Functional Materials– category –
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Advanced Nanofluids, PCMs, and Flexible TEGs Revolutionize Thermal Energy Storage for Renewable Integration and Grid Stability
Cleantech Group (Facebook) USA Overview Innovations in thermal energy storage (TES) are rapidly advancing, focusing on optimizing renewable power utilization and ensuring grid stability. Key developments include advanced nanofluids for e... -
MIT’s CrysVCD Framework Achieves 70% Stable Material Design with AI, Halving Computational Costs
MIT News USA Overview MIT researchers have unveiled CrysVCD, an AI-driven framework that integrates diffusion and language models to accelerate stable material design, significantly reducing computational costs. The system achieves chemi... -
Novel Microwave Metamaterial Biosensor Shows Promise for Label-Free Blood Analysis, Enabling Rapid Biomarker Screening
AZoM.com Australia Overview A new microwave metamaterial biosensor has achieved high simulated sensitivity for label-free analysis of biological-equivalent media. This compact microstrip sensor detects changes in dielectric properties, s... -
Discovery of Hexanitrogen (N₆) Expands Chemical Bonding Limits, Unveils New Concept for Carbon-Free Energy Storage
Falling Walls Foundation Germany Overview The discovery of hexanitrogen (N₆) expands the limits of chemical bonding and offers a new concept for carbon-free energy storage. Converting high-energy nitrogen allotropes to N₂ releases substa... -
Atomic Electron Tomography Reveals Intermediate States and Multiple Pathways in High-Entropy Alloy Crystal Nucleation, Challenging Classical Theory
EurekAlert! USA Overview A new study utilized atomic electron tomography to provide a detailed view of crystal nucleation and growth in high- and medium-entropy alloys. Published in Nature Materials, these findings challenge classical de... -
A&B Smart Materials Develops Biodegradable SAPs from Cellulose and Starch to Replace Microplastics, Secures Pre-Seed Funding to Target $17 Billion Market
HEC Paris UK Overview Oxford-based deeptech startup A&B Smart Materials is developing bio-based, fully biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) from cellulose and starch. These materials aim to replace fossil-based SAPs in hygien... -
MIT Reverse-Engineers 2000-Year-Old Roman Concrete to Create Modern Self-Healing Building Material
The Debrief USA Overview MIT researchers, led by Associate Professor Admir Masic, are reverse-engineering ancient Roman concrete to develop modern self-healing building materials. They discovered that calcium-rich 'lime clasts' in Roman ... -
South Korean Startup Atommer Secures Seed Funding from LG Electronics and Bluepoint Partners for Asset-Light Materials Platform, Targeting Ultra-Thin Thermal Barrier Coatings for Battery Safety
WOWTALE South Korea Overview South Korean startup Atommer, specializing in functional materials, secured seed funding from LG Electronics and Bluepoint Partners. Utilizing a 'fabless' model, Atommer focuses on core material design and ou... -
Fraunhofer IWS Develops Ultra-Thick (Up to 100 µm) Wear-Resistant ta-C Coatings via Laser-Arc Plasma Filter Technology
Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkstoff- und Strahltechnik IWS Germany Overview Researchers at Fraunhofer IWS have achieved a breakthrough in developing extremely wear-resistant and low-friction tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) coatings. Th... -
Thermal Engineering Breakthroughs Tackle Extreme Heat in Next-Gen AI Chips & EV Batteries with Graphene PCMs, Liquid Cooling, and AI Systems
ScienceTimes USA Overview Thermal engineering advancements in 2026 are focused on managing extreme heat in AI chips and EV batteries. Key solutions include liquid cooling, phase-change materials (PCMs), vapor chambers, and AI-driven ther...
