Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Researchers introduce programmable materials to help heal broken bones

Engineers developed a material that mimics human bone for orthopedic femur restoration, providing optimized support and protection from external forces. This innovative approach uses machine learning, optimization, and 3D printing to create a fully controllable computational framework.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 21, 2024

AI chips could get a sense of time

Researchers at the University of Michigan have created a new type of memristor that can mimic the timekeeping mechanism found in biological neural networks. This breakthrough could lead to significant energy savings for AI chips, potentially reducing energy consumption by a factor of 90 compared to current graphical processing units.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Electronics·DateMay 20, 2024

Using solar energy to generate heat at high temperatures

Researchers at ETH Zurich have engineered a thermal trap to deliver heat at high temperatures needed for industrial processes, overcoming the challenge of fossil fuels. The device, which uses solar radiation, absorbs sunlight and converts it into heat, minimizing radiative heat losses and increasing efficiency.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalDevice·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 15, 2024

Rubber-like stretchable energy storage device fabricated with laser precision

Researchers from Pohang University of Science & Technology have fabricated a small-scale energy storage device that can stretch, twist, fold, and wrinkle. The device features fine patterning of liquid metal electrodes using laser ablation, allowing it to maintain its energy storage performance under repeated mechanical deformations.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·Journalnpj Flexible Electronics·DateApr 24, 2024

Bringing bio-inspired robots to life

Eric Markvicka is developing a manufacturing approach to produce novel liquid metal mixtures with enhanced properties, including thermal and electrical conductivity. These mixtures can be used in additive manufacturing and accelerate momentum toward 4D printing, enabling the creation of machines that mimic biological organisms.

This alloy is kinky

Researchers discovered an alloy with exceptional strength and toughness across a wide temperature range, outperforming even cryogenic steels. The alloy's unique properties are attributed to the formation of rare kink bands that enable it to resist bending and fracture.

Water main breaks are rarely due to a single factor, new Concordia research finds

A study by Concordia researchers analyzed data from 13 Canadian utilities covering 26,000 km of pipes and 62,000 failures. They found age, material, and diameter were the most associated factors with breaks, but also revealed less well-known effects of pipe protection methods, soil types, and seasonal variations.

SourceConcordia University·JournalENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 16, 2024

How scientists are accelerating chemistry discoveries with automation

A new statistical-modeling workflow can quickly identify molecular structures of products formed by chemical reactions, accelerating drug discovery and synthetic chemistry. The workflow also enables the analysis of unpurified reaction mixtures, reducing time spent on purification and characterization.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalJournal of Chemical Information and Modeling·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 8, 2024

Cool paint coatings help pedestrians feel up to 1.5 degrees Celsius cooler in urban setting, NTU Singapore field study finds

A study by NTU Singapore researchers found that cool paint coatings can reduce city heat by up to 2 degrees Celsius, improving pedestrian thermal comfort levels. The coatings reflected sunlight and absorbed less heat, resulting in cooler temperatures and reduced indoor air-conditioning energy consumption.

SourceNanyang Technological University·JournalSustainable Cities and Society·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 25, 2024

Using ‘time travel’ to think about technology from the perspective of future generations

A study by Osaka University found that thinking about sustainability from the perspective of imaginary future generations yields new insights into technological innovation and societal trends. Participants in workshops ranked indicators differently after adopting this perspective, perceiving technology's feasibility more accurately.

SourceOsaka University·JournalTechnological Forecasting and Social Change·TypeCase study·DateMar 19, 2024

Innovative magnetic levitation: New material offers potential for unlocking gravity-free technology

Researchers at OIST create a floating platform using graphite and magnets that operates without external power, opening potential for ultra-sensitive sensors and precision measurements. The new material, derived from graphite, overcomes energy loss challenges, allowing the platform to achieve 'frictionless' motion.

Sustainable development of unconventional resources: Analysis of transient linear flow oriented straight-line analysis technique

Researchers review advances and challenges in applying SLA to evaluate unconventional reservoirs, highlighting its simplicity and convenience. The study proposes modifications to address reservoir heterogeneity and suggests combining SLA with machine learning algorithms for improved accuracy.

SourceEnergy Reviews·JournalEnergy Reviews·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 18, 2024

Five grand challenges for the future at the interface of engineering and medicine

Researchers identify five grand challenges in biomedical engineering to address social needs, existing gaps, and technological limitations. The Convergence Revolution and Fourth Industrial Revolution are expected to shape the future of medicine, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaborations and next-generation training.

SourceUniversity of Alabama at Birmingham·JournalIEEE Open Journal of Engineering in Medicine and Biology·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateFeb 26, 2024

3D printed titanium structure shows supernatural strength

Researchers at RMIT University created a 50% stronger titanium lattice cube than the strongest alloy of similar density used in aerospace applications. The material's unique lattice structure design distributes stress evenly, making it suitable for medical devices, aircraft, and rocket parts.

SourceRMIT University·JournalAdvanced Materials·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 25, 2024

World’s first real-time wearable human emotion recognition technology developed!

A groundbreaking technology recognizes human emotions in real time, combining verbal and non-verbal expression data for accurate emotional information extraction. The system features a personalized skin-integrated facial interface that enables self-powered, flexible, and transparent emotion recognition.

Reshaping our understanding of granular systems

Scientists at the University of Rochester discovered that even small differences in grain shape can significantly alter grain segregation in dry and wet conditions. The study highlights the importance of interdisciplinary research to better understand and predict geohazards and alleviate segregation issues in industrial flows.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 12, 2024

Innovative coating prevents limescale formation

A team of researchers from ETH Zurich has developed a special coating that prevents limescale formation by using microscopically small ridges to prevent the adhesion of limescale crystals. The coating is biocompatible, environmentally friendly, and more efficient than existing approaches.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalScience Advances·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 9, 2024