materials science and engineering

Jun 8, 2026

Van der Waals Forces Can Play Unexpected Role in Thin Film Properties

Researchers have demonstrated the ability to use van der Waals forces to tune the physical and electronic properties of ferroelectric thin films. 

Nov 14, 2025

Research Round Up: Responsive Materials 

NC State University leads the development of responsive materials engineered to sense and react to stimuli in exciting, innovative ways. Remarkably versatile, these advanced materials can harvest energy from friction, self-repair structural damage, assemble themselves into electronic devices — and more. 

Oct 28, 2025

Replacing Toxic Lubricants in Farming

An all-new kind of solid lubricant could work better than the leading commercially available alternatives at preventing jams in seed spreaders — and be safer for the environment. 

Oct 8, 2025

Designing Polymers for Use in Next-Generation Bioelectronics

New research offers insights into how to fine-tune the electronic properties of polymers for use in applications such as implantable electronics and light-harvesting technologies. 

Oct 7, 2025

Engineers Develop Solid Lubricant to Replace Toxic Materials in Farming

Farm equipment used to plant seeds relies on solid lubricants, but existing solid lubricants pose toxicity concerns. Researchers have created a new lubricant that works better and is nontoxic. 

Aug 21, 2025

Researchers Demonstrate New Technique for Controlling Phase Boundaries in Thin Films

The technique allows researchers to engineer new energy storage materials that do not rely on toxic elements. 

Aug 20, 2025

Researchers Make Better Magnets – at a Lower Cost

The new technique for manufacturing strong magnetic materials improves the quality of the magnets, produces the magnets quickly, uses less energy and is less expensive. 

Jul 28, 2025

New Spectrometer Is Small Enough to Fit on Your Phone

The technology makes it possible to create portable, hand-held spectroscopy devices. 

Jun 11, 2025

Researchers Create New Way to Remove Phosphorus from Contaminated Water

Researchers have created an inexpensive material that can filter phosphorus from contaminated surface waters, drinking water supplies or wastewater streams and reuse the phosphorus for agricultural applications. 

May 28, 2025

Solitonic Superfluorescence Paves Way for High-Temperature Quantum Materials

A new study describes both the mechanism and the material conditions necessary for superfluorescence at room temperature. 

May 19, 2025

Advances Bring Us Closer to New ‘Light-Squeezing’ Technologies

Researchers have improved upon techniques that use thin films to compress infrared light, demonstrating three advantages that make the films more useful for practical applications. 

Dec 6, 2024

Magnetically Controlled Kirigami Surfaces Move Objects: No Grasping Needed

The new technology is useful for lifting and moving items that cannot be easily grasped, such as fragile objects, gels or liquids. 

Dec 2, 2024

Researchers Demonstrate Self-Assembling Electronics

The proof-of-concept work was used to create diodes and transistors, and paves the way for self-assembling more complex electronic devices. 

Nov 12, 2024

Machine Learning Predicts Highest-Risk Groundwater Sites to Improve Water Quality Monitoring

The new tool allows regulators and public health authorities to prioritize specific aquifers for water quality testing. 

Oct 30, 2024

Linking Energy Loss to Interfaces in Organic Solar Cells Could Make Them Much More Efficient

A new study provides a deeper understanding of what is happening in organic solar cells when light is converted into electricity.