Materials Science

Materials Science

Anyone want to knit a microscopic sweater?

Microscopic polymer tubes can tangle themselves into a new and possibly useful structure—tiny "yarn balls" that flatten out and partly unravel in an electric field.

Materials Science

Reversible gel restores artwork

To help conservationists restore paintings to their original glory without damaging the original paint, chemists have developed a cleaning product that switches from a liquid to a gel.

Materials Science

One-Upping Nature’s Materials

Striving for designer substances that build themselves from individual molecules.

Materials Science

Heat-controlled implant delivers insulin on demand

The field of drug delivery is literally heating up, with the development of a new polymer implant that releases insulin in response to changes in temperature.

Materials Science

Nanotech Goes to New Lengths: Scientists create ultralong carbon nanotubes

In an advance toward making superstrong fibers, chemists have synthesized a 4-centimeter-long carbon nanotube, the longest nanotube reported to date.

Materials Science

Falling into Place: Atom mist yields nanobricks and mortar

Researchers have induced tiny particles of nickel to spontaneously assemble into exceptionally uniform, three-dimensional arrays of macroscopic size.

Materials Science

Model Growth: Simulations expose branching nature of polymer crystals

Using computer models, scientists have uncovered previously unknown facets of the physics underlying polymer crystal growth.

Materials Science

Face to Face: Crystal-growth method bodes electric payoff

A new method for growing silicon carbide eliminates crystal defects that have long prevented the compound's wider use in electric devices.

Materials Science

Warm Reflections: Window tint kicks in when it’s hot

A novel window coating automatically transforms into a heat mirror only when warmed above room temperature.

Materials Science

Bacterial glue: The stuff that binds?

A sticky slime secreted by bacteria could soon find its way into a host of wood products, including plywood and particleboard.

Materials Science

Sea urchin shell lights the way for optical material

Using the porous skeleton of a sea urchin as a template, materials scientists have fabricated a photonic crystal.

Materials Science

Savvy Sieve: Carbon nanotubes filter petroleum, polluted water

A filter made out of carbon nanotubes has potential for such applications as processing crude oil and decontaminating drinking water.