Materials

Electronic display fabrics are now larger and more durable, opening the door to clothing that acts like a computer screen.
Charles Q. Choi, Contributor
As the mother-of-pearl in the inner layer of the shell forms, initial defects attract and eventually annihilate each other.
Catherine Meyers, Editor
Scientists find that aerogels may make effective, ultralightweight noise barriers.
Catherine Meyers, Editor
The new metal alloy, created using a laser manufacturing technique, possesses properties that rival the legendary material from medieval times.
Charles Q. Choi, Contributor
A small amount of water bound to the surface of the towel acts like glue to hold the cotton fibers together.
Catherine Meyers, Editor
Combine sand, gelatin and bacteria, let them rest, and watch one brick turn into eight.
Charles Q. Choi, Contributor
Water sticks to the snakes’ backs because of special properties of their scales.
Catherine Meyers, Editor
The lightweight sheets could combine hundreds of vibrating components to create tactile sensations.
Charles Q. Choi, Contributor
Scientists found that some early commercial lithium batteries held up pretty well after about 35 years in storage.
Catherine Meyers, Editor
The rechargeable, lightweight batteries revolutionized the way we power a host of devices.
Catherine Meyers, Editor
Researchers developed a way to weld pieces of brittle ceramics together using a laser that fires a million times per second.
Yuen Yiu, Staff Writer
Researchers suggest that flexible blankets or domes made of silica aerogel could protect crops on the red planet.
Charles Q. Choi, Contributor