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.

Crystalline materials enable high-speed electronic function in optical fibers
Scientists at the University of Southampton, in collaboration with Penn State University have, for the first time, embedded the high level of performance normally associated with chip-based semiconductors into an optical fiber, creating high-speed optoelectronic function. [More]

 

Materials for first optical fibers with high-speed electronic function are de...
For the first time, researchers have developed crystalline materials that allow an optical fiber to have integrated, high-speed electronic functions. The potential applications of such optical fibers include improved telecommunications and other hybrid optical and electronic technologies, improved laser technology, and more-accurate remote-sensing devices. [More]

 

Momentive Performance Materials Technology Featured in Science Magazine
An article about new iron hydrosilylation technology developed through collaboration between scientists at Momentive Performance Materials Inc. and researchers from Cornell and Princeton Universities will be featured in the February 3, 2012 issue of Science magazine. [More]

 

Research and Markets: Material and Manufacturing Technology II: selected pape...
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the "Material and Manufacturing Technology II" report to t [More]

 

Research and Markets: The Global Market for Nanomaterials 2002-2016: Producti...
Research and Markets (www.researchandmarkets.com/research/a2dcd2/the_global_market) has announced the addition of the "The Global Market for Nanomaterials 2002-2016: Production Volumes, Revenues and E... [More]

 

A framework for sourcing nanomaterials for food and food packaging
As You Sow, a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental and social corporate responsibility through shareholder advocacy, coalition building, and innovative legal strategies, has developed a framework on sourcing nanomaterials for food and food packaging. The Framework highlights what companies should ask their suppliers regarding the safety of nano-enhanced food products and packaging. [More]

 

Atomic layer deposition of nanostructured materials for energy and environmen...
A new progress report discusses the versatility of the atomic layer deposition technique for the fabrication of novel functional materials. [More]