July 2023 Composites Blog
July 15, 2023
New Flexible Composite Semiconductor Material to Improve Next gen Flexible Devices
Material science researchers at the Indian institute of science (IISc) recently developed a new ultra flexible composite semiconductor material that could be used for next gen flexible displays, smartphones, and wearable devices. Conventional transistors used in electronic devices are typically made with amorphous silicon or amorphous oxides, which are not strain resistant or flexible. Adding polymer to the semiconductor materials can increase their flexibility, however, this may hinder the semiconductor's performance. Researchers from the materials engineering department at the IISc developed a process to fabricate a composite that has a material make up of up to 40% polymer. Past studies attempting to add polymers to semiconductor materials have resulted in a polymer content of only 1-2%, which is minimal when compared to the study carried out by the IISc. Additionally, in this most recent study the ink jet printing approach used by researchers allowed the semiconducting properties in the material to remains unaltered despite having a high polymer content. The new composite semiconductor contains water insoluble polymer ethyl cellulose that provides its flexible properties, and indium oxide which gives it excellent electronic transport properties. Learn more here.
July 31, 2023
New DNA/Glass Material is Stronger and Lighter than Steel
New DNA/Glass Material is Stronger and Lighter than Steel
Scientists from the University of Connecticut recently discovered a strong lightweight material that is made using unexpected building blocks ; DNA and glass. Strong lightweight materials are in demand in various industries and various technologies and products have been upgraded thanks to better materials; examples include lightweight body armor, faster and safer automobiles, and improved airplanes. The new material developed by University of Connecticut researchers is five times lighter than steel while being 4 times stronger, attributes that seem unlikely considering its material make up. Glass is generally thought of as fragile, however, the researchers suggest that this is because of cracks or missing atoms in common glass structures. They mention that smaller pieces of glass are flawless and can actually withstand 10 tons of pressure. The team made a structure of self assembling DNA, which constituted the skeleton of the structure and then they coated the structure with a glass layer only 100 atoms thick. The unusual DNA and glass material achieved a combination of strength and low density that has never been seen before. Learn more here.
