North Carolina State University researchers have developed a fiber that combines the elasticity of rubber with the strength of a metal, resulting in a tougher material that could be incorporated into soft robotics, packaging materials or next-generation textiles. “A good way of explaining the material is to think of rubber bands and metal wires,” says Michael Dickey,…
Technique Uses Templates To Guide Self-Folding 3D Structures
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new technique to control self-folding three-dimensional (3D) structures. Specifically, the researchers use templates to constrain deformation in certain selected areas on a two-dimensional structure, which in turn dictates the resulting 3D structure of the material. The new technique does not rely on cutting or printing on…
3-D Printing Used To Create Metallic Glass Alloys
Researchers have now demonstrated the ability to create amorphous metal, or metallic glass, alloys using three-dimensional (3-D) printing technology, opening the door to a variety of applications — such as more efficient electric motors, better wear-resistant materials, higher strength materials, and lighter weight structures. “Metallic glasses lack the crystalline structures of most metals — the…
Atomic Structure of Ultrasound Material Not What Anyone Expected
Lead magnesium niobate (PMN) is a prototypical “relaxor” material, used in a wide variety of applications, from ultrasound to sonar. Researchers have now used state-of-the-art microscopy techniques to see exactly how atoms are arranged in PMN—and it’s not what anyone expected. “This work gives us information we can use to better understand how and why…
Photo of the Day: ‘Green’ Catalysis Technique Aims to Boost Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Efficiency
Researchers at North Carolina State University have discovered a new process called pseudo-homogeneous catalysis. This “green chemistry method” uses palladium-driven catalytic reactions to connect carbons in small, organic molecules–creating larger molecules for use in pharmaceuticals and other applications–all while maintaining speed through the process and preserving the palladium.
Changes In Perspective May Affect How Useful Drones Really Are
A recent study finds that users have trouble utilizing images from unmanned aerial systems (UASs), or drones, to find the position of objects on the ground. The finding highlights challenges facing the use of UAS technology for emergency operations and other applications, while offering guidance for future technology and training development. “Because UASs operate at…
‘Smart’ Transformers Could Make Reliable Smart Grid A Reality
A new study using complex computational models finds that smart solid-state transformers (SSTs) could be used to make a stable, reliable “smart grid” — allowing the power distribution system to route renewable energy from homes and businesses into the power grid. The idea of a smart grid that can handle power flows not just from…
New Technique Enables 3-D Printing With Paste Of Silicone Particles In Water
Using the principles behind the formation of sandcastles from wet sand, North Carolina State University researchers have achieved 3-D printing of flexible and porous silicone rubber structures through a new technique that combines water with solid and liquid forms of silicone into a pasty ink that can be fed through a 3-D printer. The finding…
New Technique Enables 3-D Printing with Paste of Silicone Particles in Water
Using the principles behind the formation of sandcastles from wet sand, North Carolina State University researchers have achieved 3-D printing of flexible and porous silicone rubber structures through a new technique that combines water with solid and liquid forms of silicone into a pasty ink that can be fed through a 3-D printer. The finding…
Researchers Use Light to Remotely Control Curvature of Plastics
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a technique that uses light to get two-dimensional (2-D) plastic sheets to curve into three-dimensional (3-D) structures, such as spheres, tubes or bowls. The advance builds on earlier work by the same research team, which focused on self-folding 3-D structures. The key advance here is that rather…
Researchers Offer Overview of Composite Metal Foams and Potential Applications
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a range of composite metal foams (CMFs) that can be used in applications from armor to hazardous material transport – and they’re now looking for collaborators to help identify and develop new applications. To that end, the researchers are issuing a comprehensive overview and new data on…
Tracking The Movement of Cyborg Cockroaches
New research from North Carolina State University offers insights into how far and how fast cyborg cockroaches – or biobots – move when exploring new spaces. The work moves researchers closer to their goal of using biobots to explore collapsed buildings and other spaces in order to identify survivors. NC State researchers have developed cockroach…
Paper Spotlights Key Flaw in Widely Used Radioisotope Dating Technique
An oversight in a radioisotope dating technique used to date everything from meteorites to geologic samples means that scientists have likely overestimated the age of many samples, according to new research from North Carolina State University. To conduct radioisotope dating, scientists evaluate the concentration of isotopes in a material. The number of protons in an…
New Tech Uses Electricity To Track Water, ID Potential Problems In Concrete
Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of Eastern Finland have developed a new technique for tracking water in concrete structures – allowing engineers to identify potential issues before they become big problems. “When we think about construction – from bridges and skyscrapers to nuclear plants and dams – they all rely on…
New Tech Uses Electricity to Track Water, ID Potential Problems in Concrete
Researchers from North Carolina State University and the University of Eastern Finland have developed a new technique for tracking water in concrete structures – allowing engineers to identify potential issues before they become big problems. “When we think about construction – from bridges and skyscrapers to nuclear plants and dams – they all rely on…
Most Volcanic Activity on Mercury Stopped About 3.5 Billion Years Ago
New research from North Carolina State University finds that major volcanic activity on the planet Mercury most likely ended about 3.5 billion years ago. These findings add insight into the geological evolution of Mercury in particular, and what happens when rocky planets cool and contract in general. There are two types of volcanic activity: effusive…
Researchers Devise New Tool to Measure Polarization of Light
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new tool for detecting and measuring the polarization of light based on a single spatial sampling of the light, rather than the multiple samples required by previous technologies. The new device makes use of the unique properties of organic polymers, rather than traditional silicon, for polarization…
Study Finds Metal Foams Capable of Shielding X-Rays, Gamma Rays, Neutron Radiation
Research from North Carolina State University shows that lightweight composite metal foams are effective at blocking X-rays, gamma rays and neutron radiation, and are capable of absorbing the energy of high impact collisions. The finding means the metal foams hold promise for use in nuclear safety, space exploration and medical technology applications. “This work means…
Researchers Find Nanowires Have Unusually Pronounced ‘Anelastic’ Properties
Researchers from North Carolina State University and Brown University have found that nanoscale wires (nanowires) made of common semiconductor materials have a pronounced anelasticity – meaning that the wires, when bent, return slowly to their original shape rather than snapping back quickly. “All materials have some degree of anelasticity, but it is usually negligible at…
Researchers Create Transparent, Stretchable Conductors Using Nano-Accordion Structure
Researchers from North Carolina State University have created stretchable, transparent conductors that work because of the structures’ “nano-accordion” design. The conductors could be used in a wide variety of applications, such as flexible electronics, stretchable displays or wearable sensors. “There are no conductive, transparent and stretchable materials in nature, so we had to create one,”…
Method Improved for Coating Gold Nanorods
Researchers have fine-tuned a technique for coating gold nanorods with silica shells, allowing engineers to create large quantities of the nanorods and giving them more control over the thickness of the shell. Gold nanorods are being investigated for use in a wide variety of biomedical applications, and this advance paves the way for more stable…
New ‘High-Entropy’ Alloy Is as Light as Aluminum, Strong as Titanium Alloys
Researchers from North Carolina State University and Qatar University have developed a new “high-entropy” metal alloy that has a higher strength-to-weight ratio than any other existing metal material. High-entropy alloys are materials that consist of five or more metals in approximately equal amounts. These alloys are currently the focus of significant attention in materials science…
Titania-Based Material Holds Promise as New Insulator for Superconductors
Research from North Carolina State University shows that a type of modified titania, or titanium dioxide, holds promise as an electrical insulator for superconducting magnets, allowing heat to dissipate while preserving the electrical paths along which current flows. Superconducting magnets are being investigated for use in next-generation power generating technologies and medical devices. Regular conductors…
Engineers Find Way to Lower Risk of Midair Collisions for Small Aircraft
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed new modifications for technology that helps pilots of small aircraft avoid midair collisions. The modified tools significantly improved pilot response times in making decisions to avert crashes. At issue are “cockpit displays of traffic information” (CDTIs). These are GPS displays used by private pilots to track other…
Impurity Size Affects Performance of Emerging Superconductive Material
Research from North Carolina State University finds that impurities can hurt performance – or possibly provide benefits – in a key superconductive material that is expected to find use in a host of applications, including future particle colliders. The size of the impurities determines whether they help or hinder the material’s performance. Focused ion beam…