Collaborate Disseminate
With a view to constructing more durable components that can withstand the very harsh environments in and around aircraft and jet engines, NASA researchers have developed a novel metal alloy with an impressive set of qualities at extreme temperatures. … Continue reading Novel NASA alloy offers “remarkable” properties at extreme temperatures
Researchers in Japan have shown that a common material is excellent at storing and releasing heat, which could make it useful for recycling industrial waste heat. The material exchanges water with the air, allowing it to quickly absorb or release heat…. Continue reading Common material stores and releases waste heat energy on demand
Researchers at Johns Hopkins University have developed a new shock-absorbing material that is super lightweight, yet offers the protection of metal. The stuff could make for helmets, armor and vehicle parts that are lighter, stronger and, importantly, … Continue reading New shock-absorbing material as strong as metal but light as foam
Engineers at MIT have developed a new ultrathin material that’s as light as plastic but stronger than steel. The durable material could be used in vehicles or electronics, and makes use of a manufacturing technique that was previously thought impossibl… Continue reading “Impossible” 2D material is light as plastic and stronger than steel
Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a new type of soft material with an ability to endure monumental forces. Described as “super jelly,” the novel hydrogel uses a unique internal structure likened to molecular handcuffs to respond … Continue reading “Super jelly” becomes like shatterproof glass when run over by a car
Researchers at Carnegie Science have developed an ultrahard diamond glass. Made entirely of crushed “soccerballs” of carbon, the new material also has high thermal conductivity and could find use in electronics.Continue ReadingCategory: Materials, Scie… Continue reading Ultrahard diamond glass made by crushing buckyballs
Glass is one of the most useful materials in our modern world, but being prone to cracking or shattering is a major downside. Scientists at McGill University have developed a new type of glass inspired by the mollusk shell that’s stronger and tougher, … Continue reading Seashell-inspired glass promises shatterproof smartphone screens
Autonomous vehicles need to operate in a complex environment, and recognizing traffic signs is an important part of that. A new microstructured material reflects light in rainbow rings, which can make traffic signs easier for computer vision systems to… Continue reading Rainbow road sign film would be easier for autonomous vehicles to read
Engineers at ETH Zurich have developed a new, surprisingly simple method for merging two metals into one nanocrystal structure. The team says that this could allow almost any two metals to be combined, creating brand new types of “intermetallic nanocry… Continue reading Metals merged into amalgam nanocrystals in new manufacturing method
Heating and cooling systems are some of the biggest energy guzzlers in use, so passive temperature control could be a good way to reduce emissions. Phase-change materials (PCMs) show promise for this, and now engineers at Texas A&M have developed a new… Continue reading 3D-printable phase-change materials insulate buildings better at scale