Important Innovations

World's Thinnest Gold UK Invention that's Much More Efficient & Has Wide Applications Researchers at the University of Leeds in the UK have invented the world's thinnest gold.  The significance is that it is ten times more efficient as a catalytic substrate than currently used gold nanoparticles.  It has wide applications including for electronics and medical devices.  For a more detailed news blog, go to Important Innovations Collection: World's Thinnest Gold : Much More Efficient Gold Source: University of Leeds Widespread Applications, Including Electronics & Medical Devices Researchers...

New Metamaterials that Change Shape in 4D May Redefine Robots, Aircraft, Medical Devices Rutgers University Breakthrough Materials Science Scientists at Rutgers University have invented new metamaterials that don't exist in nature.  The 4D printed materials are lightweight, flexible and can shift their shape and structure in response to temperature. The 4th dimension is time.  Experts think this may enable new generations of aircraft, soft robots and small medical devices.  For a great news blog with  more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: Shape Changing Material : 4D Printed Metamaterial Changes Shape When Heated Source:  Rutgers University The 4th Dimension is Time - Breakthrough Materials Scie...

Smart Fabric, Perfect Temperature Source:  University of Maryland  Pioneering Research Leading to Comfort Adjusting Clothing University of Maryland researchers have created the world's first wearable material that automatically adapts its insulating capabilities to changes in its environment.  This is a world first in fabric.  It's been engineered with specially designed yarn coated with conductive metal.  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: Smart Fabric, Perfect Temperature : First Ever Fabric that Automatically Adjusts to Environment Source:  University of Maryland New Temperature Adjusting Fabric This i...

Brand New Material Stronger & 5X Lighter than Titanium Source: University of Pennsylvania Innovated by Scientists at UPENN, U of Illinois & U Cambridge UK Clearly, this is breakthrough Materials Science.  A material developed by this international team that is as strong as titanium, 5-times lighter and for many potential uses, such as aircraft wings, prosthetic legs, batteries and a lot more.  The structure is so light it can float on water and so porous it can be made into a battery.  It's great innovation and for a great news story blog on it, go to Important Innovations Collection: Metallic Wood Strong as Titanium : New Material Developed by UPenn , U of Cambridge UK & International Team Source:  University of Pennsylvania Brand New Material ...

Innovation to Increase Jet Fuel Efficiency Photo:  Courtesy of Texas A&M Potential to Reduce the Cost of Flying Texas A&M scientists have developed a group of new, smart materials that could significantly improve the efficiency of fuel burn in jet engines.  That has the potential of cutting the cost of flying. Brand New Materials with Great Potential The materials could also reduce airplane noise over residential areas.  Scientists say there are additional applications in a variety of other industries.  They believe they are just scratching the surface of something new that could enable brand new technologies and brand new scientific research.  The lead researcher is Dr. Ibrahim Karaman, Chevron Professor and head of the university's Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering. Smart Metals Changing Shape The Texas A&M team brought together 2 new areas of materials science involving metal alloys which are metals composed of 2 or mor...

Brand New Material thru New Tech Treatment Process  University of Maryland Engineers and Their Breakthrough Wood  Researchers at the University of Maryland have produced a type of wood that's as tough and strong as steel. And, it's inexpensive.  The wood is 12 times stronger than natural wood and 10 times tougher.  It's a strong competitor to steel.  A new tech treatment process developed by UMD engineers created this brand new material. Super Wood Steel Replacement This treated wood can replace steel and titanium alloys.  It's comparable to carbon fiber but much less expensive. The potential uses are big and commercial scale. For Buildings, Cars and Airplanes The engineers say this natural wood substance is strong and tough enough to construct cars, airplanes and buildings.  It's as strong as steel but 6 times lighter.  The wood takes 10 times more energy to fracture than natural wood.  And it can be bent and molded at the beginn...