Color ‘windows’ could turn light from inside or out into power

Researchers have created a new solution for generating solar power. The new "windows" could create energy from light from indoors and outdoors.

Mike Williams-Rice • futurity
Feb. 16, 2021 ~6 min

With heat, flat polymer folds into satellite ‘dish’

Creating satellites that could travel flat and transform themselves into a dish shape would make space exploration easier, say researchers.

Vandana Suresh-Texas A&M • futurity
Feb. 8, 2021 ~5 min


Super-light smart gel nets drinking water from air

A new aerogel can suck up water vapor in the air and then release it as clean drinking water, researchers report. It doesn't even need a power source.

National University of Singapore • futurity
Feb. 2, 2021 ~4 min

Lower energy light can create polymer gel objects

There's a way to use low-energy, visible light to produce polymer gel objects from pure monomer solutions, report researchers.

Tracey Peake-NC State • futurity
Sept. 22, 2020 ~5 min

Reversible ‘stitches’ give self-healing polymers new powers

New 3D-printable synthetic polymers have morphing powers and can self-heal within seconds. They could be useful for more realistic prosthetics.

Vandana Suresh-Texas A&M • futurity
Aug. 21, 2020 ~7 min

‘Ultrafast’ insulin may be 4X speedier than the regular stuff

A new formula for ultrafast insulin could work in much less time than the current stuff, according to research with pigs.

Taylor Kubota-Stanford • futurity
July 2, 2020 ~9 min

‘Nanosponges’ draw coronavirus away from lung cells

"I was skeptical at the beginning because it seemed too good to be true. But when I saw the first set of results in the lab, I was just astonished."

Kat McAlpine-Boston • futurity
June 19, 2020 ~8 min

4D printing makes stuff that changes shape

"This opens the door to printing soft robotics that could swim like a jellyfish, jump like a cricket, or transport liquids like the heart."

Mike Williams-Rice • futurity
June 10, 2020 ~5 min


Radiation shield polymer may replace lead

A new polymer composite may offer a lighter, non-toxic radiation shielding to replace lead, researchers report.

Matt Shipman-NC State • futurity
May 12, 2020 ~4 min

Mats made from wine antioxidant could keep food fresh

Researchers have blended tannic acid from red wine to create antioxidant mats. They could line storage containers to keep food fresh.

Vandana Suresh-Texas A&M • futurity
May 6, 2020 ~7 min

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