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How crispy is your bonbon?

A new theory predicts the mechanical response of shells, from small pharmaceutical capsules to large airplane bodies. By controlling a few key variables, engineers can create uniformly smooth shells with precisely tailored thickness, with applications far beyond the chocolate shop.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 4, 2016

Rethinking induced seismicity

A survey of a major oil and gas-producing region in Western Canada suggests that hydraulic fracturing may be linked to induced earthquakes. The study found that significant percentage of events are caused by the fracturing process itself, not just wastewater injection.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalSeismological Research Letters·DateMar 30, 2016

Researchers develop new method of trapping multiple particles using fluidics

Researchers at the University of Illinois have developed a new method for trapping multiple particles in solution, which relies on fluid flow to manipulate and assemble particles. The Stokes Trap technique can trap a range of submicron- to micron-sized particles, including single DNA molecules, vesicles, drops or cells.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 28, 2016

Study: Brain metabolism predicts fluid intelligence in young adults

A new study published in Cerebral Cortex found that brain metabolism is a significant predictor of fluid intelligence in young adults. The research used magnetic resonance spectroscopy to measure concentrations of the molecule N-acetyl aspartate in different regions of the brain, revealing a link between NAA levels and fluid intelligence.

A new way to stretch DNA

Researchers have developed a new way to controllably manipulate biomolecules like DNA using acoustic force spectroscopy. The technique stretches molecules by applying varying forces in a precise way, shedding light on chemical bonding and mechanical properties.

Enzymatic engines

Pittsburgh researchers utilize enzymes to trigger mechanical movement in fluidic devices, showcasing a novel approach for self-powered systems. The studies reveal complex, time-dependent flows driven by simple enzymatic reactions.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2016

New trigger for self-powered mechanical movement

A team of researchers at Penn State University and the University of Pittsburgh has developed a new way to use enzyme reactions to trigger self-powered mechanical movement. The enzyme pumps can precisely control flow rate without an external power source and turn on in response to specific chemicals in solution.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateFeb 25, 2016

The S-stroke or I-stroke?

A research team from the University of Tsukuba found that the S-stroke is more efficient for middle and long distance swimming due to its ability to generate propulsive power with less physical exertion. In contrast, the I-stroke is better suited for short distances where speed over efficiency is prioritized.

SourceUniversity of Tsukuba·JournalJournal of Sports Sciences·DateJan 14, 2016

Nanodevices at one-hundredth the cost

Researchers at MIT's Microsystems Technologies Laboratories show promise in building microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) using affordable and high-quality desktop fabrication devices. This allows for production of useful MEMS at significantly lower costs without compromising quality, enabling new markets and applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Microelectromechanical Systems·DateDec 18, 2015

Precise method underlies sloppy madness of dog slurping

Dogs drink by accelerating their tongues to create a water column, whereas cats use steady inertia. Researchers used photography and laboratory simulations to study dog lapping, finding that dogs' sloppy-looking actions are high-speed movements optimizing fluid acquisition.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 14, 2015

If the shoe fits

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are exploring ways to improve footwear design and replacement policies to reduce slips and falls. By simulating wear using a robotic slip-tester and measuring shoe tread hydroplaning, they aim to identify specific limits to wear and determine critical factors that impact how quickly shoes wear.

Liquid foam: Plastic, elastic and fluid

French physicists develop a novel understanding of foam flow in a wedge-shaped channel, identifying connections between plastic events and deformation rates. This study has implications for further research on liquid foam properties and their impact on mechanical energy absorption.

SourceSpringer·JournalThe European Physical Journal E·DateNov 30, 2015

Temporary ambulance locations reduces response times and may save lives

Researchers found that ambulances deployed at temporary locations during peak traffic hours had a 2-minute shorter response time and lower mortality rates compared to permanent stations. The study, conducted in Shiraz, Iran, and replicated in Sweden, suggests that risk analysis and statistics-based deployment can improve emergency care.

SourceUniversity of Gothenburg·JournalInternational Journal of Emergency Medicine·DateNov 9, 2015

Fossil landscapes in New England

The study found that the glacial ice covering New England's highest peaks was unable to erode the rock below, preserving the landscape in a fossil state. The contrast between stable summit landscapes and adjacent valleys deeply eroded by glacial ice contributed to the development of northern Appalachian topography.

SourceGeological Society of America·JournalGeology·DateOct 26, 2015

How the stick insect sticks (and unsticks) itself

Insects like stick insects can walk up vertical surfaces using adhesive pads on their feet, but scientists long believed that wet and dry feet required different mechanisms to adhere. New research reveals that the fluid on their feet plays a crucial role in controlling adhesion, with potential applications in modern devices.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalSoft Matter·DateOct 7, 2015

Printing lightweight, flexible, and functional materials

Researchers at Harvard's John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have created a new multimaterial printhead that enables the simultaneous control of composition and geometry during printing, paving the way for entirely 3D-printed wearable devices, soft robots, and electronics.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 21, 2015

Introducing the single-cell maze runner

Researchers discovered single-cell organisms can somersault and bend their bodies to navigate confined spaces, exhibiting unique behaviors such as meandering wanderings and ballistic swimming traits. This finding has significant implications for the study of microfluidics and its applications in various engineering and scientific fields.

SourceVirginia Tech·JournalScientific Reports·DateAug 19, 2015