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Tech companies underreport CO2 emissions

A study by Technical University of Munich found that major tech companies significantly underreported CO2 emissions from their value chain, with 50% of emissions omitted in 2019. The researchers developed a method to identify reporting gaps and estimated the omitted emissions at 751 megatons carbon dioxide equivalents.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNature Communications·TypeCase study·DateNov 18, 2021

Contributing to solve the heat concentration problem in power semiconductors

Developed a highly efficient boiling immersion cooler using lotus metals, increasing critical heat flux from 200 W/cm² to 530 W/cm² or more. The technology is expected to solve the heat concentration problem of in-vehicle power semiconductors and be applied to CPUs for workstations and large-scale servers.

SourceJapan Science and Technology Agency·JournalInternational Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 12, 2021

New control of liquid–liquid interface through non-equilibrium thermodynamics

A Japanese collaborative team presents a novel method for tuning hydrodynamic interfacial instability through a thermodynamic parameter controlling liquid–liquid phase separation. They successfully predict pattern changes of a growing interface by applying the maximum entropy production principle.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry B·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 27, 2021

Best of both worlds: Updating the chemical process to remove organic pollutants from water

Researchers from India and Saudi Arabia have combined oxidation and photocatalysis to create a heterogeneous photo-Fenton system that degrades phenols at higher rates than individual approaches. The system is highly photostable and reusable, making it promising for practical applications in wastewater purification.

SourceShoolini University·JournalJournal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 1, 2021

Cutting “edge”: A tunable neural network framework towards compact and efficient models

Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology developed a tunable neural network framework that achieves high accuracy and efficiency for sparse CNNs. The new architecture employs a Cartesian-product MAC array and pipelined activation aligners to enable dense computing of sparse convolution, resulting in better resource utilization.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 23, 2021

Finding the cause of a fatal problem in rocket engine combustors

Researchers found significant periodic flow velocity fluctuations in fuel injector ignite combustion oscillations, leading to high mechanical stress on the combustion chamber. The findings provide a reasonable answer for why these oscillations occur and have significant implications for preventing fatal damage in critical engines.

SourceTokyo University of Science·JournalPhysics of Fluids·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateAug 2, 2021

Fighting fire with data

A University of Pittsburgh professor is utilizing optimization techniques to find effective solutions for mitigating forest fires. The project aims to predict when and where fuel treatment methods should be implemented to best control wildfires.

How to hack your deadline: Admit it's uncertain

Researchers at the University of Michigan have devised a method for working with uncertainty in deadlines. By mapping out the uncertainty and incorporating it into a project management system, managers can improve their success rates. This technique can help managers save time and resources by focusing on less uncertain requirements.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalEuropean Journal of Operational Research·DateApr 18, 2019

Visualizing vitals through video

A mobile application will register natural head and body movements, distinguish between different skin tones and lighting conditions, and capture vital signs such as pulse rate. The project aims to expand beyond a 'wellness app' classification by the FDA, to an FDA-approved tool that can be used globally.

Helping co-workers can wear you out

A new study suggests that helping coworkers can be draining for employees, especially those with high pro-social motivation. Employees should exercise caution when agreeing to help and consider the magnitude of the issue before seeking assistance.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Applied Psychology·DateJun 14, 2016

Getting from here to there

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a new algorithm to reduce massive amounts of connected traffic data, enabling real-time information to be provided to users. The HTGD approach identifies similar communities in the data and finds the shortest route at the highest level, reducing search space and increasing effici...

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalIIE Transactions·DateMar 2, 2016

Toward roads that de-ice themselves

Researchers have developed a road material that de-ices itself by releasing de-icing salt as it wears away, potentially eliminating the need for annual salt applications. The new composite, combining potassium formate with styrene-butadiene-styrene and bitumen, significantly delays ice formation in lab studies.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research·DateDec 16, 2015

New sports technology provides a GPS alternative

SABEL Sense technology offers an alternative to GPS for tracking running speeds and distances, presenting a viable solution for improved athlete assessment techniques. The technology has been found to be highly accurate for running speeds, with potential benefits in monitoring training and game workloads.

SourceGriffith University·JournalSensors·DateSep 22, 2015

Banana peels get a second life as water purifier

Researchers have discovered that minced banana peels can quickly and efficiently remove toxic metals like lead and copper from river water, outperforming other materials in the process. The discovery could provide a sustainable solution for water purification, especially in areas where access to clean drinking water is limited.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalIndustrial & Engineering Chemistry Research·DateMar 9, 2011

Pandemic warning system keys on 'human factors'

Researchers propose a new system to warn of impending pandemics by monitoring subtle signals in human behavior, such as increased flu-related medication purchases. This approach aims to overcome the traditional challenge of knowing when events leading to pandemics begin, allowing for proactive measures to be taken.