Microstructure

Clearly advancing: Multiple teams develop technologies to 3-D print high-quality, microstructured glass

By April Gocha / May 4, 2017

Two new papers, one published in Nature and one in Advanced Materials, describe 3-D printing techniques that use silica nanoparticle inks—rather than molten glass itself—to to fabricate optically clear glass components with micrometer-scale resolution, a huge leap forward for the integration of glass materials into additive manufacturing.

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Other materials stories that may be of interest

By April Gocha / November 23, 2016

Smashing metallic micro-cubes makes them ultrastrong, glow-in-the-dark dye could fuel liquid-based batteries, and other materials stories that may be of interest for November 23, 2016.

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Penguins shed more materials secrets—feathers inform design of icephobic membranes

By April Gocha / February 26, 2016

Researchers at the Key Laboratory of Bio-Inspired Smart Interfacial Science and Technology at Beihang University (Beijing, China) say that in addition to being superhydrophobic, penguin feathers also owe their ice-shedding abilities to anti-adhesive qualities.

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Metamaterial Shrinky-Dinks: Glassy carbon microlattice structures go smaller, stronger than ever before

By April Gocha / February 9, 2016

Karlsruhe Institute of Technology scientists have turned to 3-D laser lithography to build the world’s smallest microlattice structures. But while this method is great at fabricating intricate, precise, and tiny structures, it has just one small problem—it cannot go small enough.

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Clear cerium oxide coating could protect space electronics, living cells from damage of UV radiation

By April Gocha / February 5, 2016

Researchers at Zhejiang University and South China University of Technology in China have created new glass-based composite materials that are really good at absorbing UV radiation.

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Durable multilayered, multifunctional thermal barrier coatings demonstrated

By April Gocha / June 3, 2015

Researchers from Stony Brook University’s Center for Thermal Spray Research recently reported significant advancements in the development of durable thermal barrier coatings—critical materials that enable higher turbine operating temperatures.

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3-D printing 2-D materials with air—direct ink writing builds graphene aerogels

By April Gocha / May 14, 2015

Researchers at Lawrence Livermore National Lab have combined three of the most promising and popular technologies today—3-D printing, graphene, and aerogels. The team is the first to 3-D print graphene aerogels, according to a LLNL press release.

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Can glass dental fillings provide stronger, safer alternative to metals and composites?

By April Gocha / March 31, 2015

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen, along with colleagues at various other European institutions, are not only advocating on behalf of glass ionomer cement’s benefits, but also researching ways to make the material even better for dental work.

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UPDATE: Optimized ceramic microstructure removes more automobile emissions at cold start

By April Gocha / March 3, 2015

Corning’s innovators have developed a new ceramic substrate, Flora, with an “optimized material microstructure” that is designed to decrease cold-start automobile emissions.

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Location, location, location: Atomic locales are critical for strong concrete

By April Gocha / February 24, 2015

New research from Rice University shows how simulations can help advance the quest for better concrete, by modeling the atomic interactions within calcium-silicate-hydrate.

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