RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

Scientists have developed something long thought impossible: a polymer that’s both stiff and stretchable, without one quality compromising the other. Materials research has shown that the stiffer a polymer, the less flexible it will be — but no longer. 

The findings are published in the journal Science Advances and supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The University of Virginia research team behind these findings shows that strength and “stretchability” don’t necessarily have to be opposites when it comes to polymers.  

Liheng Cai, assistant professor of materials research and principal investigator of an NSF Faculty Early Career Development award, says, “We are addressing a fundamental challenge that has been thought to be impossible to solve since the invention of vulcanized rubber in 1839.” The research was led by doctoral student Baiqiang Huang.  

Credit: Matt Cosner, University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science

University of Virginia assistant professor Liheng Cai (right), Ph.D. graduate student Baiqiang Huang (left) and UVA alumnus and former postdoc Shifeng Nian (not pictured) have solved a dilemma that has flummoxed polymer engineers since Charles Goodyear invented vulcanized rubber: How to make polymer networks that stretch as needed without sacrificing stiffness.

Says Huang, “This limitation has held back the development of materials that need to be both stretchable and stiff,

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

Notice of Virtual Question and Answer Office Hour for the NIGMS Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP) Program

The National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS) will host a virtual question and answer office hour for organizations that plan to submit applications to PAR-22-220 “Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (PREP)(R25 – Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed).” Please note that the office hour is not intended for students or recent graduates that are interested in becoming PREP scholars. Prospective scholars can find more information about applying to PREP programs here

PREP eligibility is limited to Ph.D. granting, research-intensive organizations, that is, those with an average of NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) funding greater than or equal to $7.5 million total costs per year over the past 3 fiscal years (RPG data are available through NIH RePORTER). 

The next application due date for this NOFO

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement – Alcohol-HIV/AIDS Program Project Comorbidities, Coinfections, and Complications Research: Intervention and Cross-Cutting Foundational Research (P01 Clinical Trial Optional)

Notice Number:

NOT-AA-25-002

Release Date:

December 20, 2024

Estimated Publication Date of Notice of Funding Opportunity :

July 01, 2025

First Estimated Application Due Date:

September 25, 2025

Earliest Estimated Award Date:

July 01, 2026

Earliest Estimated Start Date:

August 01, 2026

Related Announcements

RSS feed source: National Science Foundation

As a University of Applied Learning, SIT works closely with industry in our research pursuits. Our research staff will have the opportunity to be equipped with applied research skill sets that are relevant to industry demands while working on research projects in SIT.

The researcher will be part of the team of the MCCS NATURE Project (https://www.nparks.gov.sg/Cuge/Programmes-Schemes/Research%20Programmes/MCCS%20Programme). The primary role involves developing and validating CFD models to study wave attenuation by mangroves, seagrass, and coral. Responsibilities include calibrating simulations with experimental data, analyzing shear coefficients and drag forces, and contributing to interdisciplinary research on coastal protection, with an emphasis on delivering accurate and impactful modeling insights.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in and manage the research project with Principal Investigator (PI), Co-PI and the research team members to ensure all project deliverables are met.
• Undertake these responsibilities in the project:

1. Wave Stochastic Analysis

Click this link to continue reading the article on the source website.