Materials chemistry news, February 2016

Body heat bends shape-memory polymer out of shape

Scientists have developed a shape-change polymer that can be triggered by body heat alone.

Pollen anodes not to be sneezed at

Scientists have created carbon anodes for lithium-ion batteries from pollen.

Scientists build bridge to new materials

Scientists have produced clean interfaces between materials with different crystal structures by making a bridge between them.

Absorbing research produces aerogels from waste paper

Engineers have developed a way to convert paper waste into cellulose aerogels that are non-toxic, ultralight, absorbent and extremely strong.

World’s smallest lattice has diamond-like strength

By combining 3D laser lithography and pyrolysis, scientists have fabricated the smallest ever lattice structure made from glassy carbon.

New technique offers more choice for 2D nanomaterials

A new technique can create nearly two-dimensional nanosheets from compounds that do not naturally form such thin materials.

Scientists caught in polar vortices for the first time

For the first time, scientists have observed 'polar vortices', which could be the electrical cousins of magnetic skyrmions, in a ferroelectric material.

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Aligned polymer chains lead to faster charge transport

Efficient vertical charge transport in semiconducting polymers can be achieved by controlling the orientation of the polymer chains.

Acta Materialia, Inc. Coordinating Editor Appointment

Plasticizer brings free energy for mobile devices a step closer

Adding a plasticizer into electrostrictive polymers offers an efficient way to improve their energy harvesting performance.

Woven COFs could produce molecular cloths

For the first time, scientists have produced three-dimensional covalent organic frameworks by weaving them from helical organic threads.

Vitamin A material can help prevent scarring

A new polyester-based, biodegradable material with built-in vitamin A can reduce scarring in blood vessels.

New glass material can protect against radiation damage in space

A new composite glass-based material can block UV light and withstand long radiation exposure times without falling apart.

New graphene coating helps put ice in a spin

A thin coating of a composite material comprising graphene nanoribbons in epoxy is highly effective at melting ice on a helicopter blade.

Tunable materials clear the way for advanced optics

Scientists have engineered the transition point of vanadium dioxide, allowing them to control the temperature at which the transition occurs.

New material gets perovskite solar cells out of a hole

A new hole-transporting material costs only a fifth of existing versions while still producing solar cells with efficiencies above 20%.

New cathode material stops batteries turning crusty with age

Lithium-ion battery cathodes made from novel metal particles don't develop a crusty coating that can degrade the battery's performance.

Introducing Energy Storage Materials

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Flexible film can coil light for cancer detection

A thin, stretchable film offers a simpler, more cost-effective way to produce circularly polarized light for applications such as detecting cancer.