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

🌐 Meet the SG100: Pushing the Boundaries of Electrospinning Research! 🌐 At Spingenix, we’re excited to introduce the SG100 Expert-Level Electrospinning System—the ultimate solution for advanced nanofiber research. Designed with versatility, precision, and modularity in mind, the SG100 opens up new possibilities in material science and nanotechnology. Here’s why the SG100 stands out: 🔹 Reconfigurable & Modular: Tailor your setup for a wide range of experiments, from coaxial and bicomponent electrospinning to dual and multi-nozzle setups. 🔹 Climate Control: Ensure consistent, repeatable results with integrated humidity and temperature control—no more seasonal interference! 🔹 Flexibility to Grow: Choose from a large variety of upgrades to keep up with your evolving research needs. 🔹 Comprehensive Support: From on-site installation and training to scientific support and extensive documentation, we’re committed to your success. Plus, we provide starting recipes and strong after-sales support to keep your experiments on track. The SG100 is more than just a machine; it’s a complete electrospinning solution designed to accelerate research and innovation. Reach out to learn how the SG100 can transform your lab’s capabilities. #Electrospinning #Nanotechnology #Innovation #ResearchExcellence #SpingenixSG100 #AdvancedMaterials

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

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

Shuailong Zhang and Mohamed Elsayed from the Prof. Aaron Wheeler's lab at the University of Toronto have utilized Mightex’s #Polygon1000 to examine how light pattern thickness affects the control of dielectric microparticles through optoelectronic tweezers (OET). Their study found that by adjusting the thickness of light patterns, the movement of microparticles can be significantly influenced. Thicker light patterns were shown to increase the force on particles, although beyond a certain point, this effect tapers off. This research underscores the adaptability of OET technology for various applications, including bio-analyte manipulation and microrobotics. The Mightex #Polygon1000 remains an essential tool for advancing these studies. 👉 Explore the full study here: https://lnkd.in/djEqeeHD 📅 Join us at #MicroTAS 2024 in Montreal from October 13-17. Visit us at Booth # 10 to discuss recent developments—we’re looking forward to connecting with you!

Gain insight into how nanotech is able to use your body’s own energy supply to fuel the process of building polymer structures within your blood.

Ultrafast amplifiers are at the forefront of laser technology, enabling advancements in areas like scientific research and industrial processing. This comprehensive article examines how these systems function, their design, and their significance in various applications. Full analysis available here: https://lnkd.in/en_Yr4Jh #LaserEngineering

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

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

This review explores the use of natural polymers, particularly starch, in creating flexible electronic sensors capable of transducing various physical stimuli. It discusses innovative strategies and materials, including starch-based gels and soft composites, for crafting sensors such as resistive, capacitive, piezoelectric, and triboelectric sensors. These sensors are adept at detecting strain, temperature, humidity, liquids, and enzymes, enabling continuous monitoring of human body motions, physiological signals, and environmental conditions. The review emphasizes the advantages of starch-based materials, such as self-adhesiveness and self-healability, and outlines current challenges and future research opportunities in the field. Read more details: https://lnkd.in/e2nxGYew #polymerscience