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New soft robots poised to be more agile, controlled

Researchers at Cornell University have developed a new system of fluid-driven actuators that enable soft robots to achieve more complex motions. The team's design allows for antagonistic motions and predicts the actuator's possible motions with a single fluid input, resulting in an actuator that can achieve far more complex movements.

SourceCornell University·JournalAdvanced Intelligent Systems·DateJan 23, 2023

Extracellular viscosity linked to cancer spread

Researchers found that cancer cells can migrate faster in higher viscosity environments due to the formation of denser actin networks and cooperative signaling pathways. This discovery provides a new framework for understanding metastasis and may lead to the identification of potential targets to combat cancer spread.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalNature·DateNov 2, 2022

Physics of disaster: How mudslides move

A team led by Douglas Jerolmack and Paulo Arratia used laboratory experiments to understand how mudslide failure and flow behavior relates to soil material properties. They found a clear signal in 'dirty' samples using high-tech rheometers, shedding light on the tipping point for slope liquefaction.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 1, 2022

New model shows Earth’s deep mantle was drier from the start

A new study suggests that Earth's deep mantle was drier than initially thought, with a water concentration 4-250 times lower than the upper mantle. This finding challenges the assumption that the mantle was uniform from its formation and may have prevented mixing within the mantle.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 11, 2022

Modelling microswimmers for drug delivery

Researchers developed mathematical models to study microswimmers in clean and surfactant-covered viscous drops, revealing significant alterations in behavior due to the presence of surfactant. These models may aid in designing artificial microswimmers for targeted drug delivery, micro-surgery, and other applications.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateNov 11, 2020

Study examines endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage of pancreatic pseudocysts

The study found that endoscopic ultrasound-guided drainage with a combination of a nasocystic drain and transmural stents is more effective than drainage with stents alone in patients with pancreatic pseudocysts containing viscous solid debris. The procedure resulted in lower stent occlusion rates and better clinical outcomes compared ...

SourceAmerican Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy·JournalGastrointestinal Endoscopy·DateOct 21, 2013

Mixing fluids efficiently in confined spaces: Let the fingers do the working

A team of researchers at MIT has discovered a simple yet efficient method to mix fluids in small or confined spaces using viscosity contrast. By injecting a thin fluid into a thicker one, the two liquids can be mixed uniformly quickly, overcoming challenges in microfluidics technology and lab-on-a-chip applications.

Water flows like molasses on the nanoscale

A Georgia Tech research team discovered that water exhibits layered properties when confined to channels less than two nanometers wide. The study found that the viscosity of water increases dramatically as it approaches one nanometer in thickness, potentially making it a more suitable lubricant for applications.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review B·DateApr 25, 2007