Material Science

What’s the most interesting thing you can do with a pocket full of change and a trip to a 100-yen (90 cents) store? Two Gifu high schoolers say they can soon use that kind of bargain-basement shopping spree to do things such as detect substances in industrial waste liquid and radioactive water from a nuclear power plant.

When stuff breaks, in a pinch many turn to tape to slap all sorts of things back together. But while taping together human muscles and body tissue would seem a stretch, doctors will soon be able to do just that, thanks to a group in Japan that invented an extra-strong titanium tape.

A research team led by Osaka University developed a high-strength marine biodegradable plastic sheet by combining two ubiquitous biomass resources, starch and cellulose.

About 20 chemicals companies in Japan, including Mitsubishi Chemical, will start joint management of an artificial intelligence-based system in fiscal 2021 for developing advanced materials using in-country patents.

Scientists here have created a biodegradable paper-thin sensor device that connects to the internet of things (IoT) system to transmit data.

Researchers have developed an environmentally friendly method of recycling concrete waste by mixing in wood and other materials.

A Japanese research team has "seen the light" and is utilizing infrared wavelengths to generate electricity, an untapped energy source that accounts for nearly half of solar energy striking the Earth.

Japanese materials maker Toray Industries has devised a production technology that will slash the price of a smart tag, or a radio frequency identification tag, used for merchandise management by 80% to less than 2 cents each.

The race to develop new materials for cars is heating up among chemical and paper producers in Japan, as automakers look for ways to make their products more fuel efficient and eco-friendly.

Tokyo-based cosmetics maker Kao Corp. has developed technology to create spray-on “artificial skin” that could be used to conceal moles and other facial blemishes.