News on research driving industry and manufacturing. Covers petrochemical emissions, food innovation, controlled-explosion labs, and industry-academic partnerships.
Researchers have developed a sustainable solution using winery waste as a natural colouring agent and bioactive component in gelatine-based sweets. The use of wine lees improves the texture and flavour profile of jellies, while also providing added health benefits.
Researchers at NC State University developed an autonomous system called SmartDope to synthesize 'best-in-class' materials for specific applications in hours or days. It uses a self-driving lab to manipulate variables, characterize optical properties, and update its understanding of the synthesis chemistry through machine learning.
Researchers developed a water-based emulsion adhesive that can be separated by acidic or alkaline water, making it ideal for recycling. The glue's reversible nature enables efficient detachment of labels from bottles, reducing waste sent to landfill.
The C-Path Neuroscience Annual Workshop brought together stakeholders to chart a transformative course for neurology research and drug development, focusing on chronic progressive diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Key highlights included recommendations for innovative therapies and tools to address complex disorders.
The UTSA MATRIX AI Consortium has received a $2 million grant to create new AI models that rapidly learn, adapt, and operate in uncertain conditions. The team aims to bridge the gap between human brain processing efficiency and current AI limitations, enabling more efficient and adaptive AI systems.
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.
The joint team developed a Fire & Explosion Management System (FXMS) using Digital Twin technology, offering high-accuracy real-time monitoring and predictions of battery conditions up to five years. The technology can extend the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries by over 50%, reducing carbon emission through reduced battery waste.
Researchers have developed a new self-assembling nanosheet that can create functional and sustainable nanomaterials for various applications. The material is recyclable and can extend the shelf life of consumer products, enabling a sustainable manufacturing approach.
Researchers have engineered a chromosome entirely from scratch, contributing to the production of the world's first synthetic yeast. The tRNA Neochromosome forms part of a wider project that has successfully synthesised all 16 native chromosomes in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, common baker's yeast.
A new report highlights Africa's deteriorating air quality, with particulate matter concentration levels five to ten times the World Health Organisation's recommended level. The researchers call for collective efforts, regionally tailored solutions, and global collaboration to tackle this issue.
The Southwest-Midwest Pediatric Device Innovation Consortium has supported over 200 pediatric device innovators and companies, developing several devices in the past five years. The consortium's portfolio includes real-world evidence research projects using digital tools for collecting and analyzing patient data.
Researchers estimate that halving Europe's food loss and waste can save 51 million tonnes CO2 equivalents, 6% agricultural land use, and 7% water consumption. Monitoring and reporting of food loss and waste is crucial for policy intervention to prevent food loss and waste.
The study successfully enhances energy conversion efficiency by over twice that of conventional cells while reducing production costs by a factor of 3,000. This breakthrough could lead to widespread adoption in energy harvesting applications generating energy from waste heat.
Researchers have successfully excited a scandium-45 nuclear isomer using X-ray pulses, paving the way for the creation of the world's most precise clock. The breakthrough has significant implications for fields such as nuclear physics, satellite navigation, and telecommunications.
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.
Scientists from Japan create a new, more efficient form of liquefied stabilized soil from construction waste that can fill narrow spaces and be pumped over long distances. The material has improved flowability and lower environmental impact, making it suitable for large-scale civil engineering projects.
The new department will expand and improve isotope research and production to meet the nation's growing need for critical isotopes. Cathy Cutler plans to leverage the Lab's nuclear physics accelerator infrastructure to develop novel isotopes and applications.
Researchers from the UMA developed an open-source platform called Open Twins to create more accessible and versatile digital twins. This platform enables the simulation of real-world assets based on virtual replicas, predicting future behaviors and detecting anomalies, leading to more efficient companies that make data-driven decisions.
The University of Texas at San Antonio has been selected to establish a Secure Manufacturing Tech Hub with a $500,000 grant from the US Economic Development Administration. The consortium aims to grow a skilled workforce, enhance business competitiveness, and promote secure manufacturing strategies across South Texas.
Researchers aim to balance technology and human needs in long-haul trucking, focusing on driver-centered design and workforce development. The project seeks to optimize the human-truck relationship through participatory design, ride-alongs, and analysis of trucker needs.
Kyushu University researchers have developed a new material that can store hydrogen energy for up to three months at room temperature, using an inexpensive element like nickel. This innovation could potentially reduce the cost of future compounds and contribute to the transition to alternative energy sources.
Researchers found that shareholders generally welcomed news of green acquisitions, especially when buyers have developed marketing expertise. They also discovered that benefits are buffered if buyers belong to industries sensitive to environmental regulations. This suggests investors can tell genuine from fake green efforts.
A study found that patients with cancer who receive payments from industry are more likely to receive non-recommended and low-value treatments. This association was strongest for denosumab, GCSF, and nab-paclitaxel, but not branded drugs. Further research is needed to better understand the impact of industry payments on cancer care.
Scientists at UC Davis have developed a method for high-yield and high-purity production of allulose through precise fermentation. The new approach has a more than 99% theoretical yield with minimal processing, making it efficient and economically feasible for commercial production.
NTU Singapore has expanded its research collaborations with French partners to push the boundaries of science. The university has inked six new partnerships and renewed existing collaborations across various fields, including quantum physics, nuclear energy, and sustainability.
Scientists at UNSW Sydney have created a new material that can mimic human tissue, fight bacteria, and heal itself. The hydrogel material is made from simple peptides and has implications for biomedical research, medicine, and manufacturing technology.
Researchers urge caution due to harmful fungi that contaminate cannabis and hemp flowers, which can cause infections in susceptible individuals. The authors recommend developing a two-tier system to distinguish products intended for medical and recreational use to reduce harm to medical users.
Asian female immigrants working in the US beauty service industry face numerous workplace health challenges. Researchers suggest that outreach and education at individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels can address these issues, including cultural competency, better wages, training, and paid time off.
Researchers from the University of Tokyo have developed a cobalt-free battery alternative that outperforms state-of-the-art battery chemistry. The new lithium-ion batteries boast a 60% higher energy density and can withstand over 1,000 recharge cycles, reducing environmental concerns.
Advances in VR display technology have overcome the 'screen door effect' by introducing 2117 PPI LCDs with high partition mini LED backlighting. This enhances contrast, color accuracy, and viewing angles, making VR experiences more immersive.
A new analysis method can map individual company-level connections, revealing up to 13 billion supply connections worldwide. This data could reduce tax evasion (€130 billion) and improve climate and human rights compliance by creating a global supply network map.
A WVU team is providing free technical assistance to local industrial facilities to reduce their impact on environmental and community health. The project aims to support businesses in making changes that benefit their communities while maintaining profitability.
Researchers found that companies declaring bankruptcy must navigate complex buyer-supplier relationships to emerge from bankruptcy. High rates of accommodative acts, indicating cooperation, improve bankruptcy survival, while exploitative acts have the opposite effect.
Researchers have created a fire-inhibiting, nonflammable gel polymer electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries, increasing ion conductivity by 33% and improving life characteristics by 110%. The electrolyte prevents radical chain reactions during combustion, effectively inhibiting battery fires.
Research shows that fossil fuel workers have the right skills for green jobs but face a geographical mismatch. The study highlights the need for policymakers to consider targeting areas of fossil fuel extraction for investment in other industries, making it easier for workers to transition.
A novel strategy utilizing phosphorus nanolayers mitigates electrode-level heterogeneity in fast-charging lithium-ion batteries. The graphite-phosphorus composite exhibits consistent cycle retention, high Coulombic efficiency, and improved lithiation uniformity.
Researchers will study the spread of SARS-CoV-2 among deer, including captive and wild populations, as well as its relationship with humans and the environment. The project aims to understand disease ecology in whole systems and inform better management practices for deer producers.
Research by Dr Clive Boddy of Anglia Ruskin University reveals warning signs for corporate psychopaths in finance and politics. These include superficial charm, lack of remorse, and ruthless self-serving behavior.
Lehigh University researchers have developed a technique using machine learning and advanced spectroscopy to characterize waste feedstocks for gasification-produced hydrogen. This process has the potential to eliminate hazards associated with stored coal waste and reclaim valuable resources, while also emitting fewer pollutants than tr...
U of I researchers have developed organic nanozymes that mimic the properties of natural enzymes, exhibiting peroxidase-like activities and detecting glyphosate with adequate accuracy. The OC nanozyme is quicker to produce, cost-effective, non-toxic, and environmentally friendly.
A team of researchers from the University of Leeds is studying how social class influences TV shows and their reception by audiences. The study will consider the backgrounds of producers, talent, and crew members, as well as how shows represent class and are understood by viewers.
Producing new plastic via advanced recycling of post-use plastic reduces GHG emissions by 18-23% and fossil energy use by 65-70%. The study analyzed 2017-2021 data from eight companies and found a further 40-50% reduction when factoring in current end-of-life practices.
Researchers propose a hybrid control strategy combining model-based optimization and in-cell feedback control to solve the process-model mismatch issue. This approach enhances the regulation of metabolic toggle switches, leading to increased isopropanol yields and robust microbial material production.
The company will use the funding to develop a novel method to produce high-accuracy optical encoders, which are crucial for modern automation and robotics systems. The goal is to enable the manufacturing of complex next-generation products with precision positioning and motion control.
Research finds that digital-native brand stores increase brand awareness and sales in supermarkets, while cannibalizing online channel sales. Brand stores also spark distributor interest and prompt supermarkets to distribute more of the brand on their shelves.
Researchers measured metabolite concentrations of two herbicides in urine samples from Ecuadorian adolescents and found negative associations with attention, memory, and language. Glyphosate was also linked to social perception issues.
Australian researchers developed an algorithm that can intercept and shut down man-in-the-middle cyberattacks on unmanned military robots. The algorithm, tested on a replica of a US army combat ground vehicle, was 99% successful in preventing malicious attacks.
A new study finds that simple packaging design is positively associated with price, but not always enhances consumers' willingness to pay. The research team discovers that store-brand products and health-oriented consumers benefit from simplicity, while indulgent consumers prefer complex packaging.
Researchers at Oregon State University are exploring new ways to design and build long-lasting, high-efficiency electrical components for harsh-environment applications. The project aims to address heat management challenges through a co-design methodology and fluid-based heat management structures.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon University and ShanghaiTech University found that China's government subsidies have had limited effect on promoting firms' productivity. The study analyzed firm-level data from 2007 to 2018 and found that subsidies often flowed to less productive firms, leading to a decline in their relative productivity.
Researchers at Cornell University developed a novel approach to explore microstructure emergence in 3D-printed metal alloys using X-ray bombarding. The technique reveals 'microstructural fingerprints' that capture the history of the material during processing, allowing for customized materials with improved performance.
Researchers have uncovered the molecular mechanism behind a marine feeding strategy that could optimize biofuel production from marine brown algae. The study reveals how sea slugs and their prey co-evolved to maintain ecological balance, with potential applications in biotechnological biofuel production.
A new analysis estimates that switching all pet dogs and cats to vegan diets could spare nearly 2 billion land-based livestock animals yearly in the US, and nearly 7 billion globally. This could lead to significant reductions in environmental impacts such as land use, water consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The University of Missouri's Missouri Work Zone Safety Center of Excellence aims to reduce fatalities and serious injuries in highway work zones through research and outreach. The center will focus on integrating emerging technologies, data analysis, and countermeasures to address distracted driving and other safety concerns.
A team of researchers has developed a stable, long-lasting superhydrophobic surface with a plastron that can last for months underwater. The surface repels blood and prevents the adhesion of marine organisms, making it valuable for biomedical applications such as reducing infection after surgery.
The university will use its expertise to create better wide bandgap semiconductors for the US defense, with potential applications in electric vehicles, power grids, and quantum technologies. The hub aims to build 'lab to fab' capability for semiconductors and enhance fundamental research.
A coordinated network of space lasers could prevent collisions with manned and unmanned space assets by nudging debris off potential collision courses. The artificial intelligence-powered lasers can maneuver and work together to respond rapidly to debris of any size.
Researchers add graphene to Bi-2223 superconductors, increasing critical current density and improving phase formation. The findings suggest potential applications in various fields, including power generation, transportation, and quantum computing.
A researcher from Göttingen University advises on overcoming difficulties faced by mining communities in transition, suggesting a three-step approach centered around stakeholder collaboration. This approach combines early planning, local-based solutions, and targeted investments to foster economic and workforce transformation.
Researchers develop novel photoresist system with modified tannic acid to form metal patterns, offering applications in devices assembly. The method avoids poor stability and dispersion of metal nanoparticles, making it a promising approach for micro-nano metal pattern formation.