Category: Engineering

Beyond welding: Researchers 3D-print a single complex structure containing two metals A team of Penn State researchers has used a new 3D-printing method to produce a complex metal build that was once only possible with welding: fusing two metals together into a single structure. Go to techxplore

Turning wastewater into a resource: Advanced filtration tackles water scarcity challenges With global water scarcity on the rise—impacting 38% of Europe’s population in 2019 alone—a novel approach is emerging to transform wastewater into a valuable resource. Water-smart industrial symbioses (WSISs) offer an innovative solution, fostering collaboration between industries and the water sector to recover and…

Forensic investigation of highway embankment collapse conducted to improve road infrastructure durability Roads and highways are the lifeline of a country. The United States has over 4 million miles of public roads, including the Interstate Highway System. It’s critical to prevent damage and maintain roads highways to support the longevity of the U.S.’s sprawling transportation…

Researchers develop new design and fabrication method to make lightsails for interstellar travel In a potential step toward sending small spacecraft to the stars, researchers have developed an ultra-thin, ultra-reflective membrane designed to ride a column of laser light to incredible speeds. Go to techxplore

Improving steel pipelines for safe transport of hydrogen: Synchrotron light captures 3D images of cracks formed inside Hydrogen is increasingly gaining attention as a promising energy source for a cleaner, more sustainable future. Using hydrogen to meet the energy demands for large-scale applications such as utility infrastructure will require transporting large volumes via existing pipelines…

Spray-on concrete innovation could transform bridge repairs More than 40,000 bridges in the United States are deemed structurally deficient, and as many as 221,000 are deemed in need of repair, according to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. Florida International University (FIU) researchers have developed a system that could play a key role in…

Carbon-negative construction: New method turns CO₂ into strong, fire-resistant building materials A new method inspired by coral reefs can capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and transform it into durable, fire-resistant building materials, offering a promising solution for carbon-negative construction. Go to techxplore

New machine learning framework enhances precision, efficiency in metal 3D printing Researchers at University of Toronto Engineering, led by Professor Yu Zou, are leveraging machine learning to improve additive manufacturing, also commonly known as 3D printing. Go to techxplore

HyperNIR technology: Transforming cameras into real-time environmental monitors Detecting microplastics and identifying plant stress at an early stage—this and much more can now be done thanks to a new method based on near-infrared light measurements. It is inexpensive and works in real time. Go to techxplore

Biodiesel wastewater treatment: Capturing carbon and valuable chemicals While biodiesel provides a cleaner-burning alternative to petroleum diesel, it produces CO2 and hazardous wastewater during manufacturing, requiring extra steps to achieve sustainability. A diagnostic study led by University of Michigan researchers works to improve a process that captures CO2 while treating biodiesel wastewater and produces valuable…

Basalt fabric-based cathode enhances solar-powered wastewater treatment The rapid growth of industrialization has made the treatment of oily wastewater a pressing global challenge in environmental remediation. Electrocoagulation (EC), a process known for its high efficiency and environmental sustainability, has shown promise in treating various types of wastewater. However, the widespread adoption of traditional EC technology…

3D printing approach strings together dynamic objects to assemble bionic robots, sculptures and more It’s difficult to build devices that replicate the fluid, precise motion of humans, but that might change if we could pull a few (literal) strings. At least, that’s the idea behind “cable-driven” mechanisms in which running a string through an object…

A quantum light source for eco-friendly production of biogas Much of our waste is far too valuable to simply be incinerated. If it is recycled in a carefully controlled way, not only can thermal energy be generated, but the resulting gas can also be used to produce valuable chemicals—from hydrogen to methane or methanol. However,…

Building a safer future: Researcher works to strengthen Haiti’s earthquake resilience Over the past two decades, Haiti has endured the devastation of two catastrophic earthquakes—first in 2010 and again in 2021. Each disaster left behind widespread destruction: buildings reduced to rubble, entire communities displaced and an overwhelming loss of life. A major factor in the…

‘Audible enclaves’ could enable private listening without headphones It may someday be possible to listen to a favorite podcast or song without disturbing the people around you, even without wearing headphones. In a new advancement in audio engineering, a team of researchers led by Yun Jing, professor of acoustics in the Penn State College of…

Pinpointing weaknesses in hot water bottle design Research from the University of Liverpool has highlighted weaknesses in the structural design of hot water bottles. Hot water bottles have been around for generations, yet there is surprisingly little research into how they respond to external forces. However, increased reports of sudden ruptures causing burns prompted a…

System delivers early prediction of wind turbine failure A researcher from VUB has developed a system that can predict wind turbine failures caused by early component malfunctions. He specializes in condition monitoring, a technique that uses data from turbine sensors and artificial intelligence to track the machine’s condition. “If operators can anticipate that a specific…

Growing solar: Optimizing agrivoltaic systems for crops and clean energy Agrivoltaic systems, which combine solar power generation with agricultural practices, offer a promising solution to the growing demand for both renewable energy and food production. By integrating solar panels with crops, these systems not only address the land use conflict between agriculture and energy production,…

Reusing old oil and gas wells may offer green energy storage solution Moving from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources like wind and solar will require better ways to store energy for use when the sun is not shining or the wind is not blowing. A new study by researchers at Penn State has found…

Developing an ontology for smart city infrastructure threats, cybercrime and digital investigation With technological advancements and a growing awareness about the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), interconnected systems within cities that capture real-time data indicators reflecting chosen SDGs are a way forward. Known as smart city infrastructure (SCI), these systems are vital to…

Researchers develop new feature selection method for limited-sample industrial data A research team from the Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has introduced a novel feature selection method by removing noise entropy within mutual information. This study was published in IEEE Transactions on Industrial Informatics. Go to techxplore

Nature-inspired 3D-printing method shoots up faster than bamboo Charging forward at top speed, a garden snail slimes up 1 millimeter of pavement per second. By this logic, Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology researchers’ new 3D printing process speeds past existing methods—at a snail’s pace. Go to techxplore

Generative AI drones can guard aging tunnels, enhancing safety and efficiency Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology has developed “Generative AI-Based Inspection Technology” to safely construct and maintain urban underground highways. Go to techxplore

Optical remote sensing technology helps monitor aircraft emissions A research team from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has developed an advanced Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) optical remote sensing system for real-time monitoring and analysis of aircraft emissions. Go to techxplore

Scientists develop AI-powered digital twin model that can control and adapt its physical doppelganger Scientists say they have developed a new AI-assisted model of a digital twin with the ability to adapt and control the physical machine in real time. Go to techxplore

AI reveals new way to strengthen titanium alloys and speed up manufacturing Producing high-performance titanium alloy parts—whether for spacecraft, submarines or medical devices—has long been a slow, resource-intensive process. Even with advanced metal 3D-printing techniques, finding the right manufacturing conditions has required extensive testing and fine-tuning. Go to techxplore

‘One-pot’ technique creates inorganic and polymer battery electrolytes simultaneously Creating battery electrolytes—the component that carries the charged particles back and forth between a battery’s two terminals—has always been a tradeoff. Go to techxplore

Why more water is not always better in ion-conducting membranes: New insights for clean energy technology Researchers at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (UChicago PME) and at the Tandon School of Engineering of New York University have made a breakthrough in understanding how water transports charged ions across a critical component…

Sensors can detect hydrogen leaks for safer infrastructure Fraunhofer researchers have developed sensor systems and measuring equipment that detect leaks in hydrogen lines and tanks. Applications for the new technology include continuous monitoring of hydrogen shipments and facilities in the chemical industry. The researchers use multiple sensor technologies to provide safety equipment covering as many…

Efficient lithium extraction method could transform battery supply chains In the race to meet the growing global demand for lithium—a critical component in batteries for electric vehicles—a team of researchers from Rice University’s Elimelech lab has developed a breakthrough lithium extraction method that could reshape the industry. Go to techxplore

Bioinspired lattice design offers new possibilities for construction and safety Inspired by the humble deep-sea sponge, RMIT University engineers have developed a new material with remarkable compressive strength and stiffness that could improve architectural and product designs. Go to techxplore

Payloads bound for the moon will help navigation of moon’s south polar region, search for frozen water Three MIT payloads will soon hitch a ride to the moon in a step toward establishing a permanent base on the lunar surface. Go to techxplore

Novel system optimizes the electrical, thermal and mechanical behavior of 3D printed materials Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (UC3M), in collaboration with the University of Oxford, Imperial College London and the BC Materials research center in the Basque Country, has developed an innovative computational model that makes it possible to predict and improve the behavior…

Act before it cracks: Innovative coating of concrete to protect bridges Elastomers similar to paint coatings developed at the University of Luxembourg and the Technical University of Darmstadt, were proven to help detect and monitor potential concrete cracks in existing or future buildings. Many of the tunnels and bridge infrastructure in Europe is more than…

Ultrasonic deep drawing cuts friction by 20%, extends tool lifespan You can find them in many household appliances, building technology, and countless pipe and hydraulic lines: small, cylindrical parts manufactured through deep drawing processes. The material is under strain during shaping. Potential consequences are unwanted thinning, surface damage, or cracks. Go to techxplore

Scientists develop first helicopter-borne magnetotelluric detection system China has deployed its first domestically developed helicopter-borne magnetotelluric detection system, created by the Aerospace Information Research Institute (AIR) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. This advanced system is being used in high-altitude railway construction projects for geological surveys at elevations up to 5,000 meters, successfully addressing challenges…

New technique aims to make food deliveries more efficient North Carolina State University researchers have developed a new technique to improve the efficiency of food-delivery operations. The technique accounts for the location of food distribution sites and delivery locations to develop optimized delivery routes that make food delivery faster and more fuel efficient. Go to…

Reducing carbon emissions from residential heating: A pathway forward In the race to reduce climate-warming carbon emissions, the buildings sector is falling behind. While carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the U.S. electric power sector dropped by 34% between 2005 and 2021, emissions in the building sector declined by only 18% in that same time period.…

Machine learning accelerates discovery of membranes to filter PFAS from water Someday, your drinking water could be completely free of toxic “forever chemicals.” These chemicals, called PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), are found in common household items like makeup, nonstick cookware, dental floss, batteries, and food packaging. PFAS permeate the soil, water, food, and air,…

Enhancing radiation resistance of silicon carbide power semiconductors for space applications A research team led by Dr. Jae Hwa Seo at Advanced Semiconductor Research Center of KERI has developed technology to evaluate radiation resistance and secure reliability of silicon carbide (SiC) power semiconductor devices in space environment. The study is published in the journal Radiation…

Harnessing failure as an asset: How researchers are innovating smarter wearable tech In the world of soft robotics and wearable technology, sheet-based fluidic devices are revolutionizing how lightweight, flexible and multifunctional systems are designed. But with innovation comes challenges, particularly in understanding and controlling failure in these devices. Go to techxplore

Scientists develop three design techniques for power-efficient and speedier wireless transmitter systems Three innovative design techniques substantially enhance wireless transmitter performance and can boost power efficiency and elevate data rates concurrently, as reported by the researchers from Science Tokyo, Japan. This effectively aligns with the growing demand for speed and efficiency, accelerating the widespread deployment…

Novel transparent ceramics extend life of semiconductor etching equipment A research team has successfully developed a new composition and processing technology for transparent plasma-resistant high-entropy ceramics. This innovation is the first of its kind in the world and is designed to extend the lifespan of internal components in semiconductor etching equipment while reducing contamination particles…

3D-printed alloy conserves nickel while maintaining stainless steel strength More than 70% of the world’s supply of nickel is used to make stainless steel, a cost-effective, strong, corrosion resistant alloy widely used for construction, transportation, development of medical devices and more. However, fluctuations in global nickel supply over the past two decades have posed significant…

Research uses AI to make infrastructure more resilient, sustainable From predicting potholes to designing more durable concrete, artificial intelligence is paving the way for smarter infrastructure, a University of Mississippi researcher says. Go to techxplore

NASA’s X-59 turns up power, throttles through engine tests NASA’s X-59 quiet supersonic research aircraft has taken another successful step toward flight with the conclusion of a series of engine performance tests. Go to techxplore

Faster and higher-quality production of lithium superionic conductors for all-solid-state batteries Dr. Ha Yoon-Cheol’s team at KERI’s Next Generation Battery Research Center has developed an “enhanced coprecipitation method” that enables faster and higher-quality production of lithium superionic conductors for all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). ASSB replaces the “electrolyte,” which transfers ions between the anode and cathode, with…

Designing e-bike-friendly cities: Cycle lanes with minimal traffic impact While cycling infrastructure promotes sustainability, health, and increased bike adoption, its implementation often sparks controversy due to the need to repurpose car lanes, parking spaces, or public transport routes. With a novel optimization approach that carefully balances the trade-off between bike and car travel times, bike…

Self-powered graphene smart sensor takes the pain out of wound monitoring A major challenge in self-powered wearable sensors for health care monitoring is distinguishing different signals when they occur at the same time. Researchers from Penn State and China’s Hebei University of Technology have addressed this issue by uncovering a new property of a sensor…

Scientists enhance high-resolution distributed temperature sensing using plastic optical fibers Scientists have developed a new approach to significantly enhance the spatial resolution of distributed temperature sensing using plastic optical fibers (POFs). Their work demonstrates the successful detection of temperature changes over short distances, achieving a theoretical spatial resolution of approximately 4.8 centimeters. Go to techxplore

Semiconductor material for short-wave infrared sensors developed The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science has successfully developed a high-quality compound semiconductor material for ultra-sensitive short-wave infrared (SWIR) sensors. The study is published in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. Go to techxplore

Porous plastic sheets can cool buildings by radiating light to space Traditional cooling systems for buildings use refrigerants and electricity, which contribute to the atmospheric greenhouse effect that exacerbates more extreme weather events. In response, materials scientists have turned to unconventional methods for cooling down buildings. An international team of researchers co-led by Akhlesh Lakhtakia,…

Boosting Li-ion battery performance with surface technology With the rising global demand for cost-effective sustainable batteries, lithium-ion batteries are at the forefront as energy storage solutions. However, achieving a high energy density with long-term stability in such batteries is essential to extending the usage time of electric devices. LiNi₀.₅Mn₁.₅O₄ (LNMO), known for its thermal stability…

Charging electric vehicles while driving: Engineers model grid demand challenges Running out of gas in a remote area far from a gas station is every driver’s worst nightmare. A similar stressor, known as “range anxiety,” exists for owners of electric vehicles who worry about how far their EV’s can drive without running out of battery.…

Simulator characterizes air pollution in aircraft cabins “Fume events” occur when fluids such as engine oil or hydraulic fluid contaminate the air inside an airplane cabin via the “bleed air” used for air supply and conditioning. Measurements taken in flight do not allow for determination of whether the air quality on board is negatively affected…

Recycling lithium-ion batteries slashes emissions, secures future mineral supply Recycling lithium-ion batteries to recover their critical metals has significantly lower environmental impacts than mining virgin metals, according to a new Stanford University lifecycle analysis published in Nature Communications. On a large scale, recycling could also help relieve the long-term supply insecurity—physically and geopolitically—of critical battery…

Planes have high-tech systems to stop midair crashes. So what went wrong in Washington? On Wednesday night, US time, a passenger jet and a US Army helicopter collided at a low altitude near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and crashed into the Potomac River. Go to techxplore

Energy-efficient cooling thanks to ionic wind Thanks to a new type of airflow booster for ionic wind, completely new fields of application are opening up for the start-up Ionic Wind Technologies. In the future, the patented technology will be used primarily for cooling data centers and high-performance electronics. Go to techxplore

Machine learning-based method enhances accuracy of measuring dip angles and directions in rock facets Machine learning (ML) algorithms are constantly finding new applications in all scientific fields, and geological engineering is no exception. Over the last decade, researchers have developed various ML-based techniques to determine geological features more effortlessly in rocks, such as the dip…

Optical fiber sensor provides simple, sensitive detection of arsenic in drinking water Researchers have developed a new optical sensor that provides a simple way to achieve real-time detection of extremely low levels of arsenic in water. The technology could enable household testing for arsenic, empowering individuals to monitor their own water quality. Go to techxplore

Researchers reveal toughening mechanism of crack front in bioinspired materials Recently, a research team uncovered the propagation and toughening mechanism of tortuous crack front in bioinspired anisotropic heterogeneities, and developed an optimization design for toughness amplification by manipulating microstructural orientation. Their work was published in Nature Communications. Go to techxplore

Researchers use machine learning to ensure safe structural design of steel columns In the quest for stronger, more resilient buildings and infrastructure, engineers are turning to innovative solutions, such as concrete-filled steel tube columns (CFST) strengthened with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP). These advanced composite structures combine the robust load-bearing capabilities and strength of CFST columns…

NASA’s 3D-printed antenna takes additive manufacturing to new heights In fall 2024, NASA developed and tested a 3D-printed antenna to demonstrate a low-cost capability to communicate science data to Earth. The antenna, tested in flight using an atmospheric weather balloon, could open the door for using 3D printing as a cost-effective development solution for the…

New general law governs fracture energy of networks across materials and length scales Materials like car tires, human tissues, and spider webs are diverse in composition, but all contain networks of interconnected strands. A long-standing question about the durability of these materials asks: What is the energy required to fracture these diverse networks? A recently…

Eco-friendly artificial muscle fibers can produce and store energy A research team has successfully developed innovative artificial muscle fibers capable of producing and storing energy. The team anticipates that these findings will have broad applications in fields such as advanced textiles, medical robotics, and wearable devices. The research is published in the Chemical Engineering Journal.…

Imaging technique reveals first 2D chainmail-like material An advanced imaging technique developed at Cornell has revealed the first two-dimensional, mechanically interlocked polymer—confirming a breakthrough in both material design and electron microscopy. Go to techxplore

‘Turn on the lights’: DAVD display helps divers navigate undersea conditions A favorite childhood memory for Dr. Sandra Chapman was visiting the USS Arizona Memorial in Pearl Harbor with her father. So it’s appropriate that Chapman—a program officer in the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Warfighter Performance Department—is passionate about her involvement in the development…

Semiconductor radiation detectors designed for extreme environments A collaborative team led by researchers from the Hefei Institutes of Physical Science of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has successfully developed advanced semiconductor-based radiation detectors, significantly improving their performance for use in extreme environments. Go to techxplore

Engineers develop polycatenated architected materials for innovative 3D designs A team of engineers at the California Institute of Technology, working with colleagues from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and Princeton University, has developed what they have named polycatenated architected materials (PAMs) that can be used as wireframe elements to create novel 3D structures with interesting properties.…

Skin-inspired optical sensor reads Braille at the speed of touch Researchers have developed a fast and accurate flexible optical skin that can be used to read Braille. The advance could not only improve access to information for people who are blind but also help move us closer to a future where accessible and adaptable technology…

Engineers build the future of bendable concrete with 3D printing Armed with a 3D concrete printer, careful measuring tools, and just the right ingredients, a team at The University of New Mexico has worked hard to design the construction building blocks of the future. Now, their bendable concrete material design is officially patented. Go to…

3D printing extends heat-resistant steel’s creep life by over 10 times A NIMS research team fabricated heat-resistant steel test specimens using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF)—a form of metal 3D printing—and subjected them to creep testing for up to 10,000 hours. The results demonstrated that LPBF significantly extended the creep lives of the specimens, achieving…

Scalable aluminum surfaces method enables advancements in cooling, self-cleaning and anti-icing technologies An international team of engineers has developed an innovative, scalable method for creating topography-patterned aluminum surfaces, enhancing liquid transport properties critical for applications in electronics cooling, self-cleaning technologies and anti-icing systems. Go to techxplore

Precise positioning in challenging environments: A new anchor approach to ultra-wideband-assisted navigation A new study has introduced an advanced method for visual-inertial navigation, utilizing a single Ultra-Wideband (UWB) anchor with an unknown position to achieve exceptional positioning accuracy and robustness in environments lacking Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals. Go to techxplore

Stress tests for the Swiss power system Researchers from ETH Zurich and ZHAW Winterthur are simulating in a new study how the future Swiss power system could be structured to withstand a drastic fall in gas and electricity imports. By doing so, they aim to contribute to the discussion surrounding Switzerland’s supply security. Go to…

3D printing shines in overcoming headlight lens manufacturing challenges A recent study has demonstrated the benefits of using 3D printing to make headlight lenses. The results highlight the ability of additive manufacturing to overcome the limitations of traditional manufacturing methods for greater flexibility and better performance in manufacturing a variety of product types. Go to…

Sustainable cement: An electrochemical process to help neutralize cement industry CO₂ emissions Cement production is the second-largest industrial contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, but its carbon footprint could be dramatically reduced with a new low-cost, scalable approach demonstrated at the University of Michigan. Go to techxplore

Light, flexible and radiation-resistant: Organic solar cells for space Radiation testing suggests that solar cells made from carbon-based, or organic, materials could outperform conventional silicon and gallium arsenide for generating electricity in the final frontier, a study from the University of Michigan suggests. Go to techxplore

Exploring quinone-based carbon capture: A promising path to safer CO₂ removal Carbon capture, or the isolation and removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere during industrial processes like cement mixing or steel production, is widely regarded as a key component of fighting climate change. Existing carbon capture technologies, such as amine scrubbing, are hard to…

Dialysis-inspired technique ‘astonishingly effective’ for treating wastewater Researchers at Rice University, in collaboration with Guangdong University of Technology, have uncovered an innovative approach to treating high-salinity organic wastewaters—streams containing both elevated salt and organic concentrations—by employing dialysis, a technology borrowed from the medical field. Go to techxplore

Thermochromorph: A printmaking technique that transforms images with heat Researchers in MIT Professor Stefanie Mueller’s group have spent much of the last decade developing a variety of computing techniques aimed at reimagining how products and systems are designed. Much in the way that platforms like Instagram allow users to modify 2D photographs with filters, Mueller…

Smart food drying techniques with AI enhance product quality and efficiency Food drying is a common process for preserving many types of food, including fruits and meat; however, drying can alter the food’s quality and nutritional value. In recent years, researchers have developed precision techniques that use optical sensors and AI to facilitate more efficient…

Ramping up the scale of climate and energy technology: Experts recommend technical risk assessment strategies One of the biggest challenges in implementing energy and climate technologies is actually scaling them up to deploy. While scale-up has largely been the domain of industrial R&D teams, advances in modeling and experimental techniques increasingly allow early-stage researchers like…

Sport produces mountains of high-tech waste—researchers are finding new ways to recycle it In the early days of the modern Olympics and Paralympics, athletes competed using heavy, non-aerodynamic equipment. The record for throwing a javelin, for instance, has almost doubled since 1908, when the sport was introduced. Athletes have got better—but so has their equipment.…

New strategy significantly extends lithium-ion battery life by suppressing oxygen release A research team has developed a strategy to enhance the durability of lithium-rich layered oxide (LLO) material, a next-generation cathode material for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). This breakthrough, which significantly extends battery lifespan, was published in the journal Energy & Environmental Science. Go to techxplore

Color shifts at nanoscale: Researchers develop real-time visualization system to observe stretchable technology A research team at POSTECH has developed a breakthrough technology that analyzes in real-time the deformation of “serpentine” structures, a critical component of stretchable technology, and visualizes the process through color changes. Go to techxplore

New research validates performance enhancement and injury risk reduction from back-assist exosuits A new peer-reviewed study shows that a back-relieving exosuit originally developed at Vanderbilt University and then commercialized by spin-off company HeroWear can simultaneously increase lifting endurance and reduce injury risk. This has important implications for the future of workplace safety and for workers…

Harnessing corrosion: Scientists transform dealloying into sustainable lightweight alloy design Max Planck Institute for Sustainable Materials (MPI-SusMat) researchers have transformed dealloying—traditionally seen as a corrosive, destructive process—into a groundbreaking method for creating lightweight, high-strength alloys. By combining dealloying with alloying in a single step, the team developed nano-porous martensitic alloys using reactive gases like ammonia,…

Helping machine learning models identify objects in any pose A new visual recognition approach improved a machine learning technique’s ability to both identify an object and how it is oriented in space, according to a study presented in October at the European Conference on Computer Vision in Milan, Italy. Go to techxplore

Towards smart cities: Integrating ground source heat pump systems with energy piles Human civilization is currently evolving at an unprecedented rate, with new breakthroughs every single day. This has become possible due to never-tapped-before levels of energy resources. Go to techxplore

Turning 3D printing’s biggest flaw into its smartest feature Civil and systems engineers at Johns Hopkins University have turned a longstanding problem with 3D printers into a multifunctional feature: The team developed a new printing technique that solves the fundamental weakness between the layers created during 3D printing. This work, which appears in Advanced Materials,…

Innovative models slash offshore wind energy costs by 9% Offshore wind turbines face higher wind speeds than onshore turbines and face strong ocean currents, requiring more robust designs and significantly higher capital costs. While they generate more energy due to stronger winds, these increased costs result in a higher levelized cost of energy (LCOE). Go…

Enhancing mechanical and thermoelectric performance of alloy for chip-scale refrigeration The advancement of information technology necessitates efficient thermal management for chips to ensure stable information transmission. Meanwhile, the thermal management technology must be vibration-free and easily miniaturized to accommodate increasingly integrated chip modules. Go to techxplore

Magnetically controlled kirigami surfaces move objects: No grasping needed Researchers have developed a novel device that couples magnetic fields and kirigami design principles to remotely control the movement of a flexible dimpled surface, allowing it to manipulate objects without actually grasping them—making it useful for lifting and moving items such as fragile objects, gels or…

Improved magnetocaloric heat pump paves the way for more sustainable cooling and heating technology A team of researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy Ames National Laboratory developed a magnetocaloric heat pump that matches current vapor-compression heat pumps for weight, cost, and performance. Go to techxplore

Compendium of geothermal bit behavior may help drive down drilling time In golf, a great caddie helps tune a professional golfer’s performance, matching their skill, choice of club and type of swing to the course and weather conditions. Go to techxplore

Origami packaging technology offers sustainable alternatives to conventional materials VTT Technical Research Center of Finland, in collaboration with Aalto University and Finnish industrial partners, has developed a new technology for shaping cardboard in a unique continuous process to create reel-to-reel, origami-inspired structures for fiber-based packaging materials. Go to techxplore

Unified testing protocol could improve the durability of flexible photovoltaic devices Flexible portable devices, also known as FlexPVs, have great potential in multiple applications. For example, wearable technology, intelligent fabrics, curved surfaces such as car roofs or lightweight applications such as drones or aerospace transportation. Go to techxplore