Articles tagged with Foams
Researchers have developed a novel aluminum hybrid with enhanced impact resistance, mimicking the strength of pomelo fruit peels. The composite exhibits superior tensile strength and ductility, making it suitable for safety materials in various industries.
Researchers explore beer bottle-fluid interactions using cavitation analysis, explaining the formation of foam due to rapid expansion of smaller bubbles. The study's findings can be applied to other engineering concerns, such as erosion of ship propellers and carbon dioxide release in natural disasters.
A recent study published in Environmental Science and Technology found that competitive gymnasts have a higher exposure to potentially harmful flame-retardants than the general population. The average concentration of PentaBDE in gymnasts' blood sera was 4-6.5 times higher than in general U.S. population groups.
Researchers Nathan Isert and colleagues use diamagnetic levitation to study coarsening behavior of foams with varying liquid fractions. They experimentally verify decades-old theoretical predictions for bubble size growth in dry and liquid foams.
Researchers have developed a new smart-foam technology that can measure helmet impact and detect concussions in real-time. The piezoelectric foam is embedded in football helmets and generates electrical signals when compressed, providing coaches and trainers with instant data on player safety.
Researchers are developing a new type of battery that uses copper foam to increase power density and reduce volume. The new battery aims to store the same amount of energy in two-thirds the volume, charge five to ten times faster, and last up to ten times longer than conventional batteries.
Researchers discovered liquid foams have low effective sound velocities, ranging from 20 to 60 meters per second, lower than its constituents. The type of foaming solution influences acoustic properties, with shaving foam showing a higher effective sound velocity.
A new process allows for the growth of highly customizable coatings of foam-like polymers from gases, enabling adjustable density and pore structure. This development has potential applications in medical, manufacturing, and high-tech research fields.
Rice University scientists have discovered two novel mechanisms for bubble formation in foam, known as pinch-off behaviors. This discovery could improve the efficiency of enhanced oil recovery methods by making gas act more like a liquid and increasing its contact with reservoir rock.
Researchers at Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have developed non-toxic flame retardants, replacing conventional halogenated chemicals. The new compounds, derived from organic phosphorus, have been shown to be effective without harming the manufacturing process or environment.
Researchers have found that visually impaired individuals and those with uncorrected refractive error are more likely to experience diminished balance when their eyes are closed. The study suggests that vision plays a crucial role in calibrating the vestibular system, which helps maintain physical balance.
Scientists have developed a new flame retardant coating that reduces heat release and prevents foam dripping, making it a safer alternative for upholstered furniture. The coating is made with a relatively benign polymer and creates a gas blanket, preventing oxygen from fueling fires.
University of California, Berkeley researchers James A. Sethian and Robert I. Saye describe the mathematical evolution and disappearance of foamy bubbles, a feat that could help model industrial processes and solid foam formation. They developed scale-separated equations to treat different aspects of foams with distinct sets of equations.
A new study led by Boston University School of Public Health researchers found that the chemical TDCPP was present in 99% of dust samples from participants' homes, vehicles and offices. The office environment was the strongest predictor of metabolized TDCPP in urine, with lower concentrations in newer buildings.
A camera embedded in a rubber-sheathed plastic foam football can record video while in flight, providing a unique ball's-eye view of the field. The researchers developed a computer algorithm that converts raw video into a stable, wide-angle view.
Researchers at UC San Diego identify three characteristics of biological materials that can be emulated in man-made materials: light weight, toughness and strength. Bio-inspired designs from nature could lead to better body armor, lighter aircraft and stronger materials.
A study of 13,000 adults in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, and Estonia found that plumbers and spray painters were at high risk of developing new-onset asthma due to workplace exposure. The study identified high-risk substances and occupations, highlighting the need for primary prevention measures.
Researchers at the University of Sheffield recreated randomly distributed sticky spots in stem cells to maximize adhesion and act as internal scaffolding. The findings will help inform biomaterials development for optimal stem cell growth.
A study by Duke University found that more than half of all US couches tested contained potentially toxic or untested chemical flame retardants. Tris, a known carcinogen, was detected in 41% of the foam samples, while pentaBDE was banned in 172 countries and 12 US states but still found in some couches.
A study found that 93% of new couches purchased in the last seven years contained flame retardants. The most concerning were 'Tris' chemicals, which are considered probable human carcinogens and have raised health concerns. Researchers detected untested or high-risk flame retardants in over half of the analyzed foam samples.
Researchers identified a key gene in yeast responsible for creating beer's foamy head, which contributes to aroma and eye appeal. This discovery opens doors to new possibilities for brewing industry improvement.
Researchers at NIST have developed a novel clay-based coating that outperforms traditional flame retardants in polyurethane foam, reducing flammability by up to 17% while requiring only half the amount of chemicals.
A new study by Anna A. Stec and colleagues found that some flame retardants increase the release of carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide during combustion, leading to more deaths from fire injuries than burns themselves.
Sandia's decontamination foam is now used to clean up illegal methamphetamine labs, leaving chemicals harmless and surfaces safe for reuse. The foam contains mild, non-toxic chemicals that break down agent molecules into nontoxic pieces.
Skiers and snowboarders in Canada face inadequate protection from current helmet standards, which are less stringent than US and European ones. Health experts call for stricter regulations to ensure helmets can withstand multiple impacts and provide superior protection for various head sizes and weights.
A WHOI study found that mysterious honeycomb material in the Gulf of Mexico came from a buoyancy module on the Deepwater Horizon rig. The researchers used chemical forensics to confirm the source and tracked the debris's trajectory, showing it was ahead of the spreading oil slick due to leeway principles.
Researchers at Indiana University find increasing concentrations of new flame retardants in atmospheric samples, particularly in urban areas, suggesting potential environmental impact.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute researchers developed a graphene foam sensor that detects ammonia and nitrogen dioxide at concentrations as low as 20 parts-per-million, outperforming commercial gas sensors. The new technology is flexible, rugged, and reusable, making it suitable for various industrial applications.
Researchers found that pressure reduction foam mattresses and foam cleansers for incontinence care are cost-effective alternatives to standard mattresses and soap and water. The study estimated average savings of $115 and $179 per resident, respectively, with clinical benefits confirmed through further research.
A study found that pressure reduction foam mattresses and foam cleansers for incontinence care are cost-effective in reducing the risk of bedsores in long-term care residents. The researchers estimated average savings of $115 and $179 per resident, respectively.
A study by Imperial College London found that foam therapy is over four times more cost-effective and quicker than laser treatment for varicose veins. Foam therapy allows patients to resume normal activity sooner and causes less pain.
Researchers at Empa have developed self-healing membranes for inflatable structures that can plug up holes on their own, inspired by the rapid wound sealing process of climbing plants. The technology has shown promising results in lab tests, with a membrane able to hold for eight hours after being punctured.
A new, eco-friendly flame retardant made from layers of positively and negatively charged polymers has been developed to protect cotton fabrics. The coating, dubbed 'nano intumescent,' significantly reduces the flammability of cotton and can even prevent ignition when exposed to direct flames.
Researchers at NIST and Texas A&M University developed a coating made of carbon nanofibers and polymers that significantly reduces flammability in polyurethane foam. The coating achieved reductions of up to 158 percent better than nonhalogen flame retardants and 1,138 percent better than halogen-phosphorous flame retardants.
Scientists have detected potentially toxic flame retardants in 80% of baby products containing polyurethane foam. The study reveals compounds associated with pentaBDE, a substance banned in many countries due to health risks, as well as two potential carcinogens.
Researchers at NC State University have developed a material that can bind and trap radioactive iodide in drinking water, making it safe for human consumption. The material, which combines hemicellulose and chitosan, can also extract heavy metals from water, providing a sustainable solution for desalination.
Researchers have developed a new ultra-light biodegradable foam plastic material made from two unlikely ingredients: milk protein and ordinary clay. The material, reported in the ACS' Biomacromolecules journal, could be used in furniture cushions, insulation, packaging, and other products.
A Canadian study confirmed the advantages of a retractable liquid foam system in improving greenhouse climates by reducing air temperature and increasing relative humidity. The technology improved plant microclimates and decreased crop productivity losses due to extreme conditions.
Researchers at the University of Cincinnati have created a semi-tropical frog-inspired foam that converts solar energy into sugars. The foam, which uses plant, bacterial, and fungal enzymes, can produce fuels like ethanol without diverting energy to other functions.
Researchers at North Carolina State University developed a metal foam that mimics the elasticity of bone, reducing bone rejection and improving implant strength. The new composite foam has a modulus of elasticity consistent with bone, fostering bone growth and preventing 'stress shielding'.
Researchers at Harvard University used an analog model and mathematical simulations to understand how a long leaf is formed. They found that elastic strain resulting from differential growth leads to the elegant arc and serrated surface of leaves like the plantain lily.
Navy scientists have successfully tested high expansion foam as a fire suppression system, finding it effective in fighting fires in obstructed spaces. The Navy is also developing alternative firefighting agents, including propelled extinguishing agent technology (PEAT), to replace halon systems and provide weight-saving options for fu...
Researchers at Northwestern University and Boise State University have developed a less expensive shape-shifting memory foam using a nickel-manganese-gallium alloy. The new material exhibits 'magnetic shape-memory' properties, allowing it to retain its new shape when exposed to a magnetic field.
Ruggero Gabbrielli's new structure is composed of four different shapes that fit together, closer to natural foam structures than previous solutions. His method uses a partial differential equation and has sparked international interest among mathematicians and physicists.
Researchers at the University of Warwick have developed a novel method for creating high-tech armored foams using an 'ice-templating' process. This approach enables the creation of structured foams with promising results as low-power gas sensors, which can operate at room temperature.
The study found a vestige of the zero-temperature jamming transition in a system of small particles where thermal energy is important. Researchers used mathematical computer simulations and an experiment to investigate how jamming affects systems at non-zero temperature.
The new foam reactor design has a large surface area per reactor volume, increasing production efficiency. It outperforms traditional packed bed designs by 10 times in terms of energy efficiency.
Researchers at Harvard University have successfully created permanent nanoscale bubbles that can last over a year, thanks to a unique surfactant mixture. The discovery has significant implications for the development of extended-lifetime gas-liquid products, such as aerated personal-care products and contrast agents.
In a phase II trial, patients with varicose veins treated with Varisolve foam experienced no neurological, visual or cardiac changes. The study used carbon dioxide-based foam and monitored patients with heart defects for potential risks.
Researchers have developed a new class of magnetic shape-memory foams with improved strain capabilities. The porous alloy's structure amplifies the shape-change effect, making it suitable for tiny motion control devices or biomedical pumps without moving parts.
Researchers at Harvard University have discovered a way to create stable, non-spherical bubbles by coating particles on the surface of the bubbles. The 'armor' of particles supports unequal stresses, allowing for unique shapes such as peapods and donuts.
Researchers discovered that toucan beaks are made of a bio-composite consisting of keratin tiles glued to a rigid foam-like interior, providing exceptional lightweight strength. The study's findings could lead to the development of ultra-light aircraft and vehicle components with improved impact-absorption systems.
Carbon nanotubes have been found to act like super-compressible springs, flexing and rebounding under compression. The new nanotube foams maintain their resilience even after thousands of compression cycles, offering a unique combination of strength and flexibility.
Researchers found that rotational deceleration increases with higher falls and harder surfaces, leading to more severe diffuse brain injuries. Inflicted impacts on hard surfaces are likely to cause subdural hemorrhage and possibly diffuse axonal injury.
Scientists at UCSB and Helsinki University of Technology develop a novel material combining the favorable economics of mass-produced plastics with the properties of designer plastics. The resulting material, mostly made of polystyrene, exhibits the conducting properties of polyaniline.
A recent study by Whitaker investigator Phil Bayly and his collaborators tested four brands of headgear, finding that they failed to dampen the impact of heading a soccer ball. The researchers used pressure sensors and metal mannequin heads to simulate heading at different speeds, revealing that only the fastest speed eased the impact.
A new soot filter for diesel engines has been developed, featuring a series of perforated ceramic foams that can absorb large quantities of ash before becoming blocked. The filter's design is based on studies of diesel particle structure and fractal geometry.
Researchers at Ohio State University developed a dense plastic foam material reinforced with tiny clay particles, increasing its density and strength. The new technology aims to replace solid plastics in structural applications, making products lighter while maintaining their appearance.
The Sandia-developed decontamination formulation has been selected to help rid Capitol Hill buildings of anthrax contamination. It is a non-toxic, non-corrosive, and environmentally friendly cocktail that neutralizes both chemical and biological agents in minutes.
Chemist L.C. 'Bud' Rubens of Midland, Mich., is recognized for his groundbreaking work on gaseous blowing agents and their role in creating polymer foams with unique properties. He has obtained 58 U.S. patents and continues to be an active consultant at 80 years old.