Thermoresponsive Smart Materials

The researchers used water as the solvent and developed an LCST-type thermoresponsive polymer by adding alkaline earth metal ions — which are divalent cations — to polymers and aqueous solutions.

Tubing Coated with Light-Powered Catalysts Aids Drug Manufacturing

The new class of materials is insoluble, so it can be used over and over again. Such catalysts could be used to coat tubing and perform chemical transformations on reactants as they flow through the tube.

Copper Nanowires Combat Spread of Diseases

An ancient metal used for its microbial properties is the basis for a materials-based solution to disinfection. A team of scientists has developed an antimicrobial spray that deposits a layer of...

Electrospinning Advantages for Wearable Technology

Researchers have shown that electrospun materials have many advantages over conventional bulk materials for the development of wearables. Electrospun materials’ high surface-to-volume...

Hybrid Material Enables Next-Gen E-Skin

Researchers have developed three-in-one hybrid material smart skin for the next generation of artificial, electronic skin using a novel process. With 2,000 individual sensors per square millimeter,...

Understanding Titanium’s Biocompatibility

Scientists used photoelectrochemical measurement and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to clarify the source of titanium’s biocompatibility when implanted into the body, as with hip...

Peeling Back the Layers: Adhesives Testing for Wearables

Trends in wearable technology follow those of the broader biomedical and electronics industries — devices are getting smaller, smarter, and easier to use. Specifically, wearables in...

What Medical Device OEMs Should Know About Outsourced MIM

The basis of metal injection molding (MIM) technology involves fine metal powders, which are combined with thermoplastic binders and surfactants, allowing injection in a plastic...

Micro-CAL Process Prints Fine Features in Glass Microstructures

Researchers have developed a new way to 3D print glass microstructures that is faster and produces objects with higher optical quality, design flexibility, and strength....

Nanomaterial Improves Insulin’s Effects

Researchers have developed a compound consisting of insulin bound to a string of amino acids that includes an antioxidant group. An earlier study in mice suggested this nanomaterial’s...

Materials Science Flexibility Is Key to Medical Device Innovation

There’s strong demand for smart, new lifesaving and life-enhancing technologies in the global medical device market. To meet this demand, medical device manufacturers...

Medical Plastics: Understanding Ultrasonic Welding, Part 1

Plastic consumables for medical applications are often very complex and sophisticated devices. Before these devices can be used by healthcare workers or home care patients, they...

Lead-Free Piezoelectric Materials

Gadolinium-doped cerium oxide could be a promising alternative to certain piezoelectric materials. It is lead-free, which means that it could be employed in biocompatible medical applications. Further...

Nontoxic, Variable-Stiffness Threads Enable Dexterous Cardiac Catheters

Engineers at EPFL and ETH have developed a variable stiffness catheter made of nontoxic threads that can transition between soft and rigid states during surgery. It...

‘Seeing’ Nonuniformities in 2D Materials May Lead to New Medical Sensors

Detecting nonuniformities in optical properties opens the door to new uses

Microparticles Pave Way for Microfluidic Devices

The research offers potential inspiration for microfluidic pumps that allow the controlled flow of liquids.

Researchers Develop Ultrathin Films for Stretchable and Sturdy Bioelectronic Membranes

The highly adaptable materials could lead to new classes of wearable devices.

Researchers Develop Soft, Stretchable Thermometer

The self-powered sensor can be integrated into soft robots or smart clothing.

Sustainable Silk Material Ideal for Wearable and Implantable Applications

The material is optically transparent and easily manipulated.

First, Do No Harm: Changing Strategies to Prove Your Medical Device Is Safe

Modern evaluation of biocompatibility uses a risk-based approach.

Bioactive Coatings Improve Orthopedic Implants

Researchers are working on a coating that mimics bone tissue.

Shape-Shifting Materials Offer Infinite Possibilities

Totimorphic structural materials can achieve any shape.

Pulse Plasma Nitriding Provides Unique Surface Treatment of Implantable Metals

Plasma nitriding has a broad appeal to surface treat many metallic materials used in medical applications, including titanium alloys

‘Weeping’ Ceramics Lead to New Shape-Shifting Material

An international team of researchers has discovered a path that could lead to shape-shifting ceramic materials.

Transforming Plastic Parts into High-Value Products

Learn some of the essential areas of plasma treatment in the medical device industry.

Nature-Inspired Coatings Could Power Tiny Labs

The new coatings were inspired by the natural world.

Biomedical Balloons: Understanding Their Physical and Mechanical Properties

Learn about the different material options for balloon catheters.

Antimicrobial Coating for Orthopedic Implants Prevents Dangerous Infections

The coating is customizable to individuals and requires less than 10 minutes to prepare and use.

Smart Fabric Stiffens on Demand

A new type of chain mail fabric is flexible like cloth but can stiffen on demand.