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Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

SwRI’s H2-ICE consortium launches second phase, H2-ICE2

The SwRI H2-ICE2 consortium aims to refine the performance and efficiency of hydrogen internal combustion engine vehicles. The two-year program will test the vehicle's capabilities under various real-world conditions, with a focus on commercial viability.

SourceSouthwest Research Institute

UCF researcher to develop hydrogen combustion engine for commercial vehicles

A UCF researcher is working with PACCAR to create a hydrogen-based combustion engine for heavy-duty vehicles, aiming to reduce nitrogen oxide emissions. The project aims to develop a cleaner alternative to diesel fuel, which is currently the dominant choice for commercial vehicles.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida

The effects of preheating on vehicle fuel consumption and emissions appear minimal

A new study by the University of Eastern Finland found that preheating a vehicle has minimal effects on both fuel economy and emissions under cold winter conditions. While preheating showed some benefits in terms of engine comfort and wear reduction, its impact on overall fuel consumption was only slightly lower than after a cold start.

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalApplied Energy
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.

Extinction of steam locomotives derails assumptions about biological evolution

A team of paleontologists used the history of steam engines to test competitive exclusion theory, finding limited evidence supporting its role in extinction. The researchers analyzed data on tractive effort, revealing that newer engines generated more power, making steam locomotives less efficient and eventually obsolete.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalRoyal Society Open Science

WVU physicists give the first law of thermodynamics a makeover

Researchers at West Virginia University have developed a new theory that extends the first law of thermodynamics to systems not in equilibrium. This breakthrough has numerous potential applications across physics and other sciences, including studying plasmas in space and low-temperature plasmas.

SourceWest Virginia University·JournalPhysical Review Letters

Biofuel on the road to energy, cost savings

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have identified promising new biofuels that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 60% while improving fuel efficiency or reducing tailpipe emissions. The biofuels, developed using advanced engine design, can be blended with conventional fuels to improve engine performance and meet more ...

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory·JournalACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
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.

Computationally predicting where the wear will occur in engines

A team at Tohoku University created an analysis method to predict where wear will occur in engine piston pins. The breakthrough aims to limit wear and tear on machinery components and make them more fuel-efficient.

SourceTohoku University·JournalJournal of Tribology

Chemists find path to cheap deployment of hydrogen fuel cells

Cornell University chemists have developed a class of nonprecious metal derivatives that can efficiently power cars and generate electricity with minimal greenhouse gas emissions. The breakthrough could enable wider deployment of hydrogen fuel cells, replacing combustion engines and reducing waste.

SourceCornell University·JournalScience Advances

Burnout is a widespread reality in today's NHS

Burnout is a significant issue in today's NHS, with 44% of staff reporting work-related stress. Improving staff health and wellbeing is crucial for the moral, social, and economic priority it represents.

SourceBMJ Group·JournalThe BMJ

Innovative valve train saves 20% fuel

The new electrohydraulic valve train achieves significantly lower energy requirements and flexible gas exchange, adapting to changing fuel properties and enabling easier implementation of renewable fuels. The system also features an oil-free cylinder head, utilizing a water-glycol mixture for fast-switching hydraulic systems.

SourceSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA)·JournalMTZ worldwide
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.

Turbocharging the switch to efficient engines

Researchers at KAUST's Clean Combustion Research Center investigate pre-ignition, a major bottleneck to engine downsizing. By analyzing engine parameters, they identify conditions that trigger pre-ignition, including high exhaust back-pressure and oil-fuel droplet interactions.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)

Montana State researcher wins NSF CAREER award

Mark Owkes, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at Montana State University, has earned the National Science Foundation's CAREER award for his research on complex liquid-gas interactions. His goal is to create more accurate and faster simulations to help engineers design better technologies.

SourceMontana State University

From car engines to exoplanets

Researchers have developed chemical models from car engines to study the atmospheres of hot exoplanets. The results show deviations in these atmospheres due to extreme temperatures and pressures.

SourceRoyal Astronomical Society

New software lets your car tell you what it needs

Researchers at MIT developed a smartphone app that can analyze a car's sounds and vibrations to detect issues such as clogged air filters and worn-out spark plugs. The system uses machine-learning processes to extract subtle differences, achieving accuracy above 90% in tests.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalEngineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence
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 find computer code that Volkswagen used to cheat emissions tests

A team of researchers found computer code in Volkswagen vehicles that allowed them to circumvent emissions tests by activating curbing systems. The code, labeled as an 'acoustic condition,' was used on a wide range of models and emitted up to 40 times the allowed nitrogen oxides.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego

A turbo engine for tracing neurons

Researchers designed UltraTracer to work with existing algorithms, turbo-charging them for faster processing and larger datasets. The software can compare tens of thousands of neuron shapes to better understand cell types.

SourceAllen Institute·JournalNature Methods

Could more fuel-efficient engines lead to more global warming?

A study by Naomi Zimmerman and colleagues found that newer fuel-efficient engines may actually increase global warming due to higher black carbon emissions. Installing particulate filters in these engines could help balance this impact, but factors like engine design and location play a role.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Brownian Carnot engine

ICFO researchers create a microscopic Carnot engine that operates between two thermal baths using a temperature difference, exactly as car engines work. The engine is powered by a single particle, lasers, and electrical fields, allowing for the experimental validation of thermodynamic principles.

SourceICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences·JournalNature Physics

Developing a nanoscale 'clutch'

Researchers have created a model microscopic system to demonstrate torque transmission at the nanoscale, overcoming thermal fluctuations and energy dissipation. The device uses colloidal particles to transfer rotational motion, revealing new transmission phenomena not seen in macroscopic machines.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalNature Physics

Boosting gas mileage by turning engine heat into electricity

Scientists have developed a new material that can capture and convert waste heat from engines into electrical energy, potentially improving fuel efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This innovative technology could also have applications in aerospace and manufacturing sectors.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

Rubbers, roughness and reproduction

University of Leicester researchers found that more fluid formulations have greater reliability than thick and sticky rubbers. They discovered that high viscosity rubber compounds produce less desirable replicas.

SourceUniversity of Leicester·JournalScientific Reports
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.

Engine technology on the road to meeting emissions standards

A recent study on gasoline direct injection (GDI) technology found that it can reduce particulate matter emissions to meet new California and EPA standards. GDI vehicles tested over a lifetime of 150,000 miles hovered near or below the limit set by the new regulations.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology

Drug resistance: 'Baby steps' can pay off big

Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict how specific mutations affect antibiotic resistance. They discovered that small changes can increase resistance by up to 500%, challenging the idea of big effects from big changes.

SourceRice University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Ultrasound can now monitor the health of your car engine

A system using ultrasound to measure piston movement could improve engine efficiency by adjusting lubrication levels. The technique allows for accurate testing of the seal between piston rings and cylinder walls.

SourceUniversity of Sheffield·JournalProceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Part J Journal of Engineering Tribology
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Battling the force that wastes 1 out of every 10 gallons of gasoline in cars

Scientists are developing high-tech lubricants and additives to reduce engine friction, which wastes 1 in every 10 gallons of gasoline. These new materials could improve car fuel economy by 3-5 percent, reducing oil waste and energy consumption.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalChemical & Engineering News

MIT: Better way to harness waste heat

Researchers at MIT have developed a new technology that can convert waste heat into electricity with an efficiency of up to 90% of the Carnot Limit. This could lead to significant improvements in energy efficiency, such as double the talk time on cellphones and longer laptop battery life.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Applied Physics

Material may help autos turn heat into electricity

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new thermoelectric material that can convert waste heat from engine exhaust into electricity, with twice the efficiency of current market materials. The material is effective between 450-950 degrees Fahrenheit and has potential applications in power generators and heat pumps.

SourceOhio State University·JournalScience
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.

MIT researchers work toward spark-free, fuel-efficient engines

The new engine technology can improve fuel economy by several miles per gallon, cutting oil demand in the US by a million barrels a day. The mode-switching capability could appear in production models within a few years.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology

Software patch makes car more fuel-efficient

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology have developed a software patch to increase fuel efficiency in cars, reducing energy waste and emissions. The patch enables the car to achieve optimal engine performance more frequently, resulting in savings of up to 2.6% on fuel consumption.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology

USC computer engine orchestrates character gestures

A USC-developed system module called Social Puppet automates non-verbal expressions of mood and attention in game characters, mirroring human communication. This technology has implications for language learning and cultural understanding, as it helps simulate spontaneous non-verbal cues.

SourceUniversity of Southern California

First 3-D look at diesel particles gives clues to cleaner engines

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory have created a 3D map of diesel particles, revealing their varying shapes depending on engine speed and load. The findings provide clues to designing cleaner engines, with potential applications for reducing emissions and mitigating health problems.

SourceDOE/Argonne National Laboratory

Tiny machines need even tinier lubricants

Researchers have found that alcohols, which are not typically considered good lubricants, can work effectively in tiny machines. The discovery could lead to the development of gas-delivered liquid thin films that regenerate sensors and allow recycling of air bag mechanisms, improving efficiency and reducing power dissipation.

SourcePenn State
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.

Study tests new muffler technology for American auto industry

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed a new muffler design that utilizes glass fiber, reducing auto noise by up to 40 decibels and improving engine performance. The design can be lighter, less prone to corrosion, and help engines work more efficiently.

SourceOhio State University

Physicist designs perfect automotive engine

Marlan Scully's new engine design uses a quantum heat bath to produce power, driving a piston with less wasted energy than in the Carnot model. The engine employs lasers, mirrors, and quantum coherence to capture energy from exhaust gases, improving efficiency.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalScience

Advanced systems aim to keep new cars running clean as they age

Researchers at Purdue University and Ford Motor Co. developed an advanced electronic system to monitor engine health and adapt fuel delivery, eliminating the need for time-consuming engine mapping. The technology aims to reduce maintenance costs by automatically keeping engines running smoothly as they age.

SourcePurdue University

Sounds of race cars reveal engine performance, racing strategy

Engineers at Ohio State University have developed a method of computer analysis that extracts valuable information from the pitches of sound coming from a car, revealing insights into engine performance and driver technique. The same technique could be applied to other complicated machinery, such as power plant turbines.

SourceOhio State University
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.