News on R&D across science and industry. Covers R&D awards, applied studies, quantum institutes, and university research initiatives.
Researchers at George Washington University have developed a silicon-based electro-optical modulator that is smaller in size and faster than existing technology. The new device uses indium tin oxide to achieve gigahertz-fast signal modulation and has the potential to enable next-generation communication networks.
A new unbonded carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) method for strengthening steel structures has been developed by researchers at Toyohashi University of Technology. This approach enhances buckling performance without the need for surface treatments, resulting in cost savings and improved structural integrity.
A cloud-based supply chain management system for emergency response has been developed by Purdue University researchers. The system allows for real-time tracking of supplies and aid, enabling better targeting of assistance to those most in need. This innovation aims to improve outcomes for individuals impacted by natural disasters.
A new study from the University of Eastern Finland reveals that cross-border regions often struggle to achieve concrete outcomes in cooperation. Despite local decision-makers' support for integration, innovation cooperation remains sparse in many regions, including Cascadia and European border areas.
Researchers tested concrete floors with steel beams to understand fire behavior and structural failure. The study found that even well-designed structures can collapse due to extreme temperature shifts, highlighting the need for improved fire safety measures.
A new study co-led by a Cornell researcher found that individuals who recognize similarities between people they know and those depicted in the media are more likely to believe common rape myths. Media literacy education could help raise awareness about sexual violence and improve prevention programs on college campuses.
Researchers at KAIST developed a novel wearable strain sensor that overcomes limitations of conventional sensors. The sensor demonstrates high sensitivity, flexibility, and stretchability while being environmentally stable, making it suitable for healthcare applications.
A team of Berkeley Lab cosmologists, led by George Stein and Uros Seljak, developed a code that best identified a mock signal hidden in simulated particle-collision data. Their efficient machine learning tool, called sliced iterative optimal transport, can run on a simple desktop or laptop computer.
Researchers developed a new method to accurately record brain activity at scale, enabling the creation of brain-computer interface systems. The technology overcomes challenges in recording brain activity across large areas and minimizes tissue damage.
The Organs-on-Chips platform provides human-relevant disease modeling and studies to gain insights related to new drug modalities and disease mechanisms. Researchers can use the platform to assess safety risks and make informed decisions throughout the drug discovery and development process.
The isoperimetric soft robot is a human-scale, pneumatic robot that can move without a tether and navigate unstructured environments. It achieves this by deforming its soft fabric tubes while maintaining its perimeter constant.
Researchers at TU Graz have developed X-Burst, a system that enables direct information exchange between IoT devices with different radio technologies. The system uses time-controlled energy pulses to transmit data packets of varying lengths, allowing for efficient communication without gateways.
Twelve UNIST students have won a total of 2 Gold, 3 Silver, and 5 Bronze awards at the 2020 Samsung Humantech Paper Awards. The winners include TaeJung Lim and MinHo Seong for their innovative research in mechanical engineering and energy/environment.
Researchers analyzed 73 studies on antibiotic use in outpatient sectors worldwide, finding city dwellers, children, and seniors take more antibiotics. Higher education and richer countries reduce antibiotic use, while urban areas and doctor concentrations increase it.
Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a method to precisely control the sequence in synthetic polymers, allowing them to study charge transport properties and measure conductance through single chains. This work has significant implications for designing and manipulating materials with designer properties.
A world-first study has patented a new filtration technique that can filter lithium ions in an ultra-fast and highly selective manner. The technology, developed by Monash University, has shown a lithium recovery rate of approximately 90 percent, a substantial improvement on the current solar evaporation process.
Researchers developed a more efficient automated parking guidance control strategy that mimics the approach to parallel parking commonly used by human drivers. This new method simplifies control rules and strategies, reducing computing and storage resources required in vehicles.
A team of researchers developed a standardized survey tool to collect data on rural households. The Rural Household Multi-Indicator Survey (RHoMIS) includes over 30,000 interviews from 33 countries and provides insights into smallholder farming practices, climate change, and social inclusion.
A new tool, designed for both planning and operation phases, aims to optimize evacuation routes and supply logistics in near-real time. Researchers focus on noncombatant evacuation operations in the Republic of Korea, but it can be applied to various scenarios.
Researchers developed a computational model to expedite military operations for evacuating noncombatants, disaster response, or humanitarian relief. The new model helps officials determine what needs to be where and at what time to complete an evacuation as quickly as possible.
Researchers at Korea Institute of Energy Research have developed a new separator membrane that significantly reduces gas crossover in water electrolyzers. The membrane exhibits high performance comparable to commercial separators while maintaining low ohmic resistance.
Research at the Regenstrief Institute found that hospital admission and neurological consultations are associated with better quality care for people with transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Patients who received a neurological consultation had higher care quality, while speech impairment was linked to increased hospital admittance.
A new open-source simulation software package in Python allows researchers to quickly compare and prioritize strategies for converting biomass to fuels and products. BioSTEAM provides a fast, flexible tool to analyze the economic and environmental implications of biorefineries.
Army researchers developed a new algorithm that enables collaborative and communication-efficient deep learning, reducing the need for centralized data pooling. The algorithm decreases communication overhead by up to 70% without sacrificing performance accuracy or learning rate.
A WSU research team has developed a unique protective layer around lithium anode, protecting batteries from degradation and allowing them to work longer under typical conditions. The innovation could make high-energy batteries more viable for next-generation energy storage.
The five winning researchers are recognized for their diverse accomplishments in engineering, innovation & technology. They will receive a prize of USD $5,000 and an all-expenses-paid trip to attend the AAAS Meeting.
Researchers have successfully demonstrated a world record transmission capacity of 10.66 peta-bit per second over a 38-core 3-mode optical fiber, achieving a spectral efficiency of 1158.7 bits per second per Hz. This breakthrough enables a drastic increase in data-rate per fiber for intra- and inter data-center communication.
Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University will develop next-generation rechargeable batteries with a potential 300-500 cycle lifespan. The project aims to reduce costs and safety risks while increasing battery life.
A new, battery-free sensor can detect water leaks in buildings, enabling greater protection and reducing costs. The sensor, powered by nanotechnology, sends alerts to smartphones when exposed to moisture, making it more accessible for building owners.
Researchers developed a computational model that maximizes economic return on anaerobic digestion systems, accounting for uncertainty and key factors such as farm size and species. The model identifies optimal locations, capacities, and service areas to generate profit from farm-based sustainable energy projects.
A European research project highlights the need for more resources and greater gender competence to make science equality measures effective. The study analyzed 19 interventions in six countries, including Spain, and found that Spanish institutions have one of the most advanced legislative frameworks but lack sufficient resources.
A study of over 760,000 restaurant reviews found that location bias affects 98% of restaurants, altering customer consideration by up to 16%. Improved ranking systems can lead to higher reviewer satisfaction (up to 12%) and more diversified top-restaurant recommendations (up to 24%).
Researchers use liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry to monitor chemical reactions in battery interface, revealing key findings on SEI formation and its impact on battery performance. Understanding the chemistry of the solid-electrolyte-interphase (SEI) holds the key to unlocking future better batteries.
Researchers at Monash University developed a wearable device using continuous wave radar and photoplethysmogram sensors to calculate continuous blood pressure measurements. The device achieved high accuracy rates, with 93% success during sedentary tasks and 83% during exercises.
Research reveals that consumers leverage a combination of e-book previews and reviews when making purchasing decisions, resulting in a 31% increase in purchase likelihood. The study found that exposure to both previews and reviews significantly influenced consumer behavior, whereas individual components had limited impact.
Research by Peng and Kievit found a bidirectional relationship between academic achievement and cognitive abilities, with sustained education fostering children's growth. Short-term training may be insufficient to improve academic performance due to modest effects that take time to develop.
A new soft and stretchable battery developed by Stanford researchers can store power more safely than conventional batteries, promising to enable the design of comfortable wearable electronics. The device maintains a constant power output even when stretched or squeezed.
InDepth Pharmaceuticals has executed an option agreement to evaluate a novel diagnostic technique that can predict kidney transplant success in patients with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). The company aims to serve all 1 million FSGS patients worldwide and develop new therapeutics for other forms of kidney disease.
A new wearable lithium monitor developed by the University of Surrey has the potential to revolutionize the treatment of bipolar disorder. The device can detect lithium levels and potentially provide warning signals for high levels, reducing the risk of toxicity.
A new study finds that online reviews can effectively gauge restaurant hygiene during periods between inspections. Roughly 30% of New York City restaurants decline hygiene standards within 90 days of certification. Continuous monitoring is crucial to maintain cleanliness at eateries.
Researchers developed NicheNet, a method to analyze intercellular communication, using machine learning and statistical techniques. The tool helps gain insight into how gene expression is regulated by interacting cells, with potential applications in immunology and tumor biology.
New research found live chats can boost sales and profits by increasing purchase probability by 15.9%. Sellers with limited feedback benefit most from live chat conversations, while products with high past sales volume sell better after interaction.
Scientists at the Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute developed an innovative diagnostic assay to identify leukemic stem cells, a key cause of relapse and resistance to treatment. The assay uses advanced cytomics methods to analyze multiple functional characteristics of myeloblasts, revealing differential responses to chemotherapy
Researchers created on-skin electronic devices with passive-cooling capabilities using a multiscale porous elastomer substrate. The devices demonstrated comparable performance to conventional electronics while being breathable, waterproof, and recyclable.
Researchers at Peter the Great St.Petersburg Polytechnic University develop a theory of transients in graphene, exploring its unique properties that deviate from expected behavior. The study's findings have significant implications for investigation of heat transport and other nonequilibrium thermodynamic processes in graphene.
A fast and inexpensive device to capture and identify various strains of virus has been developed by researchers at Penn State and New York University. The VIRRION device uses arrays of nanotubes engineered to be comparable in size to a wide range of viruses, enabling rapid detection through Raman spectroscopy.
The Affordable Laser-Free Retrofittable Stroboscopic Solution for Ultrafast Electron Microscopy has been recognized as one of the top innovations of 2019 by R&D World magazine. This device can be retrofit into conventional transmission electron microscopes to image dynamic behaviors of materials over very short timescales.
A KAIST research team created a highly sensitive wearable pressure sensor for continuous health monitoring. The sensor overcomes issues of limited stretchability and signal drifting with its integration of liquid metal, achieving an extremely low detection limit and enhanced pressure sensitivity.
A Dutch study found that children who engage in positive self-talk about effort improve their math performance, particularly those with negative beliefs about ability. This strategy can be a simple and effective way for children to boost their academic achievement.
A new photoacoustic microscopy system developed by researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH) can image blood vessels with high resolution and speed. This system enables real-time monitoring of blood flow, which is significant for diagnosing and treating stroke and cardiovascular diseases.
Researchers at Hebrew University developed a method to combine quantum dots into new molecular structures with unique properties and characteristics. This breakthrough lays the foundation for various opto-electronic, sensing, and quantum technologies applications.
Researchers at Osaka University developed a high precision 3D circuit simulator to quantify electromagnetic (EM) noise and its origin. The simulator allows for the visualization of EM noise generation and propagation, enabling intuitive understanding of why and where noise occurs, leading to noiseless circuit design.
The Department of Navy's Technology Transfer Program Office fosters collaboration between the Navy, government agencies, industry, and academia to advance cutting-edge technology and capabilities. The program enables partnership agreements that strengthen naval capabilities and accelerate technology research and development.
Researchers at the Data Science Institute, Columbia, are designing intelligent headphones that detect sounds of approaching vehicles and send audio alerts to pedestrians. The system aims to counter growing public safety concerns caused by twalking, which has tripled in US injuries and deaths over seven years.
A new Yale research model provides a more comprehensive understanding of environmental impacts by incorporating capital assets into production supply chains. The analysis shows that capital assets account for 13% of economy-wide carbon, energy, and material footprints in 2012.
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin developed a new spatial index to measure the connections between poverty and poor accessibility in Brazil. The mapping tool identifies areas where people face extreme difficulties in accessing healthcare, with 1 in 5 people traveling over 10km by non-motorized transport to reach a facility.
Researchers at Queen's University Belfast have developed a low-cost technique to convert brewery waste into carbon, which can be used as a renewable fuel or in water filters. The method creates activated carbon and carbon nanotubes from barley waste, reducing emissions linked with the agriculture sector and creating a high-value product.
Researchers have developed a one-step conversion process that reduces ethanol-to-hydrocarbon conversion costs by 12-fold. This innovation enables the production of biofuels suitable for various applications, including blending with gasoline or jet fuel.
Scientists developed a new simulation tool to analyze the spread of disease in seed systems, identifying key villages for surveillance and management. This approach can be applied to other plant diseases, such as cassava mosaic disease in Southeast Asia.
A US Army Research Laboratory team developed new algorithms to integrate context into artificial intelligence, advancing robotics and AI processes in areas like natural language communication and world model development. The research supports the Next Generation Combat Vehicle by integrating context-driven AI within human-autonomy teams.