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Science News Archive August 2017 - Page 35


Page 35 of 41

Simultaneous design and nanomanufacturing speeds up fabrication

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a new method that combines design and nanomanufacturing to create optimal nanostructured surfaces for solar cells. The technique uses mathematical functions and machine learning to fabricate quasi-random structures, resulting in increased light absorption and improved efficiency.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 4, 2017

Why humans find faulty robots more likeable

Researchers found that humans take a stronger liking to faulty robots, which helps them understand and correct their own behavior. This finding has exciting implications for the field of social robotics, emphasizing the importance of embracing imperfections in robot design.

SourceFrontiers·JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI·DateAug 4, 2017

Canadian-led study akin to antimatter forensics

A Canadian-led research collaboration reports observing spectral lines from an antimatter atom for the first time in a study published in Nature. The team studied antihydrogen and found that its spectral lines match those of hydrogen very well, which could provide clues about the nature of matter and antimatter.

SourceSimon Fraser University·JournalNature·DateAug 4, 2017

Two sides to this energy story

Researchers at Rice University have developed a catalyst that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen, offering a potential solution for renewable energy. The catalyst uses laser-induced graphene, a low-cost material, to produce large bubbles of oxygen and hydrogen simultaneously.

SourceRice University·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateAug 3, 2017

Cognitive hearing aid filters out the noise

Researchers at Columbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science have made a breakthrough in auditory attention decoding (AAD) methods, bringing cognitively controlled hearing aids closer to reality. The new system can automatically separate individual speakers from a mixture, determine which speaker the user is listening t...

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·JournalJournal of Neural Engineering·DateAug 3, 2017

Study finds climate plays role in decline of one of Asia's most critical water resources

A Kansas State University researcher found that climate variability, not the Three Gorges Dam, is the primary cause of a water supply decline in East Asia's largest floodplain lake system. The study found that 80% of the observed lake decline is due to simultaneous climate variability closely related to the El Niño-Southern Oscillation.

SourceKansas State University·JournalWater Resources Research·DateAug 3, 2017