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A novel lightweight wearable device to perform balance exercises at home

Researchers developed a lightweight wearable balance exercise device to improve reactive postural control in older adults, reducing the risk of falls. The device uses pneumatic artificial muscles to generate unexpected perturbations, resulting in improved peak displacement and velocity.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalIEEE Journal of Translational Engineering in Health and Medicine·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 27, 2023

Revolutionary breakthrough in the manufacture of photovoltaic cells at the University of Ottawa

Researchers have developed a new type of photovoltaic cell with significant advantages over conventional solar technologies, reducing shadowing by 95% and potentially lowering energy production costs. The breakthrough paves the way for miniaturization in electronic devices and has potential applications in solar cells, space exploratio...

SourceUniversity of Ottawa·JournalCell Reports Physical Science·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 22, 2023

Novel framework for assessing the utilization efficiency of mobile power sources in the power grid

A new theoretical framework evaluates the utilization efficiency of mobile power sources in power grids, considering various failure scenarios and structural resilience. The study emphasizes deploying mobile power sources to improve grid survivability and rapid recovery capabilities during disasters.

SourceKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.·JournalJournal of Economy and Technology·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateNov 19, 2023

‘Cutting the cord’ to advance ocean data collection

A team led by Lehigh University's Yahong Rosa Zheng is developing an Autonomous Observatory Node that can collect and transmit data from underwater sensors wirelessly, without the need for expensive subsea cables. The prototype aims to operate at depths of up to 1000 meters, enabling researchers to study extreme environments and detect...

UBC engineers develop breakthrough ‘robot skin’ in collaboration with Honda researchers

A new soft sensor developed by UBC and Honda researchers enables touch sensitivity and dexterity in robots, allowing them to pick up fragile objects like an egg or a glass of water. The sensor uses weak electric fields to sense objects, even at a distance, making it suitable for adoption in robots that interact with people.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalScientific Reports·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 25, 2023

Revolutionizing energy storage: Metal nanoclusters for stable lithium–sulfur batteries

Researchers have developed a metal nanocluster-based separator for lithium-sulfur batteries, accelerating electrochemical kinetics and improving capacity and cycling stability. The technology has the potential to increase the adoption of sustainable energy storage systems, including electric vehicles and renewable energy.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalSmall·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2023

Novel battery technology with negligible voltage decay developed at CityU, a world’s first

A breakthrough in battery technology has been achieved by City University of Hong Kong, overcoming the persistent challenge of voltage decay in lithium-ion batteries. The new development stabilises a unique honeycomb-like structure within the cathode material, resulting in longer-lasting and more efficient batteries.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Energy·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 28, 2023

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers reveal the effect of AIN surface pits on GaN remote epitaxy

GIST researchers found that nano-sized pits on AlN surfaces cause graphene degradation at higher temperatures, leading to GaN film exfoliation failure. The study's results demonstrate the importance of substrate chemical and topographic properties for successful remote epitaxy.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 12, 2023

New review in Energy Reviews discusses progress in the design of porous volumetric solar receivers

The study provides a condensed overview of recent advances and challenges in atmospheric and pressurized PVSRs, highlighting potential for improving performance through geometrical parameter optimization and spectrally selective absorption. Standardized evaluation methods remain essential to unlock the full potential of PVSRs.

SourceEnergy Reviews·JournalEnergy Reviews·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 28, 2023

TNMSC researchers create high-performance aluminum matrix composites with asymmetric cryocooling

Scientists have developed a new method to manufacture high-performance aluminum matrix composites using asymmetric cryorolling, resulting in improved mechanical properties and increased ductility. The technique produces sheets with fewer microvoids, finer grain size, and higher density of dislocations.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalTransactions of Nonferrous Metals Society of China·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 8, 2023

New material could hold key to reducing energy consumption in computers and electronics

Researchers at the University of Minnesota have created a thin film of a unique semimetal material that can generate more computing power and memory storage while using significantly less energy. The study, published in Nature Communications, has important findings about the physics behind its unique properties.

SourceUniversity of Minnesota·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 13, 2023

New study shatters conventional wisdom and unlocks the future of electrochemical devices

Researchers at the University of Cambridge discovered that ions conduct faster than electrons in conjugated polymer electrodes, challenging conventional wisdom. This finding provides valuable insights into the factors influencing charging speed and offers opportunities to engineer materials with improved performance.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 6, 2023

Finding the flux of quantum technology

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a way to efficiently separate and harness individual photons, a critical component in quantum photonics. This breakthrough has the potential to significantly increase the speed of quantum technology applications.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalNanophotonics·DateJul 5, 2023

Lasers enable internet backbone via satellite

Researchers demonstrated terabit optical data transmission through the air in a European Horizon 2020 project, enabling more cost-effective and faster backbone connections via near-earth satellite constellations. The team used laser systems to transmit high-data rates over a free-space distance of 53km.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience·DateJun 20, 2023

Breaking through the limits of stretchable semiconductors with molecular brakes that harness light

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) developed a technology for high-performance organic polymer semiconductors that exhibit both stretchability and electrical functionality. The molecular brake prevents slipping under stretching conditions, preserving up to 96% of electrical performance.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJun 9, 2023

Optimizing the properties and microstructure of bulk superconductors

Japanese researchers develop improved ternary superconductor bulks from liquid sources, demonstrating enhanced performance and microstructural analysis shows significant reductions in secondary phase particle size. The findings have huge potential for applications in magnetic levitation, electric motors, and energy systems.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Alloys and Compounds·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 6, 2023

Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology researchers improve the solubility of redox molecules for enhanced energy storage systems

Researchers from GIST have developed a hydrotropic-supporting electrolyte to enhance the solubility of organic redox molecules in aqueous systems. This improvement enables the creation of high-energy-density electrochemical capacitors with potential applications in redox flow batteries.

SourceGIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalACS Energy Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2023

A better way to match 3D volumes

Researchers at MIT have developed a new approach to match 3D shapes by mapping volumes to volumes, resulting in more accurate animations and CAD designs. This method represents shapes as tetrahedral meshes that include the mass inside a 3D object, allowing for better modeling of fine parts and avoiding common artifacts.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalACM Transactions on Graphics·DateMay 24, 2023

Assessing the impact of going off-grid on transmission charge and energy market outcomes

A team of researchers found that prosumers, who produce their own electricity, can lower transmission charges when generating less energy. However, when producing a large amount of renewable energy, transmission charges increase. The study suggests levying a per-MWh tax on prosumer consumption to reduce the likelihood of death spirals.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalApplied Energy·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 1, 2023

Is the ocean a solution for ushering in the era of environmentally friendly energy?

Researchers at POSTECH developed seawater batteries with improved performance by incorporating chelating agents, overcoming limitations of traditional lithium-ion batteries. The new design achieved high energy efficiency and capacity, making it a promising candidate for next-generation energy storage systems.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateApr 27, 2023