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Sticky, slippery, water repellent channels form maze-like, gravity-powered biomedical devices

Researchers at Duke University have developed a new approach to building point-of-care diagnostic devices that uses gravity to transport and mix liquid droplets. The device relies on commercially available surface coatings that can tweak the wettability and slipperiness of the channels, allowing for complex fluid paths to be designed.

SourceDuke University·JournalDevice·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 11, 2023

Unused renewable energy an option for powering NFT trade

Cornell University researchers found that unused solar, wind, and hydroelectric power in the US could support the exponential growth of NFT transactions. The study suggests that harnessing this excess energy could reduce carbon emissions from NFT processing, which currently reach an equivalent of 0.37 megatons of CO2 per year.

SourceCornell University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 10, 2023

Towards efficient lithium–air batteries with solution plasma-based synthesis of perovskite hydroxide catalysts

Researchers at Shibaura Institute of Technology have developed a faster way to synthesize CoSn(OH)6, a powerful catalyst required for high-energy lithium–air batteries. The new method uses solution plasma-based synthesis and achieves highly crystalline CSO crystals with improved catalytic properties.

SourceShibaura Institute of Technology·JournalSustainable Energy & Fuels·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 26, 2023

Experts hail 3D audio plug-in VIRTUOSO developed by a Huddersfield academic 'a game-changer'

VIRTUOSO, developed by Dr. Hyunkook Lee from the University of Huddersfield's Applied Psychoacoustics Lab, enables immersive 3D audio without loudspeakers through binaural technology powered by ASPEN. This technology simulates the ambience and reflections found in a room with headphones, allowing for accurate translation to real speakers.

SourceUniversity of Huddersfield·TypeNews article·DateJun 13, 2023

Petit-spot volcanoes involve the deepest known submarine hydrothermal activity, possibly release CO2 and methane

Scientists discover hydrothermal deposits at a 5.7 km depth in the Japan Trench, indicating low-temperature hydrothermal activity and elevated CO2 and methane levels. The findings highlight the need for further studies on petit-spot volcanoes and their potential impact on global biogeochemical cycles.

SourceWaseda University·JournalCommunications Earth & Environment·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 1, 2023

Helium nuclei research advances our understanding of cosmic ray origin and propagation

The CALET team, including researchers from Waseda University, found that cosmic ray helium particles follow a Double Broken Power Law, indicating spectral hardening and softening in high-energy ranges. This deviation from expected power-law distribution suggests unique sources or mechanisms accelerating and propagating helium nuclei.

SourceWaseda University·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeObservational study·DateMay 25, 2023

How the military could speed helicopter operations on the battlefield

Researchers developed a mathematical model that accounts for variables such as helicopter resources and operational range to optimize air movement tasks. The model can perform planning functions in under an hour, saving commanders three to five hours compared to traditional methods.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalJournal of Defense Analytics and Logistics·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 22, 2023

When it comes to satellite data, sometimes more is more

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology created a digital platform to enable organizations to share satellite data, accelerating earth science research. The New Observing Strategies Testbed (NOS-T) facilitates complex missions like wildfire spotting and landslides prediction without revealing private information.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalSystems Engineering·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 11, 2023

A new twist on chirality: researchers extend the concept of directionality and propose a new class of materials

A team led by Taylor Hughes and Gaurav Bahl has experimentally realized a theoretical extension of chirality in two dimensions. They constructed a topological circuit network to explore new behaviors predicted by this extended chirality, which manifests as locking between a particle's flow direction and an arrow carried along with it.

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

6% of nations provide for citizens in just, sustainable manner

Researchers at Ohio State University found that only 6% of countries provide for all citizens in an ecologically sustainable way. The study measured the ecological and social impact of water and carbon use, finding that while 67% operate safely and sustainably in water use, only 9% do in carbon sequestration. The US is among the majori...

SourceOhio State University·JournalOne Earth·TypeMeta-analysis·DateApr 28, 2023

Computational ‘short cuts’ offer fast answers to complex supply chain problems

Computational heuristics like Grey Wolf Optimizer and Whale Optimization Algorithm offer fast solutions to complex supply chain problems, providing accurate results within a shorter time frame. The research suggests these tools can be a valuable addition to supply chain management, especially in responding to unexpected disruptions.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalIEEE Access·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateApr 25, 2023

A novel biorefinery process with material and energy circulation by reusing by-products

A novel biorefinery process has been developed to minimize the usage of external utilities by reusing by-products from biomass production. The process successfully reduced the total process energy and supplied it by itself, as well as utilizing excess solid by-products for building materials and other purposes.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalChemical Engineering Research and Design·DateApr 9, 2023

A biohybrid system to extract 20 times more bioplastic from CO2 developed by KAIST researchers

Researchers at KAIST have developed a hybrid system that combines electrochemical CO2 conversion with microbial bioconversion to produce bioplastics. The system resulted in the world's highest productivity, producing up to 83% of cell dry weight as bioplastic from CO2.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeMeta-analysis·DateMar 30, 2023

University of Illinois researchers present new theory of convection for understanding fast charging of batteries

Researchers from the University of Illinois have developed a new theory that explains how convection occurs inside reactive porous media, shedding light on mass and heat transfer principles. The theory introduces a spectral Sherwood number and extends Newton's law of cooling for convection heat transfer to transient conditions.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of Power Sources·DateMar 21, 2023

Hansel and Gretel's breadcrumb trick inspires robotic exploration of caves on Mars and beyond

University of Arizona engineers create a communication network allowing robots to explore subsurface environments independently, deploying miniaturized sensors as they traverse caves. The 'breadcrumb-style' system enables swarms of individual robots to navigate convoluted environments without losing contact.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalAdvances in Space Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 17, 2023

Hansel and Gretel's breadcrumb trick inspires robotic exploration of caves on Mars and beyond

University of Arizona engineers create autonomous vehicle system that allows robots to scout out underground habitats on other planets. The 'Breadcrumb-Style Dynamically Deployed Communication Network' paradigm enables robots to work together without human input, addressing NASA's space technology grand challenges.

SourceUniversity of Arizona·JournalAdvances in Space Research·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMar 1, 2023

HKU Engineering generates Fermat’s spiral patterns using solutal Marangoni-driven coiling in an aqueous two-phase system

Researchers at HKU Engineering have developed a new type of continuous Marangoni transport system that generates highly ordered Fermat's spiral patterns. The system utilizes an aqueous two-phase system, inspiring potential biological applications and novel methods for fibre fabrication.

SourceThe University of Hong Kong·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateFeb 20, 2023