New Adhesive Could Be Headed to Space

Posted by Nicholas Schaulsohn on Wed, Mar 23, 2011 @ 10:03 AM
From Physorg - "The adhesive we ended up developing was one that formed nanoscale fibrils that become entangled, sort of like Velcro. It has all these little hooks that come together," Tomich said. "It's a mechanical type of adhesion, though, not a chemical type like most commercial adhesives." Read more
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Topics: Adhesive

Textile Produces Detergent-Like Chemicals to Fight Superbugs

Posted by Nicholas Schaulsohn on Tue, Mar 22, 2011 @ 09:03 AM
From The Engineer - Researchers have developed a textile that actively produces detergent-like chemicals that can kill highly resistant infections such as MRSA... Read More
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Topics: Textile

New Applications for Internally Cured Concrete Date Back Thousands of Years

Posted by Nicholas Schaulsohn on Thu, Mar 17, 2011 @ 13:03 PM
From Physorg - The secret, probably unknown to the Emperor Hadrian’s engineers at the time, was that the lightweight concrete used to build the dome had set and hardened from the inside out. This internal curing process enhanced the material’s strength, durability, resistance to cracking, and other properties so that the Pantheon continues to be used for special events to this day....Read more
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Topics: Concrete

PepsiCo Unveils Bottle Made Completely from Plant Material

Posted by Nicholas Schaulsohn on Wed, Mar 16, 2011 @ 09:03 AM
From Business Week - PepsiCo Inc. says it has created a new plastic bottle made entirely of plant material. It says its technology tops competitor Coca-Cola's similar bottle when it comes to reducing its carbon footprint...Read more
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Topics: Plastic, Packaging

Thai Medical Device Industry Focuses on Quality Control

Posted by Nicholas Schaulsohn on Tue, Mar 15, 2011 @ 11:03 AM
From Bangkok Post - The government is strengthening the medical services industry by increasing quality control on medical appliances and devices...Read more
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Topics: Biomedical

Technical Textiles Used for Roofing Applications

Posted by Nicholas Schaulsohn on Tue, Mar 15, 2011 @ 11:03 AM
From Textile World - Technical textiles, including industrial fabrics, are virtually the key to any new application. One of the most interesting end-uses is fabrics for building — so-called roofing membranes installed instead of gravel, bitumen sheets or concrete. However, the key to success lies not in the production of the membrane, but in communication about its advantages...Read more
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Topics: Textile

Plastic Fibers Used to Make Better, Stronger Bridges

Posted by Nicholas Schaulsohn on Tue, Mar 15, 2011 @ 11:03 AM
From Detroit Free Press - The plastic-like carbon fiber doesn't rust like steel and could increase the life span of bridges to 100 years...Read more
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Topics: Concrete, Plastic

US Medical Adhesive Market to Reach US$2.08 Billion by 2015

Posted by Nicholas Schaulsohn on Mon, Mar 14, 2011 @ 09:03 AM
From SF Gate - The US market for Medical Adhesives and Sealants is forecast to reach US$2.08 billion by the year 2015. Major factors driving the market growth include development of innovative and advanced adhesive and sealant products...Read more
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Topics: Adhesive

A Self-Sealing Elastic Polymer

Posted by Nicholas Schaulsohn on Mon, Mar 14, 2011 @ 09:03 AM
From Paste Smart - German researchers have copied the caoutchouc tree's modus operandi to create a self-sealing elastic polymer. When the caoutchouc tree is damaged, liquid latex containing capsules of the protein hevein escapes from inside it...Read more
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Topics: Adhesive

Packaging with Sugar Cane Plastic

Posted by Nicholas Schaulsohn on Mon, Mar 14, 2011 @ 09:03 AM
From Business Green - Sugarcane is harvested to produce sugar, which is then fermented and distilled to produce ethanol. The ethanol is then dehydrated to create ethylene, which is polymerized into the final Plant-astic product...Read more
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Topics: Plastic, Packaging