Nano Technology News
TECH SPACE
Two-dimensional nanomaterial expands counter-intuitively under tension
illustration only
Two-dimensional nanomaterial expands counter-intuitively under tension
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 19, 2024

Expanding material under tension usually results in a decrease in width, similar to inflating a balloon. However, a groundbreaking development by PhD student Noah Stocek and physicist Giovanni Fanchini at Western University exhibits a rare counter-example.

At Interface Science Western's Tandetron Accelerator Facility, Stocek and Fanchini engineered two-dimensional tungsten semi-carbide nanosheets (W2C) that uniquely expand perpendicular to the direction of applied force, a property characteristic of auxetic materials.

Unlike traditional flat structures, these nanosheets are designed with a dimpled, egg carton-like surface. When stretched, the structure causes an outward expansion as the dimples flatten. This phenomenon has been previously recorded in only one other material which expanded by 10 per cent per unit length. The W2C nanosheet developed at Western expands by an unprecedented 40 percent.

"In 2018, theorists anticipated this auxetic behavior in tungsten semi-carbide, but practical development had eluded researchers worldwide," said Stocek.

The creation of these nanosheets wasn't feasible through chemical processes typically employed for two-dimensional materials. Stocek and Fanchini instead utilized plasma physics to assemble the layers, leveraging the fourth state of matter used in technologies ranging from neon lights to flat-screen TVs.

Traditional methods using high-temperature gas reactions in furnaces were ineffective, prompting the researchers to innovate a new method involving electrically charged plasma particles.

Applications for these W2C nanosheets are extensive, starting with a novel strain gauge capable of monitoring structural changes in real-time through conductivity changes.

"This two-dimensional nanomaterial could revolutionize strain gauges, allowing for enhanced monitoring of structures like airplane wings or household pipes," explained Stocek. "Unlike typical gauges, which become less conductive when stretched, our material increases in conductivity, offering new potential in sensors and stretchable electronics."

Research Report:Giant Auxetic Behavior in Remote-plasma Synthesized Few-Layer Tungsten Semicarbide

Related Links
University of Western Ontario
Space Technology News - Applications and Research

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
TECH SPACE
Exploring the enigmatic behavior of granular materials through sound
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Apr 22, 2024
Granular materials, such as coffee beans in a jar or piles of sand, are composed of macroscopic particles and represent a significant yet little understood frontier in fundamental physics. Recent studies, including one in the European Physical Journal E by Onuttom Narayan and Harsh Mathur, focus on how sound moves through these materials, especially near the jamming transition. This phenomenon gains relevance from its implications in both pop culture and practical applications. For instance, the f ... read more

TECH SPACE
Japan's SLIM survives 3rd lunar night, surprising designers

NASA Goddard to Build Quake Detector for Artemis III Moon Landing

Tsinghua University advances lunar habitat construction techniques

Large cargo landers to boost Moon missions for Artemis

TECH SPACE
China launches new crew to Tiangong space station as lunar plans progress

Shenzhou XVIII crewed mission completes final tests, ready for imminent launch

China to send fresh crew to Tiangong space station

China gears up for Shenzhou XVIII manned space mission

TECH SPACE
Australia's top spy urges big tech to unravel encrypted chats

Europe ill-prepared to counter China espionage push: analysts

TikTok suspends rewards programme after EU probe

China offers no comment on US bill to ban TikTok clearing Congress

TECH SPACE
Japan's SLIM survives 3rd lunar night, surprising designers

NASA Goddard to Build Quake Detector for Artemis III Moon Landing

Tsinghua University advances lunar habitat construction techniques

Large cargo landers to boost Moon missions for Artemis

TECH SPACE
Researchers unveil novel technique for creating atomically thin nanoscrolls

MIT.nano equipment to accelerate innovation in "tough tech" sectors

TECH SPACE
Spire Global to supply AI-Enhanced Weather Predictions to Financial Sector

NASA's CloudSat Ends Mission Peering Into the Heart of Clouds

Satellogic partners with O.N.E. Amazon to develop the Internet of Forests

Satellite technology from Surrey University aids Mauritius in illegal fishing detection

TECH SPACE
Researchers unveil novel technique for creating atomically thin nanoscrolls

MIT.nano equipment to accelerate innovation in "tough tech" sectors

TECH SPACE
Why Animals Can Outrun Robots

Financial Times enters ChatGPT content deal

Bionic computing advances flexible robot control

'Harvesting data': Latin American AI startups transform farming

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.