News on research driving industry and manufacturing. Covers petrochemical emissions, food innovation, controlled-explosion labs, and industry-academic partnerships.
A research team developed an AI system that recommends process conditions for plastic injection molding, enabling the creation of various shapes in real-time. The system achieved an average relative error of 0.66% and can be used by non-experts to produce uniform results.
Researchers have discovered how insect wing-inspired nanomaterials kill bacteria on contact, with patterns that stretch, slice or tear cells apart. The findings hold promise for developing low-cost and scalable anti-bacterial surfaces for use in implants and hospitals to combat deadly superbugs.
A University of Washington team is developing a model to simulate the impact of various interventions on population health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic. The model will generate policy recommendations that could help lower infections in King County.
Research by University of Illinois experts links industry concentration to lower wages and benefits for workers in buyer-constrained industries. The study reveals that market constraints reduce economic surplus available for union bargaining, curbing wages and harming job quality.
Yan Li received the ASME ORR Early Career Award for her groundbreaking work on predicting fracture toughness in ceramic composites and polycrystalline metals. Her research aims to advance design of fracture-resistant materials and microstructures.
A QUT study has developed a new model to track the probability of banana plant infection by aphids carrying the BBTV virus. The findings suggest that mathematical and statistical models can help predict areas of risk of infection and aid in disease management strategies.
A new study demonstrates the successful integration of individual elements that make up electronic filters onto a single component, significantly reducing space taken up by devices. The researchers ditched conventional designs and created a single, self-rolling membrane that contains both independently designed elements.
The Smart Rolling Stock Maintenance project aims to reduce costs, increase reliability, and enhance safety through the use of industrial automation and advanced condition monitoring. The project will explore the potential of data analytics to plan and schedule maintenance more efficiently.
A new grant will fund the research, which aims to develop an effective and efficient cleaning method for peanut butter processing facilities. The technology has the potential to reduce cleaning time by nearly a week and minimize the risk of Salmonella contamination in peanut butter production.
The University of Minnesota has received $26 million to create an Engineering Research Center (ERC) focused on developing and deploying breakthrough bioengineering technology. The center, ATP-Bio, aims to preserve a wide range of biological systems, including cells, tissues, organs, and whole organisms.
The University of Arizona will lead a new National Science Foundation Engineering Research Center to architect the quantum internet, revolutionizing computing, communication, and sensing. The center aims to create a fabric connecting quantum computers, data centers, and gadgets using qubits.
Researchers at Yokohama National University have developed a novel light-based reaction that yields high numbers of a key chemical component. The method uses green visible light to selectively reorganize chemical components, resulting in the production of multisubstituted cyclobutanes with high efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
Peter Pachowicz leads a project to combine space, air, terrestrial and maritime data to tackle key challenges in Virginia. The initiative, funded by $10,000 from MITRE, aims to establish a foundation for future collaborations.
The Faraday Institution has selected six industry fellows to undertake electrochemical energy storage research projects, aiming to solve critical industrial problems. The programmes will enable academics and industrialists to work together, establishing valuable career development experience and potential for longer-term collaborations.
Researchers aim to develop molecular support for detecting biofilms in chronic wounds, enabling early diagnosis and effective treatment. Biofilms can significantly delay healing by reducing antibiotic susceptibility and damaging tissue.
Three new pathways for organisations to manage digital transformation have been defined by research from Professor Feng Li. The findings highlight the need for diversification and portfolio management to mitigate costs of failure in a highly volatile sector.
A team of researchers at UC Riverside used machine learning to understand what chemicals smell like, predicting how any chemical will smell to humans. This breakthrough technology has vast applications in the food, flavor, and fragrance industries, including discovering new flavors and insect repellents.
Researchers uncovered evidence of Negev viticulture's rise from the 4th to 6th centuries CE, driven by Mediterranean trade. The industry declined due to climate change, plague, or sociopolitical changes, with no link to the Islamic conquest.
Researchers at Dartmouth have developed two new software techniques that can create more realistic lighting effects in computer-generated images. The new techniques focus on 'real-time' graphics, which need to maintain the illusion of interactivity as scenes change in response to user moves.
GlycoNet funds 11 collaborative research projects across Canadian institutions to develop new treatments, diagnostic tools and therapies for challenging diseases. The projects aim to improve patient care, accelerate medical innovation and mitigate healthcare burden in Canada.
A new technology has been developed by Penn State researchers that enables better light control without requiring large materials and structures. This hybrid photonic architecture combines the best qualities of photonic integrated circuits and metasurfaces, paving the way for multifunctional devices with flexible access to free space.
A recent study published in Papers in Applied Geography found that just a few negative online reviews can determine early on how many reviews a restaurant receives long-term. The study also discovered that restaurants with a smaller number of reviews had a higher likelihood of low ratings, while those with more reviews were more likely...
New research finds that graphene flakes can attract water at their edges but repel it on their surface, making them a new generation of surfactant. This property allows graphene to stabilise oil and water mixtures, opening up possibilities for environmentally friendly extraction of minerals and crude oil.
A study of Uruguayan children wearing silicone wristbands found an average of 13 pollutants, including industrial and agricultural chemicals banned in the US. The researchers detected pesticides like DDT and brominated flame retardants, highlighting concerns about long-term environmental and health impacts.
A WVU professor is researching environmental factors that lead to THC accumulation in industrial hemp, a key issue for growers. He aims to develop a new crop system and genetically modify the plant to reduce THC production.
Researchers develop Proteus, a lightweight material that turns back the force of cutting tools upon itself, making it resistant to angle grinders, drills, and high-pressure water jets. The unique structure of ceramic spheres encased in cellular aluminium creates an interlocking, vibrational connection that repulses any attack.
UTA researchers are working on developing machine-learning models to predict real-time energy demand and manage smart grid systems. The goal is to create a dynamic decision analytics and optimization framework that enables a highly efficient, real-time energy management system.
Researchers at NTU Singapore have created a perovskite solar mini module with the highest power conversion efficiency, paving the way for market adoption. The use of thermal co-evaporation enables scalable production of large-area perovskite solar cells.
A BU researcher outlines common media failures in reporting coronavirus research, including incomplete and biased information. The author recommends greater caution and detail in science communication to avoid harm and maintain trust.
A study from Aarhus University links national productivity statistics with actual work done on construction sites, revealing a decline in productivity since the 1970s. By optimizing processes, contractors can generate an estimated $5.4 billion annually in the US and Canada by spending just 36 seconds more per hour on value-adding work.
Researchers argue that international tests like PISA have forced schools to adopt narrow curricula and pedagogies, leading to a lack of scientific literacy. The study calls for a shift towards more inclusive and engaging science education, with a focus on the environment and health.
A team of computer scientists developed a novel method for simulating yarn-cloth patterns, accurately capturing the physics of fabrics including stretching and bending response. The technique enables faster and more accurate simulations of knitted and woven materials while preserving material properties.
A study published in BMC Public Health suggests that extending US menthol cigarette flavor bans could encourage smokers to quit and lower smoking rates. The authors estimate that up to 45% of current US menthol smokers may quit in response to a ban, while some retailers continue to sell banned products.
Researchers from the University of Sydney developed an electrochemical oxidation process to clean up complex wastewater containing toxic chemicals. The process transforms organic contaminants into harmless gases or minerals without requiring additional chemicals or severe operation conditions.
Researchers at Skoltech have solved the long-standing puzzle of tungsten boride's crystal structure, revealing a new material with exceptional mechanical properties. The discovery of WB5-x has exciting implications for various industrial applications, including drilling technology.
Researchers have developed a novel fluorinated gas membrane material that exceeds the Robeson upper limit, surpassing current bottlenecks in selectivity and permeability. This breakthrough enhances carbon-capture performance in real environments, offering a promising solution for reducing industrial carbon emissions.
The COREnect project aims to develop a high-level strategic roadmap for core technologies in future connectivity systems and components. The roadmap will promote innovation and business opportunities, including for small and medium-sized enterprises, and contribute to building European leadership in 5G and beyond.
A team of researchers at The University of Tokyo and Fudan University studied crystallization processes when multiple structural arrangements are possible. They found that transient precursors of various crystalline orderings coexist and compete with each other, leading to complex crystal engineering methods.
Researchers at NIMS and AIST have developed a small, energy-efficient sensor that can continuously monitor ethylene gas levels in fruits and vegetables, allowing for optimal transportation and storage schedules. This new sensor enables accurate estimation of ripening progression and potential reduction of food waste.
Researchers analyzed cores from the Basque Mud Patch to determine sedimentation rates and detect environmental contamination. The study found that metals and contaminants accumulate at an approximate rate of one millimeter per year, highlighting human activity's impact on the coastal area.
The UK NIHR BioResource study used whole genome sequencing to diagnose hundreds of patients with rare diseases, identifying new genetic causes and improving treatment options. The study showed that sequencing the entire genomes of patients with rare diseases can lead to quicker and more accurate diagnoses.
A study published in Production and Operations Management reveals a new methodology behind the Bordeaux pricing model, which uses four factors to estimate prices for fine wines. The model provides a transparent approach to setting realistic prices, reducing opportunistic behavior and adding systemic structure to decision-making.
Researchers at SLAC and Stanford discovered that water exposure can round particles, opening up active sites in palladium-platinum nanoparticles. Larger particles are more active due to their shape change during reactions.
The SeaBee project will develop a national centre for state-of-the-art environmental research, mapping, and monitoring of Norway's coasts using drones, machine learning, and novel cloud storage solutions. This will enable better understanding and management of the country's coastal environment.
Beekeepers across the US lost 43.7% of their colonies in 2019-2020, with summer losses being the highest ever recorded at 32.0%. Winter losses were lower than usual, but commercial beekeepers struggled the most due to queen health and poor management practices.
The Ireland-based NPIC will provide enhanced research data for clinical trials aiming to improve patient outcomes in various diseases, including cancer, neurology, and psychiatry. The Centre's imaging infrastructure will be open to all researchers, supporting collaboration between academia, industry, and not-for-profit institutions.
Research finds that tobacco industry discounting leads to higher cigarette consumption, as smokers trade down to cheaper products to avoid price rises. This undermines the effectiveness of tax levies in reducing smoking prevalence and associated health issues.
The University of Melbourne will develop a small, powerful satellite called SpIRIT to launch in 2022. The spacecraft will host an X-ray detector provided by the Italian Space Agency and demonstrate Australian-made space capabilities.
A new analysis method developed by the World Institute of Kimchi allows for the rapid detection of capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin in kimchi, reducing analysis time from an hour to just 53 seconds. This technique improves detection sensitivity by 4,230 times and 2,382 times compared to conventional HPLC methods.
Isocyanides, key in pharmaceuticals and functional materials, are hampered by their foul odor. A new noncovalent bond blocks this odor, reducing air concentration by up to 50-fold.
A University of Manchester study reveals that existing ships will dominate the sector's impact on climate change, and could even swallow up shipping's entire safe carbon budget. Retrofitting existing ships and implementing emission-reducing measures such as slower speeds and renewable technologies are key to reducing committed emissions.
The use of cover crops is increasing globally due to their environmental benefits, such as reducing erosion and improving water quality. However, planting millions of acres of cover crops will require huge extensions of land to produce cover crop seed, posing a limitation to its widespread adoption.
Researchers from DGIST introduce a new post-synthetic modification (PSM) method for Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), generating highly porous mesostructures. This technique enables the introduction of desired functional groups and mesoscopic holes, improving adsorption kinetics.
Chemical engineers at UNSW Sydney have developed a new technology to convert waste carbon dioxide into chemical building blocks, producing syngas that can be used in industrial products like fuel and plastics. The process uses nanoparticles created by flame spray pyrolysis, which is cheaper and more scalable than existing methods.
Scientists from Kyushu University developed a new catalyst capable of assisting three key reactions for using hydrogen in energy and industry. The catalyst takes advantage of the molecular twist to switch between structures similar to those of natural enzymes.
Researchers at Monash University have discovered that reducing two essential amino acids, threonine and tryptophan, can lead to increased calorie burn and improved health in young mice. A low-threonine diet also protected obese mice from developing type 2 diabetes.
A new study from the University of Bath found that regulation can trigger significant benefits for micro firms, including new business opportunities and strategies. The research suggests that regulation can protect existing markets and ensure a level playing field across the industry.
A statistical physics model demonstrates how environmental noise affects evolutionary cooperation between cellular components, leading to low dimensionality and robustness. The study suggests that a moderate level of noise enables the evolution of complex systems.
Researchers at Harvard have developed HAMR-JR, a half-scale cockroach-inspired microrobot that can run, jump, carry heavy payloads, and turn on a dime. The tiny robot, about the size of a penny, boasts unprecedented dexterity and speed, defying conventional design limitations.
Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences designed a metasurface that can continuously tune from linear to elliptical birefringence, opening up the entire space of polarization control with just one device.