absorbers, car engines, and mining equipment.
Metal foam has been shown to effectively stop .50 caliber ball and armor-piercing rounds as well as conventional steel armor, achieving significant weight savings. The material's unique design allows for improved protection without adding substantial weight to vehicles.
A new study by an international team of scientists identified a significant increase in CFC-11 emissions in eastern China since 2013, posing a threat to the recovery of the stratospheric ozone layer. The findings suggest that new production of CFC-11 has taken place in the region, primarily for building insulation and refrigerators.
Washington State University researchers have developed an environmentally friendly material that surpasses Styrofoam in insulation capabilities. The plant-based material is made from cellulose nanocrystals and has a uniform cellular structure, making it a good insulator.
A new learning system developed by MIT researchers improves robots' abilities to shape materials and predict their interactions. The system, called a learning-based particle simulator, can handle diverse materials, including rigid objects, liquids, and deformable materials.
A new study shows replacing flame retardant-free foam pit cubes can significantly lower gymnast exposures, with a 5.4-fold decrease observed. The switch also has implications for other recreational facilities with similar equipment.
Researchers at Purdue University have created a new technology to clean and purify produced water, a byproduct of the oil refinery industry, which is deemed unusable due to contaminants. The process uses activated charcoal foam and solar light to remove nearly all traces of oil from the water, meeting EPA standards for clean water.
Researchers at Saarland University have developed a nanocoated metal foam process that strengthens lattice structures, producing lightweight yet extremely stable materials. These foams exhibit excellent shock-absorbing properties and can be used in various applications, including catalysis, heat shielding, and architectural designs.
Researchers at Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a novel crystallization method to capture carbon dioxide directly from the air using neutron scattering. Additionally, geospatial scientists have created a classification model that can quickly collect and store large amounts of data from social media platforms to detect power...
Researchers at Texas A¼M University have developed a flame-retardant coating using renewable materials to reduce flammability in polyurethane foam used in furniture. The coating prevents fires from damaging the underlying foam, promoting insulating char formation and reducing fume release.
Researchers discovered that spittlebug nymphs use their foam bubbles to breathe, but only protrude their abdomens when startled. The insects can also consume oxygen within the larger bubble chamber during their final life stage.
Rice University engineers have developed a microfluidic device that can produce customizable, 'wet' foams in small amounts for various applications. The device creates large bubbles in the middle and two ranks of identical smaller bubbles along the edges, with the ability to control size distribution.
A new grant will help Penn State researchers develop a quick-acting foam that seals wounds quickly, stopping bleeding and stabilizing patients until hospital transport. The foam is expected to be bioabsorbable and have an easy-to-use design.
Yale researchers have developed 'Robotic Skins' technology, enabling users to animate everyday objects and create multi-functional robots on the fly. The skins can perform different tasks depending on the properties of the soft objects and how they are applied, allowing for complex movements.
Researchers found that immune cells in lung tissue accumulate triglycerides, a type of fat, rather than cholesterol, and form through distinct mechanisms depending on the disease. This discovery may lead to new biomarkers and therapeutic strategies against tuberculosis.
Scientists at the Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin have developed an ultra-stable turntable to capture fast 3D tomographic images at a rate of approximately 2000 projections per second. This breakthrough enables detailed analysis of material processing, such as pore formation in metallic foams.
Researchers are studying how material-water interfaces impact water quality sensors, filtration membranes, and pipes. New sorbents with high reusability and specificity are being designed to address global clean water accessibility challenges.
The new foam reacts to sound waves of high and low frequencies, cutting the level of noise transmission by 20-22 dB. The material is cheaper and easier to apply than aerogel, with improved acoustic characteristics obtained through additional impregnation with nanoparticles.
Researchers create 3D laser-induced graphene (LIG) foam with excellent performance in lithium-ion capacitors, exceeding graphite's theoretical limit. The process is easily scaled and scalable to complex shapes using a custom-built fiber lasing system.
Researchers discovered that the root spittlebug produces a thermal insulator-foam to maintain an optimal body temperature during development. The foam, composed of palmitic acid, stearic acid, proteins, and carbohydrates, protects nymphs from temperature fluctuations in the external environment.
Researchers at Penn State developed a new composite material that can efficiently harvest mechanical and thermal energy using a 3D piezoelectric ceramic foam supported by a flexible polymer. The material outperforms traditional piezoelectric composites, offering improved flexibility and energy output.