Materials Science News

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have created low-density aerogels made from carbon nanotubes, CNTs, that are capable of supporting 8,000 times their own weight.

In work that could lead to more effective diagnoses and treatments of bone diseases using only a pinhead-sized sample of a patient's bone, MIT researchers report a first-of-its-kind analysis of bone's mechanical properties.

Imagine a single pair of glasses with lenses that can be transparent or dark, and in shades of yellow, green or purple, all on command. A new lens with chameleon powers promises to dramatically improve sunglasses' function.

Researchers from CNRS and the Spanish foundation Fatronik have designed a manipulator-type robot that is twice as fast as all existing robots.

Researchers at the Department of Energy's Argonne National Laboratory have developed a new approach to increasing the capacity and stability of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries.

Railway sleepers made from waste plastic, including recycled bumper scrap and old computer cases could be putting in an appearance on railway tracks soon. UK company Micron is making sleepers from waste polystyrene and polyethylene.

Researchers have produced a new form of the industrially-important metal platinum: 24-facet nanocrystals whose catalytic activity per unit area can be as much as four times higher than existing commercial platinum catalysts.

Collaborative research between scientists have used x-rays to see the internal workings of ntiferromagnets for the very first time.

A student designer and fiber scientists have teamed up to make a dress that prevents colds and a jacket that destroys noxious gases. The garments were featured at the April 21 Cornell Design League fashion show.

Researchers have determined that copper surfaces are significantly better than stainless steel at protecting against influenza A exposure.