Multifunctional Material Systems

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are quietly opening a new frontier in cement and #construction materials 🏗️—bringing functionality far beyond traditional performance. From CO₂ capture to durability enhancement, MOFs can transform #cement into an active material rather than a passive one. Here’s a quick breakdown of MOF types by application: 🔹 CO₂ Capture & Mineralization Mg-MOF-74 / Ni-MOF-74 → High CO₂ uptake for integration during curing UiO-66 derivatives → Stable under alkaline cement environments Amine-functionalized MOFs → Enhanced #CO₂ chemisorption 🔹 Self-Healing Cement ZIF-8 / ZIF-67 → pH-responsive release systems for healing agents MIL-101(Cr) → High pore volume for #encapsulation of repair molecules 🔹 Moisture & Humidity Regulation MIL-100(Fe) → Excellent water #adsorption / #desorption cycling CAU-10-H → Low-energy water capture for passive #humidity control 🔹 Thermal #Insulation ZIF-8 → Low thermal #conductivity + high porosity UiO-66 → Structural stability under thermal stress 🔹 Pollutant Capture (NOx, VOCs) HKUST-1 → Strong affinity for VOCs MIL-125(Ti) → #Photocatalytic degradation of pollutants 🔹 Reinforcement & Mechanical Performance UiO-series MOFs → Improve interfacial bonding in composites Functionalized ZIFs → Potential crack-bridging at nanoscale The challenge now is not performance—it’s integration, scalability, and cost alignment with cement industry constraints. But the direction is clear: cement is evolving into a multifunctional platform, and MOFs are one of the most promising tools to get there. At Calistair, we see strong potential in tailoring MOFs specifically for cement-compatible environments—especially where durability and environmental performance intersect. Calistair. Science for healthy air www.calistair.com #MOFs #CementInnovation #ConstructionTech #CO2Capture #SmartMaterials #Decarbonization #AdvancedMaterials #SustainableConstruction #MaterialsScience #ClimateTech

𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗳 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗿𝗮-𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗼𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. Wearable flexible strain sensors and single-electrode triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have emerged as promising building blocks for smart electronic skin applications. However, only a few studies have succeeded in integrating both technologies into a single device while maintaining stable and reliable performance. Here, the authors present a simple and scalable fabrication approach using spraying, electrostatic spinning, and vacuum filtration to develop a multifunctional system comprising a water-resistant strain sensor and a stretch-insensitive TENG. The strain sensor is constructed from carboxylated carbon nanotubes (CNTs-COOH), fluorinated alkyl silane-modified Ti3C2Tx (FAS-MXene), and a flexible polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The TENG consists of a film made of polyvinylpyrrolidone-modified CNTs (PVP-CNTs), Ti3C2Tx (MXene), and electrospun thermoplastic polyurethane nanofibres (TPU) as an electrode. When employed as a strain sensor, the device demonstrates high sensitivity, a wide sensing range (0 % to 100 % strain), excellent water resistance, and outstanding durability (5000 cycles at 50 % strain). These properties are achieved through MXene surface chemical modification and a unique microcrack structure developed under strain. As a highly stretchable TENG, the device exhibits remarkable stability, with minimal changes in relative resistance (0.03 at 20 % strain) even after 5700 cycles, owing to the strong adhesion forces generated by hydrogen bonding interactions between the porous TPU film, PVP-CNTs, and MXene. The integrated device enables simultaneous strain sensing and self-powering capabilities, offering a versatile platform for applications such as health monitoring, encrypted information transmission, and object recognition. The low cost and ease of mass fabrication of this electronic skin mark a significant advancement towards future multifunctional wearable technologies. https://lnkd.in/gQmgEkeP

【Green β-Cyclodextrin Exfoliated Molybdenum Sulphide Based Multifunctional Poly(vinylidene fluoride) Nanogenerators Towards Piezocatalytic Water Remediation】 Journal of Materials Chemistry A ( IF 9.5 ) Pub Date : 2025-09-09 , DOI: 10.1039/d5ta05068e Developing multifunctional materials that support both energy harvesting and environmental remediation is vital for the advancement of sustainable technologies. In this study, we present a green, scalable approach for exfoliating molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) using β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) as an environmentally friendly intercalating and stabilizing agent. The resulting β-CD-exfoliated MoS2 (MCD) nanofillers exhibit excellent dispersion, reduced layer thickness, and strong interfacial compatibility with a poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) matrix. Incorporation of MCD into PVDF (PMCD nanocomposites), prepared via melt-mixing and solution casting, significantly promotes the nucleation of electroactive β- and γ-phases, as confirmed by FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and WAXD, achieving a high polar phase content of ~ 94%. To further elucidate the microstructural evolution, 2D Raman mapping was employed, which revealed spatial distribution of α, β, and γ-phases within the PVDF spherulites in the nanocomposites. The Raman analysis demonstrated that the nanofillers act as heterogeneous nucleation centres, leading to oriented growth of electroactive PVDF chains and reduced spherulite size. The optimized PMCD (1:6) nanocomposite exhibits an enhanced piezoelectric coefficient (d33 ~ 88 pm/V) and dielectric constant (~ 34 at 0.1 Hz). A flexible nanogenerator fabricated from this film delivers an output voltage of ~ 72 V under mechanical excitation. Furthermore, the device shows excellent piezocatalytic degradation performance against Rhodamine B, Diclofenac, Ciprofloxacin, and Cr(VI), with degradation efficiencies reaching ~ 69.2%, ~ 71.4%, ~ 62.5%, and ~ 53.5%, respectively, under ultrasonic agitation. The enhanced catalytic activity is attributed to efficient charge separation and reactive species generation via the piezoelectric effect. This work offers a sustainable materials design strategy by combining green-exfoliated 2D nanofillers with electroactive polymers, enabling the development of next-generation flexible nanogenerators and multifunctional environmental devices. DOI https://lnkd.in/ej5dqWp7

Nature builds strong materials through simple components and smart organization. In this work, we translated bamboo’s composite strategy into a synthetic hydrogel by designing a composite system with both strong interfaces and organized structure. Instead of extracting natural fibbers, we assembled chitosan–sodium alginate nanofibers (CSNF) from the ground up for better compatibility with the PVA matrix. To bind the components together, we introduced tannic acid (TA), a multifunctional interfacial molecule that mimics lignin’s role in bamboo. This combination allowed us to engineer not just the ingredients, but also how they interact. TA is the key element functioning at three levels. It strengthens the interface between CSNF and PVA, reinforces the PVA matrix through stronger hydrogen bonding, and reduces crystallinity to improve stress transfer. Building on this molecular design, we further aligned the nanofibers and introduced a layered matrix structure that mimics bamboo’s architecture. The result is a hydrogel composite with high tensile strength (up to 60.2 MPa), excellent stretchability (470% strain), and strong resistance to impact. This work demonstrates how molecular-level tuning and structural organization, inspired by nature, can work together to enhance mechanical performance in soft composites. Published in Nature Communications: https://lnkd.in/gVgyF554

In the DREAMS Lab at Virginia Tech's latest paper, we detail Ian Ho's efforts at creating a heated hybrid material extrusion #additivemanufacturing system that allows us to dispense (and sinter) conductive inks inside a heated print volume. With this, we can create 3D multi-functional parts from high-performance polymers (PPS, PEI, etc., which require a heated chamber) with embedded functional circuits. By actively cooling the #DIW print head, we prevent the conductive ink from prematurely cooling and clogging the nozzle. In the video below, we demonstrate printing a PPS #3dprinted part with conformal conductive traces (featuring vias) that are sufficiently conductive to transmit power and data - all within a single system. More details are available in this open-source manuscript in Additive Manufacturing Letters: https://lnkd.in/eepUGMVU Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering ; Virginia Tech Made

📢 New paper published in #AdvancedMaterials! Magneto-active polymers + topology & multimaterial optimization + newly discovered coupled mechanisms 🧲🧩🦾 We uncover residual magnetization–induced anisotropy in ultra-soft magnetorheological elastomers and integrate it into a platform that guides the full design of programmable soft actuators: from materials to geometry. 🔍 Key contributions: • Discovery of a residual anisotropy mechanism that fundamentally affects deformation even without external fields • Invariant-based neural-network constitutive model: simple inputs → full magneto-mechanical outputs for simulation • Topology + multimaterial optimization to design actuators with precise, programmable responses • Simulations with realistic magnetic sources (permanent magnets) for direct application in real scenarios • Ability to reproduce multiple actuation modes depending on material composition • Full open-source framework for the community 🚀 Huge thanks to Carlos Pérez García for the outstanding work, and to Rogelio Ortigosa and Jesús Martínez-Frutos for brilliantly leading the computational dimension of this study. And many thanks to monodon, European Research Council (ERC), and the Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades for the financial support. 🔗 Open-source code: https://lnkd.in/d7645J2Y 📄 Full paper: https://lnkd.in/dkztZ_R6 #MagnetoMechanics #SoftRobotics #TopologyOptimization #MultifunctionalMaterials #MagnetoActivePolymers #ComputationalMechanics #OpenScience

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry went to scientists who developed metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs. These materials have the potential to reshape how we manage industrial challenges, from capturing pollutants to optimizing cooling systems. Here’s why this matters for data centers and infrastructure: In a data center, cooling accounts for a large share of energy use. If you imagine racks filled with power-dense servers, each second of delay or inefficiency adds cost, heat, and risk. Now imagine a material that can passively adsorb moisture, trap unwanted by-products, or regenerate using waste heat. That’s where MOFs come in. Business scenario: A hyperscale data center in a hot climate deploys MOF-coated heat exchangers in its cooling loop. During off‐peak hours the material regenerates using waste heat, during peak hours it captures moisture load so the chillers don’t work as hard. The result could be 30-50 % improvement in cooling efficiency, lower PUE, and even a pathway to repurpose captured water or heat in other workflows. My takeaway: The companies that succeed will not just ask “which model to run” but “which material, workflow or system do we embed into our stack?” When MOFs move from lab to rack, data centers will shift from energy consumers to more efficient systems of action. What part of your infrastructure would benefit most from a “MOF moment”? #NobelPrize #MaterialsScience #DataCenter #AIInfrastructure #Sustainability #EngineeringLeadership

𝗜𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 — 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗟𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 In industrial environments, corrosion isn't just a nuisance—it's a silent, expensive killer. From offshore rigs to power plants, corrosion can compromise structural integrity, halt operations, and endanger lives. That’s where industrial coatings step in. They are engineered systems designed to act as protective barriers, offering multi-functional benefits such as: 🔸 Corrosion resistance via sacrificial metals or barrier protection 🔸 Chemical shielding against acids, alkalis, and solvents 🔸 Abrasion resistance in high-wear zones like pipelines or turbines 🔸 UV and weather stability for outdoor infrastructure 🔸 Thermal and electrical management in electronics and high-temp components 🔸 Hygienic and anti-microbial protection in food and pharma industries Coatings are categorised into metallic, organic, inorganic, and hybrid systems—each tailored to specific environmental and mechanical demands. For example: 🔸Galvanization offers sacrificial protection in structural steel. 🔸Epoxy systems deliver unmatched chemical resistance in tank linings. 🔸Ceramic coatings withstand >1000°C in turbine engines. In essence, coatings are a blend of surface chemistry, materials science, and field engineering. The wrong coating—or poor application—can lead to failures like blistering, delamination, or corrosion under coating (CUC), costing millions. Takeaway: Don’t treat coatings as an afterthought. They're a critical part of your asset’s engineering DNA. The question isn’t whether to coat, but how scientifically to do it. ➡️ Have you ever seen a project compromised due to poor coating decisions? Let’s discuss in the comments. For more such insightful content, follow Jefy Jean Anuja Gladis #corrosion #mechanicalengineering #technology #engineering #qa #qc #chemicalengineering #mechanicalengineer #corrosionprotection

Multi-Functional Aerostructures Overview: Multi-functional aerostructures combine structural strength with advanced capabilities like thermal and electromagnetic shielding, crucial for aerospace applications. These innovations reduce weight while enhancing performance by integrating materials and technologies that handle heat dissipation and protect avionics from electromagnetic interference (EMI). For aircraft and spacecraft, such designs address challenges like extreme temperature fluctuations and EMI without adding bulk. Thermal Management: In high-speed aerospace systems, thermal shielding uses materials like ceramic matrix composites and high-temperature alloys to endure intense heat while maintaining strength. Integrated solutions, such as heat pipes or phase-change materials, efficiently dissipate heat and minimize thermal stress. This is particularly important for reusable spacecraft, ensuring durability across multiple launches and reentries. Electromagnetic Shielding: Electromagnetic shielding protects electronics from external fields and lightning, using materials like graphene composites or conductive polymers. These are embedded within aerostructures, optimizing shielding without adding weight or compromising aerodynamics. By combining thermal and EMI protection, multi-functional aerostructures ensure reliability for critical aerospace missions, from satellites to military aircraft. #aerospace #industry #aeronautics #tech #propulsion #structures #manufacturing #eee #electronics