Materials
Whether it's the latest wonder material, such as graphene, or uncovering the secrets to the longevity of ancient Roman concrete, material science is the reason so much of our technology is more than the sum of its parts.
Latest News
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Octopus-inspired ink can change color on demand
May 22, 2023A new light-activated ink can change color on demand. It’s made up of colored microbeads that rise in response to different wavelengths of light to change a surface color, which could be useful for new displays or active camouflage systems. -
Feel like monitoring an erupting volcano? There's a sensor for that
May 21, 2023Monitoring extreme environments requires a sensor continues to work in high temperatures. Now, researchers have developed a piezoelectric sensor that operates reliably at the temperature of erupting mafic lava, the hottest type of lava on Earth. -
Discarded diapers lay the foundation for future homes – quite literally
May 18, 2023In an effort to create low-cost, sustainable housing, researchers have created a composite material by replacing sand in concrete and mortar with a common, non-degradable waste product: used disposable diapers. But would you build your house with it? -
Newly discovered cold-adapted microbes digest plastic at low temperatures
May 12, 2023Newly discovered cold-adapted microorganisms "eat" plastic at temperatures lower than currently required. The discovery is the first step towards developing a more effective industrial-scale method of ridding the planet of plastic pollution. -
Liquid-metal-coated smart fabric 'heals' itself when cut, repels bacteria
May 02, 2023Science continues to make advances in smart fabrics. Now, a team of international researchers has created a wearable textile that can self-repair, is antibacterial, and could even be used to monitor a person’s heart rhythm. -
Multi-functional "superfoam" soaks up oil spills and kills bacteria
April 28, 2023Scientists at the University of Georgia have created a "superfoam" with two very valuable potential applications. It could be used not only to clean up oil spills, but also to keep infections from occurring at medical implant sites. -
Novel smart fabric first to change color, shape with heat and electricity
April 26, 2023UK researchers have created the first smart fabric that can change shape and color in response to two different stimuli: heat and electricity. The development opens up new possibilities in various fields, including virtual reality and robotics. -
Latest Kevlar EXO fabric is lighter, more flexible and bulletproof
April 25, 2023DuPont has launched a new version of its Kevlar fabric called EXO. The company says it is the most significant aramid fiber innovation in over 50 years with better ballistic protection and it's also lighter, more flexible, and more heat resistant. -
Translucent aerogel bricks could outperform their opaque counterparts
April 20, 2023While glass bricks are effective for allowing daylight into buildings, they're not good insulators and they can't be used for entire load-bearing walls. Such is reportedly not the case, however, with experimental new aerogel-filled translucent bricks. -
New recipe makes concrete that absorbs more CO2 than it emits
April 18, 2023Concrete is one of the largest single sources of human-induced carbon dioxide emissions. Engineers at Washington State University have now developed a new method for making concrete that absorbs more carbon than it emits. -
Plastic-eating fungi could solve polypropylene pollution problem
April 17, 2023Polypropylene is one of the most commonly used plastics but there are problems when it comes to recycling. Researchers have developed a new way of breaking down this troublesome plastic by enlisting the help of a couple of common fungi. -
Polar bear's light-funneling fur key to new super-warm textile
April 10, 2023To develop a heat-trapping fabric, researchers looked to polar bears, who thrive in incredibly low temperatures. The secret, they found, has to do with a relationship between the bears' hollow translucent hair and the black skin that lies beneath. -
Graphene additive finds use in higher-performing plastic film
March 30, 2023When we think of graphene, we tend to think of its use in applications like electronics, medical devices and construction materials. Now, however, it's been incorporated into an additive which reportedly boosts the performance of humble plastic film. -
An inexpensive ingredient may reduce concrete’s climate impact
March 29, 2023After water, concrete is the world’s most consumed material, and concrete production’s impact on the environment is significant. Researchers have discovered that an inexpensive ingredient may be the answer to reducing concrete's climate impact. -
New squid-inspired artificial skin endures extreme cold, kills microbes
March 29, 2023The squid’s color-changing abilities have fascinated scientists for decades. Now, researchers have created a new squid-inspired artificial skin that can withstand extreme cold and kill microbes, opening the door to a range of potential uses.
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