Tootfinder

💪 Cleaner, cooler and cheaper: Upgraded catalyst system achieves low-temperature oxidation
https://phys.org/news/2025-08-cleaner-cooler-cheaper-catalyst-temperature.html

Cleaner, cooler and cheaper: Upgraded catalyst system achieves low-temperature oxidation
What if chemical manufacturers could cut their energy costs while eliminating toxic heavy metals from their processes? Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a catalyst system that does exactly that by converting alcohols to valuable chemical products at lower temperature using safer iodine compounds instead of dangerous heavy metals, expensive precious metals, and reagents.

🧺 Prehistoric basketweaving inspires new materials for stiff, resilient robots
https://techxplore.com/news/2025-08-prehistoric-basketweaving-materials-stiff-resilient.html

Prehistoric basketweaving inspires new materials for stiff, resilient robots
Able to undergo repeated compressions without losing their shape, woven materials could form robots, exoskeletons, car parts, architectural components and more.

🌡️ Breakthrough carbon nanotube material sets new thermal insulation record
#materials

Breakthrough carbon nanotube material sets new thermal insulation record
Chinese researchers have developed a new carbon nanotube insulator that can withstand high temperatures up to 2,600°C, outperforming all other materials used for extreme-temperature applications. This breakthrough could be used for heat shields on hypersonic vehicles and spacecraft during re-entry into the atmosphere and in other high-temperature environments.

🔫 Engineers develop spray to make clothes more fire-resistant
#clothing

Engineers develop spray to make clothes more fire-resistant
Researchers at UNSW have developed a novel fire-resistant spray that could slow the rate at which cotton materials catch fire—and reduce the risk of burning.

🧊 Novel cement lets buildings cool themselves
#materials

Novel cement lets buildings cool themselves
When temperatures get too hot to handle, most of us crank up the air conditioning to keep cool. It does the job, but it's expensive and uses a significant amount of energy. But now an innovation by scientists, primarily from Southeast University in China, could help us cut our reliance on AC. They've developed a new type of cement that allows buildings to stay cool on their own. Their research is published in the journal Science Advances.

🤢 Acid-resistant artificial mucus improves gastric wound healing in animals
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-acid-resistant-artificial-mucus-gastric.html

Acid-resistant artificial mucus improves gastric wound healing in animals
Hydrogels—materials like gelatin that can absorb and hold water—can aid wound healing and enable slow-release drug delivery, but they usually break down in acidic environments like the stomach.

✈️ Printable aluminum alloy sets strength records, may enable lighter aircraft parts
https://techxplore.com/news/2025-10-printable-aluminum-alloy-strength-enable.html

Printable aluminum alloy sets strength records, may enable lighter aircraft parts
MIT engineers have developed a printable aluminum alloy that can withstand high temperatures and is five times stronger than traditionally manufactured aluminum.

📦 Cardboard and earth combine to create low-carbon alternative to concrete
https://techxplore.com/news/2025-09-cardboard-earth-combine-carbon-alternative.html

Cardboard and earth combine to create low-carbon alternative to concrete
Engineers in Australia have developed a new building material with about one quarter of concrete's carbon footprint, while reducing waste going to landfill. The research is published in the journal Structures.

Unlocking ceramic 3D printing for next-generation chemical reactors
#materials #chemistry #ceramic #manufacturing

Unlocking ceramic 3D printing for next-generation chemical reactors
Scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have integrated binder jet additive manufacturing with an advanced post-processing method to fabricate leak‐tight ceramic components, overcoming a key challenge of ceramic additive manufacturing.