Articles
2025
From Stents to Soft Robotics: Why Nitinol Is a Material to Watch
Nitinol is quickly becoming one of the most versatile and in-demand materials in research and development. Known for its unique ability to "remember" shapes and return to its original form after deformation, this nickel-titanium alloy is being used across biomedical, robotics, aerospace, and academic research fields.
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High-Purity Titanium for Biomedical Implants: How Titanium Nanotube Size Affects Protein Binding - Insights from a Peer-Reviewed Study Using Advent Foil
High-purity titanium is a key material in biomedical research, particularly when it comes to understanding and improving how implants interact with the body. A 2015 peer-reviewed study published in the International Journal of Nanomedicine explored how the surface structure of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanotubes affects the binding of plasma proteins—an essential early step in the body's response to implanted materials. The titanium foil used in this research was supplied by Advent Research Materials.
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Spotlight on Bismuth: A Low-Toxicity Metal with Untapped Potential in Quantum Devices, Green Electronics, and Medical Imaging
Bismuth is a heavy metal with an unexpectedly light environmental footprint. Unlike its toxic cousin lead, bismuth is non-toxic and bio-safe—earning it a place in some of today’s most innovative research, from quantum devices to green electronics. At Advent Research Materials, we supply high-purity bismuth (99.99%) in lab-ready formats, helping researchers and developers explore its full potential in science and technology.
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Case Study: Boosting Solar Panel Efficiency with Sparked Titanium Coatings
A team of researchers from Chiang Mai University in Thailand has developed an innovative coating that enhances the performance of solar panels—using high-purity titanium wires supplied by Advent Research Materials. Their work, published in Scientific Reports, details a low-cost, scalable process that delivers three crucial benefits to photovoltaic (PV) systems: reduced reflection, improved self-cleaning properties, and increased power output.
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Antistatic Biodegradable Films: Chiang Mai University Researchers Use Advent Metal Wires in Cutting-Edge Study
A new study published in Polymers by MDPI (June 2025) highlights the development of flame-retardant, antistatic biodegradable polymer composites—pointing to new applications in electronics, automotive components, and sustainable packaging. The research was led by a multi-disciplinary team from Chiang Mai University (Thailand) and Sungkyunkwan University (Republic of Korea), focusing on a composite blend of polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT), epoxy resin, and magnesium oxide (MgO).
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Case Study: Custom Electrodes Using 99.99% Silver Wire and Platinum/Iridium Wire for Deep-Brain Stimulation Research
Researchers studying deep-brain stimulation in awake animal models face complex technical challenges, particularly when combining DBS with MRI imaging. This project demonstrates how high-purity materials from Advent Research Materials contributed to a successful custom setup, supporting advanced neuroscience research in a clinical MRI environment.
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Gold Foil for MEMS Fabrication, Research, and Lab Applications
Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and semiconductor manufacturing rely on stable, high-purity materials at every stage of production. Gold foil offers a combination of purity, stability, and workability that makes it a standard choice across a range of deposition, bonding, and microfabrication processes.
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Case Study: Enhancing Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting with Ti Foils Supplied by Advent
Can a sponge-like metal surface help us make clean fuel from sunlight? That’s exactly what researchers from the University of Erlangen-Nuremberg and Universitat Politècnica de València set out to explore — using high-purity titanium foils supplied by Advent Research Materials.
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Why Researchers Rely on High-Purity Tungsten Insulated Wire in Extreme Conditions
In extreme environments—where temperatures exceed 2,000 °C and vacuums approach space-like pressure—reliability isn’t optional. Researchers and engineers working at these limits consistently choose high-purity tungsten insulated wire for its unique ability to maintain stability, conductivity, and structural integrity when almost nothing else can.
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Case Study: Enabling Breakthroughs in CO₂ Electroreduction with High-Purity Copper from Advent
A research team from institutions including the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society, Ruhr-University Bochum, Columbia University, and Penn State University has demonstrated a significant advance in the electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO₂) to multicarbon products using tailored copper oxide (CuOx) catalysts. Their study, titled "Activity and Selectivity Control in CO₂ Electroreduction to Multicarbon Products over CuOx Catalysts via Electrolyte Design", was published in ACS Catalysis in 2018.
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Choosing Materials for Ultra-High Vacuum and Cryogenic Research
Ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and cryogenic systems place strict demands on material purity, surface characteristics, and thermal behaviour. Trace contaminants, outgassing, or poor thermal conductivity can compromise the performance of the system and the accuracy of the research.
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Why 99.99% Pure Aluminium Foil Is Essential in Modern Lab Science
High purity aluminium foil (typically 99.99% and above) plays a crucial role in a wide range of scientific applications. Its exceptional cleanliness, stability, and performance under demanding conditions make it essential in fields ranging from surface science to advanced energy storage.
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Copper - The Quiet Powerhouse Behind Innovation and Sustainability
From the first electrical systems to today’s most advanced technologies, copper has quietly remained one of the most relied-upon materials in the world. Its unique set of properties—high electrical and thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, antimicrobial benefits, and recyclability—make it indispensable across multiple sectors.
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Green Nanotechnology: Pioneering Sustainable Solutions in Materials Science
Green nanotechnology—an emerging area within materials science—brings sustainability and innovation together. It focuses on creating environmentally friendly nanomaterials and production methods, without compromising performance or functionality. This blog explores what green nanotechnology is, where it’s being applied, and how high-purity materials are helping researchers move this field forward.
Life Sciences in Oxfordshire: Spin-Offs, Innovation, and Investment
Oxfordshire has emerged as one of Europe’s leading life sciences clusters, often dubbed the “Silicon Valley of the UK” for its high density of innovative companies and research institutions. The region hosts a prolific spin-out ecosystem from Oxford University and nearby labs, cutting-edge biotech and medtech innovations, and a booming economy underpinned by significant investment. Notable breakthroughs – from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to portable DNA sequencing and novel cancer therapies – highlight Oxfordshire’s global impact in life sciences.