News on research driving industry and manufacturing. Covers petrochemical emissions, food innovation, controlled-explosion labs, and industry-academic partnerships.
A new study by the University of Connecticut found that almost all alcohol industry social responsibility schemes lack scientific support, while benefiting the company's brand exposure. The findings suggest minimal public health benefits and potential harm from some campaigns.
Researchers have investigated the emissions of Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) engines and found that they produce genotoxic exhaust gases, which can increase carcinogenic potential up to 17 times higher than diesel vehicles. Retrofitting GDI engines with particle filters could improve their emission behavior.
Researchers at UC Santa Cruz have developed nonmigratory plasticizers that attach to PVC polymer via a chemical bond, reducing leaching and potential health risks. The 'tadpole' plasticizer is particularly promising due to its ease of production and effectiveness.
The OpenSuperQ project aims to develop a 100-qubit quantum computer with applications in chemistry and materials science. The consortium will establish close links with European and international research and industry players to maximize the project's impact.
The CiViQ project aims to develop flexible and low-cost quantum key distribution (QKD) systems that can be integrated into emerging telecommunication infrastructures. The project will also put forward novel quantum cryptography systems and protocols to offer accessible innovative services to individuals, industries, and institutions.
Researchers at the University of Nottingham have developed a thermally-functional material that can absorb high solar radiation to cool itself autonomously. This innovative material has potential applications in treating burn injuries and withstanding thermal stresses on spacecraft.
Researchers found that small changes, such as virtual characters acknowledging users' presence, can have a significant positive impact on people's sense of presence in a VR news scenario. This is demonstrated by a 25% conversion rate from the VR experience to further information about the refugee crisis.
Researchers have developed an exceptional MOF for separating gases, producing polymer-grade ethylene with high efficiency. The new iron-peroxo based MOF achieves 99.99% purity levels without multiple cycles.
A UCSF special issue of Tobacco Control debunks the tobacco industry's claims that heated tobacco products are safer than conventional cigarettes. The research, led by Stanton A. Glantz, PhD, finds no statistically detectable difference between IQOS and conventional cigarettes in terms of harmful chemicals released.
A new spectrometry device based on optical switches could provide major advantages in performance, size, weight, and power consumption compared to current instruments. The device uses path lengths in power-of-two increments, allowing for exponential spectral resolution, and has been demonstrated to match calculations.
Virginia Tech has received a $3 million grant from the US Department of Energy to develop comprehensive solutions for electric vehicle charging infrastructure cybersecurity. The team will focus on mitigating threats and ensuring the reliability of EV transportation, including fast charging systems and user privacy.
Jimil Shah, a recent mechanical engineering doctoral graduate, is the recipient of the 2018 ASME Electronic and Photonic Packaging Division Student Engineer of The Year Award. He excelled in research and has shown promise to be a strong contributor in the field of electronic and photonic packaging.
Researchers propose that applying CAFE-style standards to fertilizer production could yield $5-8 billion in economic benefits for the US corn sector. The approach aims to incentivize technology development and reduce nitrogen pollution, with potential environmental and human health gains.
Researchers at KAIST have developed a high-performance flexible transparent force touch sensor that overcomes traditional limitations in sensing performance. The sensor features high sensitivity, transparency, bending insensitivity, and manufacturability, making it suitable for industrial-grade applications.
Researchers demonstrate graphene-based photonic devices for ultra-wide bandwidth communications coupled with low power consumption. The findings have the potential to surpass the demands of 5G, IoT, and Industry 4.0.
The UK Catalysis Hub will focus on developing new catalysts for sustainable energy, clean water, and low-carbon manufacturing. The hub aims to leverage its research capabilities to drive innovation and economic growth.
Researchers developed a simple and robust malonyl-CoA biosensor to monitor intracellular malonyl-CoA abundance in bacteria. The biosensor enabled rapid screening for gene targets increasing malonyl-CoA accumulation, leading to high-level production of four natural products.
Researchers at UC Davis will use genomics to combat downy mildew in lettuce, a pathogen causing $3 billion industry losses annually. The project aims to reduce crop losses and improve profitability for farmers, while providing consumers with produce using fewer chemicals.
A smart robotic system is being developed to help stroke patients recover from injuries, using brain-computer interfaces and algorithms to decode movement intent. The system, backed by a $750,000 grant, aims to be approved for use in clinics and patient homes, promoting plasticity in the brain and restoration of motor function.
Researchers have developed a MOF membrane with micro/nano architectures that accelerates oil-water separation with high efficiency. The membrane exhibits excellent separation efficiency over 99.99% for various oil-water mixtures, with a remarkable water flux of up to 102000 L/m2h.
Racial and ethnic minorities in the US are disproportionately exposed to industrial air pollution, but face lower employment rates. The study found that strict environmental regulations may not necessarily harm employment opportunities.
The Centre for Tactile Internet with Human-in-the-Loop research focuses on developing intelligent and adaptive systems for real-time communication. The goal is to create a network that links people, learning from human insights to improve machines.
Professor Daniel Bellingradt is researching Amsterdam's significance in the European paper industry during the 17th and 18th centuries. He investigates how communication relied on paper goods, trade networks, and recycling practices.
A University of Sydney review of corporate influence on research agendas reveals industry prioritization of profitable product-focused research, compromising public health policies. The study also exposes Coca-Cola's attempts to shift attention from sugar-sweetened beverages to sedentary behavior.
A £7 million funding has enabled the development of a 'virtual factory' to test and refine new steel alloys 100 times faster than traditional methods. This breakthrough allows for faster testing of small-scale samples, covering areas like strength, durability, and corrosion resistance.
Bioscience engineers at KU Leuven have created a roadmap for producing cellulose gasoline, a second-generation biofuel, by converting plant waste into hydrocarbon chains. The process involves adding cellulose to the petroleum refining process, resulting in a strongly bio-sourced gasoline.
Researchers have successfully fabricated tiny on-chip lithium niobate modulators with ultra-high data transmission speeds and lower energy consumption. The breakthrough technology has the potential to revolutionize the optoelectronic industry by enabling high-speed, low-power, and cost-effective communication networks.
Researchers at Virginia Tech developed a passive anti-frosting surface that keeps surfaces 90% dry and frost-free in humid, sub-freezing conditions. The surface uses intentional ice stripes to create low-pressure zones, pulling moisture from the air onto the nearest ice stripe.
Researchers identify glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) as the protein responsible for delivering heme, a toxic yet essential molecule, to target proteins in cells. This discovery provides insights into how heme is transported and could contribute to understanding diseases such as anemias and asthma.
A study by the American Psychological Association found that 35% of students from 19 colleges in eight countries reported symptoms consistent with at least one mental health disorder. Major depressive disorder was the most common, followed by generalized anxiety disorder.
Scientists investigate the type characteristics of extreme precipitation events and their flood risk in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley. Persistent EPEs are linked to continuous flood peaks and severe floods. The study also identifies areas with high flood risk, particularly in rapidly urbanizing regions.
Researchers developed a data-driven approach using machine learning to interpret complex material spectra. The method enables rapid and accurate analysis of spectral features without requiring specialist expertise.
The SES (Synthetic Expression System) toolbox enables efficient expression of genes in yeasts and fungi with better control. It provides solutions for bio- and circular economy challenges by developing novel microbial production processes for waste material valorization.
Two new studies from the University of Bath expose evidence that big tobacco companies are still facilitating tobacco smuggling and funding studies that overestimate levels of tobacco smuggling. The findings highlight the tobacco industry's elaborate efforts to control a global track and trace system and undermine international agreeme...
The study reviews the psychology behind rapid spending decisions and proposes five policy options to optimize retirement income solutions. These include financial literacy programs, safe automatic options, precommitment plans, disclosures and framing, and customized interventions.
A new simulator, GRFICS, allows users to play the roles of attackers and defenders in a virtual chemical processing plant. The system helps operators learn to detect attacks and respond appropriately, reducing vulnerabilities in industrial control systems.
A new study reveals that two-thirds of alcohol industry revenue in England comes from consumers drinking at risky levels. If all drinkers complied with the Chief Medical Officer's recommended guideline levels, alcohol sales would decline by £13 billion.
Researchers developed a new material that is 18 times more efficient in computing processing and memory compared to current materials. The discovery uses a quantum material with unique spin-electronic properties.
A new study found that medical device firm managers rely on their physician-customers to screen out detectable defects rather than issuing recalls. This perception is driven by a desire to ensure patient safety, leading managers to hesitate until the root cause of the defect is clearly understood.
The US Federal Commission has invested $400K in the University of Pittsburgh's Nuclear Engineering Program to support two graduate fellowships. The program aims to develop cutting-edge nuclear technologies and provide educational experiences that lead to a PhD or MS degree.
A study by Binghamton University researchers found that CEOs paid less than their peers are four times more likely to announce layoff announcements. The findings suggest that CEO pay can be a strategic tool for making decisions such as layoffs.
A new AI system developed by researchers can accurately edit facial expressions to match dubbed voices, reducing costs and time for the film industry. The technique uses model-based 3D face performance capture to record movements of actors' faces and transposes them onto target actors.
A new study finds that only a few areas in Africa are suitable for palm oil production without harming primate populations, raising concerns about the industry's impact on conservation. The research highlights the need for sustainable practices and policy initiatives to mitigate large-scale deforestation.
Dr. Michael O. Smith, a UTIA professor of poultry production, has been elected a Fellow in the Poultry Science Association for his professional distinction and contributions to the field. He is one of five members elected at any given meeting, recognizing his contributions without longevity considerations.
A novel approach to creating super slippery industrial packaging aims to cut down on food waste by using naturally compatible vegetable oils. This method can be applied to inexpensive plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene, reducing waste and improving consumer safety.
A new study found that global fishing fleets have doubled their distance traveled to catch only a third of what they did 65 years ago. The top 20 fishing countries are responsible for 60% of the world's industrial fishing catch, with declines in catch rates and increased fuel consumption.
Researchers found that personalist rule in dictatorships receives significantly more foreign investment in fixed-asset intensive industries. Deals with dictators often involve illicit payments, which can siphon off money from the public good.
A study by UCSB researchers reveals that wealthy countries' industrial fishing fleets dominate the global oceans, with China, Taiwan, and Japan leading the list. This dominance has significant implications for food security and access to healthy food sources, particularly in less-wealthy countries.
Songi Han is recognized for her inventions of solid-state and time-domain-capable dynamic nuclear polarization instrumentation, advancing fundamental understanding of surface water properties in biological materials. Her work characterizes surface water in soft materials, contributing to our knowledge of biological hydration.
A new AI model developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo can accurately detect atomic structures in metals, leading to greater confidence in determining their integrity. The system uses deep learning and generates images of defects to produce a highly effective algorithm for identifying various types of crystal structures.
Elizabeth Rhoades, Associate Professor at the University of Pennsylvania, has been awarded the 2019 Michael and Kate Bárány Award for her outstanding work on structure-function relations in disordered systems. The award recognizes her innovative use of single-molecule tools to gain insights into conformational landscapes.
Researchers used data analysis techniques, including decomposing songs into musical features, to determine Beatles songwriting styles. The approach identified distinct patterns in Lennon and McCartney's compositions, allowing for the prediction of disputed authorship.
Researchers have discovered that adding a fucose-based supplement to the diet could capture noroviruses and prevent them from infecting cells. Fucoidan, a compound found in seaweed, tightly binds to the virus protein and has shown promise as a potential treatment for norovirus infections.
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a flow-based high-throughput screening technology for optimizing hydroformylation reactions. The new technique significantly reduces testing time to about 30 minutes, while also minimizing human interaction with toxic gases and saving money.
Researchers developed a sensor to detect early-stage Parkinson's disease from patient breath, achieving 79% sensitivity and 84% specificity. The device detected differences in the exhaled breath of newly diagnosed patients, outperforming diagnostic smell tests and ultrasound scans.
A team of mathematicians from around the world collaborated to solve real-world problems faced by industry. By applying mathematical models to the manufacture of stackable fabricated potato chips, they aimed to predict cooking times, optimize chip position, and improve the overall efficiency of the process.
Researchers aim to create dialects for 'islands' of communicating devices, making attacks harder to launch. The goal is to strike a balance between efficiency, interoperability and security.
Researchers found that natural sources of hexavalent chromium affect a larger area and more wells in California than industrial sources, highlighting the need for new groundwater management strategies.
Home run numbers increased significantly between 2016-2017 due to a drop in vertical break of pitches, suggesting pitchers aimed to reduce home runs. However, this strategy failed to work as other factors contributed more to the surge.
Researchers used cohort change ratios to estimate working life expectancies in MLB pitchers, revealing that most careers are much shorter than the few stars who stick around. This method could be applied to other sports, like American football and basketball, where contact is more prevalent.