Hydrogel coating creates “stick-slip” control of capillary movement

Coating the inside of glass microtubes with a polymer hydrogel material dramatically alters the way capillary forces draw water into the tiny structures, according to researchers. The discovery could provide a new way to control microfluidic systems, including popular lab-on-a-chip devices. Capillary action draws water and other liquids into confined spaces such as tubes, straws, […]

Buffering planes from luggage bombs

A bomb-proof lining has successfully contained blasts in a series of controlled explosions in the luggage hold of a Boeing 747 and an Airbus 321.