ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | NOVEMBER 2026 6 METALS | POLYMERS | CERAMICS The nanotechnology-based system employs engineered particles containing benzotriazole, a common corrosion inhibitor. When incorporated into waterbased polyurethane coatings, these particles respond to changes in acidity, releasing the inhibitor when conditions indicate corrosion may be occurring. Each particle functions as a nanoscale container designed to deliver the protective compound in response to changing environmental conditions. Electrochemical testing showed that the coating could restrict corrosion to 37 nm per year, a rate reported to be more than 600 times lower than that of many existing high-performance coatings, which can allow corrosion rates of approximately 0.025 mm per year. Unlike conventional coatings, which primarily provide a protective barrier, the new formulation is designed to respond to changing conditions and release corrosion-inhibiting compounds when needed. This targeted delivery mechanism could provide longer-lasting protection for bridges, buildings, vehicles, and other steel infrastructure while reducing the frequency and cost of recoating. “Coatings that contain our technology will have a greatly expanded lifetime, meaning far less maintenance, and a much longer time between applications,” says lead researcher Asep Nugraha. METALLIC RECIPES TUNE MATERIAL PROPERTIES Researchers at the University of Birmingham, U.K., created a metal-organic framework (MOF) whose properties can be adjusted by changing the proportions of metals within its structure, offering a new approach to designing customizable porous materials. The research team, which included scientists from the universities of Birmingham, Nottingham, and Limerick, developed UoB-116, a MOF capable of incorporating up to 16 different metals within a single crystal structure. This represents the highest number of metals yet achieved in a MOF and the first reported framework to combine metals from three different regions of the periodic table. To develop the material, researchers first created and characterized 15 versions of UoB-116, each incorporating a different rare earth metal. Next, they progressively combined multiple metals within the same framework before introducing indium to produce a structure containing 16 metals simultaneously. MOFs consist of metal atoms connected by organic molecules, forming ordered structures with microscopic pores. Researchers demonstrated that adjusting the relative amounts of dysprosium and lanthanum in UoB-116 can modify several material properties, including magnetism, light absorption, porosity, and carbon dioxide uptake. The CO2 uptake decreased from 5.72 mmol/g in the all-dysprosium material to 1.23 mmol/g in the all-lanthanum version under the conditions tested. Increasing dysprosium content also enhanced magnetic response and altered near-infrared light absorption, while increasing lanthanum reduced the material’s measured surface area. The findings show how modifying a material’s metallic composition can provide control over its functional properties without requiring an entirely new structure for each application. This approach could support development of tailored porous materials for gas storage, separation, and sensing. www.birmingham.ac.uk. NANOTECH COATING REPAIRS RUST DAMAGE Scientists at The University of Queensland, Australia, developed a self-healing coating that could significantly extend the service life of steel structures by slowing corrosion and reducing maintenance requirements. The Copper Development Association, McLean, Va., announces Copper Advocates, a free network for individuals, public officials, organizations, and companies that recognize copper’s importance to the U.S. economy. Advocates will receive updates on policy developments and industry news. copper.org. BRIEF New metal-organic frameworks o er a multitude of opportunities to alter behavior without developing new materials. Courtesy of the University of Birmingham. This self-healing rust-proof coating could potentially protect steel structures for hundreds of years. Courtesy of The University of Queensland.
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