Materials & Chemicals Technology News & Analysis

Materials scientists create bio-ceramic from eggshells

Materials scientists from Russia’s National University of Science and Technology (NUST) have developed a bioactive polymer-ceramic composite material derived from eggshell waste that can be used to potentially fix implants or restore bone defects in the skull.

Chemists turning bricks into energy storing devices

Chemists from St Louis’ Washington University are turning bricks into energy storage devices.

Reusable nanowire-equipped mask kills pathogens

A reusable mask with a titanium dioxide nanowire filter that photocatalytically deactivates pathogens could address protective equipment shortage and waste disposal issues.

Study: Wheat and couch grass can extract toxic elements from soil

A team of researchers from Russia’s St. Petersburg University has discovered that wheat and couch grass are both capable of absorbing a number of trace chemical elements simultaneously from contaminated soil.

MOF designed to trap volatile gases from spent nuclear fuel

The high-cost, complex cryogenic separation systems used to capture volatile gases released during spent fuel reprocessing might be replaced with a method based on radiation-resistant metal organic framework (MOF) materials.

ASME standards take the pressure off nonmetallic pressure piping projects

The standards address the design, specification and installation of plastic pressure piping.

Video: Online library is a cool tool for natural refrigerant resources

The North American Sustainable Refrigeration Council, dedicated to reducing the environmental impacts of refrigeration technology by promoting natural refrigerants in the grocery sector, has launched a relevant resource library.

Algae-based material creates biodegradable flip flops

Researchers from the University of California San Diego teamed up with a materials science and technology company, Algenesis Materials, to create an algae-based biodegradable material for flip flops.

Ceramics to take abrasive material handling operations to the next level

Several key properties must be considered by engineers when choosing a proper ceramic. Abrasion resistance, compressive strength, coefficient of friction and fracture toughness are just a few.

Acid mine damage control turns pollution into rare earth elements

Researchers from Penn State found a way to treat acid mine damage (AMD) and turn its environmental pollution into a source of rare earth elements.

3D-printed terracotta tiles could save coral reefs

To replenish depleting coral reefs, architects and marine scientists from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) are 3D printing artificial reef tiles composed of terracotta clay.

Scientists design realistic bite sleeve to improve military canine training

A team of scientists from the Army Research Lab have developed a new bite sleeve to improve the performance of military canines.

Repurposing e-waste as protective coating material

New surface coatings are derived from ground and thermally processed computer monitors, circuit boards and other electronic waste.

Smart stirring device monitors chemical reactions and keeps the solution stirring

Researchers from the University of Warwick created a smart chemical stirrer, called the Smart Stirrer, that stirs a solution while simultaneously measuring any property changes in the solution.

Construction rubble, tire waste mix could be sustainable asphalt alternative

Researchers from Australia’s RMIT University have developed new material composed of discarded tires and construction waste that can be used to pave roadways.

Clotting agent enables first responders to slow internal bleeding

Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and Case Western Reserve University created an injectable clotting agent that proved to reduce blood loss by 97 percent in mice.

Materials and Chemicals