Materials Science

  1. Materials Science

    Light filter lets rays through from only one direction

    Angle-sensitive light filter could improve photography, telescopes and solar energy harvesting.

    By Andrew Grant
  2. Materials Science

    Pearl coating inspires tougher ceramics

    A material called mother of pearl, or nacre, has inspired the design of more durable, less brittle ceramics.

    By Ashley Yeager
  3. Materials Science

    World’s thinnest material stretches, bends, twists

    Graphene, the thinnest known material at one carbon atom thick, can be manipulated under the microscope using tricks from a variety of paper-cutting origami called kirigami.

    By Andrew Grant
  4. Chemistry

    Milk protein a potential flame retardant

    Protein found in milk offers a nontoxic way to extinguish fabric fires.

    By Beth Mole
  5. Materials Science

    Phosphorene introduced as graphene alternative

    Sheets of ultrathin phosphorus could lead to faster semiconductor electronics.

    By Andrew Grant
  6. Materials Science

    Silk bone screws may mend better than metal ones

    The silk-made screw and plates are less stiff than metal ones and dissolve in the body, making them a safer, less invasive alternative for setting broken bones.

    By Ashley Yeager
  7. Materials Science

    Making artificial muscles with a spin

    Scientists have given ordinary fishing line and sewing thread a new twist. When coiled into tight corkscrews, the fibers can lift loads more than 100 times as heavy as those hefted by human muscles.

    By Meghan Rosen
  8. Math

    Goldberg variations: New shapes for molecular cages

    Scientists have figured a way to iron out the wrinkles in a large class of molecular cages.

    By Dana Mackenzie
  9. Materials Science

    Making it work, on paper and just maybe in practice

    Last spring, Science News reported on the lack of progress by the main U.S. nuclear fusion effort. As the researchers still contend, laser-initiated fusion should work. It works on paper. But in practice, even a set of extremely powerful lasers failed to trigger the fusion of hydrogen nuclei and the concomitant chain reaction and release of net energy expected.

    By Eva Emerson
  10. Materials Science

    Graphene-based material prevents blood clots

    When researchers coated a plastic film with the new material, clotting was greatly reduced and continued even after three days.

    By Ashley Yeager
  11. Chemistry

    Carbon monoxide junked for making plastic

    Using a catalyst, chemists can swap in the less dangerous carbon dioxide.

    By Beth Mole
  12. Materials Science

    Scientists throw crystals a curve

    Particles inside a sphere assemble into ordered ribbons, not lumps.

    By Beth Mole