Category Physics

Jan Genzer et al. Sequential Self-folding of Polymer Sheets. Science Advances, March 2017 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1602417

Inspired by origami, North Carolina State University researchers have found a way to remotely control the order in which a 2D sheet folds itself into a 3D structure. “The sequence of folding is important in life as well as in technology,” says Genzer, the S. Frank and Doris Culberson Distinguished Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engin

eering at NC State. “On small length scales, sequential folding via molecular machinery enables DNA to pack efficiently into chromosomes and assists proteins to adopt a functional conformation. On large length scales, sequential folding via motors helps solar panels in satellites and space shuttles unfold in space...

The team’s nanocones (scanning electron microscope image, (a)) were inspired by the nanotexture found on cicada wings (atomic force microscopy image, (b)). The middle plot (c) shows that the nanocones (red squares) are far less adhesive to warm water than the nanocylinders (blue circles). Because of the nanocone geometry, water droplets beneath a large drop can be reabsorbed (d) and small droplets condensing in cones can reconfigure at the top of the cones (e). Credit: Nature Materials

Nanotextures inspired by cone-shaped structures on cicada wings could inform new designs for materials prone to fogging, such as car and aircraft windshields. Several years ago, scientists at the U.S...

Nanoclusters of magnesium oxide sandwiched between layers of graphene make a compound with unique electronic and optical properties, according to researchers at Rice University who made computer simulations of the material. Credit: Lei Tao/Rice University

Rice University researchers simulate 2D hybrids for optoelectronics. Rice University researchers have modeled a nanoscale sandwich, the first in what they hope will become a molecular deli for materials scientists. They put 2 slices of atom-thick graphene around nanoclusters of magnesium oxide that give the super-strong, conductive material expanded optoelectronic properties.

Rice materials scientist Rouzbeh Shahsavari and his colleagues built computer simulations of the compound and found it would offer features suitable for sensitive mo...

This is an image of the change in luminescence colors of MCL materials. Credit: Youhei Takeda

Mechanochromic luminescent (MCL) materials change their color in response to a change in their environment, like pressure and temperature. To date, most MCL materials only change between 2 colors, limiting their applications. The international research team comprising of chemists at Osaka University and physicists at Durham University has developed tricolor-changing MLC materials. Not only that, the developed materials exhibited efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) and allowed high performance organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) devices.

“Most MCL materials generate 2 colors by switching between a stable state and one metastable state...