Tohoku University

You know how your fingertip flushes white when you press it against a hard surface? Well, scientists have now used that phenomenon to place augmented reality (AR) touch panels on real-world surfaces such as walls and desks.

Scientists experimenting with the makeup of next-gen metals have developed a novel, copper-based alloy they say would be simple to produce at scale, and boasts unparalleled elasticity at room temperature.

Researchers in Japan have shown that a common material is excellent at storing and releasing heat, which could be useful for recycling industrial waste heat. The material exchanges water with the air, allowing it to quickly absorb or release heat.

Along with its use in clothing, silk also shows promise for use in products ranging from surgical sutures to seed coverings. Scientists have recently devised a method of making the material stronger, by altering the diet of silkworms.

As useful as plastics are in our everyday life, they’re difficult to recycle, with most ending up in landfill or the environment. Now, researchers in Japan have used a novel catalyst to recycle a common plastic into useful products like fuel and wax.

Scientists in Japan working to stretch the limits of super-elastic materials have made a significant breakthrough, demonstrating a new iron-based alloy that can be deformed and regain its original shape even in extreme temperatures.

When silicon wafers are cut from sheets of silicon, a lot of sawdust is produced. Ordinarily, that material is discarded. Thanks to research currently being conducted by Japan's Tohoku University and Osaka University, however, it may soon find its way into high-performing lithium-ion batteries.

A new low-cost flat panel light source with extremely low power consumption could pioneer a new generation of brighter, cheaper and greener lighting devices to rival the dominance of LEDs.

A team of researchers at MIT and Stanford University has hit upon a biplane design that could eliminate the boom at supersonic speeds.