Materials

Scientists at Japan's Nagoya University have come up with a new technology to treat contaminated water, using electrically charged nanocarbons to more effectively filter heavy metal ions from the mix.

Scientists in Singapore have come up with a new type of soft, pliable particle they say can be used as building blocks for a new generation of green and biocompatible materials, all by using pollen as a starting point.

According to the National University of Singapore (NUS), only 40 percent of old tires are recycled – the rest are either burned or thrown in landfills. Now, however, the university has developed a method of converting tire rubber into an aerogel.

Scientists are continually looking at better ways to prevent ice buildup on planes, among them a Northwestern University team that is claiming a new surface coating inspired by mint leaves can reduce frost formation by up to 60 percent.

While we've already heard about light-activated germ-killing coatings, they generally require either ultraviolet or high-intensity light. A new one, however, works with regular low-intensity light, as might be found in offices or waiting rooms.

While we've already seen materials that allow people or objects to hide from heat-detecting cameras, they're typically only effective at one ambient temperature. An experimental new material, however, can be user-adjusted to work over a wide range.

Strong as it is, concrete doesn’t stand up well against bending. Now, researchers at Swinburne University have developed a new type of concrete that can not only bend better, but doesn’t require cement to make, reducing its environmental footprint.

While we've certainly heard of epoxy resins that harden when exposed to light, usually all of the substance has to be exposed. A new additive causes resin to solidify when even only a bit of it gets lit up, however – plus it works underwater.

A new type of artificial diamond developed by scientists at Stanford University promises yet another more efficient means of production, with a molecule found in crude oil and natural gas serving as their starting point.

Although superglues can be quite useful, they're typically made from harsh chemicals, plus it's very difficult to "unstick" them once they've set. Now, however, scientists have created a plant-based superglue that can easily be removed when needed.

Bioplastics are already a more eco-friendly alternative to their petroleum-based counterparts. Now, scientists have created a clear bioplastic film that not only blocks harmful UV radiation, but that is also more airtight than traditional plastics.

Rust may be generally unwelcome, but scientists at North Carolina State University are using it to develop a new radiation shielding that is lighter and cheaper than conventional materials. It promises weight savings of at least 30 percent.