Materials

New steering hardware is lighter, faster, smaller, and less power-hungry.

With twice the power of other biofuel cells, it could be teamed with batteries or supercapacitors to form a hybrid power source.

New filter could cut the cost of making plastics.

Catalyst sidesteps need for hydrogen by making its own.

A metal-oxide coating attracts water but repels oil—a perfect fit for keeping filters oil-free.

Researchers create a new class of topological materials made by inserting transition metal atoms into the atomic lattice of a well-known two-dimensional material.

A new process accelerates drug screening for fighting genetic diseases.

Many metal parts can be tailored to specific applications with heat treatments. But engineers should know the details on various types of treatments to get the most out of them.

Materials synthesis could improve semiconductors, hard drives, solar cells, and optical coatings.

Esters could unseat silicone as the global choice for the best transformer fluid based on performance and price.