'Materials that compute' advances as engineers demonstrate pattern recognition

The potential to develop 'materials that compute' has taken another leap as researchers for the first time have demonstrated that the material can be designed to recognize simple patterns.

For first time, carbon nanotube transistors outperform silicon

Materials engineers have created carbon nanotube transistors that outperform state-of-the-art silicon transistors.

Chemical engineer receives NSF grant to study self-assembly of large-scale particles

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded a $400k grant for research into the self-assembly of materials into complex structures at sizes much larger than the nanoscale.

Breathable and stretchable protein wafers

Scientists constructed defect-free sheets of material with pores that 'breathe' - open and close simultaneously without falling apart. The material also displays counterintuitive mechanical behavior.

Fast and furious bucket brigade - ultrafast proton transport in carbon nanotubes

Confining water in tiny straws confirms predicted rapid transport of protons along a water 'wire' - vital for more efficient fuel cells.

Train windows that combine mobile reception and thermal insulation

Researchers have developed a type of glass that offers excellent energy efficiency and lets mobile telephone signals through.

Low-cost and defect-free graphene

Chemists have succeeded in producing defect-free graphene directly from graphite for the first time.

More surprises in graphene land

When Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were preparing their first report on graphene back in 2004, few would have imagined the impact that their paper would have today.

Grabbing an electron by the tail

Scientists discover a way to control the electrical current in a new ultra-thin layered material.

Researchers weld graphene sheets to form tough, porous material (w/video)

Flakes of graphene welded together into solid materials may be suitable for bone implants, according to a new study.

Eengineers develop a nanoporous plastic clothing material that cools the skin (w/video)

Researchers have engineered a low-cost plastic material that could become the basis for clothing that cools the wearer, reducing the need for energy-consuming air conditioning.

A new technique opens up advanced fullerene solar cells

Using a novel spectroscopic technique, scientists have made a much-needed breakthrough in cutting-edge photovoltaics.

Memory for future wearable electronics

Stretchable, flexible, reliable memory device inspired by the brain.

Super-material holds a quantum surprise

An innovative deposition system unlocks possible quantum applications inside multifunctional metal oxide thin films.