Universities Australia’s Post

Delighted to share our latest research on #4Dprinting of #PLA-#PBAT-#Fe₃O₄ #nanocomposites! By blending #biodegradable PLA with flexible PBAT, we’ve created a composite that overcomes the brittleness of pure PLA, offering enhanced toughness and flexibility while maintaining #biodegradability. This blend, combined with 10 wt% Fe₃O₄, leads to mechanical improvements, achieving a 16% increase in ultimate tensile strength (UTS) to 35.89 MPa. Our nanocomposites also exhibit rapid #shapememory recovery (up to 100%) under both thermal and #magnetic stimuli, with #recovery times as fast as 3 seconds. The addition of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles provides #multifunctionality, allowing for remote, contactless activation! This work opens the door to exciting applications in biomedical and aerospace devices with remotely controlled actuation features. Full details can be found in the open access paper <https://lnkd.in/eTR3Q9hS> published by Wiley in Macromolecular Rapid Communications Journal. Research Team: Mohammad Amin Yousefi, Davood Rahmatabadi, Majid Baniassadi, Mostafa Baghani, Mahdi Bodaghi

Our latest paper is online at Small. After ~10 years of work on the fabrication of nanostructured surfaces with plasmonic activity and superhydrophobicity, we present a comprehensive review of the field. https://lnkd.in/d4gmsziD

Micro & nano structuring: Did you know that the SLE process can be used to make high-precision molding tools? Due to the high availability of raw materials and environmental compatibility, sodium-based solid-state battery systems make an important contribution to conserving resources and simplifying battery recycling. In the "HENA" project, the Fraunhofer ILT and its partners are working on new battery concepts that are easily scalable. Using the SLE process, we are focusing on the manufacture of glass-based molding tools that are used to functionalize the active material of sodium-based batteries in order to increase their power density. Publication: “Glass Molding Tools Fabricated with Selective Laser-induced Etching for Sustainable Treatment of Solid-State Electrolytes”, Peters C. et.al., DOI: 10.2961/jlmn.2024.01.2014 More micro & nano news: https://lnkd.in/egmiRW4x Christian Peters & Martin Kratz from Fraunhofer ILT are looking forward to your comments or questions! HENA project partners: Forschungszentrum Jülich, Leibniz Institute for Solid State and Materials Research, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Fraunhofer IKTS. Dr. Christian Vedder | Prof. Dr. Arnold Gillner | Prof. Dr. Constantin Haefner | Surface Technology at Fraunhofer ILT #SLE #SelectiveLaserinducedEtching #battery #moldingtool #fraunhoferilt #ilt #microstructuring #laser #surfacetechnology

I'm thrilled to share that our lab has been awarded the Milton Van Dyke Award at the APS DFD Gallery of Fluid Motion 2024! 🎉 Check out our video below! Our work showcases the beauty of science—not just in its visual elegance but in its potential to reshape our understanding of fundamental phenomena and inspire practical applications. 🌟 More than 140 years ago, Lord Rayleigh predicted that charged droplets would emit microdroplets through transient electrosprays upon reaching a critical size. These sprays were later harnessed by John Fenn, who won the Nobel Prize in 2002 for using such sprays in mass spectrometry, revolutionizing analytical chemistry. However, significant challenges remain in utilizing these sprays for broader applications, as they typically require levitation or free-fall setups, which are difficult to control. For the first time, we observed these transient electrosprays directly on a surface. Using a simple experimental setup—conventional micropipetting to produce charged water drops on a thin silicone oil-coated surface—we achieved spontaneous and highly periodic electrospray events driven purely by evaporation, without any external voltage or electric field. Each spray ejects 20-30 microdroplets in microseconds, repeating over 60 cycles in just 30 minutes! This "electrospray-in-a-drop" phenomenon spans multiple length scales (from millimeters to microns) and time scales (minutes to microseconds), and opens new doors for applications like nanoscale material fabrication and electrospray ionization. We’re excited to see how this discovery evolves and hope it inspires new ideas in fluid dynamics, chemistry, material fabrication and beyond! 🔗 Read our preprint: https://lnkd.in/efwsBc4b Congratulations to Fauzia Wardani and Dan Daniel too!🎊 #FluidDynamics #Electrospray #Innovation #APSDFD #MiltonVanDykeAward

Modern adhesives are progressing towards innovative platforms that can provide robust adhesion and readily detach on-demand. The concept of an easy-to-handle tacky resin that can enable switchable bonding strength under an external stimulus, such as light or temperature, is highly desirable for structural materials, product designs, repair and recycling. In our latest publication in Advanced Functional Materials (https://lnkd.in/g98Dt5q2 ), we introduced a reversible adhesive system, based on a red-shifted photocycloaddition reaction. The bonding and debonding can be initiated by visible light and UV light, respectively.  Such reversible adhesion holds potential for advanced applications in soft robotic, sensors, and smart bandages. This fascinating light switchable adhesive technology was developed by our research scientist Dr. Xin Yi Oh, supported by Dr. QUYEN VU THI and our high-achieving student Michelle Yu. Quantum chemical calculations to identify the mechanism and activation-free energies for the photocycloaddition and photodissociation were conducted by our friends and collaborators, the team of Prof. Xiaogang Liu at SUTD.

Yesterday, at the Innovation Day for SMEs hosted by the Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz (BMWK), Fraunhofer IWS scientist Lukas Nitschke had the opportunity to showcase our DLIPµcube. This state-of-the-art equipment is designed for #SurfaceFunctionalization using Direct Laser Interference Patterning (#DLIP). It features the most compact scanner-based direct #Laser interference system currently available for creating periodic surface structures ⚡️.   💡 This cutting-edge technology is particularly impactful in producing multifunctional films through laser-based micro- and nanostructuring of tools for lab-on-chip systems, as impressively demonstrated in the ReMultiMi project (Replicative Manufacturing of Multifunctional Microfluidic Foils).   The project aimed to achieve film multifunctionality independently of their chemical composition by laser-based micro- and nanostructuring of replication tool surfaces, enabling efficient adjustments to hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. To this end, one-step processes using direct laser writing (DLW) and direct laser interference patterning (DLIP) have been developed.   👉🏼 Learn more about the ReMultiMi project: https://lnkd.in/e-Ur3Wwd   #LightAtWork #Biomimicry Coypright image: © Fraunhofer IWS

Breaking particles, homogenization, emulsification, exfoliation or fibrillation can be done with just one Star Burst by changing accessories. Best tool for multitaskers!!

In a groundbreaking achievement, Northwestern University researchers, led by first author Madison Bardot and Professor Will Dichtel, have developed the first-ever 2D mechanically interlocked material. This innovation boasts an extraordinary 100 trillion mechanical bonds per square centimeter—the highest density of mechanical bonds ever achieved! This nanoscale material, inspired by the interlocking links of chainmail, is exceptionally strong and flexible. Its ability to dissipate force in multiple directions without tearing apart holds immense promise for high-performance body armor and beyond. “We made a completely new polymer structure,” says Professor Dichtel. “Its unique mechanical properties open the door to exciting possibilities in lightweight, durable materials.” As the team continue to explore this discovery’s potential, it marks a significant leap forward in material science. #Polymer #MaterialScience #MechanicalBonds #ResearchBreakthrough Learn More: https://lnkd.in/g8NFdF8i

Description: Dive into the fascinating world of nano-ceramic materials and discover how they are transforming modern industries! In this video, we explore: 1️⃣ Automotive: Scratch-resistant and thermal coatings for enhanced durability 2️⃣ Energy Storage: High-performance batteries powering the future 3️⃣ Medical Technology: Advanced prosthetics and implants improving lives 4️⃣ Electronics: Vibrant LED screens and cutting-edge circuits Learn why nano-ceramics outperform traditional ceramics and how they contribute to innovation in material science. Perfect for CSS aspirants studying for the General Science and Ability paper or anyone curious about the future of technology! 📌 Stay tuned for more educational content on science and technology! #NanoCeramics #CeramicMaterials #MaterialScience #AutomotiveTechnology #EnergyStorage #MedicalTechnology #Electronics #Innovation #CSSPreparation #GeneralScience

🌡️ TEMPERATURE CONTROL IN ELECTROSPINNING: THE KEY TO CUSTOMIZED NANOFIBERS 🧪 Nanofiber production through electrospinning is a fine balance of science and precision. Among the many factors influencing the process, ambient temperature stands out as a crucial element in determining fiber morphology, structure, and properties. 🔍 Research Highlights: Low temperatures often hinder fiber formation, leading to droplets instead of fibers. Controlled, elevated temperatures enable finer, uniform fibers by enhancing solvent evaporation and reducing solution viscosity. However, excessive heat can cause defects like beaded fibers or jet instability, emphasizing the importance of precise temperature regulation. Applications ranging from biomedical devices to filtration technologies and energy storage systems demand nanofibers with meticulously controlled properties. Achieving this requires advanced systems capable of maintaining optimal environmental conditions during production. 🔗 Learn more about the role of temperature in electrospinning and explore innovative solutions for precise climate control: https://lnkd.in/dTcfDxP3 #electrospinning #electrospraying, #nanofiber, #inovenso