Self-healing concrete: Research yields cost-effective system to extend life of structures

Self-healing concrete: Research yields cost-effective system to extend life of structures: "ScienceDaily (May 25, 2010) — Efforts to extend the life of structures and reduce repair costs have led engineers to develop 'smart materials' that have self-healing properties, but many of these new materials are difficult to commercialize. A new self-healing concrete developed and tested by a graduate student at the University of Rhode Island, however, may prove to be cost-effective."

Nondestructive methods for evaluating ancient coins could be worth their weight in gold

Nondestructive methods for evaluating ancient coins could be worth their weight in gold: "Scientists have shown that sensitive nondestructive evaluation (NDE) techniques can be used to determine the elemental composition of ancient coins, even coins that generally have been considered too corroded for such methods."

I-Micronews - NANOMATERIALS : NIST scientists gain new ‘core’ understanding of nanopartic...

I-Micronews - NANOMATERIALS : NIST scientists gain new ‘core’ understanding of nanopartic...: "While attempting to solve one mystery about iron oxide-based nanoparticles, a research team working at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) stumbled upon another one. But once its implications are understood, their discovery* may give nanotechnologists a new and useful tool."

Scientists reveal secret of nanoparticle crystallization in real time

Scientists reveal secret of nanoparticle crystallization in real time: "Using high-resolution X-ray scattering at the Advanced Photon Source (APS), Jiang and the others examined the crystallization process in unprecedented detail as it forms in real time. They discovered that the nanoparticle arrays formed at the liquid-air interface can enter a regime of a highly crystalline phase defined in the classical two-dimensional crystal theory."

Short Sharp Science: Mining garbage for tomorrow's metals

Short Sharp Science: Mining garbage for tomorrow's metals: "As we have reported (here and here), the world is facing looming shortages of ruthenium, and other metals few people have ever heard of - indium, tellurium, selenium, gallium, neodymium and more."

I-Micronews - NANOMATERIALS : Nanotubes that heal: Engineering better orthopedic implants...

I-Micronews - NANOMATERIALS : Nanotubes that heal: Engineering better orthopedic implants...: "Titanium and its alloys have a leg up on all other materials used to make the orthopedic implants used by surgeons to repair damaged bones and joints. They are light, super-strong, and virtually inert inside the body. But whether the implants are destined for your knee, your hip, your spine or your jaw, the silvery metal has one big drawback."Titanium has a mirror surface,” says Tolou Shokufar, a PhD candidate in mechanical engineering–engineering mechanics. Cells don’t adhere to it very well, so implants are often roughened up before they are placed in the body.A good way to roughen titanium is to etch nanotubes into it, since they provide a superb surface for bone cells to grasp onto as part of the healing process."

YouTube - How it's made - Stainless steel ( RO Sub )

YouTube - How it's made - Stainless steel ( RO Sub )

New material can keep electronics cool: Few atomic layers of graphene reveal unique thermal properties

New material can keep electronics cool: Few atomic layers of graphene reveal unique thermal properties: "ScienceDaily (May 10, 2010) — Professor Alexander Balandin and a team of UC Riverside researchers, including Chun Ning Lau, an associate professor of physics, have taken another step toward new technology that could keep laptops and other electronic devices from overheating."

Nanotube transistor will help us bond with machines - tech - 12 May 2010 - New Scientist

Nanotube transistor will help us bond with machines - tech - 12 May 2010 - New Scientist: "A novel transistor controlled by the chemical that provides the energy for our cells' metabolism could be a big step towards making prosthetic devices that can be wired directly into the nervous system."

Making serial parts out of metal powder

Making serial parts out of metal powder: "ScienceDaily (May 8, 2010) — Complex-shaped components in aircraft engines can be produced quickly and at a reasonable price using selective laser melting. This has been demonstrated by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Laser Technology ILT in the EU-sponsored FANTASIA project."

How shape-memory materials remember

How shape-memory materials remember: "By studying the way that composition affects a shape-memory material, and comparing measurements to theoretical calculations, it will be possible to understand what makes the materials work, and allow physicists to develop new and improved varieties shape-changing metals."

Liquid-solid interactions, as never before seen: New technique improves researchers’ ability to measure a key property of material surfaces

Liquid-solid interactions, as never before seen: New technique improves researchers’ ability to measure a key property of material surfaces: "A team of MIT researchers has found a way to obtain images that improves the resolution of wettability measurements by a factor of 10,000 or more, allowing for unprecedented precision in determining the details of the interactions between liquids and solid surfaces. In addition, the new method can be used to study curved, textured or complex solid surfaces,"