Spider silk has long held the title of strongest natural biomaterial. Now, researchers at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a new biomaterial out of wood nanofibers that steals the strength record.
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Dental resin composites may be used to fill cavities in teeth, but when it comes to surgically fixing broken bones, metal plates and screws are still standard. That may not be the case for much longer, though, if a new dental-inspired adhesive bone patch enters use.
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Plastic’s resilience makes it great for product packaging, but not so great when it ends up in the ocean. Scientists in Sweden are testing a new filter system to catch tiny bits of plastic before they enter natural waterways, and quickly break them down using visible light from the Sun.
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Researchers in Sweden are developing a device that increases the fuel efficiency of trucks by cloaking them in electric wind. Using plasma actuators to charge the air, the new technology controls the flow of wind around the truck to reduce drag and could improve fuel consumption by five percent.
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Oftentimes, the places that require water purification the most – such as developing nations or disaster sites – have the least in the way of infrastructure. Help could be on the way, however, in the form of water filters made from wood.
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Geologists estimate that the Earth’s core is a sweltering 5,700 K – and yet the inner core is a solid ball of iron. Why it doesn’t liquify is a bit of a mystery, but now a study puts forward a new theory, simulating how solid iron can remain atomically stable under such extreme conditions.
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Silk may be strong, elastic and biodegradable, but unfortunately it's also expensive. With that in mind, scientists recently set out to produce lower-cost artificial silk. They've already succeeded in producing small quantities, using whey protein.
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It may be nice to have a car that's well-insulated against traffic noise, but it can be detrimental when it comes to hearing sirens. Fortunately, however, researchers have developed a system in which drivers' stereos actually alert them to the presence of approaching ambulances.
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We have seen numerous takes on microneedle technology, but researchers in Sweden believe they have come with a design to top them all, with a patch that combines soft and hard materials for better performance and comfort.
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Wood is known for being a strong, plentiful, inexpensive and renewable alternative to conventional building materials. Soon, it may even find its way into windows and solar cells – as a cheaper substitute for traditional silica-based glass.
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