Biomaterials

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Piezo-rubber harvests electricity from body movements

Piezo-rubber harvests electricity from body movements

Princeton engineers have recently reported their success at making flexible, biocompatible rubber films for use in implantable or wearable energy harvesting systems. The material could be conceivably be used, for instance, to harvest energy from lungs and use it to run pacemakers without the need for batteries.

Water may not run uphill, but it practically flies off new surface

Water may not run uphill, but it practically flies off new surface

Engineering researchers at the Univ. of Florida have crafted a flat surface that refuses to get wet. Water droplets skitter across it like ball bearings tossed on ice. They say they it is a nearly perfect hydrophobic surface, but not because the structure they have invented is "perfect".

Synthetic gene-like crystals created for carbon dioxide capture

Synthetic gene-like crystals created for carbon dioxide capture

UCLA chemists report creating a synthetic "gene" that could capture heat-trapping carbon dioxide emissions, which contribute to global warming, rising sea levels, and the increased acidity of oceans.

Nanoscopic material enables cartilage to do what it doesn’t do naturally

Nanoscopic material enables cartilage to do what it doesn’t do naturally

Northwestern Univ. researchers are the first to design a bioactive nanomaterial that promotes the growth of new cartilage in vivo and without the use of expensive growth factors. Minimally invasive, the therapy activates the bone marrow stem cells and produces natural cartilage. No conventional therapy can do this.

Self-healing polymers could prolong lifetime of automotive oils

Researchers have created self-healing polymers that could extend the lifetime of automotive oils. These polymers are suitable to add to lubricants and could maintain the physical properties of engine oils for longer, helping engine efficiency. Biological materials, such as skin, self heal following damage giving inspiration for these new materials.

Scientists create super-strong collagen

A team of University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers has created the strongest form of collagen known to science, a stable alternative to human collagen that could one day be used to treat arthritis and other conditions that result from collagen defects.

Nanoengineering discovery could lead to enhanced electronics

Nanoengineering discovery could lead to enhanced electronics

Nanoscience has the potential to play an enormous role in enhancing a range of products. Scientists in this field have created a multitude of nano scale materials. However, despite their appeal, it has remained an astounding challenge to engineer the orientation and placement of these materials into the desired device architectures that are reproducible in high yields and at low costs, until now. A team of researchers from UC San Diego, have discovered that one way to bridge this gap is to use biomolecules.

Examining Diabetes Through a New Lens

Diabetics may soon be able to wear contact lenses that continuously alert them to variations in their glucose levels by changing colours - replacing the need to routinely draw blood throughout the day...

Bioengineered materials promote the growth of functional vasculature

Bioengineered materials promote the growth of functional vasculature

Regenerative medicine therapies often require the growth of functional, stable blood vessels at the site of an injury. Using synthetic polymers called hydrogels, researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology have been able to induce significant vasculature growth in areas of damaged tissue.

Bacteria is put to work turning microgears

Bacteria is put to work turning microgears

Why rely on electricity when bacteria will do the job with oxygen? Scientists at Argonne Lab and Northwestern University have harnessed a certain type of aerobic bacteria that, swimming in groups of several hundred, predictably turn toothed microgears in solution.

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Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

Lunar tires, space MRSA, and resonating microfluidics

I typically attend the annual Pittsburgh Conference on Analytical Chemistry and Applied Spectroscopy each year in pursuit of specific coverage. This year, I sought out candidates for coverage in a vacuum technology article, and pulled together some instruments for a spectroscopy guide. But as busy as that kept me, it wasn’t all mass spectrometers and vacuum pumps on the show floor.  

A clean energy America…is it coming or not?

A clean energy America…is it coming or not?

Almost a year ago, the buzz during the downturn was that the economic stimulus will help boost jobs in a sort of national improvement program reminiscent of the 1930s. Our coal would be phased out. Our grids would get smart. Our cars would get hybridized.

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NuGard Coating Ashburn Hill

NuGard Coating Ashburn Hill

NuGard First Response Protective Clothing are lightweight coveralls, jackets, and pants that provide protection from heat and flame while keeping the wearers body temperature constant.

Multi-Touch Music Maker

Multi-Touch Music Maker

Professor David Wessel shows his multi-touch interface that uses computer technologies that allow him to experiment with fine controls to "caress" the instrument.

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Submersible FlowCAM catches particle images and data in-situ and real-time
Submersible FlowCAM catches particle images and data in-situ and real-time

Fluid Imaging Technologies recently introduced its Submersible FlowCAM particle and cell imaging and analysis system at Ocean Sciences 2010 in Portland, Ore. The remote sensing platform can be used for continuous, unattended monitoring tethered to research vessels or autonomous submersibles.

Daytime running light has just two LEDs

The new OSTAR Compact LED from OSRAM has been developed specifically for use in vehicle headlights. Despite drawing just 5 W, the device provides 300 lumens of power and meets ECE/SAE color binning requirements for use on motor vehicles.

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High pressure fittings
High pressure fittings

VICI Valco’s 360 µm High Pressure Fitting design permits direct connection of 360 micron OD fused silica, PEEK, stainless, or electroformed nickel tubing without having to use liners.

Ultra-smooth flow chemistry pump

Syrris launched its new Asia Syringe Pump. Designed for flow chemistry, the Asia Pump is rated to 20 bar (300 psi) and highly chemically resistant using PTFE (and other fluorinated polymers) and glass.

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