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.
Microplastics can harbour viruses, come off during cooking
14 November, 2022Viruses can hitchhike on microplastics and prolong their infectivity, and non-stick cookware can release millions of microplastics as it loses its coating.
Rare form of diamond discovered in meteorites
14 September, 2022Australian scientists have confirmed the existence of lonsdaleite, a rare hexagonal form of diamond, in ureilite meteorites from inside an ancient dwarf planet.
3D printed, nanostructured alloy is both strong and ductile
19 August, 2022Researchers 3D printed a dual-phase, nanostructured high-entropy alloy that is said to exceed the strength and ductility of other additively manufactured materials.
Lloyd TA1 food texture analyser for testing meat chewiness
01 August, 2022The Lloyd TA1 food texture analyser is suitable for conducting detailed texture analysis on food and packaging with applications up to 1 kN.
Limpet-inspired biomaterial features super strength
11 July, 2022Researchers mimicked limpet tooth formation in a laboratory and used it to create a new composite biomaterial — one which could rival the strength of synthetics.
