Thin, bacteria-coated fibers could lead to self-healing concrete that fills in its own cracks

Your skin heals from cuts and scrapes on its own − what if concrete could do that too?

Yaghoob Farnam, Assistant Professor of Civil Engineering, Drexel University • conversation
March 22, 2024 ~7 min

Nanomaterial for retina implant could help restore sight

Researchers have created a material that could be turned into retinal implants that help restore people's vision.

Lisa Ercolano-Johns Hopkins • futurity
Feb. 23, 2024 ~5 min


3D printing promises more efficient ways to make custom explosives and rocket propellants

‘Energetic’ materials are ones that readily ignite or detonate. The shapes of those materials have a big effect on how they burn or blow up.

Monique McClain, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University • conversation
Feb. 20, 2024 ~8 min

New plastic goes from squishy to rigid and back

"...we can turn it into something that behaves like a hard, high-strength material or something that's quite flexible, like a rubber band."

U. Chicago • futurity
Feb. 9, 2024 ~6 min

Method turns everyday stuff into material for quantum computers

Scientists have discovered a new way to transform everyday materials like glass into materials scientists can use to make quantum computers.

Lucas Van Wyk Joel-UC Irvine • futurity
Jan. 31, 2024 ~5 min

Combining two types of molecular boron nitride could create a hybrid material used in faster, more powerful electronics

Two forms of the same boron nitride molecules couldn’t look and act more different – but combining them could lead to applications that have the best of both worlds.

Abhijit Biswas, Research Scientist in Materials Science and Nanoengineering, Rice University • conversation
Jan. 24, 2024 ~7 min

Soft material conducts electricity even when wet

"Given that [the material] is transparent, flexible, stretchable, conductive, and biocompatible, the range of potential applications is exciting..."

Matt Shipman-NC State • futurity
Jan. 17, 2024 ~7 min

Ant survival secret inspires way to get materials to work together

Survival strategies used by fire ants may pave the way to revolutionize robotics, medicine, and more, researchers report.

Texas A&M University • futurity
Jan. 5, 2024 ~5 min


Material mimics structures that make bluebirds blue

A new material replicates the structure responsible for the blue feathers of eastern bluebirds and other songbirds. It could be used in batteries or filtration.

ETH Zurich • futurity
Dec. 1, 2023 ~7 min

Boosting rocket reliability at the material level

Zack Cordero’s research focuses on extending the lifespan of reusable rockets, while simultaneously reducing the risk of catastrophic failure.

Eric Brown | MIT Industrial Liaison Program • mit
Nov. 28, 2023 ~13 min

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