{
  "id": 13171773,
  "title": "'Mix-and-match' material's properties can be tuned by changing its metallic 'recipe'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/09/mix-and-match-materials-properties-can-be-tuned-by-changing-its",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-10-09T18:00:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-10-material-properties-tuned-metallic-recipe.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists have developed a groundbreaking new family of materials whose properties can be altered by adjusting their metallic composition. Led by researchers at the University of Birmingham, chemists created highly adaptable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in which metal atoms are bonded together by organic molecules to form intricate structures with minuscule pores. The team, collaborating with the universities of Nottingham and Limerick, discovered that by varying the ratios of metals within these materials, they could modify key characteristics such as magnetism, porosity, light absorption, and the ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO₂).\n\nThe breakthrough allows researchers to create \"programmable\" porous materials, where a specific mix of metals can be chosen to fine-tune the material's magnetic, optical, chemical, or gas-adsorption behavior. This approach could significantly reduce the need to invent entirely new materials whenever different properties are desired, instead allowing researchers to simply alter the metallic recipe within the same underlying structure. The researchers tested a variety of metal combinations, ultimately producing a MOF containing 16 different metals simultaneously, including rare earth elements like yttrium, indium, and 14 lanthanides. By adjusting the proportions of two of these metals—dysprosium and lanthanum—the team observed changes in several properties, including magnetism, near-infrared absorption, surface area, and CO₂ uptake. These findings were published in the prestigious journal Angewandte Chemie International Edition, highlighting the potential of this new class of materials for applications ranging from gas storage and separation to sensing, catalysis, bioimaging, and the creation of novel magnetic materials.",
  "summary": "Scientists have created a new family of materials whose behavior can be tuned by changing their metallic \"recipe\"—opening new possibilities for uses including gas storage and sensing.",
  "key_points": [
    "Scientists create tunable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with adjustable metallic composition.",
    "Varying metal ratios modifies properties like magnetism, porosity, and CO₂ absorption.",
    "MOFs with 16 metals tested; dysprosium and lanthanum changes observed in multiple properties."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}