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Flexible, highly efficient multimodal energy harvesting

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateMay 21, 2018

Lightweight metal foam blocks blastwave, debris from high-explosive rounds

Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new material, stainless steel composite metal foam (CMF), that offers much more protection than existing armor materials while lowering the weight remarkably. The CMF can block blast pressure and fragmentation from high-explosive incendiary rounds with minimal weight loss.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of the Korean Society for Advanced Composite Structures·DateMar 26, 2018

A dream of foam

Researchers at ETH Zurich have discovered a way to control Ostwald ripening in foams, which causes undesirable changes in texture and weakens product performance. By using networked particles as stabilizers, they can prevent or stop this process, leading to more effective and controlled foam stability.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 19, 2017

Boron nitride foam soaks up carbon dioxide

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new material that can absorb up to 340% of its weight in carbon dioxide, making it a promising solution for capturing greenhouse gases. The boron nitride foam is highly porous and can be tuned for specific applications.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateAug 16, 2017

Rice U. chemists create 3-D printed graphene foam

Researchers from Rice University and China's Tianjin University have successfully created centimeter-sized objects of atomically thin graphene using 3D laser printing. The new method eliminates the need for high-temperature chemical vapor deposition treatment, enabling mass production of bulk graphene with controlled pore size.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 21, 2017

How a young-looking lunar volcano hides its true age

New research from Brown University suggests that lunar volcano Ina is actually around 3.5 billion years old, not within the past 100 million years as previously thought. The feature's youthful appearance was attributed to its porous surface, created by magmatic foam, which hides regolith buildup and skews crater counts.

SourceBrown University·JournalGeology·DateMar 28, 2017

In great shape

Berger's Isomax material achieves low density and uncommon strength, making it suitable for various applications such as aerospace structures and robotic machines. The study's findings support the concept's potential for efficient fabrication and manufacturing.

Graphene foam gets big and tough

Researchers at Rice University have developed a new material called rebar graphene, which can be shaped and has exceptional conductivity. The material supports over 3,000 times its own weight without deforming, making it suitable for various applications.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateFeb 14, 2017

Mimicking nature's cellular architectures via 3-D printing

Scientists at Harvard and MIT have developed a new 3D printing method that can create lightweight structural materials with tunable porosity, inspired by natural cellular structures. The approach uses ceramic foam ink to produce materials with exceptional stiffness and multifunctional properties.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 6, 2017

Foam stops sloshing liquid

Researchers found that capillary forces from soap foam induce pressure gradients near the container walls, reducing sloshing motion. The dampening effect happens faster than expected exponential decay, causing the waves to stop after a finite time.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateSep 13, 2016

Liquid foam: Plastic, elastic and fluid

French physicists develop a novel understanding of foam flow in a wedge-shaped channel, identifying connections between plastic events and deformation rates. This study has implications for further research on liquid foam properties and their impact on mechanical energy absorption.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateNov 30, 2015

Quenching the thirst for clean, safe water

A new foam water filter has been developed by Michigan State University researchers, which significantly reduces dangerous pathogens in drinking water. The filter combines existing treatment principles and features a unique biological layer that enables it to become more efficient over time.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalAmerican Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene·DateApr 29, 2015

Foam favorable for oil extraction

Researchers at Rice University have found that foam is more effective than water, gas, and surfactant combinations in removing oil from low-permeability formations. Foam's unique properties allow it to penetrate and dislodge oil without losing its effectiveness, making it a promising tool for enhanced oil recovery.

SourceRice University·JournalLab on a Chip·DateAug 12, 2014

Tough foam from tiny sheets

Researchers at Rice University have developed a tough and ultralight foam using atomic-scale materials, with properties including high strain handling and bounce-back ability. The foam can be tailored to any size and shape, and its lightweight density is 400 times less than graphite.

SourceRice University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 29, 2014

Squishy robots

A phase-changing material developed by MIT researchers allows robots to transform between a rigid and soft state, enabling them to navigate through tight spaces without damaging organs or vessels. The material can also self-heal and repair damage, making it suitable for applications such as surgical robotics and search-and-rescue opera...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalMacromolecular Materials and Engineering·DateJul 14, 2014

Beer foam secrets tapped in new study

A new study from Cornell University has identified LTP1 as the key to perfect beer foam. The research found that the right amount and kind of barley lipid transfer protein No. 1 is essential for creating optimal foam.

SourceCornell University·JournalJournal of the American Society of Brewing Chemists·DateMay 14, 2014

The ATM strikes back

Researchers developed a self-defending surface that releases hot foam to deter attackers, protecting cash boxes in ATMs. The film is made of plastic layers filled with chemicals that mix when damaged, producing a violent reaction.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateApr 11, 2014