Materials researched for materials science
Tough self-healing alginate hydrogel
A high-strength, high-toughness sodium alginate/polyacrylamide double network hydrogel with self-healing and self-recovery, made in one pot.
Built / tested: hydrogels
As reported in: Zheng, Zhao, Wang et al. (2020). High-strength and high-toughness sodium alginate/polyacrylamide double physically crosslinked network hydrogel with superior self-healing and self-recovery properties prepared by a one-pot method. Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects. doi:10.1016/j.colsurfa.2019.124402
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Modifying hemp fibres
A review of methods to modify hemp fibres for structural fibre-reinforced polymer composites.
As reported in: Tanasă, Zănoagă, Teacă et al. (2019). Modified hemp fibers intended for fiber‐reinforced polymer composites used in structural applications—A review. I. Methods of modification. Polymer Composites. doi:10.1002/pc.25354
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Lignin in polymers and composites
A review of ways to use lignin in polymer and composite systems for engineering applications.
As reported in: Collins, Nechifor, Tanasă et al. (2019). Valorization of lignin in polymer and composite systems for advanced engineering applications – A review. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.03.069
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Casein crosslinking of collagen films
Crosslinking collagen-fibre films with casein, keratin or soy protein improved mechanical properties and heat stability.
Built / tested: films
As reported in: Wu, Liu, Wang et al. (2018). Improved mechanical properties and thermal-stability of collagen fiber based film by crosslinking with casein, keratin or SPI: Effect of crosslinking process and concentrations of proteins. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi:10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.11.144
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Tuning physical properties of mycelium materials
Shows how changing growth and processing conditions alters the physical properties of mycelium-based materials.
Built / tested: test materials
As reported in: Haneef, Ceseracciu, Canale et al. (2017). Advanced Materials From Fungal Mycelium: Fabrication and Tuning of Physical Properties. Scientific Reports. doi:10.1038/srep41292
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Transparent wood composites
Highly anisotropic, highly transparent wood composites.
Built / tested: transparent wood
As reported in: Zhu, Song, Li et al. (2016). Highly Anisotropic, Highly Transparent Wood Composites. Advanced Materials. doi:10.1002/adma.201600427
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Why cork behaves as it does
A review of how the cell structure and chemistry of cork explain its properties.
As reported in: Pereira (2015). The Rationale behind Cork Properties: A Review of Structure and Chemistry. BioResources. doi:10.15376/biores.10.3.pereira
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Structure and mechanics of silk materials
A review linking the molecular structure of silk fibroin to its mechanical behaviour and uses.
As reported in: Koh, Cheng, Teng et al. (2015). Structures, mechanical properties and applications of silk fibroin materials. Progress in Polymer Science. doi:10.1016/j.progpolymsci.2015.02.001
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Fibres as tough as natural silk
Biomimetic fibres made of recombinant spidroins with the same toughness as natural spider silk.
Built / tested: biomimetic fibres
As reported in: Heidebrecht, Eisoldt, Diehl et al. (2015). Biomimetic Fibers Made of Recombinant Spidroins with the Same Toughness as Natural Spider Silk. Advanced Materials. doi:10.1002/adma.201404234
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CNC nanocomposites review
A review of properties and challenges of cellulose nanocrystals and their nanocomposites.
As reported in: Mariano, El Kissi, Dufresne (2014). Cellulose nanocrystals and related nanocomposites: Review of some properties and challenges. Journal of Polymer Science Part B: Polymer Physics. doi:10.1002/polb.23490
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Shape-recovering CNC aerogels
Chemically cross-linked cellulose nanocrystal aerogels with shape recovery and superabsorbent properties.
Built / tested: aerogels
As reported in: Yang, Cranston (2014). Chemically Cross-Linked Cellulose Nanocrystal Aerogels with Shape Recovery and Superabsorbent Properties. Chemistry of Materials. doi:10.1021/cm502873c
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Flax composites review
A review of flax fibre and its composites.
As reported in: Yan, Chouw, Jayaraman (2014). Flax fibre and its composites – A review. Composites Part B: Engineering. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2013.08.014
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Flax/glass hybrid composites
Tensile and interfacial properties of unidirectional flax/glass fibre hybrid composites.
Built / tested: hybrid composites
As reported in: Zhang, Li, Ma et al. (2013). Tensile and interfacial properties of unidirectional flax/glass fiber reinforced hybrid composites. Composites Science and Technology. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2013.08.037
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Sisal-jute-glass hybrids
Evaluated mechanical properties of sisal-jute-glass fibre reinforced polyester composites.
Built / tested: hybrid composites
As reported in: Ramesh, Palanikumar, Reddy (2013). Mechanical property evaluation of sisal–jute–glass fiber reinforced polyester composites. Composites Part B: Engineering. doi:10.1016/j.compositesb.2012.12.004
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Sol-gel silica nanoparticles
A review of sol-gel silica nanoparticles, their surface modification and use in silica-polymer nanocomposites.
As reported in: Rahman, Padavettan (2012). Synthesis of Silica Nanoparticles by Sol‐Gel: Size‐Dependent Properties, Surface Modification, and Applications in Silica‐Polymer Nanocomposites—A Review. Journal of Nanomaterials. doi:10.1155/2012/132424
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A lab protocol for making silk materials
A step-by-step protocol for turning silkworm cocoons into fibroin solution and then into many material formats.
Built / tested: films, gels, sponges, fibres
As reported in: Rockwood, Preda, Yücel et al. (2011). Materials fabrication from Bombyx mori silk fibroin. Nature Protocols. doi:10.1038/nprot.2011.379
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Moisture in densified wood
Studied water vapour sorption of thermally modified and densified wood.
As reported in: Hill, Ramsay, Keating et al. (2011). The water vapour sorption properties of thermally modified and densified wood. Journal of Materials Science. doi:10.1007/s10853-011-6154-8
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Uniform nanofibres from crab shell
Describes a way to separate crab-shell chitin into nanofibres of consistent width.
Built / tested: chitin nanofibres
As reported in: Ifuku, Nogi, Abe et al. (2009). Preparation of Chitin Nanofibers with a Uniform Width as α-Chitin from Crab Shells. Biomacromolecules. doi:10.1021/bm900163d
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Cork composites review
A review of cork-based composite materials.
As reported in: Gil (2009). Cork Composites: A Review. Materials. doi:10.3390/ma2030776
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Silica aerogel
Synthesis, properties and characterisation of silica aerogel.
As reported in: Soleimani Dorcheh, Abbasi (2008). Silica aerogel; synthesis, properties and characterization. Journal of Materials Processing Technology. doi:10.1016/j.jmatprotec.2007.10.060
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Water and hemp-fibre composites
Studied how water absorption affects the mechanical properties of hemp fibre-reinforced polyester composites.
Built / tested: fibre composites
As reported in: DHAKAL, ZHANG, RICHARDSON (2007). Effect of water absorption on the mechanical properties of hemp fibre reinforced unsaturated polyester composites. Composites Science and Technology. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2006.06.019
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Short flax fibre polypropylene
Studied how matrix and fibre modification, fibre content, water uptake and recycling affect short flax fibre/polypropylene composites.
Built / tested: composites
As reported in: Arbelaiz, Fernández, Ramos et al. (2005). Mechanical properties of short flax fibre bundle/polypropylene composites: Influence of matrix/fibre modification, fibre content, water uptake and recycling. Composites Science and Technology. doi:10.1016/j.compscitech.2005.01.008
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Dissolving wool in ionic liquids
Used ionic liquids as solvents to dissolve and blend wool keratin fibres.
Built / tested: keratin blends
As reported in: Xie, Li, Zhang (2005). Ionic liquids as novel solvents for the dissolution and blending of wool keratin fibers. Green Chemistry. doi:10.1039/b502547h
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Electrospun chitin nanofibres
Reports electrospinning chitin into nanofibres and then converting them to chitosan.
Built / tested: electrospun fibre mats
As reported in: Min, Lee, Lim et al. (2004). Chitin and chitosan nanofibers: electrospinning of chitin and deacetylation of chitin nanofibers. Polymer. doi:10.1016/j.polymer.2004.08.048
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Artificial nacre
Made a nanostructured artificial version of nacre.
Built / tested: nacre-like films
As reported in: Tang, Kotov, Magonov et al. (2003). Nanostructured artificial nacre. Nature Materials. doi:10.1038/nmat906
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Aging of bamboo-glass composites
Tested how environmental aging affects bamboo-glass fibre hybrid polymer composites.
Built / tested: hybrid composites
As reported in: Thwe, Liao (2002). Effects of environmental aging on the mechanical properties of bamboo–glass fiber reinforced polymer matrix hybrid composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. doi:10.1016/s1359-835x(01)00071-9
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Growing pure HAp crystals
Compared three ways of growing hydroxyapatite crystals from solution and found that aging and precipitation speed are critical for purity.
As reported in: Koutsopoulos (2002). Synthesis and characterization of hydroxyapatite crystals: A review study on the analytical methods. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research. doi:10.1002/jbm.10280
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Lignin-based carbon fibres
Investigated making carbon fibres from lignin for use in fibre-reinforced composites.
Built / tested: carbon fibres
As reported in: Kadla, Kubo, Venditti et al. (2002). Lignin-based carbon fibers for composite fiber applications. Carbon. doi:10.1016/s0008-6223(02)00248-8
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Soy adhesives and plastics
Reviewed adhesives and plastics based on soy protein products.
As reported in: Kumar, Choudhary, Mishra et al. (2002). Adhesives and plastics based on soy protein products. Industrial Crops and Products. doi:10.1016/s0926-6690(02)00007-9
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Treated coir in polyester
Studied how fibre treatments change the performance of coir-polyester composites.
Built / tested: composites
As reported in: Rout, Misra, Tripathy et al. (2001). The influence of fibre treatment on the performance of coir-polyester composites. Composites Science and Technology. doi:10.1016/s0266-3538(01)00021-5
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Why nacre is strong
Used elastic theory and fracture mechanics to explain the strength of layered biocomposites like nacre.
As reported in: Okumura, de Gennes (2001). Why is nacre strong? Elastic theory and fracture mechanics for biocomposites with stratified structures. The European Physical Journal E. doi:10.1007/s101890170150
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An overview of a natural nanomaterial
An early overview of how bacteria produce cellulose and why its structure is unusual.
As reported in: Iguchi, Yamanaka, Budhiono (2000). Bacterial cellulose—a masterpiece of nature's arts. Journal of Materials Science. doi:10.1023/a:1004775229149
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Lignin helps coconut fibre bond
Used lignin as a compatibiliser to improve coconut fibre-polypropylene composites.
Built / tested: composites
As reported in: Rozman, Tan, Kumar et al. (2000). The effect of lignin as a compatibilizer on the physical properties of coconut fiber–polypropylene composites. European Polymer Journal. doi:10.1016/s0014-3057(99)00200-1
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Alkali-treated jute epoxy
Improved mechanical properties of jute/epoxy composites by alkali treatment of the fibres.
Built / tested: composites
As reported in: Gassan, Bledzki (1999). Possibilities for improving the mechanical properties of jute/epoxy composites by alkali treatment of fibres. Composites Science and Technology. doi:10.1016/s0266-3538(98)00169-9
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Sequence, structure and strength
Hypotheses linking the sequence, structure and mechanical properties of spider silk proteins.
As reported in: Hayashi, Shipley, Lewis (1999). Hypotheses that correlate the sequence, structure, and mechanical properties of spider silk proteins. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. doi:10.1016/s0141-8130(98)00089-0
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Jute-polypropylene surface treatment
Effect of fibre surface treatment on jute-polypropylene composites.
Built / tested: composites
As reported in: Gassan, Bledzki (1997). The influence of fiber-surface treatment on the mechanical properties of jute-polypropylene composites. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing. doi:10.1016/s1359-835x(97)00042-0
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Crystallinity in starch bioplastics
Studied crystallinity in starch bioplastics.
As reported in: van Soest, Hulleman, de Wit et al. (1996). Crystallinity in starch bioplastics. Industrial Crops and Products. doi:10.1016/0926-6690(95)00048-8
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Clay-reinforced epoxy
An early study dispersing layered clay inside epoxy resin to make a nanocomposite.
Built / tested: epoxy nanocomposites
As reported in: Lan, Pinnavaia (1994). Clay-Reinforced Epoxy Nanocomposites. Chemistry of Materials. doi:10.1021/cm00048a006
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