Solar paint offers endless energy from water vapor
Researchers have developed a solar paint that can absorb water vapour and split it to generate hydrogen -- the cleanest source of energy. The paint contains a newly developed compound that acts like silica gel, which is used in sachets to absorb moisture and keep food, medicines and electronics fresh and dry. But unlike silica gel, the new material, synthetic molybdenum-sulphide, also acts....
Water and fire-resistant paper could soon be coming to a store near you
While the Chinese have been credited with the invention of paper some 2,000 years ago, this improvement takes the humble material to a whole new generation. A research team at the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics in China has developed what is believed to be the world's first fire-resistant and water-proof paper. The paper resists water even when its surface is physically damaged, and is un....
Seven buildings that feature walls of polycarbonate plastic
With its ability to improve a building's thermal efficiency and maximise natural light, polycarbonate plastic is becoming increasingly popular in architecture. ....
This Stuff Turns Solar, Heat, And Kinetic Energy Into Electricity—At The Same Time
Scientists have discovered a material that might be science's biggest overachiever. This material, which is a type of a mineral called perovskite, can turn sunlight, heat, and movement into electricity—all at the same time. What a show-off. Say Hello To KBNNO Perovskite solar cells were invented in 2009, and since then have been seen as the next big thing in renewable energy—they're ch....
Tempaper: The Self-Adhesive, Removable Wallpaper Transforming Our Homes
We've been aching for a splash of color, an eye-catching pattern, something to jazz up our living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Found it! Tempaper's wallpaper is self-adhesive and removable—no expensive installations, no worrying about your landlord's approval, no painstaking cleaning of the wall when you've taken it down. The lead-free, VOC-free vinyl sticks right onto your cabinet shelv....
MIT’s New Intelligent Material Writhes and Curls to Changes in Heat
Researchers at MIT’s Self-Assembly Lab have recently developed an adaptable material that reacts in response to changes in heat. Known as Heat-Active Auxetics, the material functions in a similar manner to the pores on human skin, tightening and loosening based on exposure to various temperatures. Contrary to most common materials, which tend to thin out while being pulled or stretched, thi....