Rice University

Graphene Won't Crack Under Pressure

Graphene is a paradox: it is the thinnest material known to science, yet also one of the strongest. Now, research shows that graphene is also highly resistant to fatigue — able to withstand more than a billion cycles of high stress before it breaks.

Trash into Valuable Graphene in a Flash

That banana peel, turned into graphene, can help facilitate a massive reduction of the environmental impact of concrete and other building materials. While you're at it, toss in those plastic empties.

Deep Learning Enables Real-Time Imaging Around Corners

Researchers have harnessed the power of a type of artificial intelligence known as deep learning to create a new laser-based system that can image around corners in real time.

Finalists Announced for 2019 R&D 100 Awards

Finalists for the venerable R&D 100 Awards have been announced by R&D World magazine and its new parent company, WTWH Media, LLC.

New Production Method for Carbon Nanotubes Gets Green Light

A new method of producing carbon nanotubes - tiny molecules with incredible physical properties used in touchscreen displays, 5G networks and flexible electronics - has been given the green light by researchers, meaning work in this crucial field can continue.

Storing Medical Information Below the Skin's Surface

Every year, a lack of vaccination leads to about 1.5 million preventable deaths, primarily in developing nations. One factor that makes vaccination campaigns in those nations more difficult is that there is little infrastructure for storing medical records, so there's often no easy way to determine who needs a particular vaccine.

Improved Online Shopping with 'Distributed Deep Learning" Breakthrough

Online shoppers typically string together a few words to search for the product they want, but in a world with millions of products and shoppers, the task of matching those unspecific words to the right product is one of the biggest challenges in information retrieval.

Old Newspapers Used to Grow Carbon Nanotubes

A research collaboration has found that old newspapers can be used as a low cost, eco-friendly material on which to grow single walled carbon nanotubes on a large scale.

3D Printed Bulletproof Material

A lightweight material full of holes is nearly as hard as diamond. The mere dents left by speeding bullets prove it.

Wireless device for pain management could be non-opioid alternative

Neuropathic pain can be a disabling disorder and accounts for nearly 40 percent of chronic pain sufferers. Not only can it lead to anxiety and depression, but another result can be opioid addiction.

Bacteria trapped — and terminated — by graphene filter

Airborne bacteria may see what looks like a comfy shag carpet on which to settle. But it's a trap. Scientists have transformed their laser-induced graphene into self-sterilizing filters that grab pathogens out of the air and kill them with small pulses of electricity.

New study reveals carbon nanotubes measurement possible for the first

Scientists have reported a new approach to measuring the conductivity between identical carbon nanotubes which could be used to help improve the efficiency of electrical power cables in the future.

Damaged hearts rewired with nanotube fibers

Thin, flexible fibers made of carbon nanotubes have now proven able to bridge damaged heart tissues and deliver the electrical signals needed to keep those hearts beating.

'Hot spots' increase efficiency of solar desalination

Researchers showed they could boost the efficiency of their solar-powered desalination system by more than 50% simply by adding inexpensive plastic lenses to concentrate sunlight into "hot spots."

Antennas of flexible nanotube films an alternative for electronics

Antennas made of carbon nanotube films are just as efficient as copper for wireless applications, according to researchers. They're also tougher, more flexible and can essentially be painted onto devices.

Flexible generators turn movement into energy

Wearable devices that harvest energy from movement are not a new idea, but a material created at Rice University may make them more practical.

3D organ bioprinting gets breath of fresh air

Bioengineers have cleared a major hurdle on the path to 3D printing replacement organs with a breakthrough technique for bioprinting tissues.

Wearable to halt allergic reactions

What if, in an emergency, you reach for your epinephrine shot and it's not there? It would be if you were wearing it.

3D printed tissues may keep athletes in action

Bioscientists are moving closer to 3D-printed artificial tissues to help heal bone and cartilage typically damaged in sports-related injuries to knees, ankles and elbows.

The Most Significant Materials Science News of 2018

Advancements in material science and material processing will always play a central role in any technological progression. IDTechEx has been providing leading market analysis on a broad range of advanced materials and their technology analysts have given their pick of the key news stories from 2018.