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University of Houston physicists hit major milestone in advancing superconductor applications

Researchers at the University of Houston have achieved a major milestone in finding superconductors that work in everyday conditions. By stabilizing high-pressure-induced superconducting states at ambient pressure, they have opened up new avenues for fundamental research and practical applications.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateFeb 10, 2025

Simon Fraser University awarded $22.9 million to lead National Invention to Innovation (I2I) network expansion

Simon Fraser University has received a $23 million grant to expand its Invention to Innovation (i2I) programs, providing bilingual innovation and entrepreneurship training for graduate students, researchers, and faculty. The program aims to bridge the gap between invention and innovation, equipping researchers with skills to thrive as ...

Charge your phone just by moving your body

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have created a tiny, wearable generator that can charge laptops and power smartphones using body vibrations. The device uses piezoelectric materials to generate electricity efficiently and cost-effectively.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalNature Communications·TypeExperimental study·DateNov 20, 2024

How can we reduce adolescent pregnancies in low- and middle-income countries?

A new large study from Zambia found that two years of financial support combined with comprehensive sexuality education and community dialogue meetings moderately reduced births during the support period. Longer-term efforts to make high school more affordable are likely to be important to keep girls in school and reduce adolescent pre...

SourceThe University of Bergen·JournalClinical Medicine·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateNov 14, 2024

New insights into exotic nuclei creation

A new model based on the Langevin equation offers insights into exotic nuclei formation, enhancing the production of rare isotopes for scientific and medical applications. The model simplifies complex nuclear reactions by focusing on key physical processes, reducing adjustable parameters and improving energy dissipation predictions.

SourceNuclear Science and Techniques·JournalNuclear Science and Techniques·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 28, 2024

Fluoride-free batteries: Safeguarding the environment and enhancing performance

Researchers at Pohang University of Science & Technology developed a non-fluorinated battery system to comply with environmental regulations and enhance battery performance. The innovative 'APA-LC' system, entirely free of fluorinated compounds, shows improved oxidation stability and higher capacity retention.

SourcePohang University of Science & Technology (POSTECH)·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateSep 26, 2024

Stowers scientists uncover a critical component that helps killifish regenerate their fins

A recent study published in iScience found that the length of time cells spend engaged in the repair process is also key to regulating regeneration in African killifish. The researchers discovered that skin cells launch a genetic program that primes the whole animal to prepare for a repair response, guiding repair cells to get to work.

SourceStowers Institute for Medical Research·JournaliScience·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 26, 2024

Pusan National University researchers develop precise pricing formula for perpetual American strangle options

A team of researchers at Pusan National University developed a pricing formula for perpetual American strangle options (PASOs) using a stochastic volatility model. The formula is accurate and provides a better understanding of the risks and returns associated with PASOs, especially in low-volatility environments.

SourcePusan National University·JournalMathematics and Computers in Simulation·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateSep 16, 2024

Towards net-zero energy houses: optimizing the size of photovoltaic systems

A new framework enables efficient calculation of optimal solar panel and battery sizes for residential neighborhoods, making it feasible to achieve net-zero energy houses. The approach leverages linear programming transformations to overcome computational challenges, demonstrating that ZEH status does not significantly elevate costs.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·JournalIEEE Access·TypeExperimental study·DateJul 23, 2024

Fundamental spatial limits of all-optical magnetization switching

A team of researchers has determined a fundamental spatial limit for light-driven magnetization reversal in nanometer-scale materials. They found that the minimum size for all-optical switching is around 25 nm due to ultrafast lateral electron diffusion, which rapidly cools illuminated regions.

Improving transformation frequency in maize

Researchers at VIB-UGent Center for Plant Systems Biology have developed a new method to improve maize transformation frequency using ternary vectors and morphogenic regulators. By combining these technologies, they achieved a 20-fold increase in transformed plants, paving the way for more effective research and innovative applications.

SourceVlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie·JournalThe Plant Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 24, 2024

Research to enable cheaper and safer battery storage

Researchers developed a unique electrochemical ultrasonic force microscopy (EC-UFM) technique to observe sodium-ion battery interfaces during operation. The new method guides passivating layer formation, preserving charge carrier transport and enhancing battery performance.

SourceLancaster University·JournalApplied Physics Reviews·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 20, 2024

Advancing biomedical diagnostics: Compact photoacoustic sensing instrument for breast tissue characterization

Researchers developed a compact, cost-effective PA sensing instrument for biomedical tissue diagnosis, showcasing its potential to streamline sampling processes and improve diagnostic accuracy for breast disease. The instrument successfully differentiated various tissue types based on quantitative spectral parameters.

SourceSPIE--International Society for Optics and Photonics·JournalJournal of Biomedical Optics·DateFeb 13, 2024

Researchers unveil fire-inhibiting nonflammable gel polymer electrolyte for lithium-ion batteries

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.

Accounting transparency effort tied to decreased funding for innovation

Researchers found that regulations aimed at improving financial reporting requirements may have led to decreases in corporate spending on innovation, capital improvements, and mergers and acquisitions. Companies were reluctant to report uncertainty regarding their tax burden in public-facing financial statements, leading to a decline i...

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalContemporary Accounting Research·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 18, 2023

Multicyclic molecular wheels with polymer potential

Scientists have successfully created macro-rotaxanes with multicyclic wheels, which hold long molecular chains together to modify the properties of soft polymers. These new structures offer improved damping efficiency and potential applications in next-generation polymers and molecular computing.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 1, 2023

New research explores durability of 2D hybrid materials

Researchers investigated the fatigue behavior of 2D hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites (HOIPs), discovering they can survive over one billion cycles, outperforming most polymers under similar loading conditions. The study provides insights into designing and engineering these materials for long-term mechanical durability.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalAdvanced Science·DateJul 25, 2023

Test animals, hold your breath!

Researchers from Kyoto University developed a microchip using human iPS cells to measure transport capacity of membrane proteins, potentially giving test animals respite. The model simulates glucose reabsorption and drug excretion in renal proximal tubules, enabling patient-specific disease modeling and personalized medicine studies.

SourceKyoto University·JournalCommunications Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 28, 2023

Spectroscopic micro-ellipsometer unveils atomic-level thickness measurements of 2D materials: Hebrew University secures patented technology for revolutionary innovation

Researchers from Hebrew University developed a microscope-integrated ellipsometer that enables fast and precise measurements of thin-film thicknesses in small areas. The Spectroscopic Micro-Ellipsometer successfully maps the thicknesses of diverse 2D material flakes, determining their number of atomic layers.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalACS Nano·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 22, 2023