A smart polymer developed by UC San Diego scientists can disassemble when hit by low-power near-infrared light, opening the door to new imaging techniques. (Image courtesy of American Chemical Society ...

At the heart of the breakthrough lies the study of naphthalene diimide (NDI)—an amphiphilic organic molecule known for its ability to self-organize in aqueous environments.

Smart materials are characterized by the capability to change properties in response to environmental changes or external stimuli. They can be tailored to have controlled interactions with biological ...

A surprising property of rice has inspired the creation of a new class of engineered materials. Rice behaves in an unexpected way under pressure. When compressed quickly, it becomes weaker, but under ...

Despite the prevalence of synthetic materials across different industries and scientific fields, most are developed to serve a limited set of functions. To address this inflexibility, researchers at ...

(Nanowerk Spotlight) Living organisms utilize sophisticated chemical signaling to share information, locate mates, and defend territories. Harnessing similar abilities could revolutionize robotic ...

Researchers at UC Santa Barbara and TU Dresden are blurring the lines between robotics and materials, with a proof-of-concept material-like collective of robots with behaviors inspired by biology. “We ...

Understanding smart materials is vital for advancing adaptable technologies, forming the foundation for breakthroughs in robotics, automation, and biomedical devices. This area of study explores the ...

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Despite the prevalence of synthetic materials across different industries and scientific fields, most are developed to serve a limited set of functions. To address this ...

Early smart materials were typically amorphous polymers, hydrogels, or liquid crystalline systems with randomly distributed responsive groups, which limited response speed, energy efficiency, and the ...

Researchers are blurring the lines between robotics and materials, with a proof-of-concept material-like collective of robots with behaviors inspired by biology. Researchers at UC Santa Barbara and TU ...