Plastic, rubber, and many other useful materials are made of polymers—long chains arranged in a cross-linked network. At the molecular level, these polymer networks contain structural flaws that weaken them.
Polymers
Apr 24, 2017
0
12
A polymer gel consists of a three-dimensional cross-linked polymer network swollen with liquid molecules. However, most conventional polymer gels are brittle because stress concentration readily occurs in their cross-linked ...
Polymers
Dec 1, 2016
0
5
(Phys.org) —Hydrogels can reversibly change their size and shape under different conditions. This property makes them attractive for a wide variety of applications, including artificial muscles, drug delivery, and sensors. ...
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new technique for creating devices out of a water-based hydrogel material that can be patterned, folded and used to manipulate objects. The technique holds ...
Materials Science
Aug 2, 2013
1
0
Scientists from Imperial College London, working at the Institut Laue-Langevin, have presented a new way of positioning nanoparticles in plastics, with important applications in the production of coatings and photovoltaic ...
Nanomaterials
Mar 1, 2013
0
0
Tiny particles of titanium dioxide are found as key ingredients in wall paints, sunscreens, and toothpaste; they act as reflectors of light or as abrasives. However with decreasing particle size and a corresponding change ...
Nanomaterials
Feb 21, 2013
0
0
(Phys.org)—Irradiation with light is an established method for initiating polymerization or crosslinking (curing) in the production of plastics. American researchers are now using light to retroactively increase the size ...
Polymers
Feb 6, 2013
0
0
How to be more resourceful is a dilemma facing us all as we strive to reduce, reuse, recycle and substitute. Now an EU project is focusing on the latter with the substitution of critical raw materials.
Energy & Green Tech
Dec 19, 2012
0
0
Many of the objects we encounter are made of polymers—long chains of repeating molecules. Networks of polymers form manmade materials such as plastics, as well as natural products such as rubber and cellulose.
Polymers
Nov 6, 2012
0
0
(Phys.org) -- For the first time, scientists have identified how a plant's skin is assembled.
Biotechnology
May 22, 2012
0
0
