Waste not: Edible wax coating slicks liquids with ease

Materials scientists have created a superhydrophobic coating that easily slicks away viscous liquids like syrup, honey and ketchup.

Tiny high-performance solar cells turn power generation sideways

Engineers have created high-performance, micro-scale solar cells that outshine comparable devices in key performance measures. The miniature solar panels could power myriad personal devices -- wearable medical sensors, smartwatches, even autofocusing contact lenses.

Project to help bring widespread use of micro-robotics (w/video)

Researchers don't yet fully understand how to best operate micro-manipulator bots because of various forces unique to the micro- and nano-scale.

Next generation anode to improve lithium-ion batteries

Silicon-tin nanocomposite could lead to low cost, long lasting rechargeable batteries for electronic devices and electric vehicles.

Challenging the 'rigidity' for smart soft electronics

Researchers have found a way to solve this dilemma and developed a low crystalline conducting polymer that shows high-field effect mobility.

Perpetual 'ice water': Stable solid-liquid state revealed in nanoparticles

Gallium nanoparticles that are both solid and liquid are stable over a range of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit.

Paving the way toward novel strong, conductive materials

Researchers have developed a method to predict which alloys may form a bulk metallic glass.

Getting light in shape with metamaterials

Nanoscale metallic cavities coupled to semiconductor materials can dramatically change the characteristics of light from a laser.

Novel Porous Materials made from flexible 'spaghetti-like' molecules

Scientists transformed flexible one-dimensional molecular chains into a structured, well-defined porous three-dimensional material.

Gentle cancer treatment using nanoparticles works

Researchers have developed a method that kills cancer cells using nanoparticles and lasers. The treatment has been tested on mice and it has been demonstrated that the cancer tumors are considerably damaged.

'Second skin' protects soldiers from biological and chemical agents

In work that aims to protect soldiers from biological and chemical threats, a team of scientists has created a material that is highly breathable yet protective from biological agents.

Better contrast agents based on nanoparticles

This new type of nanoparticles produce around ten times more contrast than the actual contrast agents and are responsive to specific environments.

Scientists imitate the functionality of neurons with a phase-change device

Scientists have created randomly spiking neurons using phase-change materials to store and process data. This demonstration marks a significant step forward in the development of energy-efficient, ultra-dense integrated neuromorphic technologies for applications in cognitive computing.

Carbon nanotube 'stitches' strengthen composites

Method to reinforce these materials could help make airplane frames lighter, more damage-resistant.

Chemists create vitamin-driven battery

A team of chemists has created a battery that stores energy in a biologically derived unit, paving the way for cheaper consumer electronics that are easier on the environment.

Magnetic atoms arranged in neat rows

Physicists have successfully created one-dimensional magnetic atom chains for the first time. Their break-through provides a model system for basic research in areas such as magnetic data storage, as well as in chemistry.