All articles tagged with #polymer
Originally Published 2 months ago — by Nature
Researchers developed a highly impermeable, molecularly stable polymer from two-dimensional polyaramids, characterized by advanced microscopy, spectroscopy, and gas adsorption techniques, demonstrating its potential for barrier applications due to its robust amide bonds and ordered structure.
Originally Published 3 months ago — by Rude Baguette
Scientists have developed a novel polymer capable of maintaining quantum states at room temperature, potentially revolutionizing quantum devices by eliminating the need for ultra-cold environments, with applications in sensors, electronics, and quantum computing, though further optimization is needed.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Phys.org
Scientists have developed a machine learning system that can predict the miscibility of polymers with organic solvents, a crucial step in recycling plastic waste. By integrating data from quantum chemistry calculations and real experiments, the model can accurately determine the compatibility of different polymer-solvent mixtures. This enables the selection and design of solvents for separating specific types of plastics in recycling processes. The model is about 40 times faster than conventional calculations and has the potential to streamline materials development and improve recycling rates. The researchers have made part of the source code and data available to the public to encourage open innovation and crowd-sourcing of data for further improvements.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Phys.org
Researchers at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have developed a polymer pair that can adapt to high and low temperature extremes. The polymers, made with sulfoxide, exhibit different behaviors based on a small structural variation. One polymer becomes insoluble at higher temperatures while the other becomes insoluble at lower temperatures. This discovery opens up possibilities for applications in medicine, protein synthesis, protective coatings, and more. The researchers also found a new mechanism that governs the critical temperature threshold and observed a two-stage thermal behavior in the polymer.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Ars Technica
Researchers at Rice University have developed a drug-delivery system that uses microparticles to release medication in timed delays that can span days or even weeks. The system involves an injection containing hundreds of tiny microplastic particles, each encapsulating a small dose of a drug. By adjusting the molecular weight of the polymer used for each capsule, the scientists can control how fast they erode and release medication. The technology could help patients with chronic illnesses who struggle with dosing adherence and could be particularly useful for elderly patients who are dependent on family members for transportation and may skip appointments.
Originally Published 2 years ago — by Phys.org
Chemists from MIT and Duke University have discovered that adding weaker bonds to polymers can make them stronger. By using a weaker type of crosslinker to join some of the polymer building blocks, the researchers found that they could increase the materials' resistance to tearing up to tenfold. This approach could be used to improve the toughness of other materials, including rubber. The significant advantage of this approach is that it doesn't appear to alter any of the other physical properties of the polymers.