This topic emerged through a screening of emerging issues in science, technology and society in the context of the FET CSA OBSERVE.

http://www.horizon-observatory.eu/radar-en/index.php

The big picture

Several of the most dynamic research fronts with highly recognized scientific publications are located in material sciences. While some of these are basic research on synthesis and properties of new materials many focus on specific applications especially in energy storage but also health, robotics, environmental technologies and ICT. In many cases sustainability considerations are an important aspect of the research.

Emerging research front: Analysis of dynamic and static behaviour of functionally graded material

Functionally graded material is a new type of non-uniform composite material. In this type of material, the abrupt interfaces of traditional composite materials are replaced by a continuous gradient of a changing material component. Studies in this emerging re-search front develop analytical and numerical methods to investigate static and dynamic behaviour of these materials. Source: Thomson Reuters Research Fronts 2014;

New materials for robot parts

New materials for robot parts enhance robot capabilities: Autonomous and soft materials enable changing of shape, artificial skin and muscles and thus allow for more flexible movement and functions. Source: XPRIZE;

Use recently discovered graphene characteristics in novel applications

Graphene has many extraordinary properties which are being studied worldwide, and especially in the FET Flagship on Graphene in Europe. Currently there are many applications being developed and tested and in the future, graphene may trigger a new generation of better electromagnetic switches, lasers, broadband chips and so on. Source: FET Projects;

Smart materials for shape-changing mobile devices and other interfaces

Smart materials are designed materials that have properties that can be changed in a controlled fashion by external stimuli, such as temperature, skin contact, voice, moisture, electric or magnetic fields. In the future, mobile devices may change their appearance for example when a call or a message is being received. Also, other Human-Computer-Interfaces can change their shape, appearance and functionalities according to outer circumstances. Source: FET Projects;

Research front: Graphene and graphene oxide in biomedical application

Graphene is expanding its range of applications beyond electronic and chemical toward biomedical areas such as precise biosensing through graphene-quenched fluorescence, graphene-enhanced cell differentiation and growth, and graphene-assisted laser desorption/ionization for mass spectrometry. Source: Research Fronts 2014;

Emerging research front: Synthesis of functional gold nanorods

Gold nanorods have received much attention due to their unique optical and electronic properties which are dependent on their shape, size, and aspect ratio. Studies in this emerging research front of materials science look at the synthesis of these materials. Source: Thomson Reuters Research Fronts 2014;

Emerging research front: Metal organic materials with optimal adsorption thermodynamics and kinetics for CO2 separation

The energy costs associated with the separation and purification of industrial commodi-ties, such as gases, fine chemicals and fresh water, currently represent around 15 per cent of global energy production, and the demand for such commodities is projected to triple by 2050. The challenge of developing effective separation and purification tech-nologies that have much smaller energy footprints is greater for carbon dioxide (CO2) than for other gases; Papers in this emerging research front investigate the optimization of metal organic materials for this purpose. Source: Thomson Reuters Research Fronts 2014;

Emerging research front: Magnetically retrievable nanocatalysts

The concept of ‘‘Green Chemistry’’ has emerged as one of the guiding principles of environmentally benign synthesis. The preparation and the use of nanoparticles (NPs) in organic synthesis has become a subject of intense investigation, in particular, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) which offer advantages in clean and sustainable chemistry as they can be non-toxic, readily accessible, and retrievable. Additionally, the activity and selectivity of magnetic nano-catalysts can be manipulated by their surface modification. Source: Thomson Reuters Research Fronts 2014;

Nanolattices

Strong, lightweight, and recoverable three-dimensional ceramic nanolattices are being developed at the University of Cambridge. Some expect that these materials could revolutionise a wide number of applications from battery electrodes to growing bones. The bottleneck is the large scale production of the material. Source: MIT EmTech 2015;

Research front: Synthesis of pillar [5/6] arenes and their host guest chemistry

Pillar[n]arenes are a fast-growing research topic in supramolecular chemistry. Originally the focus was predominantly on pillar[5]arenes; however, now more and more studies on pillar[6]arenes are being performed. According to Wikipedia Pillar[n]arenes have been shown to have potential applications in molecular machinery, sensing, nanoparticle synthesis, artificial transmembrane channels, controlled drug delivery, construction of porous materials for gas/guest absorption, organic light-emitting materials, and ionic liquids. Source: Thomson Reuters Research Fronts 2014;

Self-Propelled particles

Researchers at the University of British Columbia have created the first self-propelled particles capable of delivering coagulants against the flow of blood to treat severe bleeding, a potentially huge advancement in trauma care. Source: Futuristech Info;

Plasmonics

Plasmonics deal with information transfer in nanoscale structures, similar to photonics, by means of surface plasmons. In contrast to photonics, there is no light involved but surface charges are being analyzed in this research field. Being in an early stage of development, plasmonics may contribute to new high-performance chips and nano devices since surface plasmon-based circuits can overcome the size limitations of photonic circuits. Source: FET Proposals;