Materials news, January 2017

Nanoparticles’ magnetic attraction targets biofilms

Biocompatible nanocarriers containing superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles and a common antibiotic can treat biofilms.

CNT-polyester scaffolds don’t miss a beat

Polymer combined with carbon nanotubes matches the flexibility and conductivity of cardiac tissue.

Acta Materialia Inc. symposium: award session at TMS 2017

Details of the Acta Gold Medal award session have been announced.

Biomimetic nano cargo carriers

Biomimetic nano cargo carriers.

Novel design strategy produces reconfigurable metamaterials

A general framework for designing reconfigurable metamaterials can be applied to everything from meter-scale architectures to nano-scale systems.

Fluorinated nanotubes on titanium produce blood-repellent surfaces

A titanium surface covered in fluorinated nanotubes can repel blood and so could reduce blood clotting by medical implants.

3D biofunctional silk materials

3D biofunctional silk materials.

Simple solution to nanomaterial production

Simple strategy for creating solutions of two-dimensional nanomaterials could make large-scale production of future devices easier and cheaper.

Design principles of the beetle’s exoskeleton

Biomimicry of the beetle helps material design.

Ordering fibers in a nanocomposite is a stretch

Stretched fibers of bacterial cellulose could strengthen a new generation of ‘green’ nanocomposites.

Graphene makes probing the brain easier

coating metal electrodes used to probe brain activity with graphene could be safer for patients and enable more accurate measurements

CNT terahertz scanner goes round the bend

Terahertz scanner based on a carbon nanotube film is flexible, portable, and wearable.

Harnessing H-bonds stretches electronics

hydrogen bonding enables the fabrication of stretchable, self-healing semiconducting polymer transistors paving the way for wearable electronics

Porous 3D graphene that is stronger than steel

Porous 3D form of graphene produced using heat and pressure

New approach for studying defects could lead to enhanced materials

Scientists have used a new approach to investigate the formation of defects in materials at the atomic scale and in near-real time.

Understanding surface defects in catalysis

Structural defects and jagged surfaces of nanoparticles shown to be key to catalysis.

Perovskite nanoparticles self-assemble to produce efficient LEDs

Researchers have developed a technique in which nanoscale perovskite particles self-assemble to produce more efficient, stable and durable LEDs.

Down in the valley for 2D crystals

A novel optical characterization method has revealed that in 2D crystals there is a strong interaction between crystal quality and valley polarization.

Improving technology through the coffee ring effect

New theory of coffee-ring effect could keep solar panels clean, improve DNA sequencing.

Computational model explains stress and strain of metallic glass

A new computational model can calculate how metallic glasses morph over time when they are put under mechanical stress.

Applied Materials Today receives first CiteScore Tracker value

Scientists tell advanced materials to get knotted

Scientists have produced the most tightly knotted physical structure ever known, which could lead to a new generation of advanced materials.

Gold nanoclusters self-assemble to form novel 2D and 3D materials

Depending on the synthesis conditions, gold nanoclusters can self-assemble to form 2D hexagonally-ordered layers or 3D capsid structures.

Infrared probe illuminates nanoparticle catalytic hot spots

Scientists have used a unique infrared probe to study how the atomic structure of gold and platinum nanoparticles affects their function as catalysts.

Old-fashioned loom weaves advanced textiles

Scientists have woven a 'smart' fabric that mimics the sophisticated and complex properties of the bone tissue periosteum.

Some metal oxide catalysts bring their own oxygen

In some water-splitting catalysts, oxygen comes from within the catalyst material itself, as well as from the surrounding water molecules.

Crystals can capture and release carbon dioxide cost-effectively

Crystals that form spontaneously on exposure to carbon dioxide could offer a new option for carbon capture and storage strategies.

Cooling carbon nanomaterials with nano-chimneys

Placing cones that act as nano-chimneys between graphene and carbon nanotubes could enhance heat dissipation from nano-electronics.

Sponge-shaped materials can be stronger than steel

Compressing and fusing flakes of graphene can produce a porous, lightweight 3D material with a strength 10 times that of steel.

Defects can make concrete stronger and tougher

Defects in cement that catch layers of the material as they move past each other can produce concrete that is tougher and stronger.

One-dimensional perovskite makes efficient light emitter

A new one-dimensional, core-shell-type crystalline wire made from organic-inorganic hybrid materials can emit light efficiently.

The 2017 Reaxys PhD Prize is now open

Submissions for the 8th annual Reaxys PhD Prize are now open.

Germanium reveals its behavior under pressure

Researchers have been able to create a high-pressure form of germanium, known as ST12, in a large enough sample size to confirm its characteristics.

Silver nanowires take heat off printed circuits

Conductive ink made from silver nanowires can print inexpensive, customizable circuit patterns on just about any surface.

Graphene has upwardly-mobile electrons

Firing highly-charged xenon ions at graphene has revealed that the electrons in this material are highly mobile, generating a very high current density.

Tiny diamonds produce thinnest electrical wires

Scientists have used tiny diamonds known as use diamondoids to assemble atoms into the thinnest possible electrical wires, just three atoms wide.

The Acta journals welcome two new Editors

Christopher Hutchinson and Tadashi Furuhara join the Acta Journals.

Intelligent bricks create advanced nanostructures

A novel self-assembly technique can create multilayer, multi-patterned 3D nanoscale structures with unprecedented complexity.

Graphene shows ability to detect cancer cells

Through changes in its atomic vibration energy, graphene can distinguish a single hyperactive cancerous cell from a normal cell.

Current Opinion in Solid State & Materials Science turns 20

Enjoy free access to the anniversary special issue of Current Opinion in Solid State & Materials Science.

Dr. Yanming Ma new Associate Editor of Computational Materials Science

Dr. Yanming Ma has joined Computational Materials Science as an Associate Editor.

Building better electrodes with sodium-embedded carbon nanowalls

Sodium-embedded carbon nanowalls make highly effective electrodes in electronic devices such as solar cells and supercapacitors.

Garnet gift transforms solid-state battery technology

Scientists have developed a novel solid-state battery by placing ultra-thin aluminum oxide between lithium electrodes and a solid garnet electrolyte.

Undercoat and overcoat produce novel transparent conductor

By optimizing the antireflection properties, scientists have fabricated a flexible transparent conductor from an ultrathin metal film.

Platinum-lead nanoparticles strain to become fuel cell catalysts

Novel fuel cell catalysts comprising atomically-ordered platinum-lead 'nanoplates' display high catalytic activity, stability and durability.

Graphene can listen in to electrical signals between cells

Graphene forms the basis for a new imaging platform that can map the electrical fields generated by networks of heart and nerve cells.

Uncovering friction properties in graphene

Insight into the friction in layered graphene.

Graphene quantum dots convert carbon dioxide into liquid fuels

Nitrogen-doped graphene quantum dots can convert carbon dioxide into complex hydrocarbons like ethylene and ethanol.