Materials Science

  1. Chemistry

    Specially coated fabric could turn a shirt into a shield

    Specially treated fabrics offer a new kind of defense against chemical attacks. It could protect troops — and people living in war-torn nations where chemical weapons may be used.

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  2. Materials Science

    Vinegar dissolves new electronics when they’re no longer needed

    Now you see it, now you don't. A new lightweight, low-cost technology disintegrates in kitchen vinegar.

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  3. Space

    Robot grippers imitate gecko feet to help nab space junk

    NASA is testing robotic, gecko-inspired gripper hands that might one day help clean up space junk.

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  4. Chemistry

    New ‘magnet’ pulls pesky nonstick pollutants from drinking water

    Chemicals that help make pans nonstick can themselves stick around forever in the environment. But a new material can remove them from drinking water.

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  5. Tech

    Teen’s invention could help light up bikes at night

    A teen researcher from Georgia has developed a light that could replace reflectors on bike wheels. Flexing tires provide all the power it needs.

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  6. Tech

    A better way to stop a bullet?

    A teen researcher's tests suggest that fabric body armor might stop bullets better if it were woven using a three-fiber, triangular mesh instead of the typical two-fiber-mesh configuration.

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  7. Materials Science

    Nanowires made from silver are super stretchy

    When silver nanowires stretch slowly, atoms on their surface can spread to heal weak spots. The discovery could lead to more flexible electronics.

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  8. Climate

    Cool Jobs: Head in the clouds

    What do a microbiologist, an atmospheric scientist and a materials engineer have in common? They’ve all got their heads in the clouds.

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  9. Animals

    Frog’s gift of grab comes from saliva and squishy tissue

    What puts the grip in a frog’s high-speed strike? Quick-change saliva and a super-soft tongue, scientists find.

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  10. Physics

    Explainer: How batteries and capacitors differ

    Both batteries and capacitors can power electronic devices. Each, however, has different properties which may provide benefits — or limitations.

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  11. Computing

    LEDs offer new way to kill germs in water

    Growing ultraviolet-light-emitting diodes on thin, flexible sheets of metal holds promise for water disinfection and other applications.

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  12. Materials Science

    3-D printers offer better way to make some magnets

    3-D printers produced magnets as strong as conventional ones with less material wasted.

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