Materials
Whether it's the latest wonder material, such as graphene, or uncovering the secrets to the longevity of ancient Roman concrete, material science is the reason so much of our technology is more than the sum of its parts.
Latest News
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Common bug's tiny, complex balls bestow UV-blocking superpowers
March 18, 2024In many cases nature has better versions of our tech. The newest example comes from a common insect in your backyard, which makes nanoscale soccer balls that hide it from predators – inspiring new, better UV protection and maybe even cloaking tech. -
Phase-change concrete melts snow and ice without salt or shovels
March 18, 2024Incorporating a phase-change material into concrete, this self-heating material can melt snow and ice for up to 10 hours without any help. The novel product could reduce the need for plowing and salting and help preserve the integrity of road surfaces. -
Electroadhesive 'meat magnet' drops chops when the power stops
March 14, 2024Imagine if a hard metal implant could be bonded to soft biological tissue without using any adhesive, then easily removed when no longer needed. That and other nifty things could soon be possible, thanks to a new understanding of electroadhesion. -
Diamond nanomembranes make electronics 10x cooler, 5x faster to charge
March 04, 2024Fraunhofer scientists have used ultra-thin diamond membranes to drastically cool electronic components and boost electric vehicle charging speeds, taking advantages of diamond's outstanding thermal conductivity. -
Pulling gold out of e-waste suddenly becomes super-profitable
March 03, 2024A new method for recovering high-purity gold from discarded electronics is paying back US$50 for every dollar spent, according to Swiss researchers – who found their all-important gold-filtering substance in cheesemaking, of all places. -
Molecular chaos powers potent ice-busting coating
February 28, 2024Scraping ice off your car window might get a lot easier in the future thanks to a new spray coating developed by scientists in Austria. That's because of the way the molecules line up – or don't – during its high-tech creation process. -
Secrets of the deep – how fish scales could confound counterfeiters
February 26, 2024Scientists have devised a method of using fish scales to convey encrypted messages. Not only would the technology divert seafood industry waste from landfills, it should also be less costly than existing options such as special inks. -
3D-printed titanium lattice is 50% stronger than WE54 aerospace alloy
February 26, 2024A new type of 3D-printed lattice structure has surprised researchers with its strength and light weight. It uses two different lattice structures merged together to eliminate the weak points normally found in these complex shapes. -
Novel optical metamaterial may make true one-way glass a reality
February 14, 2024After decades of physics-based theorizing, researchers have succeeded in creating a novel optical metamaterial using conventional materials. Its enhanced electromagnetic effect may make true one-way glass a reality and solar panels more efficient. -
Diamond-coated clothing could keep wearers cooler
February 14, 2024While there are already clothing materials that help keep wearers cool simply by allowing heat to escape, an experimental new fabric coating goes a step further. Utilizing a whole bunch of nanodiamonds, it actually draws heat away from the body. -
Novel coating repels limescale to improve thermal power plant efficiency
February 11, 2024Limescale buildup in thermal power plants due to the use of hot water can substantially affect efficiency, prompting researchers to develop a novel soft hydrogel-based surface coating that repels limescale crystals and prevents them from adhering. -
Sustainable process turns sewage sludge into high-value activated carbon
February 07, 2024Researchers have developed a simplified, sustainable method of converting sewage sludge from wastewater treatment into high-value activated carbon that can be used in a wide range of industrial and residential applications. -
Researchers create green steel from toxic red mud in 10 minutes
February 06, 2024Researchers have devised an economical way of reducing the environmental impact of both the steel and aluminum industries by using hydrogen to melt down the toxic red mud left over from aluminum production to produce green steel in around 10 minutes. -
Nano-scale inks could lighten airliners by hundreds of kilograms
January 30, 2024Kobe University researchers have created a new "structural color ink," just 100-200 nanometers thick, that shows bright colors from wide viewing angles, without fading, while weighing less than half a gram per square meter (0.002 oz per square foot). -
Graphene replaces sand to make lighter, stronger concrete
January 28, 2024Thanks to our high demand for concrete, the world may eventually run out of accessible sand. Scientists at Rice University have now shown that substituting graphene can not only save sand, but makes concrete lighter, stronger and tougher.
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