Metamaterials tagged posts

Researchers use Ultrasound Waves to Move Objects Hands-Free

CSE students Matt Stein, Yujie Luo, and Sam Keller
University of Minnesota Twin Cities researchers have discovered a new method to move objects using ultrasound waves, opening the door for using contactless manipulation in industries such as robotics and manufacturing. In the above image, University of Minnesota students Matthew Stein, Yujie Luo, and Sam Keller interact with an object that has a metamaterial surface. Photo by Olivia Hultgren.

Contactless manipulation method could be used in industries such as robotics and manufacturing,where devices wouldn’t need a built-in power source in order to move.

University of Minnesota Twin Cities researchers have discovered a new method to move objects using ultrasound waves. The study is published in Nature Communications, a peer-reviewed, open-access scientific journal.

While it’s bee...

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Quantum Dots form Ordered Material

Electron microscope images showing two of the ordered structures formed in the experiments. Atoms inside the quantum dots are resolved by the microscope and it can be seen that they are aligned throughout adjacent dots. A model of the device used for the measurement of the electronic properties is shown in the bottom right. The superlattice lies between two electrodes while an ionic gel on top (gate electrode) is used to accumulate carriers in the active material.
Electron microscope images showing two of the ordered structures formed in the experiments. Atoms inside the quantum dots are resolved by the microscope and it can be seen that they are aligned throughout adjacent dots. A model of the device used for the measurement of the electronic properties is shown in the bottom right. The superlattice lies between two electrodes while an ionic gel on top (gate electrode) is used to accumulate carriers in the active material. | Illustration Jacopo Pinna

Finding paves the way for new generation of opto-electronic applications. Quantum dots are clusters of some 1,000 atoms which act as one large ‘super-atom’. It is possible to accurately design the electronic properties of these dots just by changing their size...

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Origami-Inspired materials could Soften the blow for Reusable Spacecraft

Origami shapes (stock image).
Credit: © elettaria / Adobe Stock

Researchers have developed a novel solution to help reduce impact forces – for potential applications in spacecraft, cars and beyond. Space vehicles like SpaceX’s Falcon 9 are designed to be reusable. But this means that, like Olympic gymnasts hoping for a gold medal, they have to stick their landings.

Landing is stressful on a rocket’s legs because they must handle the force from the impact with the landing pad. One way to combat this is to build legs out of materials that absorb some of the force and soften the blow.

University of Washington researchers have developed a novel solution to help reduce impact forces – for potential applications in spacecraft, cars and beyond...

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4D-printed materials can be Stiff as Wood or Soft as Sponge

Rutgers engineers’ unique smart materials change shape as temperatures change. The flexible, lightweight materials could lead to better shock absorption, morphing airplane or drone wings, soft robotics and tiny implantable biomedical devices. Their research is published in the journal Materials Horizons.

3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, turns digital blueprints to physical objects by building them layer by layer. 4D printing is based on this technology, with one big difference: it uses special materials and sophisticated designs to print objects that change shape with environmental conditions such as temperature acting as a trigger, said senior author Howon Lee, an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering...

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