For the first time, a silicon nitride/carbon nanotubes microgear is electrically discharge machined with a remarkably high material removal rate, low surface roughness, and low tool wear.
10 October 2011
Many electronic systems such as flat-panel displays, optical detectors, and sensor arrays would benefit greatly from mechanical flexibility. Ultraflexible and foldable electronics demonstrate ultimate flexibility, and are highly portable. A major obstacle toward the development of foldable electronics is the fundamental compromise between operation voltage, transistor performance, and mechanical flexibility.
23 August 2011
While plastics have revolutionized industrial design due to their versatile processability, their relatively low strength has hampered their use in structural components. On the other hand, while metals are the basis for strong structural components, the geometries into which they can be processed are rather limited. Here we show that bulk metallic glasses, which have superior mechanical properties, can be blow molded like plastics.
23 February 2011
Analysis of several field cases reveals that corrosion in molten fluorides is essentially due to the oxidation of metals by uranium fluoride and/or oxidizing impurities. The thermodynamics of this process are discussed with an emphasis on understanding the mass transfer in the systems, selecting appropriate metallic materials and designing effective purification methods.
30 November 2010
Two photon polymerization has been used in recent years to create a variety of nanostructured and microstructured three-dimensional medical devices, including artificial tissues, microfluidic devices, and microneedles for transdermal drug delivery.
30 November 2010
Strain and displacement are critical parameters within engineering and construction projects. However, measuring these parameters outside of the lab requires a difficult choice between conventional techniques, as accuracy, simplicity and cost must all be balanced. Digital Imaging Correlation is a technique which may prove to be ideally suited for the study of crack propagation and material deformation in real-world applications.
30 November 2010
The safe and economical operation of any nuclear power system relies to a great extent, on the success of the fuel and the materials of construction. The creation of the Advanced Test Reactor National Scientific User Facility is allowing researchers to test their ideas for improved fuels and materials.
30 November 2010
A novel experimental approach is presented here to the assessment of the PuO2 melting behaviour.
04 November 2010
We focus here on the impact of material science in swimming by measuring the impact of the three successive generations of swimsuits on human performance and estimate the upcoming performance drop consecutive to the decision of the FINA to suspend their use.
04 November 2010
Are you on Facebook? Twitter, perhaps? Maybe LinkedIn? What about a social networking site dedicated to materials science? If you are not, you may be more alone than you think…
16 February 2010