American Chemical Society

Novel sensors could enable smarter textiles

A team of engineers is developing next-generation smart textiles by creating flexible carbon nanotube composite coatings on a wide range of fibers, including cotton, nylon and wool.

A paper battery powered by bacteria

In remote areas of the world or in regions with limited resources, everyday items like electrical outlets and batteries are luxuries. Health care workers in these areas often lack electricity to power diagnostic devices, and commercial batteries may be unavailable or too expensive. New power sources are needed that are low-cost and portable.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

MIT has many relevant projects including biomimetic batteries and ones created using viruses, printed electronic circuits, printed energy harvesting and so on.

Paving the way to highly stretchable and transparent electronics

Scientists have proposed a novel method for the fabrication of highly transparent, electrically conductive, stretchable tough hydrogels modified by single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Nanotube rebar makes graphene twice as tough

Rebar graphene is the nanoscale analog of rebar (reinforcement bars) in concrete, in which embedded steel bars enhance the material's strength and durability. Rebar graphene, developed by the Rice lab of chemist James Tour in 2014, uses carbon nanotubes for reinforcement.

Tech takes on cigarette smoking

Researchers are using wearable sensor technology to develop an automatic alert system to help people quit smoking.

First-ever coloured thin films of nanotubes created

Researchers present a technique to produce large quantities of pristine single-walled carbon nanotubes in select shades of the rainbow. The secret is a fine-tuned fabrication process—and a small dose of CO2.

Finding defects in 3D printing using gold

That glint of gold has always captured our eyes, but now the precious metal has a new use - finding defects in 3D printing.

Compact and flexible supercapacitor developed

A lightweight, compact and efficient supercapacitor printed on a flexible plastic sheet has been developed by researchers.

CRISPR's growing pains

In the six years since its inception, CRISPR gene editing has experienced ups and downs, from giddy excitement over the technology's potential to cure genetic diseases to patent disputes, ethical considerations and cancer scares.

Ultimate smell test: Device sends rotten food warning to smartphone

When it comes to the "smell test," the nose isn't always the best judge of food quality. Now scientists report that they have developed a wireless tagging device that can send signals to smartphones warning consumers and food distributors when meat and other perishables have spoiled.

Carbon nanotubes for flexible, fingertip-wearable terahertz imagers

Researchers have developed flexible terahertz imagers based on chemically "tunable" carbon nanotube materials. The findings expand the scope of terahertz applications to include wrap-around, wearable technologies as well as large-area photonic devices.

Crumple up this keyboard and stick it in your pocket

Bendable portable keyboards for use with computers and other electronic devices are already on the market, but they have limited flexibility, and they're fairly sizable when rolled up for transport. Now researchers have crafted an inexpensive keyboard that is so tough, flexible and thin that it can be crumpled up and tucked in a pocket without damaging it.

E-textiles control home appliances with the swipe of a finger

Electronic textiles could allow a person to control household appliances or computers from a distance simply by touching a wristband or other item of clothing — something that could be particularly helpful for those with limited mobility. Now researchers have developed a new type of e-textile that is self-powered, highly sensitive and washable.

3D-printed smart gel walks underwater, moves objects

Engineers have created a 3D-printed smart gel that walks underwater and grabs objects and moves them. The watery creation could lead to soft robots that mimic sea animals like the octopus, which can walk underwater and bump into things without damaging them. It may also lead to artificial heart, stomach and other muscles, along with devices for diagnosing diseases, detecting and delivering drugs and performing underwater inspections.

Jelly implant keeps an eye on body oxygen levels

Although smaller than a grain of rice, a phosphorescent hydrogel implant that monitors tissue oxygen could end amputations in people with blocked blood vessels or help athletes design better training programmes. The first of these tiny but durable devices has survived more than four years - implanted in the foot of the researchers who created it.

Knitting electronics with yarn batteries

Researchers have developed a rechargeable yarn battery that is waterproof and flexible. It also can be cut into pieces and still work.

New 4-D printer could reshape the world we live in

Scientists report that they have developed a powerful printer that could streamline the creation of self-assembling structures that can change shape after being exposed to heat and other stimuli. They say this unique technology could accelerate the use of 4-D printing in aerospace, medicine and other industries.

Solar cells could work come rain or shine

Despite the numerous advances in solar cells, one thing remains constant: cloudy, rainy conditions put a damper on the amount of electricity created. Now researchers reporting have developed hybrid solar cells that can generate power from raindrops.

Patterned graphene onto food, paper, cloth, cardboard

Scientists who introduced laser-induced graphene have enhanced their technique to produce what may become a new class of edible electronics.