Biodegradable plastics: from product to end-of-life

Korean researchers investigate degradation of commercial materials in soil and seawater

MAXimising the lubricity of shape-memory polymers

Addition of titanium carbide-based materials significantly reduces friction and wear

Silica particles take a crack at rubber fatigue

Researchers from the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) have increased the fatigue threshold of particle-reinforced rubber, developing a new, multiscale approach that allows the material to bear high loads and resist crack growth over repeated use. This approach could not only increase the longevity of rubber products such as tires but also reduce the amount of pollution from rubber particles shed during use. The researchers report their work in a paper in Nature.

Ultrasound waves harden 3D-printed tools for biomedicine

Scientists at Duke University and Harvard Medical School have devised a biocompatible ink that solidifies into different 3D shapes and structures by absorbing ultrasound waves. As the ink responds to sound waves instead of light, it can be used in minimally invasive medicine to print precise structures directly within the body without the need for open surgery. Such structures also include scaffolds for tissue regeneration and micro-scale drug delivery systems for sustained therapy.

Single-step process for integrating 2D materials into devices

An international team of researchers have shown how to safely integrate fragile 2D materials into optical and electronic devices in a breakthrough that could help further the next generation of devices with applications in high-performance computing, sensing, and flexible electronics.

Triboelectric sensors monitor driver behavior

Illustration of the driver training assistance system (DTAS) based on triboelectric sensors (TENGs). (a) Schematic of the driver training assistance system and its components. (b) Structure scheme for the gear shift sensor. (c) Structure scheme for the steering angle sensor. (d) Structure scheme for the pedal sensor.

Safe driving habits are instilled during training. Now researchers have devised a driver training assistance system (DTAS) that employs three triboelectric sensors on the gear shift, steering wheel, and pedals to monitor driving behavior in real time [Zhang et al., Materials Today (2023), http://doi.org/10.1016/j.mattod.2023.11.007].