Materials, Adhesives & Coatings

Powering Wearable Devices with High-Performing Carbon Nanotube Yarns

The proposed novel approach holds promise for enhancing the thermoelectric performance of CNT materials from yarns to films and bulk structures.

Programmable Materials Help Heal Broken Bones

Natural materials like bone, bird feathers and wood have an intelligent approach to physical stress distribution, despite their irregular architectures. However, the relationship between stress...

‘Smart Skin’ Monitors Biological Signals on Demand

Skin can send certain health-related signals, such as dry skin feeling tighter to indicate the need for moisture. But what if skin could be smarter, capable of monitoring and sharing...

Product Showcase

See the products in the Product Showcase, including Omnetics’ Nano-D connectors, Cadence's complex medical devices, Formacoat's medical device coating application, the Lee Company’s Full Isolation Dual Seal Precision Dispense Pump, Ulbrich’s Braid Wire Accelerator® Program, and much more.

On-Skin Wearable Bioelectronic Device Uses Breathable, Stretchable Material

Researchers at the University of Missouri have made a significant breakthrough in their ongoing development of an on-skin wearable bioelectronic device. Zheng Yan’s lab recently added an important component to the team’s existing ultrasoft, breathable and stretchable material. The key feature: wireless charging — without batteries — through a magnetic connection.

Thermally Engineering Templates for Highly Ordered Self-Assembled Materials

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the University of Michigan Ann Arbor have developed a template material that carries almost no heat and therefore stops heat transfer between the template material itself and the solidifying eutectic material.

The Role of Photochemical Etching in Thermal Management

The PCE process efficiently manufactures precise metal parts for thermal management in micro electronic devices, ensuring high accuracy without stress or deformation. It handles diverse metals, creating tailored thermal solutions like heat sinks and TIMs for everything from smartphones to powerful computers.

Elastomer Material Flexibility Optimizes Performance

When specifying a high-performance material for a medical device application, temperature, chemical environment and compatibility, hardness, compression set resistance, and certification considerations quickly build stringent material requirements. Expert suppliers consult with OEMs to think creatively, support product development, and collaborate to find solutions that will deliver necessary results.

Hair-Thin Semiconductor Fibers Woven into Fabrics

Scientists have developed ultra-thin semiconductor fibers that can be woven into fabrics, turning them into smart wearable electronics.

Research Could Advance Soft Robotics Manufacturing, Design

A team of Rice University researchers has developed an analytical model that can predict the curing time of platinum-catalyzed silicone elastomers as a function of temperature. The model could help reduce energy waste and improve throughput for elastomer-based components manufacturing.

3D Printing Method Builds Structures with Two Metals

Taking a cue from the structural complexity of trees and bones, Washington State University engineers have created a way to 3D print two types of steel in the same circular layer using two welding machines. The resulting bimetallic material proved 33–42 percent stronger than either metal alone, thanks in part to pressure caused between the metals as they cool together.

From the Editor - Surge in Metal AM Systems Drives Growth in 3D Printing

Shipment of additive manufacturing (AM) systems for metal parts increased by 24.4 percent in 2023, according to Wohlers Associates latest report. See what Editor and Director of Medical Content Sherrie Trigg thinks about the matter.

Videos of the Month

See the videos of the month, including one on a smart material that's activated by both heat and electricity, one on new materials and applications for medicine, one on a new 3D inkjet printing system that works with a much wider range of materials, and one on the next generation of polymers for 3D printing.

Novel ‘Bone Bandage’ Material for Cracked Bones

Researchers have developed a biomimetic scaffold that generates electrical signals upon the application of pressure by utilizing the unique osteogenic ability of hydroxyapatite (HAp). HAp is...

Personalized Adhesives for Medical Implants

A team has developed medical adhesives that are not only safe for human use but also customizable for different organs. The researchers used mussel-derived adhesive proteins to develop customized...

From the Editor: The 2023 Products of the Year

This year, our two winners both focus on materials designed to address the special needs of the healthcare industry. Read on to learn the winners of the 2023 Medical Design Briefs’ Readers’ Choice Products of the Year.

Infection-Resistant, 3D Printed Metals Developed for Implants

The work could lead to better infection control in many common surgeries, such as hip and knee replacements, that are performed daily around the world. Bacterial colonization of the implants is one of the leading causes of their failure and bad outcomes after surgery.

Producing a Magic Wand for Pain-Free Dental Treatments

Some people do not go the dentist out of fear, thereby risking a worsening of untreated tooth damage. However, some dental practices offer patients a gentle alternative: The Wand – STA System from Milestone Scientific.

Metamaterial: Stretchable Wearable Thermoelectric Energy Harvester

A team has developed a technology that can increase the flexibility and efficiency of a thermoelectric generator to the world’s highest level by using mechanical metamaterials that do not exist in nature.

Using Static Electricity to Enhance Biomedical Implants

Researchers have created electrostatic materials that function even with extremely weak ultrasound, heralding the era of permanent implantable electronic devices in biomedicine.

RISING STAR AWARDS 2025 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Home How to Enter Terms & Conditions Meet the Judges Hall of Stars Sponsors   Platinum Sponsors See all sponsors The wait is over. We’re thrilled to announce the...

Partnership Announcement: Confluent Becomes ATI’s Fulfillment Partner for Medical Nitinol

Confluent Medical Technologies announced at MD&M West that it has partnered with ATI to invest more than $50 million over the next several years...

Acquisition Announcement: Trelleborg Acquires LSR Company Baron Group

Trelleborg Group is strengthening its position in healthcare & medical by taking yet another major step forward. Trelleborg has, through its business area Trelleborg...

Case Study: Materials that Transform Wound Healing

Chronic wounds afflict millions of people. If not treated adequately, they can lead to severe complications, including amputation of limbs. Denver-based has Vaporox developed a medical...

Design Alley: An Alternative to PTFE

SABIC will feature new and existing material solutions for potential use in critical medical devices through the company’s exhibition (booth #3287) and in two presentations at MD&M West. On...

Conductive, Cotton-Based Fiber for Smart Textiles

A single strand of fiber has the flexibility of cotton and the electric conductivity of a polymer, called polyaniline. The newly developed material showed good potential for wearable e-textiles. Researchers tested the fibers with a system that powered an LED light and another that sensed ammonia gas.

Product of the Month

See the product of the month: Advanced silicone molding services offered by AMETEK EMC.

New Products and Services

See the new products and services, including precision injection molding from Medbio; Covestro's Makrolon 3638 polycarbonate; laser processing systems from Amada Weld Tech; biocompatible adhesives, sealants, and potting materials from EpoxySet; brushless ECX speed motors from maxon; and more.