Controlling friction for sustainable concrete 

ECFP researchers have revealed how friction between microscopic cement grains can prevent the easy flow of fresh, unset concrete. Improving our understanding of these microscale processes will guide efforts to replace cement with more sustainable substitutes.

Thinning, not thickening, fluids optimise protection of glass screens

A collaboration between ECFP and Corning Inc. investigating the link between fluid flow and glass bending in layered systems has uncovered that shear-thinning fluids provide better protection against impact. Such insight could be used to create more durable foldable smartphones.