Scientists at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, USA, have developed vertical free-standing carbon nanofibres for use in neural-electrical interfaces. These could improve implantable biomedical devices for managing Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy and depression.

The next generation of polymers that repeatedly self heal are on their way, according to scientists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA. By introducing a 3D microvascular network to the ductile epoxy substrate, emulating biological circulatory systems, researchers have attempted to create a renewable delivery mechanism for the DCPD monomer to extend the life of materials. The structure is fabricated using a direct-write assembly technique developed by Professor of Aerospace Engineering Scott White, and Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Jennifer Lewis.

Optical fibres may one day aid crack detection in composite structures, says Jasson Gryzagoridis a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Exsisting non-destructive techniques are not entirely effective.

A novel automated minerals mapping tool is undergoing its first long-term trial at Rio Tinto's Pilbara iron mining operation in the Hamersley province of Western Australia. The Fe (Iron) Hylogger provides data on ore samples for exploration and 3D models.

A ceramic material that can filter oxygen from the air could be used to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from power stations.

Quantachrome Instruments, based in Boynton Beach, Florida, USA, has launched a novel pore size calculation tool for porous carbons and activated carbon fibres. The quenched solid density functional theory is designed to take into account surface roughness and chemical hetrogenity and could be used for energy storage, supercapacitors, carbon dioxide capture and sequestration and gas seperation.

Researchers at TWI, Cambridge, UK, have created a silsesquioxane pre-polymer that can enhance abrasion resistance in a variety of end use applications.