Graphene Oxide Paper is One Atom Thick

Researchers at Northwestern University have fabricated a new type of paper that they hope will create a revolution. This remarkably stiff and strong yet lightweight material should find use in a wide variety of applications. The stiffness and strength should be superior to all other materials, with the possible exception of diamond. In a paper published July 26 in the journal Nature, researchers led by Rod Ruoff, Professor of Nanoengineering in the Robert R. McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science, report on the development of "graphene oxide paper." Ruoff’s research team was the first to develop graphene-based composite materials, which was reported in Nature last year. Graphene -- a sheet of carbon only one atom thick -- has the potential to serve as the basis of an entirely new class of materials.

Alcoa Wins R&D 100 Award for New Lightweight Alloy

Alcoa announced today that a team of its research scientists and engineers has received an R&D 100 Award for the development of a new generation of aluminum-lithium alloys for the aerospace industry. The R&D 100 Awards are given annually in recognition of the world's most significant technological innovations. "Alcoa's investment in science and technology has historically set our company apart," said Dr. Mohammad A. Zaidi, executive vice president, Market Strategy, Technology & Quality. "I congratulate our dedicated team for a job well done. Alcoa's investment and commitment to research and development, spurred by the needs of our customers, has enabled our innovative technical community to bring to highly-valued new products and processes to the marketplace."

Spider Gear - Synthetic Spider Silk Tougher Than Steel

Scientists are working on turning synthetic spider silk into high-performance athletic wear and even lightweight body armor. The black widow is known for its deadly venom, but the spider's silk may one day save lives. Harnessing its power could lead to new bulletproof vests and super strong ropes.

Sidel launches UltraLight NoBottle PET Water Bottle

Sidel, a world-wide supplier for Coca-Cola and PepsiCo has developed the lightest PET bottle yet for water (9.9 g per 500 ml bottle). Producing a 500 ml bottle weighing less than 10 g is an impressive technical achievement. Sidel looked at the entire manufacturing process, from blow molding to palletizing, to propose a simple solution to customers that could be tailored to their needs. After a year in development to maximize shelf appeal and minimize environmental impact, the new design is dubbed NoBottle.