Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Fueling the future

Researchers at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution are developing tools and technology for mass production of seaweed for biofuels and chemicals. A breeding program and monitoring system will be created to improve efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Answers needed on sly grog trade

Researchers at James Cook University found sophisticated tactics being used to smuggle illicit alcohol into remote Indigenous communities. Sly grog traders sell alcohol for inflated prices, often up to 11 times its retail value. The study highlights the need for collaborative responses involving law enforcement and social services.

SourceJames Cook University·JournalBMC Research Notes·DateAug 23, 2017

Underwater vehicle design inspired by schools of fish

Researcher Keith Moored aims to understand the forces, energetics and flow physics of collective locomotion in schools of fish to develop optimized underwater vehicles. He will use a low-speed wind tunnel facility and particle image velocimetry system to characterize flow fields and forces acting on pitching wing models.

Missing 1-2 hours of sleep doubles crash risk

A new study from the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reveals that drivers missing 1-2 hours of sleep nearly double their risk for a crash. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 35% of U.S. drivers sleep less than seven hours daily.

SourceAAA·DateDec 6, 2016

Flashy language doesn't fly with Supreme Court

A new study by Michigan State University researchers found that Supreme Court justices are less likely to side with briefs using flashy adjectives and emotionally charged language. Using minimal emotional language increases a petitioner's chances of winning by 29%, while respondents can win with certainty when using objective tone.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalJournal of Law and Courts·DateNov 21, 2016

'Squishy' motors and wheels give soft robots a new ride

Researchers at Rutgers University have developed a soft motor that enables torque without bending, making it suitable for search and rescue missions, deep space exploration, and manipulating objects during MRI. The squishy wheels allow for passive suspensions in wheeled vehicles, making the design simple yet effective.

SourceRutgers University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 28, 2016

Innovative approach makes for a smoother ride

A team of engineers from Penn State's Applied Research Laboratory have developed an innovative approach to stabilize supercavitation bubbles, reducing the pulsation and noise that can occur during underwater vehicle movement. By applying a sinusoidal air flow variation, they were able to suppress pulsation states in many cases, allowin...

SourcePenn State·JournalInternational Journal of Multiphase Flow·DateJun 16, 2016

Dynamic dazzle distorts speed

Researchers found that dynamic dazzle patterns can distort perceived speed, causing a targeting error of up to 2m for a Land Rover. The effect remains even with only a small patch of the pattern visible, providing potential applications for camouflage on vehicles with central doors.

SourceUniversity of Bristol·JournalPLOS ONE·DateMay 19, 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

Some distractions while driving are more risky than others, researchers say

Researchers found that drivers are more than double their crash risk when engaging in distracting activities such as using a handheld cell phone or reading. The study analyzed over 1,600 verified crash events and found that being in an emotional state, traveling above the speed limit, and performance errors increase driver risk. In con...

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 22, 2016

Africa faces rising rates of traumatic brain injury

African countries face a significant burden of traumatic brain injury, with the majority resulting from motor vehicle accidents. Developing accurate surveillance systems and public health measures is crucial to reducing the risk and impact of TBI.

SourceWiley·JournalEuropean Journal of Neurology·DateOct 5, 2015