Collaborate Disseminate
There are now a number of materials designed to give robots or prostheses a sense of touch. And while most of them are thin and skin-like, a new alternative takes the form of a spongey foam – and it combines several desirable qualities.Continue Reading… Continue reading Touch-sensitive, self-healing AiFoam may find use in robotics and more
What’s just a bit thicker than a human hair and has ten times the capability of a human muscle? Polymer-coated carbon nanotube yarn. Researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas created this yarn using carbon nanotubes coated with a …read more
Stanford scientists have developed a new hydrogel with a Velcro-like molecular structure that allows it to stay intact for longer at body temperature. The hope is that it could be injected into a patient and deliver drugs over weeks or months as it slo… Continue reading Injectable hydrogel uses “molecular Velcro” structure to resist body heat
In order to keep patients from developing opioid addictions, it’s best if doctors can avoid prescribing the things in the first place. A new surgical patch could help, by gradually releasing painkillers right where they’re needed.Continue ReadingCatego… Continue reading Painkiller-dispensing patch could be an alternative to opioids
When producing “smart fabrics” made of conductive fibers, it can be difficult placing functional elements such as electrodes in specific locations along those fibers. A new polymer, however, could make doing so much easier.Continue ReadingCategory: Mat… Continue reading UV-activated polymer could make smart fabrics even smarter
Ordinarily, when using an off-the-shelf 3D printer, it’s quite difficult to print a single object that incorporates multiple materials. An experimental new system could make it easier, though, by utilizing a “programmable filament.”Continue ReadingCate… Continue reading New filament tech lets regular 3D printers build multi-material items
We’ve said it before, but we cast a wary eye at any superlative claims that come our way. “World’s fastest” or “world’s first” claims always seem to be quickly debunked, but when the claim of “World’s Smallest Benchy” is backed up by a tugboat that two dozen E. coli would …read more
Continue reading World’s Smallest Benchy Shows off What 3D-Printing Can Do for “Microswimmers”
Biological machines such as human and animal bodies are quite incredible. Your body seamlessly incorporates materials as different as muscle, bone, and tendons into an integrated whole. Now Texas A&M researchers think they can imitate nature using polymer networks that have a tunable stiffness. As a bonus, similar to biological …read more
Optical fibers are already used in many fields, but they would have even more applications if they could be manufactured faster and cheaper. An experimental new process is claimed to deliver on both counts, and it utilizes mostly existing technologies…. Continue reading New technique promises less expensive, quickly-made optical fibers
Optical fibers are already used in many fields, but they would have even more applications if they could be manufactured faster and cheaper. An experimental new process is claimed to deliver on both counts, and it utilizes mostly existing technologies…. Continue reading New technique promises less expensive, quickly-made optical fibers