Sunflower pollen could provide tougher 3D-bioprinting ink
3D-bioprinting replacement body parts require the use of bio-inks that are not only biocompatible but are also strong yet flexible at the same time. Currently used materials, however, have a hard time supporting themselves, which means that they have to be printed with supporting structures that Read More...
This laminate changes color to warn about dangerous structural damage
As an increasing number of lightweight, load-bearing composite materials make their way into industries like automotive manufacturing, shipbuilding, and aircraft construction, there’s a growing need to develop new methods for early detection of damage to — or even potential failure of — these Read More...
Barnacle-inspired glue can stop bleeding in less than 30 seconds
Currently, most bleedings during surgery or traumatic injury are stopped with hemostatic agents, materials that induce the blood to clot. These, however, can take a few minutes to work and don’t always do their job properly if there’s too much blood, which can make it difficult to get adhesives Read More...
Novel material converts waste heat to electricity with record efficiency
Researchers at Northwestern University have come up with an extremely high-performing thermoelectric material that may be the most efficient yet at converting waste heat into electricity. Thermoelectric systems generate electricity by using a temperature gradient. When one side of special material Read More...
Scientists aim to turn our built environment into rechargeable batteries
According to the World Green Building Council, about 11 percent of the environmental footprint of buildings and construction comes from embodied carbon emissions. This includes all the CO2 emitted in producing the materials needed for creating our built environment. Seeking more sustainable and Read More...
Cracked phone screens could soon repair themselves thanks to novel material
From a simple cosmetic issue to a completely shattered display, most of us have experienced a broken phone screen at least once. Well, cracked screens might soon become a thing of the past thanks to a team of scientists in India who have developed a self-healing crystalline material that can repair Read More...
This partnership aims to create net-zero concrete out of industrial waste
In order to reach the climate targets of the Paris Agreement, we urgently need to find a greener alternative to concrete — the most widely used man-made material in the world — whose key component (cement) emits about 8 percent of global CO2 emissions. Narrowing in on this sustainability Read More...
8 incredible ways to use wood you probably didn’t know about
From furniture to building parts, wood is so ubiquitous that we often take it for granted. However, this commonplace material has been used for millennia and plays a crucial role in our journey to achieve a circular economy. In fact, this versatile material can now be found in a variety of everyday Read More...
POWERPASTE could make hydrogen fuel technologies safer and more efficient
While hydrogen fuel cells have a huge potential to shift our transportation industry towards a cleaner future, one of the main reasons why the technology hasn’t yet reached scale is because hydrogen is incredibly volatile and challenging to store and transport. In a bid to overcome this Read More...
These biodegradable tote bags are made of food and textile waste
Replacing single-use plastic bags with a tote that you can use multiple times is a good way to help cut waste from your shopping routine. It is, however, important to note that producing cotton bags is actually quite resource-intensive, meaning that you may have to reuse them tens of times before Read More...