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materials science

03/06/2020 / By Franz Walker

“Pantry” science: MIT researchers grow carbon nanotubes using common kitchen ingredients

When the subject of carbon nanotubes is brought up, most people probably won’t think of something that can be cooked up in a kitchen. However, a team of researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have done just that – creating carbon nanotubes with the help of common household materials. Led by Richard Li, a graduate student in […]

02/13/2020 / By Michael Alexander

Seashell-inspired shatterproof glass: Researchers engineer strong composite glass based on mother of pearl that can resist impact

Despite their delicate appearance, seashells are surprisingly durable. This unexpected durability comes from the tough, impact-resistant substance known as nacre, also known as mother of pearl. Nacre is an organic-inorganic composite material that also gives seashells their signature iridescence. It is made up of microscopic calcium carbonate tablets mortared together by proteins. Arranged like bricks, […]

11/21/2019 / By Edsel Cook

Physicists develop new material that could be used for “high-efficiency, lower-cost solar cells”

Researchers have not yet solved the biggest weakness of solar panels – their inability to produce power when there is no steady source of bright light. However, they were happy to announce that they have increased the efficiency of perovskite solar cells to take advantage of the limited daylight hours. University of Toledo (UT) researcher Dr. […]

10/31/2019 / By Edsel Cook

Advancing detection and diagnosis: Scientists enable 3D printers to print glass using material called chalcogenide glass

Additive manufacturing systems have added another challenging material to the list of things they may print on the fly. Canadian researchers demonstrated the capability to print out chalcogenide glass with a modified 3D printer. Chalcogenide glass is a type of covalently bonded glass that contains certain chemicals called “chalcogens.” It sees extensive use in optical […]

10/14/2019 / By Darnel Fernandez

New polymer conductor films are lightweight and perform better than most metals

Many polymers – materials made with long, chain-like molecules – are very good insulators of heat and are usually the go-to material for thermal insulation. However, a recent study published in the journal Nature Communications managed to turn the idea of polymer insulators on its head as researchers were able to develop polymer films that can conduct heat, a property normally associated […]

09/29/2019 / By Edsel Cook

Manufacturing breakthrough: Scientists can now weld glass and metal together

The manufacturing industry has recently welcomed what might prove a breakthrough technology. Scottish researchers showed off a new welding method that uses an incredibly fast laser to fuse together glass and metal. Glass and metal are two of the most common classes of materials used for various purposes. Due to their very different thermal properties, […]

09/29/2019 / By Edsel Cook

Healing with hair: Can nanostructures from human hair be used to design smart biomedical materials?

In the future, your hair may provide the natural ingredients for making biomedicine that treats illness. A recent Chinese study has shown that the tiny structures in human hair might be turned into useful biomaterials. Wuhan University (WHU) researchers examined the melanin and keratin polymers in hair. They isolated the micro- and nanostructures found on these substances. […]

08/25/2019 / By Edsel Cook

Biodegradable “transparent” timber works just as well as glass in windows

Swedish researchers fiddled with wood until they managed to turn it technically transparent. They also made the biodegradable material capable of absorbing heat from sunlight and releasing it during colder periods. If used in the windows of buildings, the revolutionary material might help save energy by reducing the need for artificial heating and cooling. It […]

08/19/2019 / By Rex Carter

Next-gen spider silk will come from bacteria and will be used on space missions

Scientists have come closer to revealing the secret to Spider-Man’s webs. In a study presented at the American Chemical Society’s National Meeting and Exposition, researchers from Washington University in St. Louis, led by Fuzhong Zhang, demonstrated that engineered bacteria can mass-produce spider silk and other useful proteins for space missions. The challenge of large-scale silk production Silk […]

08/18/2019 / By Rex Carter

New metamaterial can silence sound

A new (and quiet) era of acoustics is opening up as engineers from Boston University have created a material that can silence noise without reducing airflow. In their study, which appeared in the journal Physical Review B, researchers led by Professor Xin Zhang and doctorate student Reza Ghaffarivardavagh of Boston University’s mechanical engineering department built what they called an “acoustic metamaterial.” They […]

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