HEADLINES ARCHIVE
Octopus-inspired patch delivers a powerful boost to drug delivery
To develop the patch, the team combined cellulose nanofibers with an octopus-inspired suction architecture to achieve both attachment stability and transdermal delivery performance.
New adhesives grip hard, then release with precision
The team developed a tape featuring adhesive and plastic backing layers that can be recycled together. Aptly called a "mono-material," both of the tape’s layers are chemically similar but perform different functions.
New printing system lets smartphones instantly verify anti-counterfeit labels
The smartphone-based detector can reportedly measure how light interacts with the anti-counterfeit label, the data from which is subsequently analyzed with a machine-learning system to confirm the origin of the label in question.
New hydrogel packaging offers a freshness check with just a glance
Designed to offer shoppers a visible signal of food spoilage without opening the package, this new material can also reportedly self-repair, thus keeping bacteria out during shipping and handling.
‘Nanobone’ gives the body a new way to regrow bone
The calcium-aluminosilicate nanomaterial triggers the body’s own transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), which immediately encourages clotting and recruits bone-forming stem cells to expedite bone regeneration.
Understanding transient flow in high-viscosity pumps
Transient flow analysis is expected to become a standard part of automated fluid handling and process optimization in high-viscosity pumping applications.
New seaweed-inspired approach removes ocean microplastics regardless of size
According to its developers, the biopolymer mesh cleans microplastics from both saltwater and freshwater, thereby helping to lessen the impact of microplastics on aquatic ecosystems.
Beer-making could help sand filters trap harmful bacteria
The malt spent rootlets biochar (MSRB) material was developed when the team converted the rootlets into biochar via pyrolysis at 850° C.
Waste rice husks transformed into reusable filters that trap toxic dyes
The team converted discarded rice husk into a sponge-like filter that can capture industrial synthetic dyes from textile manufacturing, leather processing, paper production and aquaculture.
Eucalyptus bark waste gets a second life as a carbon filter for cleaner air, water
The team found a simple way to transform the bark into a porous carbon material.
Powerful self-cleaning tech defeats mineral buildup to capture ocean CO2
The new electrochemical process combines hydrogen gas and redox salt looping to capture carbon dioxide from seawater via controlled pH swings.
Nuclear power could fuel a new generation of plasma kilns for cement
The process would involve using electricity produced by small modular reactors (SMRs) to power thermal plasma torches that would supply the high temperatures necessary to produce clinker, which is the base ingredient for modern cement.
Containing the heat: Refractory moldables for aluminum smelting applications
Refractory moldable materials provide an alternative approach by creating a durable, conformable thermal barrier that can be shaped to the specific geometry of the application.
US launches program to fast-track next-gen chemical protection suits
The MOF-enabled chemical and biological suits will be directly supplied to U.S. Special Operations Forces personnel operating in environments where exposure to chemical and biological threats is possible.
Simple mouth rinse helps detect signals of stomach and colorectal cancer
The team has determined that analyzing the composition of oral microbes could reveal symptoms linked to both gastric and colorectal cancer, thus leading to the creation of new, less invasive tests to screen for such cancers.
Foldable implant could enable long-term health monitoring under the skin
With its accordion-like design, MiFi is composed of flexible polyimide materials that make it possible for the implant to fold itself into a significantly smaller form for insertion into the body.
Seaweed coating keeps strawberries fresh longer than refrigeration
The seaweed-coated strawberries stayed fresher for longer than refrigerated uncoated berries, thus suggesting the coating could one day reduce produce spoilage and food waste during storage and transport.
Laser detection method could improve counterfeit alcohol screening
The new laser system is capable of detecting toxic methanol present within unopened bottles of alcohol — even through colored glass.
Wearable patch could detect overdose, then deliver lifesaving medication
The wearable microneedle patch, dubbed the iNal patch, can detect fentanyl in the body and automatically deliver naloxone when it senses the drug.
Food waste transformed into membrane with 96.1% greater heat-storage rate, 1,000-cycle lifespan
To develop the membrane, the team blended food-waste-derived biochar, graphene and a phase-change material into a paper membrane appropriate for thermal management and energy recovery ventilation.