Tag Archives: plastic
FUTUREWATCH: Self Assembling Plastic Nanofibers
A research team under the collective leadership of Nicolas Giuseppone and Bernard Doudin, successful created highly conductive plastic nanofibers that can self assemble. Giuseppone and his colleagues propelled the discovery by first determining the structure of nanowires. The team chemically altered triarylamines (synthetic molecules commonly used in Xerox processes) and observed some fascinating reactions. The [...]
1st All Plastic Solar Cell Created at Georgia Tech
Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a technique that could soon become a universal method to reduce a conductor’s work function. They used a thin layer of polymer (1 to 10mm thick) and spread it on the surface of a conductor to create a sturdy surface dipole. The result was an air-stable and efficient low [...]
Technological Breakthrough: Plastic Electronics
The field of plastic electronics has been given a boost with the invention of a new technology that could soon see the world using them in an array of applications from robotics to satellite navigation. The breakthrough was facilitated by a team of researchers at Cambridge University’s Cavendish Laboratory. Led by Prof Henning Sirringhaus, physicists [...]
Toray Unveils New Self-Repairing Film for Electronic Devices
Toray, a company based in Japan, which specializes in products focused around IT components as well as advanced composite materials, has developed its latest self curing coating which it will use as a protective layer on a series of unannounced notebooks. The innovative technology is a blessing for folk who can’t do without their computers [...]
LEGO Factory: 100% Wind Powered by 2015
LEGO Group has taken a giant step towards meeting its renewable energy goals after parent company KIRKBI A/S said it will invest in an offshore development. The Denmark-based investment firm, which owns 75% of LEGO, will join fellow Danish companies DONG Energy and the Oticon Foundation as an owner of a 77 turbine offshore wind [...]
FUTUREWATCH: Plastic from Plants
Bioplastics, as the name suggest, are a new breed of plastics that come tagged with the green status. These are extracted from renewable sources, unlike one’s that are derived from petroleum. Natural materials like corn starch and vegetable oils have been long used to produce plastic. For example cellulose in wood pulp is still used [...]
Spiderman Silk: Saves Energy, Replace Plastics
The comic book hero Spiderman spins webs that enable him to swing from tall buildings and entrap bad guys. This idea is not entirely science fiction as scientists have known that weight-for-weight, spider silk is stronger than steel. This strength and toughness is combined with high elasticity that enables the material to be stretched several [...]
New Plastic Film from 3M Will Make Solar Energy Safer and More Flexible
Much of the focus on innovation for solar energy comes down toresearchers trying to create the most efficient and powerful solar cellpossible. Where some choose to focus their vision there, however, others are trying to find a way to ensure that solar energy cells can lastlong enough to make the higher levels of efficiency worthwhile. [...]
Konarka’s Power Plastic Technology
Konarka Technologies has unveiled a range of bags that are equipped with the company’s newsolar panel technology called the Power Plastic. Unlike conventionalsolar panel that can generate electricity using sunlight, this new Power Plastic can provide energy using interior lighting as well. The new bags, which have been designed in a variety of sizes andshapes, [...]