Topic description and stories

The demand continues for materials that are stronger, cheaper, lighter, more conductive – simply better.

Suchitra Sebastian

Professor Suchitra Sebastian to receive the Schmidt Science Polymaths Award

30 Jun 2022

Cambridge physicist Professor Suchitra Sebastian to join group of ten recently tenured professors named to Polymath Program, awarded up to $2.5...

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‘Fruitcake’ structure observed in organic polymers

02 Jun 2022

Researchers have analysed the properties of an organic polymer with potential applications in flexible electronics and uncovered variations in...

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Secret to treating ‘Achilles’ heel’ of alternatives to silicon solar panels revealed

24 May 2022

A team of researchers from the UK and Japan has found that the tiny defects which limit the efficiency of perovskites – cheaper alternative materials...

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Bone cancer cell (nucleus in light blue)

Cambridge spin-out receives European Innovation Council grant to develop cancer imaging technologies

21 Feb 2022

Spin-off company Cambridge Raman Imaging Ltd. and the Cambridge Graphene Centre will lead ‘CHARM’ project, recently awarded with €3.2 million

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Self-healing materials for robotics made from ‘jelly’ and salt

18 Feb 2022

Researchers have developed self-healing, biodegradable, 3D-printed materials that could be used in the development of realistic artificial hands and...

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Artistic rendition of isolated spins on hexagonal boron nitride under an optical microscope

Two-dimensional material could store quantum information at room temperature

11 Feb 2022

Researchers have identified a two-dimensional material that could be used to store quantum information at room temperature.

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Scientists develop fully woven, smart display

10 Feb 2022

Researchers have developed a 46-inch (116cm) woven display with smart sensors, energy harvesting and storage integrated directly into the fabric.

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Artist's impression of formamidinium (FA)-based crystal

Templating approach stabilises ‘ideal’ material for alternative solar cells

23 Dec 2021

Researchers have developed a method to stabilise a promising material known as perovskite for cheap solar cells, without compromising its near-...

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Person in laboratory holding a flask

Miniature grinding mill closes in on the details of ‘green’ chemical reactions

30 Nov 2021

Scientists at the University of Cambridge have developed a new approach for observing mechanochemical reactions — where simple ingredients are ground...

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Super jelly

‘Super jelly’ can survive being run over by a car

25 Nov 2021

Researchers have developed a jelly-like material that can withstand the equivalent of an elephant standing on it, and completely recover to its...

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Artistic representation of electrons funneling into high quality areas of perovskite material

Mystery of high-performing solar cell materials revealed in stunning clarity

22 Nov 2021

Researchers have visualised, for the first time, why perovskites – materials which could replace silicon in next-generation solar cells - are...

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Sustainable, biodegradable glitter – from your fruit bowl

11 Nov 2021

Cambridge researchers have developed a sustainable, plastic-free glitter for use in the cosmetics industry – and it’s made from the cellulose found...

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