Characterization news

Biohydrogels act in different ways at different temperatures

Researchers have shown how different temperatures can be used to create different products from biohydrogels depending on their intended application.

Composite metal foam passes pool fire test

Composite metal foams have passed so-called ‘simulated pool fire testing’, which indicates they could be used for transporting hazardous materials.

Announcing the launch of Best Paper Prizes on Elseviers Leading Polymer Journals

Machine learning with synthetic data improves indentation tests

Utilizing 'hybrid data', a new analytical technique can improve the estimation of mechanical properties of metallic materials from indention tests.

New technique captures lithium ions on the move

Using an electrochemical cell inside a transmission electron microscope, scientists have captured in real time how lithium ions move in lithium titanate.

Peaks and valleys prevent frost formation on any surface

Researchers have shown that modifying any surface with millimeter tall peaks and valleys can reduce frost formation on that surface by 60%.

Carbon nanotubes get into the groove

Researchers have found that small grooves in filter paper can cause single-walled carbon nanotubes to line up side-by-side in 2D films.

Boron takes the strain out of Li-ion battery electrodes

Ni-rich cathodes used in EV Li-ion batteries show improved performance stability when doped with boron

More active sites for better hydrogen evolution

flakes of material decorated with tiny particles could prove useful for catalyzing hydrogen generation reactions

Making two-dimensional metals the easy way

easy way to make large, freestanding, thin sheets of metallic materials could open up novel applications in catalysis, flexible electronics, soft robotics

Physicists tangled up in quantum behavior of ferromagnets

For the first time, physicists have found found evidence for entanglement between the electrons in a ferromagnet.

New study shows melt front begins at grain boundaries

Using an X-ray free-electron laser, scientists have shown that melting of a gold film starts at grain boundaries and then moves inside the grain.

Professor’s work gave her a window into gender inequity, so she took action

Prof. Barbara Rothen-Rutishauser is using an Agents of Change grant to empower women in academia

Studying packed polymers at oil-water interface could lead to new biomaterials

Researchers used surface spectroscopy methods to track polymer self-assembly at the oil-water interface in real time.

New testing method raises temperature on microscopic aeronautical materials

Researchers have developed a novel electron microscopy method for testing microscopic aeronautical materials at ultra-high temperatures.

New 3D imaging technique spots wave and tornadoes in magnets

Scientists have developed a 3D imaging technique for observing complex behaviours in magnets, including fast-moving waves and 'tornadoes'.

New approach illuminates damage in polymer composites

Researchers have used small molecules that fluoresce after the impact of mechanical force to detect damage in fiber-reinforced polymers.

Simple metal films give fuel cells a boost

thin nanostructured films of gold and nickel boost performance of direct methanol fuel cells