American Chemical Society

Butterfly wings inspire new solar technologies

Engineers have invented tiny structures inspired by butterfly wings that open the door to new solar cell technologies and other applications requiring precise manipulation of light.

Graphene-nanotube hybrid boosts lithium metal batteries

Scientists have created a rechargeable lithium metal battery with three times the capacity of commercial lithium-ion batteries by resolving something that has long stumped researchers: the dendrite problem.

AI to accelerate drug discovery for aging and age-associated diseases

The Chief Science Officer of the Biogerontology Research Foundation (BGRF) has presented new research on artificial intelligence for drug discovery.

Guts and glory for smart pills

Researchers have successfully completed phase one human trials of ingestible capsules that have the potential to revolutionise the prevention and diagnosis of gut disorders and diseases.

3D printable implants may ease damaged knees

A cartilage-mimicking material created by researchers at Duke University may one day allow surgeons to 3-D print replacement knee parts that are custom-shaped to each patient's anatomy.

Synthetic two-sided gecko's foot could enable underwater robotics

Scientists have created a double-sided adhesive that copies a gecko's ability to stick and unstick to surfaces even in wet conditions. They say their development could be useful in underwater robotics, sensors and other bionic devices.

Art of paper-cutting inspires self-charging paper device

Researchers, reporting in the journal ACS Nano, have developed a light-weight, paper-based device inspired by the Chinese and Japanese arts of paper-cutting that can harvest and store energy from body movements.

Bio-sensing contact lens could someday measure bodily functions

Scientists say the bio-sensing lenses, based on technology that led to the development of smartphones with more vivid displays, also could potentially be used to track drug use or serve as an early detection system for cancer and other serious medical conditions.

A 'bionic leaf' could help feed the world

The artificial leaf is a device that, when exposed to sunlight, mimics a natural leaf by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen.

3D printing bacteria creates materials in a novel way

A team of researchers has developed a means for 3D printing a gel containing bacteria onto a base to create materials in a novel way.

Lab-on-a-glove could bring nerve-agent detection to your fingertips

The new wearable, flexible glove biosensor carries out the sampling and electrochemical biosensing steps on different fingers, with the thumb finger used for collecting the nerve-agent residues and an enzyme immobilized on the index finger.

Worm-inspired material for soft robotics

A new material that naturally adapts to changing environments was inspired by the strength, stability, and mechanical performance of the jaw of a marine worm.

Scalable 100% yield production of conductive graphene inks

Conductive inks based on graphene and layered materials are key for low-cost manufacturing of flexible electronics, novel energy solutions, composites and coatings. A new method for liquid-phase exfoliation of graphite paves the way for scalable production.

Stabilising energy storage

Because the sun doesn't always shine, solar utilities need a way to store extra charge for a rainy day. The same goes for wind power facilities, since the wind doesn't always blow. To take full advantage of renewable energy, electrical grids need large batteries that can store the power coming from wind and solar installations until it is needed.

Is a stretchable smart tablet in our future?

Engineering researchers have developed the first stretchable integrated circuit that is made entirely using an inkjet printer, raising the possibility of inexpensive mass production of smart fabric.

Making sodium-ion batteries that last

Lithium-ion batteries have become essential in everyday technology. But these power sources can explode under certain circumstances and are not ideal for grid-scale energy storage. Sodium-ion batteries are potentially a safer and less expensive alternative, but current versions don't last long enough yet for practical use.

Squishy supercapacitors bathed in green tea could power wearables

Wearable electronics are here — the most prominent versions are sold in the form of watches or sports bands. But soon, more comfortable products could become available in softer materials made in part with an unexpected ingredient: green tea.

Long-lasting flow battery could run for more than a decade

Researchers have developed a new flow battery that stores energy in organic molecules dissolved in neutral pH water. This new chemistry allows for a non-toxic, non-corrosive battery with an exceptionally long lifetime and offers the potential to significantly decrease the costs of production.

Nanowire 'inks' enable paper-based printable electronics

By suspending tiny metal nanoparticles in liquids, scientists are brewing up conductive ink-jet printer "inks" to print inexpensive, customizable circuit patterns on just about any surface.

Method takes material out of theory and makes it into a real electrode

A little sodium goes a long way. At least that's the case in carbon-based energy technology.