Mechanical properties

Liquid inclusions give elastomers novel properties

Researchers have derived governing equations that describe and explain why adding liquid inclusions to elastomers gives them novel properties.

Surface modification makes carbon fiber composites tougher

electrochemical modification of carbon fibers makes polymer composites tougher

Co-polymer folds into a new phase

Researchers have found a new structure, which they term a bilayer-folded lamellar mesophase, in an aqueous solution of an amphiphilic copolymer.

Rise of the meta-bots

Using piezoelectric metamaterials, researchers have created 3D-printed 'meta-bots' capable of propulsion, movement, sensing and decision-making.

Yves Brechet awarded the 2022 Robert Cahn award

Upcycled ABS better for 3D printing than standard ABS

A novel method for upcycling the widely used plastic acrylonitrile butadiene styrene gives it better properties for 3D printing.

Muscle-like polymer fibers make a move on robotics

Researchers have created a simple-to-make, recyclable polymer fiber that can perform like a muscle actuator.

Flexible semiconducting polymer has a tasty structure

Higher-eigen-mode imaging has revealed that a flexible semiconducting polymer has a ‘fruitcake’ structure with harder and softer regions.

Organic solar cells close the lab to fab gap

green-solvent-processable, open-air printable self-assembly strategy for fabricating stable, efficient OSCs

Light-triggered power source for soft robots

light-triggered shape-changing device that could serve as a power source for soft robotics