coating

New lava-like coating can stop fires in their tracks | Science

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It takes a lot of science to stop a fire. To prevent homes and workplaces from going up in smoke, manufacturers have added flame retardants to plastic, wood, and steel building materials for decades. But such additives can be toxic, expensive, and sometimes ineffective. Now, researchers in Australia and China have come up with a … Read more

Robots: Gecko-like coating gives robot hand a delicate touch

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Robotic hands often trade strength for adaptability, but a sticky coating inspired by gecko feet has given this artificial hand a delicate touch Technology 15 December 2021 By Matthew Sparkes The gecko-inspired robot hand farmHand/Standford University Mechanical hands with human-like fingers are more adaptable than the simple two-pronged clamps found on industrial robots, but they … Read more

Solar panels: Transparent coating causes snow and ice to slide off

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Snow and ice block sunlight from reaching solar panels and stop energy generation, but a new material can cause them to slide off Technology 9 December 2021 By Matthew Sparkes The solar panels on the left are covered in a snow-shedding coating Anish Tuteja et al. Settling snow and ice can significantly dampen the output … Read more