Researchers at Stanford University seem to have done it again. This time, a paper titled “Highly Conductive Paper for Energy Storage Devices,” published on the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, describes a technique for using ordinary paper and coating it with a special ink, composed of carbon nanotubes and silver nanowires, to create [...]
Read Full Post...December 13, 2009
Sugru is a brand new material developed specifically to “hack things better.” Here are some of its extraordinary properties: Cures at room temperature Sugru is like modeling clay when you take it from its pack. Once it’s exposed to air, it cures to a tough flexible silicone overnight using the moisture in the air. Working time = [...]
Read Full Post...December 5, 2009
I thought I’d share with you how methylenchlorid can be used to glue and fix different plastics. Here’s an experiment I’ve just done using a hacked servo (continuous rotation) and polystyrene and methylenchlorid to make a linear actuator. The video below shows how easy it is to use methylenchlorid: If you can see this, [...]
Read Full Post...November 30, 2009
A simple switch made with QTC sheet. Quantum tunnelling composite (QTC) is a smart flexible polymer, with extraordinary electrical properties, used for pressure switching and sensing. In its normal state it’s a near-perfect electrical insulator, but when deformed QTC becomes a metal-like conductor capable of passing very high currents. In fact, a QTC button measuring 4mm [...]
Read Full Post...November 17, 2009
Hot Glue (aka Hot Melt Glue, Thermoplastic Adhesive) This must be one of my favorite materials. It allows you to glue almost anything together in an often easy and semi-durable way. It dries pretty quickly so you don’t have to wait more than a minute or so to proceed with your work. And, even though the [...]
Read Full Post...November 17, 2009
Some things are so simple we don’t even think about writing them down. We assume everyone knows them. Well, that may often be true, but not always. The materials 101 series is our attempt at systematizing, through a series of thematic blog posts, some basic materials-related knowledge that is ‘out there.’ The series will thus provide [...]
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December 14, 2009
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