Tag: techxplore

Study proposes ways to control unforeseen leaks in underground excavations A study involving the IIAMA Institute at the Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) proposes a series of solutions to address a critical engineering problem: unforeseen water leaks during the construction of deep excavations. The work, carried out by Alejandro Ferrer (Ferrer Dewatering, S.L.), Eduardo Cassiraga…

Listening to the body’s quietest, yet most dynamic movements with a wearable sensor The human body continuously generates a rich spectrum of vibrations—often without us ever noticing. Everyday unconscious activities such as breathing, speaking, and swallowing all produce subtle yet distinct mechanical signals. Although these faint vibrations carry valuable information about physiological state, they have…

Non-destructive battery testing with ultralow-field nuclear magnetic resonance Rechargeable batteries are everywhere—from portable electronic devices and electric vehicles to renewable energy storage. Battery failures are often due to the loss or chemical degradation of the electrolyte. Go to techxplore

Ultrasonic sensor eliminates inspection blind spots in extreme environments The Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS) has developed an ultrasonic sensor technology that applies a waveguide to detect defects in all directions without directly attaching sensors to the inspection target. By enabling remote ultrasonic excitation and reception, the technology is expected to help…

Scientist patents invention that can reduce damage from earthquakes A newly granted patent unveiled an innovative energy-dissipation device designed to protect buildings, infrastructure, and sensitive equipment from earthquakes, strong winds, and man-made vibrations. Granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office in December 2025, the invention represents a significant milestone toward developing affordable, reliable,…

AI and 3D printing help researchers create heat‑ and pressure‑resistant materials for aerospace and defense applications From hypersonic aircraft to nuclear-powered submarines, many of today’s most advanced defense systems rely on a special class of materials known as refractory alloys. This class refers to metals that do not melt or weaken easily, even in extreme…

How hawks slip through tight gaps: A flight stability trick drones could copy Birds have an ability to fly through obstacles by shifting their shape in flight, which is difficult to reproduce in uncrewed aerial vehicles, commonly known as UAVs or drones. A new study from researchers at the University of Oxford and the University…

Sealing paper packaging without adhesives Since plastic packaging accounts for a large fraction of plastic waste, the demand for environmentally friendly packaging options is increasing. One material that is becoming more and more popular as a sustainable alternative to plastic is paper. However, the problem is that sealing paper packaging requires additives such as adhesives…

‘Milestone’ findings on imaging methods call for a closer look at battery microscopy Transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) allow researchers at the forefront of energy technology to study next-generation battery materials down to the atom. But new research has discovered that the very act of microscoping damages both lithium and sodium battery samples more severely than…

A clear view to better batteries: Engineers show moment lithium-ion batteries begin to fail Lithium-ion batteries are ubiquitous in consumer electronics such as cellphones and in electric vehicles, but the surrounding temperature and speed of charging affect those batteries’ performance, safety and lifespan. Fast charging adds convenience, but it further stresses battery life as it…

3D-printed ‘ghost guns’ are not as untraceable as criminals think—new study 3D-printed guns are a growing threat to public safety. The blueprints used to make these firearms can be found online, making them easily accessible. With a relatively cheap 3D printer and a quick web search, anyone could print their own unlicensed gun. Go to…

How an overlooked electrostatic force could drive the motor of the future When we hear about moving objects with electricity, most of us imagine a “pulling force.” Positive and negative charges attract each other, drawing objects together. It is natural to think that this attractive force—known as electrostatic force—is what makes things move. Go to…

A more durable direct air capture approach: Electrified mineral-based system resists oxygen and humidity Many governments and businesses worldwide have been trying to devise effective initiatives aimed at mitigating climate change and global warming. So far, their primary focus has been to reduce the emission of carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and other greenhouse gases,…

New systems measures full magnetization hysteresis at MHz frequencies and high magnetic fields High-frequency magnetic characteristics are essential for improving the efficiency, miniaturization, and operating frequency of power conversion devices such as power supply circuits, inductors, and transformers. However, conventional measurement methods face two major challenges. First, generating sufficiently large magnetic fields at high frequencies…

HFC electrolyte delivers energy-dense lithium battery that keeps running at −50 °C A research team in China has developed an electrolyte using monofluorinated hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) solvents capable of achieving energy densities higher than 700 Wh kg−1 at room temperature and about 400 Wh kg−1 at −50 °C, a significant improvement over current technologies. Their work, recently published in Nature, has potential…

Protecting perovskite solar cells against environmental influences with light-switchable molecules A team from the University of Stuttgart, together with international researchers, has succeeded in enhancing both the efficiency and environmental resilience of perovskite solar cells. This is another important step toward the application of a technology that holds great promise for photovoltaics. The research is…

Forest-based resins challenge fossil materials in wind turbines, boats and high-performance adhesives Researchers at the University of Oulu, Finland, have developed new high-performance bio-based resins that can replace conventional oil-based materials in composite products—without compromising strength, cost, or industrial scalability. As composite materials continue to play a critical role in renewable energy, transportation, marine industries…

Shipping damage, measured in real time: How wireless origami cushioning could improve logistics Origami, the traditional Japanese art of paper folding, has received considerable attention in engineering. By applying paper-folding principles, researchers have created compact structures that are flexible, lightweight, and reconfigurable across aerospace, medicine, and robotics. Go to techxplore

Resilient nylon-11 film generates electricity from pressure and survives repeated runovers RMIT University researchers have developed a flexible nylon-film device that generates electricity from compression and keeps working even after being run over by a car multiple times, opening the door to self-powered sensors on our roads and other electronic devices. The paper is published…

New electrolyzer turns plastic-waste syngas into ethylene with less energy For every ton of ethylene created, one ton of carbon dioxide is produced. With more than 300 million tons of ethylene produced each year, the production system has a huge carbon footprint that scientists and engineers are eager to reduce and eventually eliminate. A new…

Review finds 1–2 nm closed pores can boost hard carbon sodium storage As the global transition toward clean energy accelerates, the demand for sustainable, low-cost, and scalable energy storage technologies continues to grow. While lithium-ion batteries have dominated the market for decades, concerns over lithium resource availability and cost volatility are driving intense research into…