Wooden surfaces appear to have antiviral properties
26 June, 2024Wood has natural antiviral properties that can reduce the time viruses persist on its surface — and some species of wood are more effective than others.
Novel adhesive is strong, smart and reusable
09 May, 2024Researchers found a way to maximise the adhesion of the material by using shape-memory polymers, which can stick and detach easily when needed simply by heating them.
Hylec Controls packaging materials testing machinery
26 March, 2024From tensile strength testers to impact testers, Hylec Controls' comprehensive range of machinery allows manufacturers to assess the quality and durability of their packaging materials.
Novel conductive material gets tougher when hit or stretched
26 March, 2024Inspiration for the soft, flexible material came from a mixture commonly used in cooking — a corn starch slurry.
Researchers boost resilience of gold catalysts
16 February, 2024Japanese researchers have discovered a way to improve the durability of gold catalysts by creating a protective layer of metal oxide clusters.
Strong, stretchy, self-healing plastic developed
17 November, 2023An innovative strong and stretchy plastic, which can be healed with heat, remembers its shape and is partially biodegradable, has been developed by Japanese researchers.
New biomaterial mimics human tissue, fights bacteria
09 November, 2023Scientists have developed a lab-made hydrogel that behaves like natural tissue, with a number of qualities that have implications for medical, food and manufacturing technology.
Scientists witness metal healing itself
08 August, 2023Scientists have witnessed pieces of metal crack and then fuse back together without any human intervention, overturning fundamental scientific theories in the process.
Researchers develop self-healing, biodegradable plastic
02 August, 2023Konstanz chemists have created a mineral plastic that is hard, non-flammable, self-healing and can be produced at room temperature in water. It is also biodegradable.
The physics behind gel formation
26 June, 2023It was previously believed that the solid nature of gels emerges through glass formation.
Novel crystal compound melts under UV light
16 June, 2023While many materials melt when heated, Japanese researchers have discovered a novel material in which melting can be induced by ultraviolet light instead of being induced only by heat.
A simple process for producing 2D materials
07 June, 2023Surface scientists have developed a simple method to produce large and very clean 2D samples from a range of materials using three different substrates.
Shapeshifting robot can turn from a liquid to a solid
16 February, 2023Engineers have designed miniature robots that can rapidly and reversibly shift between liquid and solid states, as well as being able to conduct electricity.
Versatile hydrogel made from squid tissues and polymers
25 January, 2023Researchers have combined natural squid tissues with synthetic polymers to develop a strong and versatile hydrogel that mimics many of the properties of biological tissues.
Strong and biodegradable plastic developed
17 January, 2023A polyester plastic of great mechanical stability, which is also easily recyclable and even compostable, has been developed at the University of Konstanz.
