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A new two-dimensional (2D) material that combines exceptional strength with flexibility has been created by a team led by Northwestern University. Described as resembling interlinked chainmail, this innovative material is lightweight and holds potential for applications such as advanced body armour and other high-performance uses. The breakthrough is credited to the development of a scalable polymerisation process that creates densely packed mechanical bonds, reportedly achieving a record-breaking 100 trillion mechanical bonds per square centimetre.
Structure and Development Process
According to the research published in Science, this material is the first of its kind—a 2D mechanically interlocked polymer. The team utilised X-shaped monomers, arranging them in a crystalline structure to facilitate the formation of mechanical bonds. William Dichtel, Robert L. Letsinger Professor of Chemistry at Northwestern University, noted in a statement, as reported by phys.org, that this novel polymer structure offers unique resistance to tearing.
He explained that the material can dissipate applied forces in various directions due to the freedom of movement within its mechanical bonds. Madison Bardot, a doctoral candidate and the study’s first author, reportedly devised the concept for the material’s formation. Describing the process as “high-risk, high-reward,” Dichtel attributed the success to rethinking traditional approaches to molecular crystal reactions. Layers of the resulting interlocked polymer sheets are said to provide both rigidity and flexibility, while their structure has been confirmed using advanced electron microscopy techniques by researchers at Cornell University.
Enhanced Properties and Applications
The material’s inherent strength inspired researchers at Duke University, led by Matthew Becker, to incorporate it into Ultem, a robust polymer used in extreme conditions. A composite containing just 2.5 percent of the new material reportedly increased Ultem’s toughness significantly. Dichtel suggested that the polymer could serve as a specialised material for ballistic fabrics and lightweight, protective gear.
The study was dedicated to the late Sir Fraser Stoddart, who pioneered the concept of mechanical bonds and was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 2016 for his contributions to molecular machines.
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A centuries-old supernova in the constellation Cassiopeia has been illuminated by the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), unveiling intricate interstellar structures around 11,000 light-years away. The telescope’s infrared capabilities captured glowing gas and dust in the aftermath of the supernova’s explosion, offering astronomers a rare glimpse into the otherwise hidden dynamics of interstellar material. The event provided unprecedented insights into how these diffuse clouds behave and interact with light from stellar phenomena.
Revelations From the Cassiopeia A Supernova
According to findings presented at the 245th American Astronomical Society (AAS) conference, the observations focused on Cassiopeia A, a remnant of a massive star’s explosive death. Jacob Jencson, a scientist at the California Institute of Technology, explained that the supernova’s light pulse, known as a light echo, was reflected off the surrounding gas and dust. The event revealed complex patterns and three-dimensional structures within the interstellar medium, enabling researchers to infer details about the star’s explosive demise.
Never-Before-Seen Patterns in Interstellar Medium
Images captured by JWST have been likened to medical CT scans for their ability to expose the internal structures of dense interstellar regions. According to Josh Peek, an astronomer at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Maryland, the findings unveiled sheets of gas hosting intricate small-scale structures, as well as isolated magnetic knots resembling knots in wood grain. Peek highlighted the significance of these observations in understanding the processes within dense, dusty regions of space that were previously inaccessible.
Impact on Future Research
Scientists anticipate that the detailed mapping of these enigmatic structures will deepen understanding of the interstellar medium’s physics, including the role magnetic fields play in star formation. Peek noted that these observations have rapidly advanced the study of the interstellar medium, shedding light on processes that were long considered perplexing. The JWST’s ability to reveal these structures marks a significant step in unravelling the mysteries of space.
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