Wearables

These wearable robotic devices offer enhanced strength, mobility, and support, empowering users with newfound capabilities. However, the advancement of exoskeletons hinges not only on technological innovation but also on the materials that form their foundation. From lightweight alloys to flexible composites, materials play a central role in shaping the functionality, comfort, and durability of these devices.

In the quest for safer and more eco-friendly fire safety solutions, synergists emerge as a solution to enhance non-halogenated FR effectiveness.

The National Week of Flame Retardants 2024, hosted by the Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE), marked the ongoing advancement of fire safety technologies and materials engineering. Gathering industry experts, researchers, and practitioners, the event showcased the latest innovations, research findings, and trends in flame retardants.

The IKV Colloquium demonstrated the plastics industry’s resilience in addressing current challenges. On February 28th-29th, 2024, RWTH Aachen University’s IKV organized an event fostering industry-academia exchanges.

The Apple Vision Pro represents a groundbreaking advancement in augmented reality (AR) technology, driven by the strategic integration of advanced materials, particularly polymers.

The terms “film” and “sheet” often lead to confusion within and outside the industry, as they are sometimes used interchangeably. While both refer to thin, flat materials, they possess distinct characteristics and applications.

In the fight against global climate change, oceans play a key role as a significant carbon reservoir. However, inadequate waste management systems for plastics have led to a widespread release of these materials into the world’s oceans.

In the extensive world of materials science and industrial processes, selecting the right rheometer for our specific applications often feels like navigating a complex puzzle. Each piece must fit precisely to unlock the full potential of material characterization,  R&D, and process optimization.

Proprietary taggant systems empower plastics security by serving as authentication tools, integrating seamlessly into any resin.

On the journey towards sustainability, car manufacturers have faced a significant challenge in reducing the carbon footprint associated with the use of animal leather in vehicle upholstery and interiors.  Some have chosen to rigorously trace the supply chain of animal leather, while others have partnered with innovative emerging companies. A few have embarked on designing their own leather using recycled materials.

Companies worldwide are gathering efforts to develop flame retardant systems based on renewable sources providing an eco-friendly alternative to halogenated flame retardants. Additives with flame-retardant properties, such as phosphorus-based compounds, can chemically modify carbon sources like cellulose, chitosan, and lignin. This results in the successful design of intumescent flame retardants for use in many applications.

The emergence of hydrogel and aerogel-based flame-retardant polymeric materials marks new and innovative options in fire safety and protection. Henri Vahabi and his team’s review article for the SPE Journal of Vinyl and Additive Technology thoroughly explores this cutting-edge concept, revealing its makeup, capabilities, and potential future developments of these innovative materials.