News on research driving industry and manufacturing. Covers petrochemical emissions, food innovation, controlled-explosion labs, and industry-academic partnerships.
Researchers developed a novel method to estimate modulation amplitude and determine spatial resolution in Brillouin optical correlation-domain reflectometry (BOCDR) without costly equipment. This innovation simplifies the process, reducing costs and enhancing convenience.
A new study from the University of Georgia found that military stress can lead to feelings of guilt among service members about their work impacting family life. The researchers analyzed data from over 200 military families and discovered that when fathers reported struggling with military demands, they perceived their work as not enri...
Researchers developed a simple method to measure nano/microplastic concentrations in soil using spectroscopy, eliminating the need for separation processes. The method uses a wavelength combination of 220–260 nm and 280–340 nm to accurately quantify N/MPs in different soil types.
Researchers have developed a computer model that sheds light on extracting renewable energy from superhot, super deep rock. The model shows the formation of microscopic cracks creating a dense 'cloud of permeability' throughout the affected rock, which can lead to higher power delivery and efficiency.
Researchers are developing solutions to recycle solar panels and recover strategic metals like silver and copper, reducing waste and creating jobs.
A new type of dart launcher has been developed as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to firearms or air guns for injecting animals with drugs. The prototype uses electromagnetic coils and lidar technology to deliver a projectile with controlled kinetic energy.
Researchers have developed a compact, palm-sized light field camera that simultaneously captures 3D spatial and spectral information in a single snapshot. The camera uses inkjet printing to create its key optical components, enabling efficient manufacturing and customization.
A multidisciplinary research team has developed a predictive tool for designing complex metal alloys that can withstand extreme temperatures. By analyzing the degradation of high-entropy alloys, the team discovered universal rules that can predict oxidation behavior in these alloys.
Researchers developed a novel air-handleable garnet-type solid electrolyte technology that improves surface and internal properties, preventing contamination layer formation. This innovation enables the creation of ultra-thin lithium solid-state batteries with high energy density and low weight.
Concordia researchers develop micro photosynthetic power cells that harness algae's photosynthesis to generate electricity. The system can power low- and ultra-low power devices like IoT sensors, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and producing only water as a byproduct.
Texas A&M University has received a $1.5 million grant from the Environmental Protection Agency to develop a technology capable of separating hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in two ways: designing and testing a separation technology, and incorporating machine learning-based data-driven decision frameworks for reverse logistics.
The ELITE satellite, scheduled for completion by 2025, will validate new satellite technologies and study unique conditions of Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) and the Earth's surface. The satellite is equipped with a special electric propulsion system and will operate in VLEO, a relatively unexplored region of space.
Researchers have developed a method to create and control optical qubits in silicon with high precision, enabling the fabrication of reliable quantum computers. This breakthrough could advance quantum computing and networking capabilities, paving the way for breakthroughs in human health, drug discovery, and artificial intelligence.
Researchers at WVU are exploring the potential of solar panels to generate energy on grazing lands, diversifying farmers' income streams and promoting more sustainable practices. The study aims to understand how dual-use solar systems impact soil health and animal performance.
A study at Nagoya University reveals the formation of a superlattice structure in gallium nitride and magnesium, leading to enhanced hole transport and compressive strain. This breakthrough has potential applications in improving GaN-based devices for energy-efficient electronics.
Remanufacturing is a process that transforms end-of-life products into new ones, offering economic benefits and environmental advantages. Companies need to invest time and energy to adopt this approach, but it can lead to increased profitability and sustainability.
Erin Webb, lead at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, elected Fellow of ASABE for significant contributions to sustainable agricultural and forest resource use. Her research focuses on biomass supply chain and logistics, circular agriculture, and renewable energy.
The new law recognizes personalized medicine as a fundamental patient right, emphasizing individualized treatment and care. It sets a precedent for future health care innovations worldwide, integrating genomics, proteomics, and AI technologies.
A study analyzing pooled clinical trial data found that teprotumumab maintained improvements in signs and symptoms of thyroid eye disease in most patients after 51 weeks. Nearly two years after the final infusion, 82% of patients did not require further treatment.
A recent study has pinpointed two key enzymes in Citrus sinensis that play a crucial role in the plant's defense mechanism against Huanglongbing disease. The discovery of CsCYP82L1 and CsCYP82L2 enzymes sheds light on the genetic mechanisms Citrus can employ to defend against Asian citrus psyllid infestation.
Home health aides struggle with mental health due to job demands, stigma and lack of support, impacting their own well-being and patients' desire to age in place. Researchers suggest interventions like peer coaching, improved salaries and benefits, and workplace safety to address these challenges.
A new article in Isis reveals how perfume research has stimulated scientific endeavor for over a century. Galina Shyndriayeva demonstrates the connections between fragrance production and industrial development, including Leopold Ružička's discovery of muscone and its impact on polymer synthesis.
A new study found that India's Drug Price Control Order in 2013 led to a shift in pharmaceutical firms' marketing efforts, disproportionately affecting prescriptions issued by less formally educated physicians. Sales volumes of regulated drugs declined, while those for unregulated but related drugs increased.
Researchers at Sun Yat-sen University have identified a tomato exocarp-specific promoter that enhances fruit quality, durability and shelf life. The SlPR10 promoter regulates genes for anthocyanin and wax production, resulting in fruits with improved defense systems against environmental stressors.
Researchers have discovered a novel transition-metal-free aluminosilicate ferrierite zeolite catalyst that enables direct conversion of methane to methanol. The new process achieves 305 π mol gˑ minǘ methanol production rate with high selectivity, presenting an environmentally friendly solution for converting greenhouse gases into valu...
The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology is developing affordable gas sensors for environmental monitoring and occupational safety. The €8 million AMUSENS project aims to create portable, cost-effective sensors using nanotechnology and artificial intelligence.
A team of researchers from Japan have employed an innovative technique to directly observe the origin of FSDP and the atomic density fluctuations in silica (SiO2) glass. The study reveals alternating arrangements of chain-like columnar atomic configurations and interstitial tube-like voids.
The Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at NC State aims to create biomanufacturing hubs for dietary proteins that are healthy, tasty, and affordable. The center will research, develop, and commercialize new technologies to support sustainable food production and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Researchers Dr. Samson Zhou and Dr. David P. Woodruff aim to create secure algorithms for big data models using mathematical connections and cryptography ideas. They focus on streaming models, which process data in real-time, and address challenges such as randomness and different types of attacks.
A WPI researcher has received a CAREER Award to develop new technologies to monitor and protect computer chips from malicious attacks. The project aims to create better metrics to verify the integrity of components and advance understanding of side-channel attacks.
Scientists at Norwegian University of Science and Technology create high-entropy hexagonal manganites for fast oxygen absorption and release. These materials can store and release pure oxygen much faster and at lower temperatures than known materials, making them a promising solution for industrial and medical applications.
Researchers at Texas A&M University have developed a more accurate method for tracking reservoir evaporation rates, accounting for factors not considered by current methods. The new algorithm reveals a clear geographic distribution and strong seasonality of evaporation throughout Texas.
A new study published in Risk Analysis has found that longer freight trains are more likely to experience derailments, with a 100-car train being over twice as likely to derail than a 50-car train. This increase in risk could lead to higher rates of accidents and greater safety concerns for the rail transport system.
Researchers at the University of Malaga have developed an instruction manual to understand the operating limits of phantom motion, allowing for cost-effective and lighter haptic devices. The study found that individuals can perceive phantom sensation when a vibrating point travels at least 20% of the separation between actuators.
A new study found that biodegradable teabags made from polylactic acid (PLA) can take years to break down in soil and cause harm to earthworms. The research highlights the need for clear disposal information on product packaging, as many manufacturers are not providing accurate guidance.
A new tool and framework allow companies to assess the circularity of their products in early design stages, enabling them to create sustainable new products. The circular design framework consists of 10 categories and includes interactive questions, helping entrepreneurs and designers think systematically and collaborate better.
The study identified two main reasons for the amplification of tsunamis: a lens effect due to shallow waters and wave refraction, as well as diffraction at capes and multiple reflections. These local conditions contributed to the high tsunamis in Iida Bay.
Researchers have identified the CsLOX6 gene as a key regulator in the formation of methyl jasmonate, a compound responsible for black tea's aroma. The study provides insights into the biochemical mechanisms underlying tea flavor and aroma, enabling the development of bespoke aromas.
Researchers developed a novel reactor design that efficiently converts CO2 emissions from small boilers into methane fuel. The design features a distributed feed and optimal gas mixture composition, resulting in improved temperature control and increased methane production.
Researchers have developed a novel strategy to significantly reduce alignment errors in double-sided microlens arrays (DSMLAs) during precision glass molding. By utilizing mold assemblies composed of materials with differing thermal expansion rates, the team achieves unprecedented precision in DSMLAs.
Researchers investigate traditional encryption limitations in practical communication scenarios, exploring the effectiveness of Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and Blockchain technology in autonomous vehicles. DRL and Blockchain integration improves performance, lowers training costs, and creates secure, globally accessible transport...
A new study from China reveals a novel strategy for enhancing the strength-ductility synergy of particle-reinforced aluminum matrix composites. The approach involves regulating the heterostructure of the matrix grain and particle distribution to achieve a balance between strength and ductility.
Researchers at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory identified 28 trace metals in secondhand and thirdhand tobacco smoke, including cadmium, arsenic, and chromium. The study found that the predicted indoor air concentration for these metals exceeded California's cancer risk guidelines, highlighting the need to understand their contrib...
A comprehensive study on cuticular wax biosynthesis in blueberries identified key genes involved in the process and found that manipulating wax biosynthesis pathways can improve fruit quality traits like reduced water loss and enhanced visual appeal. The research highlights the potential of developing strategies to enhance fruit qualit...
Researchers at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed alkyl-aromatic hybrid micelles that exhibit high stability in water and excellent host functions towards aromatic guests. The new amphiphiles feature a linear alkyl-chain flanked by two aromatic panels, forming an alkyl core surrounded by an aromatic shell.
Researchers analyzed Impatiens walleriana response to Plasmopara obducens infection, identifying key genes involved in susceptibility and resistance. The study provides a fundamental resource for future efforts to engineer disease resistance in this economically significant ornamental crop.
Researchers at Tel Aviv University developed a method to grow ultra-long and narrow graphene nanoribbons with semiconducting properties, opening doors for technological applications in advanced switching devices and spintronic systems. The study's success demonstrates a breakthrough in carbon-based nanomaterials.
Kyushu University researchers generalize fluid dynamics of volatile liquids using mathematical modeling and experimentation. Their findings can lead to more efficient product development in various liquid-based industries, including high-end electronics manufacturing and lab-on-a-chip disease diagnosis.
Researchers at the University of East Anglia have developed a novel resin for 3D printing intraocular devices, offering unprecedented levels of customization and design precision. This innovation has potential to enhance eye care globally with tailored lenses, faster production, and cost reduction.
Researchers have introduced iso-propagation vortices, offering a solution to increasing information processing capacity while overcoming traditional vortex beam limitations. IPVs exhibit OAM-independent propagation, allowing for consistent beam size during free-space propagation.
The MiFuture project aims to develop ultra-massive MIMO technology for future cell-free heterogeneous networks, enabling innovative applications such as telesurgery and holographic virtual meetings. Fifteen PhD students will be funded to complete their doctoral studies and generate highly qualified researchers in this field.
Researchers have identified an ancient protein that partners with a modern plant enzyme to synthesize lignin, a key component of plant cell walls. This discovery provides insights into the evolution of plant protective mechanisms and their potential industrial applications.
Dr. Hemali Rathnayake has developed a cost-effective and efficient lithium refining process for converting lithium into battery-grade lithium carbonate. The grant funding will support her ongoing research to boost North Carolina's sustainable domestic supply chain for lithium-based products.
Researchers from six teams in five labs worldwide used self-driving labs to discover 21 top-performing OSL gain candidates, accelerating the discovery process by months. The decentralized workflow enabled rapid replication of experimental findings and democratized the discovery process.
A new study reveals that Philip Morris International is successfully increasing public trust in industry-funded science by portraying itself as a generous supporter while concealing its involvement through third parties. The tobacco company's efforts to build trust are found to be effective, with participants trusting the science more ...
A recent study analyzed 53 peer-reviewed Life Cycle Assessment studies and found that conventional plastics are not always the least environmentally friendly choice. Bioplastics emerge as a viable alternative for climate change and fossil resource depletion, but other environmental impact categories show some disadvantages. The analysi...
Farny will investigate the impact of methylation on gene expression of Pseudomonas putida in soil and laboratory conditions, building gene circuits to test engineered bacteria. The project aims to advance the use of bacteria for environmental cleanups and create educational resources for undergraduate students.
Researchers at ETH Zurich have engineered a thermal trap to deliver heat at high temperatures needed for industrial processes, overcoming the challenge of fossil fuels. The device, which uses solar radiation, absorbs sunlight and converts it into heat, minimizing radiative heat losses and increasing efficiency.
Researchers at Aarhus University have developed a three-stage process to convert polyethylene (PE) into biodegradable polyester, addressing the issue of plastic waste. The method utilizes enzymes, microorganisms, and chemical processes to break down PE's strong carbon bonds.
Researchers from the University of Birmingham have designed a new type of recyclable resin made from biosourced materials for use in 3D printing applications. The feedstock is made from lipoic acid, a naturally occurring fatty acid molecule, and can be recycled back into its constituent parts.