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Nimble dimples: Agile underwater vehicles inspired by golf balls

Researchers developed a spherical prototype with adjustable surface dimples to cut through pressure drag and generate lift, reducing drag by 50% compared to smooth counterparts. The adaptive skin setup can adjust dimple depth to maintain drag reductions and generate controlled movement.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateMay 19, 2025
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

Physics: Eggs less likely to crack when dropped side-on

Research published in Communications Physics found that eggs are more likely to survive drops when oriented horizontally, contradicting a common classroom science experiment assumption. The study's findings suggest that the shell of an egg can better withstand impact when dropped side-on due to its flexibility around the equator.

SourceSpringer Nature·JournalCommunications Physics·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 8, 2025

Do manta rays benefit from collective motion?

A study by Northwestern Polytechnical University and the Ningbo Institute modeled manta ray group dynamics to understand their propulsion. The researchers found that tandem formation significantly improves middle manta ray's performance but two triangular setups decrease overall efficiency compared to a single swimmer.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalPhysics of Fluids·DateMay 6, 2025

Getting the ball rolling

Scientists studied rolling physics of real-world objects, including spheres and cylinders on inclines, finding periodic motion with predictable patterns. The research demonstrates topological theorems and illustrates abstract mathematics through simple experiments.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 27, 2025

Scaling the pressure fluctuation in an accelerated liquid

A team of researchers at Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology has developed a scaling model for transitional pressure development during acceleration. The study combines the incompressible and compressible flow theories to create a unified model that can be applied universally to various floors and liquid types.

SourceTokyo University of Agriculture and Technology·JournalJournal of Fluid Mechanics·DateJan 28, 2025
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

New concept explains how tiny particles navigate water layers – with implications for marine conservation

Researchers have unveiled insights into how microscopic organisms such as marine plankton move through water with different density layers. The study reveals two types of microscopic swimmers that navigate density gradients differently, with pullers moving parallel to the gradient and pushers swimming perpendicular.

SourceUniversity of British Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJul 15, 2024
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Quadrupolar nuclei measured for the first time by zero-field NMR

For the first time, researchers have measured quadrupolar nuclei using zero-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This breakthrough enables precise analysis of molecular structures and spin interactions, with potential applications in medicine and materials science.

SourceJohannes Gutenberg Universitaet Mainz·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 11, 2024

Surprising properties of elastic turbulence discovered

Elastic turbulence, a chaotic fluid motion in non-Newtonian fluids, exhibits universal power-law decay of energy and intermittent behavior. This study reveals its unexpected similarity to classical Newtonian turbulence, paving the way for developing a complete mathematical theory and predicting flow patterns.

SourceOkinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Graduate University·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateMay 27, 2024

Helping qubits stay in sync

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new technique to enhance quantum entanglement stability in qubits. This breakthrough addresses the challenges of maintaining coherence and reliability in quantum systems.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalPhysical Review Letters·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 23, 2024
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

Wearable devices get signal boost from innovative material

Researchers at Rice University developed a new material that mimics skin elasticity and motion types while preserving signal strength in electronics. The material, made by embedding ceramic nanoparticles into an elastic polymer, stabilizes radio-frequency communication and minimizes energy loss.

SourceRice University·JournalNature·DateMay 22, 2024

Development of organic semiconductors featuring ultrafast electrons

Scientists at POSTECH create conducting polymers with exceptional electrical conductivity, rivaling graphene's performance. The breakthrough achieves ultrafast electron mobility and long phase coherence length, overcoming a major challenge in organic semiconductors.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalChem·DateApr 18, 2024
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Scientists uncover link between the ocean’s weather and global climate

A team of scientists has found evidence linking oceanic weather systems to climate on a global scale, revealing that these interactions require the mediation of the atmosphere. The study used mechanical analysis to understand energy transfer across different patterns in the ocean and atmosphere.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalScience Advances·DateDec 20, 2023

Riding the whims of the wind

Researchers develop a mathematical model that analyzes the future survival of plants in a changing climate by studying how far wind can carry seeds. The model provides fast and reliable predictions of seed movement, considering factors like seed type, plant height, and wind speed.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEcological Modelling·DateNov 30, 2023

Incheon National University researchers push the limits of gas sensing technology

The researchers propose a hybrid organic–inorganic gas sensor design that enhances gas sensing performance while maintaining sensing speed. The proposed design outperforms conventional sensors in terms of chemical sensitivity to NO2, showcasing impressive durability and higher potential for long-term installation.

SourceIncheon National University·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 9, 2023
GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.

The little things matter: Chemists develop new sensor for microvolume pH detection

Researchers at Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University have developed a sensitive and robust pH sensor that can detect pH variation in just a few microliters of samples. The new sensor uses novel materials and methods to overcome the current method's limitations, which are not sensitive enough or fragile for commercial-scale use.

SourceXi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University·JournalMicrochimica Acta·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 3, 2023

How new plant cell walls change their mechanical properties after cell division

New plant cell walls exhibit significantly different mechanical properties compared to surrounding parental walls, enabling cells to alter their local shape and influence the growth of plant organs. Researchers have discovered that new cell walls in some plants are 1.5 times stiffer than the parental cell walls.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 2, 2023
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Want to know how light works? Try asking a mechanic

Researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology use a 350-year-old mechanical theorem to explain complex behaviors of light waves, showing a direct relationship between entanglement and polarization. This connection enables the deduction of hard-to-measure optical properties from simpler light intensity measurements.

SourceStevens Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Research·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 21, 2023

Tensile cracks can shatter classical speed limits

Researchers at Hebrew University of Jerusalem discovered supershear tensile cracks that surpass classical speed limits and transition to near-supersonic velocities. These findings challenge traditional understanding of fracture mechanics, offering new avenues for studying material properties.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 27, 2023

Metamaterials with built-in frustration have mechanical memory

Scientists designed materials with mechanical memory by introducing frustration into their structure, resulting in a new type of order. This breakthrough could be used to create robotic arms and wheels with predictable bending mechanisms, as well as more efficient quantum computers.

SourceUniversiteit van Amsterdam·JournalNature·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 14, 2023

What do we know about the mechanics of two-dimensional materials?

Researchers comprehensively reviewed recent discoveries in 2D material mechanics, highlighting elastic properties, failure, and interfacial behaviors. Computational advancements are crucial for understanding dynamic behaviors and practical applications.

SourceInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·JournalInternational Journal of Extreme Manufacturing·DateMay 22, 2023

Smart material prototype challenges Newton’s laws of motion

Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a smart material prototype that can control the direction and intensity of energy waves. This breakthrough could have significant implications for various fields, including military and commercial applications.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMay 18, 2023
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Unraveling the mathematics behind wiggly worm knots

Tiny California blackworms tangle themselves to perform biological functions, but can untangle in mere milliseconds. Researchers have discovered the mathematics behind this process, revealing how helical gaits and topological principles enable the worms' superpower.

SourceGeorgia Institute of Technology·JournalScience·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 27, 2023

Pusan National University researchers develop non-intrusive sensor for pipeline monitoring

A novel, low-cost sensor system utilizing force-sensing resistor technology has been developed by Pusan National University researchers for real-time pipeline monitoring. The system demonstrated a 99.4% correlation with commercial sensors, enabling accurate detection of pipeline damages.

SourcePusan National University·JournalStructural Control and Health Monitoring·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 29, 2023
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Wear and forget: an ultrasoft material for on-skin health devices

Researchers at the University of Missouri have designed a soft and breathable material that can be worn on the skin without causing discomfort. The material, made from liquid-metal elastomer composite, has integrated antibacterial and antiviral properties to prevent the formation of harmful pathogens.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 8, 2023
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

ERC Advanced Grant for cardiac research at the MDC

The Max Delbrück Center researcher is investigating the mechanism of how the heart responds to environmental factors and adjusts its elastic properties. He plans to develop technologies for single-cell mechanics, -transcriptomics, -proteomics to enable higher rates of throughput for multi-omics approaches.

SourceMax Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in the Helmholtz Association·DateApr 26, 2022

An artificial material that can sense, adapt to its environment

Researchers at University of Missouri and University of Chicago develop an artificial material that can respond to its environment, make decisions, and perform actions not directed by humans. The material uses a computer chip to control information processing and convert energy into mechanical energy.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 2, 2021
Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

Scientists use sintered porous media to build compact, efficient heat exchangers

Researchers from The University of Electro-Communications and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology found that sintering porous media inside heat transfer tubes increases the area available for heat exchange, reducing thermal resistance and enhancing heat transfer performance. Heat transfer in these tubes is five times greater...

SourceThe University of Electro-Communications·JournalApplied Thermal Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateOct 20, 2021

A study of skull growth and tooth emergence reveals that timing is everything

A study by Arizona State University researchers reveals that the coordination between facial growth and chewing muscle mechanics determines when adult molars emerge. The study found that human molars come in at a later age due to slow jaw growth and short faces, which creates a mechanically safe space for molar emergence.

SourceArizona State University·JournalScience Advances·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 6, 2021
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Humans ditched swivelling hips for shorter stride than chimps

Research reveals that humans take shorter strides than chimpanzees due to reduced pelvic rotation, extending their stride by only 5.4 times compared to the mini wiggles performed when walking. This discovery challenges the long-held assumption that humans have evolved the longest possible stride for efficiency.

SourceThe Company of Biologists·JournalJournal of Experimental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2021

Mathematical model of thermoplastic composite helps design and certify highly reliable structures

Researchers at Skoltech developed a mathematical model for thermoplastic composite materials, reducing conservatism in strength calculations. The model allows for virtual testing of structures, minimizing manufacturing costs while ensuring safety and quality requirements.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalInternational Journal of Pressure Vessels and Piping·DateAug 10, 2021

Technique inspired by lace making could someday weave structures in space

Researchers at Princeton University developed a new reconfigurable structure, called bigon rings, that can change shape under variable conditions. The technique, inspired by lace making, has potential applications in space exploration, wearable technology, and other fields.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalJournal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids·DateJun 4, 2021
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

A microscopic look at aneurysm repair

Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh have identified a new, primary phase of blood vessel restructuring that begins immediately after an aneurysm forms. This immediate adaptation enables the vessel to better handle new loads and reduces the risk of rupture.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalExperimental Mechanics·DateJan 25, 2021

Gel instrumental in 3D bioprinting biological tissues

Researchers at Penn State have developed a gel-based 3D bioprinting method that can create complex shapes and tissues with precise cell placement. The yield stress gel allows for the self-healing of the gel structure, enabling the creation of free-form, complex shapes.

SourcePenn State·DateOct 16, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

A raft that won't save you

New research investigates how viruses trick cells into forming lipid rafts, allowing them to enter and infect the human body. The study suggests that understanding this process could lead to innovative approaches to fight viral infections.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·JournalJournal of the Mechanics and Physics of Solids·DateJun 15, 2020

SMART announces a revolutionary tech to study cell nanomechanics

Researchers at SMART developed a new confocal reflectance interferometric microscope to study nuclear membrane mechanics in intact cells. This label-free technology has the potential to revolutionize our understanding of metastatic cancers and genetic illnesses, enabling the identification of stem cells for therapeutic applications.

SourceSingapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 19, 2019

The secret strength of gnashing teeth

Gnashing teeth's secret strength lies in the microarchitecture of brittle materials, where adding small defects can increase glass strength 200 times over. Researchers developed two models to describe fracture propagation and contact mechanics, paving the way for stronger ceramics, biomedical implants, and building materials.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalMechanics of Materials·DateSep 10, 2019
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Civil engineering professor Steve WaiChing Sun wins NSF CAREER Award

Steve WaiChing Sun, a civil engineering professor at Columbia University, has won a National Science Foundation CAREER award to develop an augmented intelligence approach for predicting material failures. His tool uses deep reinforcement learning to generate accurate predictions and improve complex analyses and designs for infrastructure.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateFeb 14, 2019