Light from exotic crystals improves solar panels

Controlling light from exotic crystal semiconductors could pave the way for better solar panels, displays, and more.

Todd Bates-Rutgers • futurity
March 21, 2019 ~4 min

‘Defective’ molecular sieve catches more toxic chemicals

Researchers have found a new way to remove pollutants from industrial wastewater with nanomaterial. The secret? More defects.

David Ruth-Rice • futurity
March 14, 2019 ~6 min


Sound-canceling rings block noise but not air

A new way of baffling sound could be less bulky than walls while seriously cutting noise pollution.

Kat McAlpine-Boston • futurity
March 8, 2019 ~9 min

Nontoxic flame retardant offers better protection

A new nontoxic flame retardant made from natural clay and cellulose offers better fire protection for furniture, textiles, and insulation.

Steve Kuhlmann-Texas AM • futurity
Feb. 13, 2019 ~2 min

Handy graphene foam combos keep surfaces ice-free

Combining laser-induced graphene with a range of other materials gives it all sorts of new tricks.

Mike Williams-Rice • futurity
Feb. 13, 2019 ~4 min

Ceramic sensors could let us know when bridges feel strain

A new material paves the way for turning ceramic into next-gen sensors that could report on the health of bridges, buildings, and airplanes.

Mike Williams-Rice • futurity
Feb. 5, 2019 ~5 min

Future polymer batteries wouldn’t contain any metal

"These polymers are very promising for batteries because they can charge and discharge way faster than any common battery in a phone or similar device."

Drew Thompson-Texas A&M • futurity
Feb. 1, 2019 ~3 min

‘Cooking chemistry’ produces new, less toxic glue

Maillard chemistry, a crucial process in cooking, can also produce less toxic glue from soy.

Kayla Zacharias-Purdue • futurity
Jan. 31, 2019 ~4 min


Listen: ‘Active matter’ could give robots and clothes more life

Find out what "active matter" can do in just a few minutes.

Lawrence Goodman-Brandeis • futurity
Jan. 30, 2019 ~1 min

Big, heavy atoms can form attractions with halogen bonds

Bonds between elements farther down the periodic table don't require hydrogen, which means the new materials should be resistant to water and humidity.

Katherine Gombay-McGill • futurity
Jan. 23, 2019 ~3 min

/

22