Materials & Coatings

Briefs: Motion Control

Nanosized Foldable Robots

The machines fold themselves within 100 milliseconds and can flatten and refold thousands of times.

Briefs: Materials

Large Integrated Circuits Produced in a Printing Press

Complete integrated circuits with more than 1,000 organic electrochemical transistors can be screen-printed.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

AI System Discovers New Material

The algorithm identified a new compound potentially useful for photonic devices and biologically inspired computers.

Briefs: Automotive

Nanotransistors Stay Cool at High Voltages

The transistors enable power converters to perform at substantially improved efficiencies, especially in high-power applications.

Briefs: Materials

Polymer-Based Electrical Insulation for Circuits

The new material could help put more power in smaller microchips.

Briefs: Wearables

Biodegradable Displays for Sustainable Electronics

Thanks to its flexibility and adhesion, the biodegradable display can be worn directly on the hand.

Briefs: Materials

Mode I Fracture Testing Apparatus

The device uses load frames to test bonded structures in aerospace, automotive, defense, and energy storage applications.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Smartphone-Based Medical Tests

A smartphone, combined with nanoscale porous silicon, enables inexpensive, simple, home diagnostics.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Using Neural Networks for Faster X-Ray Imaging

Artificial intelligence is used to decode X-ray images faster, which could aid innovations in medicine, materials, and energy.

Briefs: Energy

New Process Breaks Down Polystyrene

Due to the chemical stability and durability of industrial polymers, plastic waste does not easily degrade in landfills and is often burned, which produces carbon dioxide and other hazardous gases. In...

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Fully Recyclable Printed Electronics

Nearly 100% of all-carbon-based transistors are reclaimed while retaining future functionality of the materials.

Briefs: Photonics/Optics

High-Capacity Optical Data Storage Disk

Using gold nanomaterials, this disk can hold data securely for more than 600 years.

Briefs: Imaging

New Electron Microscopy Technique Offers First Look at Previously Hidden Processes

Northwestern researchers have developed a new microscopy method that allows scientists to see the building blocks of “smart” materials being formed at the nanoscale.

Briefs: Propulsion

Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Medium Entropy Alloy

This additively manufactured alloy is tailored for high-temperature applications.

Briefs: Nanotechnology

3D-Printed Nanosatellite Thruster Emits Pure Ions

The thruster provides a low-cost, extremely efficient propulsion source for miniature satellites.

Briefs: Sensors/Data Acquisition

Carbon-Based Air Quality Sensor

This affordable, scalable sensor could be a vital tool in the fight against air pollution and its associated health risks.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Pollen-Based Paper Bends and Curls in Response to Humidity

The paper-like material could be useful in soft robots, sensors, artificial muscles, and electric generators.

Briefs: Green Design & Manufacturing

Catalyst Makes Styrene Manufacturing Cheaper and Greener

This could reduce the environmental impact of styrene manufacturing.

Briefs: Materials

Turning Diamond into Metal

Normally an insulator, diamond becomes a metallic conductor when subjected to large strain.

Briefs: Energy

Hybrid Propellant Formulation Uses Graphene Foams

This method increases burn rate of solid propellants.

Briefs: Materials

Smart Aerogel Turns Air into Drinking Water

This invention achieves sustainable freshwater production in a variety of climates at minimal energy cost.

Briefs: Materials

Tiny 3D-Printed Bricks Enable Bone and Soft Tissue Repair

Flea-sized, hollow blocks can be filled with materials that improve healing.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

3D Printing of Gels and Soft Materials

A new method could jump-start the creation of tiny medical devices for the body.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Cord Tension Measurement Device

Potential applications include parachutes, hot air balloons, weather balloons, blimps, sails, and parasails.

Briefs: Mechanical & Fluid Systems

Rapid 3D Printing of Biomedical Parts

The structures’ small size and porosity make them well-suited for building components such as replacement joints.

Briefs: Manufacturing & Prototyping

2D Materials Capable of Forming Complex 3D Shapes

Synthetic materials can mimic how living organisms expand and contract soft tissues, achieving complex 3D movements and functions.

Briefs: Materials

Wafer-Thin Nanopaper Changes from Firm to Soft at the Touch of a Button

Bioinspired cellulose nanofibrils can be controlled by electricity.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Enhancing Hybrid Flow Battery Electrodes with Nanomaterials

This technology provides highly efficient grid-scale electricity storage at a fifth of the cost of current storage technologies.

Briefs: Electronics & Computers

Nanostructured Alloy for Battery Anodes

The alloy could influence the way energy storage devices are designed and manufactured.