Important Innovations

"Artificial Chameleon Skin" Source:  University of Cambridge Big Advance in Nanotechnology to Mimic Nature From scientists at the University of Cambridge in the UK a new innovative material that changes color when exposed to heat or light. The team calls it "artificial chameleon skin" and says it has wide application from active camouflage to large-scale dynamic displays.  The skin is powered by nanomachines.  The scientists say their work represents a big advance in using nanoscale technology to do biomimicry or mimic nature. Dramatic Color Changes The scientific inspiration came from color changing animals like chameleons and in particular their color changing skin cells, chromatophores.  The team essentially created artificial chromatophores by using tiny particles of gold, coating it with a polymer shell and then squeezing it into tiny drops of water in oil.  When exposed to heat or light, the nanoparticles stick together and dramatically change co...

Hong Kong Research Has Big Applications - Telecom, Electronics, Aerospace 4D Printed Origami of The Sydney Opera House by CU of Hong Kong  Researchers at the City University of Hong Kong have just achieved a first. They're able to 4D print ceramics in large sizes with high strength and mechanical robustness.  This tech may have very significant use in telecom, electronics and aerospace. Ceramic Ink The scientists developed a unique "ceramic ink".  It's a mix of polymers and ceramic nanoparticles.  They 3D printed with it and the objects created -"ceramic precursors" - are soft and can be stretched 3 times their shape and size. 4D Reconfiguration Being flexible and stretchable allows for complex shapes such as origami folding. The structures are also mechanically robust and strong.  With heat treatment, they reconfigure into ceramics with complex shapes, making them 4D ceramics, like the (above) image of their Sydney Opera House. The rese...

New Alloy Enables Wearable Computing and Soft Robots Researchers at Oregon State University have developed a unique alloy that can be used for 3D printing of soft robots, stretchable electronics and wearable computing.  It also paves the way for 3D printing of tall, complicated structures. New, 3D Printable Material that's Self-Healing They put nickel nanoparticles into the liquid metal Galinstan which gave it a consistency perfect for 3D printing.  The new material has awesome properties:  good conductivity, low toxicity, inexpensive and self-healing.  It can attach back together at break points. Vision of Soft Robots Walking Out of Printers Liquid metal printing is integral to the flexible electronics field.  The properties contained in this new material enable the creation of a range of emerging technologies such as wearable sensor suits, electrically conductive textiles, wearable computers and soft robots.  In fact, the researchers say they're...