New mesh could prevent recurring shoulder injuries
September 12th, 2022
An experimental graphene-infused mesh has been designed that could help prevent a recurrence of a rotator cuff injury. The University of Connecticut's Dr. Cato Laurencin says that surgical repairs are often only a short-term solution. "The real problem is that the muscle degenerates and accumulates fat," he says. "With a tear, the muscle shrinks, and […]
Flexible photovoltaics
October 25th, 2021
Graphene is being used in new flexible photovoltaic technologies. President Biden’s climate agenda includes support for solar energy. by Seshadri Ramkumar The climate change issue is front and center on today’s political stage. The massive budget bill proposed by President Biden includes a climate agenda, which has also thrown a spotlight on the subject. In […]
Huvis mass produces graphene fiber
April 26th, 2021
The graphene fiber developed by Huvis uses high-purity graphene. As it is produced in white, it can be dyed in various colors. Photo: Huvis. South Korean fiber producer Huvis has begun to mass produce a dyeable graphene fiber. Until now, high-purity graphene fiber has been possible only in the research phase, and most of the […]
What’s new in ballistic materials
January 11th, 2021
Blast wave and fragments require a different kind of protection. Photo: Medium.com. The next leap in these protective technologies is on the horizon. by Debra Cobb For the past few decades, para-aramid fibers and UHMWPEs (ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene) have been the standard bearers in ballistic textiles. But the changing nature of warfare and the need […]
Graphene may enhance smart fabric viability
January 2nd, 2019
A team at the University of Exeter’s engineering department has developed a new technique that may make incorporating electronic fibers into clothing an everyday manufacturing occurrence. It’s anticipated that graphene, known as the thinnest material on the planet, could make that possible. By weaving graphene-based fibers directly into the fabric, researches are eliminating the need […]
Enhanced silk as strong as carbon fiber developed
October 5th, 2017
Scientists led by Nicola Pugno at Italy's University of Trento have combined spider silk with graphene and carbon nanotubes, producing a composite material five times stronger. Innovation Textiles reports that silk incorporating graphene and carbon nanotubes is produced by spider spinning, after feeding spiders with water containing the nanotubes. Although only produced on a small […]
Solar-powered “skin” developed
April 7th, 2017
A new way of harnessing the sun’s rays to power synthetic “skin” could help create advanced prosthetic limbs capable of returning the sense of touch to amputees. According to a report in Energy Harvesting Journal, engineers from the University of Glasgow have already employed graphene in an electronic covering for prosthetic hands; now those engineers […]
Nature mimicked in new graphene material
January 20th, 2017
Graphene is thought to be the strongest 2-D material on earth. Recently a research team at MIT used heat and pressure to compress flakes of graphene to create a new 3-D material. The new material has 5 percent the density of steel but 10 times the strength. The process produced a form similar to corals […]
Stronger possibilities
January 20th, 2017
Carbon nanofibers and graphene can play a role in constructing Space habitats using robotics. The use of robotically-assisted additive manufacturing involving a mixture of carbon nanofibers, graphene and other polymer nanocomposites will allow the construction of lightweight and impervious sealant barriers, ultra-strong supports, airlocks and even bulkheads for future Space habitats and colonies within dormant […]
Girl’s bandage breakthrough wins $15,000
October 7th, 2016
Anushka Naiknaware, a seventh-grader from Beaverton, Ore., finished in the top eight in an international science contest run by Google for her invention: a bandage that can tell doctors when it needs to be changed, thus speeding healing. According to a report in the Oregonian, Naiknaware’s bandage is embedded with extremely small monitors that let medical […]