Rubber and metal are usually thought to sit at opposite ends of the stiffness spectrum, but a new composite material developed at Iowa State University could switch from the flexibility of the former to the stiffness of the latter after being bent, twisted or squeezed.
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If you're trying to produce crops that require less water, then you need to know how much water those plants are using. Scientists have taken a new approach to finding out, by producing graphene-based moisture sensors – they take the form of strips of tape that are applied to the leaves.
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It's not just airplane wings that need to stay ice-free in the winter – it's also pretty darn important that the runways not be icy, either. With that in mind, an Iowa State University team has developed a new type of electrically-conductive concrete that melts snow and ice.
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"Transient electronics" are designed to degrade in the presence of environmental triggers such as heat, light or moisture, once they've served their purpose. Now, scientists have created a battery for such devices, that falls apart along with them when exposed to water.
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Researchers have produced novel micro-sized particles filled with liquid metal that retains its liquid state at room temperature and are able to meld with each other.
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Engineers at Iowa State University may have gotten one step closer to the ability to make objects invisible with the development of what they are calling a flexible, stretchable and tunable meta-skin that can suppress radar detection.
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When Vincent was found abandoned as a kitten, he had no hind legs below what would be considered his shinbones. But thanks to the kindness of strangers, some titanium implants and the skills of a veterinary orthopedic surgeon, Vincent can now walk on all fours.
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If you had to grasp a tiny delicate object such as a blood vessel, doing so with traditional tweezers would be a very painstaking process – just a little too much pressure, and the object could be crushed. Instead, scientists have developed miniature coiling tentacles for doing the job.
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A group of researchers from Iowa State University is the latest to focus on the emerging field of "transient electronics," developing materials that can harmlessly dissolve away when remotely triggered.
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A research team is developing a new type of spray vaccine that could increase access to disease prevention in developing nations. It does not require refrigeration and is easier to administer. The new vaccine includes a new type of inoculation by producing antibodies and T cells.
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