Thin Films News and Research

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New non-toxic elements can replace harmful lead-containing materials in electronic products

Most smartphones and other electrical or electronic products contain small amounts of lead, which doesn't sound like a big problem on its own. But when there are many billions of such products, either in daily use or gone astray, the total sums up to very large amounts of lead - which is a toxic heavy metal.

12 Jul 2017

Epigem partners with Northumbria University to develop disposable TB testing kit

Leading micro-engineering company Epigem today announced a new Knowledge Transfer Partnership with Northumbria University to develop a cost-effective tuberculosis (TB) testing kit.

From Epigem Ltd. 6 Apr 2017

New topical film patch can effectively close dermal wounds, reduce scarring

Currently there is no product available based on polymer film containing active molecules to accelerate dermal wound healing that also reduces the scar formation.

8 Jul 2016

Novel biochemical method can extend lifetime of implantable medical devices

Blood-contacting implantable medical devices, such as stents, heart valves, ventricular assist devices, and extracorporeal support systems, as well as vascular grafts and access catheters, are used worldwide to improve patients' lives. However, these devices are prone to failure due to the body's responses at the blood-material interface; clots can form and inflammatory reactions can prevent the device from performing as indicated. Currently, when this occurs, the only solution is to replace the device.

13 Apr 2016

Four UC Santa Barbara engineers named 2015 NAI fellows

Four UC Santa Barbara engineers have been elected to the National Academy of Inventors for 2015. Recognized for their "highly prolific spirit of invention," professors John Bowers, Craig Hawker, Umesh Mishra and Galen Stucky are among the newest fellows elected by the organization.

16 Dec 2015

Study shows how single-cell organisms can somersault or bend their bodies

In a paper appearing in Scientific Reports today, the motion of micro-organisms as they swim through various types of fluid channels show "quite strange and new" responses for single cell organisms, including the performance of somersaults, meandering wanderings, and even a ballistic type of behavior, wrote Sunghwan "Sunny" Jung, a member of the Virginia Tech Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics.

20 Aug 2015

New method helps determine titanium nanoparticles in sunscreen products

Loads of cosmetics like sunscreen lotions contain titanium dioxide. These nanoparticles are contentious. Experts suspect they may have harmful effects on people and the environment.

3 Aug 2015

New PlasmaDerm solution facilitates faster healing of wounds

Many people suffer from skin disorders. Open wounds are a particularly acute problem, especially among the elderly. PlasmaDerm, a new medical technology solution, uses plasma to facilitate faster healing of wounds.

10 Jun 2015

Researchers study structural aspects of DNA-particle/lipid interface directly using x-ray scattering

Scientists seeking ways to engineer the assembly of tiny particles measuring just billionths of a meter have achieved a new first-the formation of a single layer of nanoparticles on a liquid surface where the properties of the layer can be easily switched.

11 Jun 2014

New self-assembling nanoparticle arrays can form highly ordered thin film in 1 minute

The days of self-assembling nanoparticles taking hours to form a film over a microscopic-sized wafer are over. Researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)'s Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have devised a technique whereby self-assembling nanoparticle arrays can form a highly ordered thin film over macroscopic distances in one minute.

10 Jun 2014

Experts and entrepreneurs to gather at 2014 Biotech China on 14-16 May

With just one month until 2014 Biotech China, experts, entrepreneurs and decision-makers from the international biotechnology industry will gather at the heart of the Chinese biotechnology industry on May 14-16th, 09:00 AM-06:00 PM in Nanjing China.

10 Apr 2014

Surgeons must balance research and medical training with outstanding patient care

Like a juggler keeping multiple plates in the air, a surgeon in academic medicine must balance research and medical training with outstanding patient care. Charles Bellows, MD, FACS, relishes the challenge. Dr. Bellows, a University of New Mexico Professor of General Surgery, recently assumed the role of Chief of the Division of General Surgery in the Department of Surgery at the UNM School of Medicine.

12 Sep 2013

New controllable light filter for preterm incubators considerably blocks undesirable light wavelengths

Preterm infants appear to mature better if they are shielded from most wavelengths of visible light, from violet to orange. But it has been a challenge to develop a controllable light filter for preterm incubators that can switch between blocking out all light--for sleeping--and all but red light to allows medical staff and parents to check up on the kids when they're awake.

7 May 2013

University Of Luxembourg physicist receives Umicore Scientific Award for pioneering work in thin film photovoltaics

Dr Dominik Berg, University of Luxembourg, has received the -10 000 Umicore Scientific Award for his ground breaking PhD work in the field of thin film photovoltaics. Dr Berg's entry was one of 35 submitted from all over Europe.

6 May 2013

Researchers create new ultra-sensitive tool for chemical, DNA and protein analysis

Utilizing optical characteristics first demonstrated by the ancient Romans, researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have created a novel, ultra-sensitive tool for chemical, DNA, and protein analysis.

16 Feb 2013

Finding medical applications for unused inventions: an interview with Gabriel Mecklenburg, Co-Founder of Marblar

Marblar is gamifying the process of technology transfer. We post technology on our platform in the form of a challenge, and the Marblar community then competes to uncover new problems these technologies could solve – thereby discovering new market applications for these technologies.

31 Jan 2013

Photo-catalytically active coatings can help reduce nitrogen oxides

Surfaces with photo-catalytic characteristics clean the air off nitrogen oxides and other health-endangering substances. Using a new test procedure, Fraunhofer researchers can find out how the coatings behave during a long-term test. They will introduce the test at the booth of the Fraunhofer Building Innovation Alliance in Booth 131 / 135 in Hall C2 at the Trade Fair BAU that will take place from 14 - 19 January, 2013, in Munich, Germany.

21 Dec 2012

Hydroxyapatite coating on bone grafts may increase likelihood of successful implants

Coating a bone graft with an inorganic compound found in bones and teeth may significantly increase the likelihood of a successful implant, according to Penn State researchers.

27 Sep 2012

Louisiana Tech professor, students present at 2012 Experimental Biology meeting

Several graduate and Ph.D. students at Louisiana Tech University, and Dr. David Mills, professor of biological sciences and faculty in Tech's Center for Biomedical Engineering and Rehabilitation Science, are participating in poster and platform presentations at the 2012 Experimental Biology meeting, this week in San Diego, California.

26 Apr 2012

Cultivating cells in sealed, sterile plastic bags

Using plasmas, sealed plastic bags can be modified at atmospheric pressure so that human cells can adhere to and reproduce on their walls. Cell culture bags of this kind are an important aid for research and clinical purposes and may eventually replace the Petri dishes used today.

11 Nov 2011