Concentric circular bands of polarization found in a ferroelectric polymer
A team of researchers from China, the U.S. and Australia has found an example of the formation of concentric circular bands of polarization in a ferroelectric polymer. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes the creation.....»»
Autonomously switchable polymer materials developed for wearable medical devices
Wearable medical devices, such as the soft exoskeletons that provide support for stroke patients or controlled drug delivery patches, have to be made of materials that can adapt intelligently and autonomously to the wearer's movements and to changing.....»»
Protons set to power next-generation memory devices
A proton-driven approach that enables multiple ferroelectric phase transitions sets the stage for ultralow power, high-capacity computer chips......»»
Research links climate change to "lazier" jet stream, leading to extreme weather
Jet streams are relatively narrow bands of strong wind in the upper atmosphere, typically occurring around 30,000 feet, and blowing west to east. Their normal flows lead to week-to-week weather variations, modulated in the mid-latitudes by ridges and.....»»
Rapid fabrication of a polymer lens on a laser chip for miniaturized spectroscopy
There is a growing demand for portable gas sensors, from both environmental and health sciences users as well as industry. Resonant optical sensors, in particular planar micro-resonators, combine high sensitivity and small footprint, which makes them.....»»
Toward crack-resistant nanoparticle-based latex films
Synthetic polymer materials, such as plastics and rubbers, have become ubiquitous in our daily lives. It is, therefore, essential to ensure that they are safe, durable, and sustainable. This is especially true for synthetic latex films, which are wid.....»»
Effects of porosity on piezoelectric characteristics of polyvinylidene fluoride films for biomedical applications
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a piezoelectric polymer material that has shown great aptitude as a pressure and flow sensor, especially in biomedical applications. However, most of the PVDF thin film sensors have low sensitivity and resolution due.....»»
What drives ions through polymer membranes?
Ion exchange membranes are needed in (photo)electrolyzers, fuel cells and batteries to separate ions and enable the desired processes. Polymeric membranes such as synthetically produced compounds like NAFION are particularly efficient, but they canno.....»»
Researchers grow bio-inspired polymer brains for artificial neural networks
The development of neural networks to create artificial intelligence in computers was originally inspired by how biological systems work. These "neuromorphic" networks, however, run on hardware that looks nothing like a biological brain, which limits.....»»
New ferroelectric material could give robots muscles
A new type of ferroelectric polymer that is exceptionally good at converting electrical energy into mechanical strain holds promise as a high-performance motion controller or "actuator" with great potential for applications in medical devices, advanc.....»»
Earth"s Aphelion Isn"t the Reason for the Seasons
Our planet’s not-quite-circular orbit means that on July 6 we’ll be about 2.5 million kilometers farther from the sun than average—but we won’t feel any colder.....»»
Discovering features of band topology in amorphous thin films
In recent years, scientists have been studying special materials called topological materials, with special attention paid to the shape, or topology, of their electronic structures (electronic bands). Although it is not visible in real space, their u.....»»
New criteria to determine whether shear bands are beneficial or harmful to crystalline materials
Shear band formation is not typically a good sign in a material—the bands often appear before a material fractures or fails. But materials science and engineering researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have found that shear bands aren.....»»
Surface-enhanced vibrational circular dichroism for chiral mixture sensing
Chiral molecules can present different chemical properties. For applications like drug delivery and diagnosis, it is important to detect chiral signals in mixtures. Although electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopy has been reported many time.....»»
Apple Watch for kids: Family Setup, best models and bands, more
Apple Watch for kids is something parents are embracing more and more. The New York Times ran a story in September 2022 about Apple Watch adoption among children as young as five. Parents are finding the Apple Watch more appropriate for kids wanting.....»»
Novel spectroscopic technique for exploring relaxor–ferroelectric materials
The exploitation of polarization or charge separation in ferroelectric materials has led to remarkable advances in various fields, such as the development of new ultrasound diagnostic devices. Prominently, these ferroelectric materials have led to pi.....»»
The best Apple Watch bands in 2023: our 20 favorite ones
These are the best Apple Watch bands and straps to stylize your timepiece. We've got a veritable feast of wristwear for every budget......»»
Adding weaker bonds can enhance polymer"s resistance to tearing
A team of chemists from MIT and Duke University has discovered a counterintuitive way to make polymers stronger: introduce a few weaker bonds into the material......»»
Scientists discover what makes cholesterol-containing surfaces so repulsive
Living organisms use powerful physical principles to control interactions at their surfaces. Researchers at the Leibniz Institute of Polymer Research Dresden, Leipzig University and TU Dresden have now discovered why cholesterol-containing surfaces c.....»»
Could these marks on a cave wall be oldest-known Neanderthal “finger paintings”?
It's even more evidence that Neanderthals could think symbolically, create art. Enlarge / Examples of engravings discovered in the Roche-Cotard Cave in France. (left) A "circular panel" with arch-shaped tracings. (right) A "wavy.....»»
Could these marks on a cave wall be oldest-known Neanderthal finger paintings?
It's even more evidence that Neanderthals could think symbolically, create art. Enlarge / Examples of engravings discovered in the Roche-Cotard Cave in France. (left) A "circular panel" with arch-shaped tracings. (right) A "wavy.....»»