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To give astronauts better food, engineers test a fridge prototype in microgravity

A team of engineers from Purdue University, Air Squared Inc., and Whirlpool Corporation has developed a refrigerator prototype that can operate effectively in microgravity. The prototype aims to provide astronauts with a supply of food that could last five to six years, overcoming the challenges of traditional refrigeration systems in ...

New optimization approach helps design lighter carbon fiber composite materials

A new design method for optimizing fiber orientation and thickness simultaneously reduces the weight of carbon fiber reinforced plastics by more than 5% while maintaining its strength. The approach, developed by researchers at Tokyo University of Science, enables higher load transfer efficiency compared to traditional methods.

Freeform imaging systems: Fermat's principle unlocks 'first time right' design

Researchers at Brussels Photonics develop a deterministic design method for freeform imaging systems using differential equations derived from Fermat's principle. The method generates 'first time right' initial designs that enable rigorous evaluation in solution space, reducing the need for trial-and-error approaches.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Marine animals inspire new approaches to structural topology optimization

Researchers at Georgia Tech and Brazil's Pontifical Catholic University developed a new framework for designing hierarchical, spatially-varying microstructures with potential applications in cranial reconstruction, space exploration, and biomaterials. This approach combines design and manufacturing to create novel microstructures.

DNA robots designed in minutes instead of days

Researchers at Ohio State University developed a new software tool called MagicDNA that can design more complex DNA robots and nanodevices in a fraction of the time. The software allows for 3D design and simulation, enabling fine control over individual component properties and increasing the complexity of overall geometry.

Student's second-year homework picked up by Amazon quantum researchers

Researchers have optimized a second-year physics project to effectively double its capacity to correct errors in quantum machines. The simple yet ingenious change has been adopted by Amazon's quantum computing program and Yale University, enabling a shorter timeline for achieving scalable quantum computation.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Petroleum engineers of Samara Polytech developed a unique test facility

Petroleum engineers at Samara Polytech created a test facility that recreates physical parameters of a deposit located at different depths. The facility allows for the simulation of pressure and temperature conditions, enabling the accurate determination of rock mechanical properties such as hardness, elasticity, and plasticity.

Engineers earn NASA grant to enable flying taxis

A team of US engineers has received a $5.8 million NASA grant to create computational design tools for air taxi designs. The project aims to develop safe, quiet, and affordable eVTOL aircraft using advanced design optimization algorithms.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

Japanese art technique inspires new engineering technique

Engineers at Northwestern University have developed a new technique using kirigami cuts to create complex 3D structures and nanoscale tools. The technique, inspired by traditional Japanese paper-folding practices, enables the creation of unusual shapes and functions.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

Army looks to improve quadrotor drone performance

Researchers created a trajectory planner that enables drones to quickly switch between hover and forward flight, reducing transition time by half. The system uses aerodynamic models to optimize flight movements, allowing for more agile maneuvers in dense or urban areas.

Algorithms and automation: Making new technology faster and cheaper

Penn State researchers have created an automated process planning software to optimize additive manufacturing, reducing design time and material waste. The software uses algorithmic mapping of designs from CAD software to AM to minimize unnecessary steps, enabling faster production and lower costs.

Army researchers look to reduce rotorcraft noise

Researchers investigated acoustic properties of eVTOL aircraft and found that smaller rotors generate more broadband noise. Co-axial co-rotating rotors may offer better performance and lower noise than conventional rotors, with stacked rotor configurations potentially producing the lowest noise levels.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Airplane noise at night can trigger cardiovascular death

A recent study published in the European Heart Journal found that acute aircraft noise exposure at night can increase the risk of cardiovascular mortality. The study analyzed 24,886 cardiovascular deaths and found a significant association between night-time airplane noise levels and increased mortality risk.

Carbon nanocomposites are now one step closer to practical industrial

The study introduces a new generation of multifunctional materials created by adding carbon nanoparticles to polymer matrices, allowing for self-sensing properties. This technology has the potential to replace sensors in weight-critical systems and manufacture electrically conductive materials for various applications.

Researchers shrink imaging spectrometer without compromising performance

The new compact VNIR/SWIR imaging spectrometer offers improved spatial and spectral analysis capabilities, enabling applications in atmospheric science, ecology, geology, agriculture, and forestry. The instrument's small size and modular design make it suitable for airborne vehicles and planetary exploration missions.

Raptor-inspired drone with morphing wing and tail

A drone inspired by the northern goshawk's wing and tail motion was developed to approximate raptor-like flight performance, achieving faster turns and decelerations. The device features a morphing wing and tail that adjust in synergy for optimal agility.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

New approach could lead to designed plastics with specific properties

Researchers at the University of Chicago have developed a new method to design polymers with specific properties, such as degradable plastic bags or super-strong aircraft materials. By combining modeling and machine learning, they created a large database of hypothetical polymers and trained a neural network to predict their properties.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Quieter wind beneath the wings

A new simulation approach has enabled faster computation of complex airfoil noise characteristics under extreme conditions, accelerating the development of quieter designs. The method uses a wall-modeled large-eddy simulation to model near-surface flows at high resolution while reducing computational intensity.

CMU's MoonRanger will search for water at moon's south pole

MoonRanger, a small robotic rover developed by Carnegie Mellon University, will search for signs of water at the moon's south pole. The rover is designed to explore at unprecedented speeds in both sunlit and dark conditions, and will use innovative technologies such as laser line stripes for night vision.

CabildoXLatAm: A space for digital participation in Latin America

The CabildoXLatAm platform hosts a participatory digital space for Latin America's civil society actors, governments, and communities to discuss new forms of governance. The event aims to design a roadmap for self-management and address regional challenges such as food sovereignty and digital governance.

The mathematical magic of bending grids

A team of mathematicians from TU Wien has developed a technique to calculate flat grids that can be unfolded into desired three-dimensional shapes. The method uses findings in differential geometry and has been successfully tested in practice, resulting in stable and structurally sound 3D structures with good static properties.

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

Is it a bird, a plane? Not superman, but a flapping wing drone

A team of engineers has designed a 26 gram ornithopter that can hover, dart, glide, brake, and dive like a swift, making it more versatile and safer than quadcopter drones. The drone's ability to fly in cluttered environments and stop quickly from fast speeds avoids collisions.

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

Flight tests show B61-12 compatible with F-15E Strike Eagle

The B61-12's compatibility with the F-15E was successfully demonstrated through a series of flight tests. The tests showed that the refurbished bomb worked as expected, with precision accuracy and proper functionality, increasing confidence in its reliability. The results meet all requirements for performance and safety.

Pioneer of modern datacenter design receives Eckert-Mauchly Award

Barroso's designs paired inexpensive hardware with powerful distributed systems software to dramatically change system design. His work led to the development of hyperscale datacenters and has had a significant impact on industry, resulting in reduced hardware and operating costs.

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

New research leads to lighter and greener bridges

Researchers at the Technical University of Denmark have developed a new design for bridge girders that uses topology optimization to minimize steel use while maintaining strength. The design could lead to weight reductions of up to 28% and corresponding CO2 emissions savings of up to 20%.

Performing optical logic operations by a diffractive neural network

A diffractive neural network, implemented by a compound Huygens' metasurface, realizes all seven basic optical logic operations in a compact system using a plane wave as input signal. The design strategy features flexible modification and eliminates the need for precise control of input light.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

Researcher receives grant to study effects of hypersonic shock waves

The researcher will employ real-world materials to study the effect of surface roughness on dynamic behavior of hypersonic shock-wave interactions in a Mach 7 Ludwieg Tube facility. The goal is to aid in the design of next-generation Air Force flight systems, overcoming technical challenges such as extreme heat and pressure loads.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

Researchers develop new bio-inspired wing design for small drones

The new wing design, dubbed the Separated Flow Airfoil, intentionally separates airflow at the leading edge, reattaching it more consistently before reaching the trailing edge. This enables more efficient, stable flight in turbulent air, resulting in better battery life and longer flight times for small drones.

Best urban design for reducing road injuries

A global study by Columbia University's Mailman School of Public Health found that 'High Transit' cities with strong rail networks have the lowest rates of road injuries. In contrast, 'Informal' type cities across India, China, and Africa experienced twice the injury rates due to poor urban design.

Scholars find that irregularly shaped parks reduce mortality risk

A recent study published in The Lancet Planetary Health found that residents near irregularly shaped community parks have a lower mortality risk compared to those living near traditional square-shaped parks. The researchers, led by Huaquing Wang and Lou Tassinary, analyzed land cover data from Philadelphia and discovered that the compl...

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

A better understanding of soft artificial muscles

Harvard researchers have uncovered fundamental physical properties of artificial muscle fibers, shedding light on their shape transformations and design principles. The study explains the theoretical principles underlying complex morphology and provides guidelines for designing optimal soft actuators.

FSU researchers develop thin heat shield for superfast aircraft

Researchers at FSU's High-Performance Materials Institute have developed a thin heat shield for high-speed aircraft using carbon nanotubes, known as 'buckypaper.' The material is lightweight, flexible, and durable, protecting the aircraft from intense heat while reducing weight.

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Flexible yet sturdy robot is designed to 'grow' like a plant

Researchers at MIT have developed a robot with an extendable appendage that can twist and turn in various configurations, yet remains rigid enough to support heavy loads. The robot's design is inspired by the way plants grow, allowing it to adapt to different tasks and environments.

Assembler robots make large structures from little pieces

Researchers have developed a new kind of robotics that can assemble large structures from identical subunits using simple robotic systems. The system works by having the robot work together with the structure, adjusting its position as it adds each piece, allowing for efficient and precise assembly.

Groundbreaking method detects defective computer chips

Researchers developed ptychographic x-ray laminography to validate chip integrity without damaging them. The method generates high-resolution 3D images of chips from diffraction patterns, allowing companies to verify design specifications and detect manufacturing errors.

Picoscience and a plethora of new materials

Researchers at Yale University are developing new materials that can mimic neurons, compute with magnets, and calculate using quantum mechanics. The team used a precision measurement technique to create artificial crystals composed of elements from the periodic table.

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.