Tag: techxplore

Simple heating step boosts pressure sensitivity in semiconductor materials eightfold Stronger cell phone signals, more accurate sensors and cleaner energy may be achieved by adding a simple step to the industrial fabrication process of certain semiconductor materials, documented in a recent study led by engineering researchers at the University of Michigan. Go to techxplore

Formula studied for a type of grout capable of ‘self-repairing’ cracks in large buildings Grout is a mixture commonly used to fill joints between tiles in small domestic projects, and usually features a simple composition of water, cement and sand. However, this is not its only application: in structures that are designed to support heavy…

Scalable, low-maintenance design recycles heat for a steady supply of drinking water off-grid Fresh drinking water is a vital yet limited resource that will only grow scarcer over the next few years, according to the World Resources Institute. Desalination, the process of removing salt from water, is an established method used to increase the fresh…

Optimizing the recovery of rare earth elements As demand for rare earth elements increases, the United States is strengthening its domestic supply chain. Ana Inés Torres is working to identify economical processes that will minimize environmental impacts. Go to techxplore

Sidewalks, crosswalks and lighting reduce crashes more effectively than fixed geometric road design attributes: Study Road traffic crashes remain a significant global issue, with more than 1.19 million fatalities and millions more injured annually. The World Health Organization (WHO) has set a target to halve these deaths and injuries by 2030, emphasizing the need for…

Bringing the outdoors in: Architecture that nurtures our connection with nature EU researchers are exploring the role of architecture in designing living spaces that harness the healing power of nature to improve the health and well-being of urban populations. Go to techxplore

Scientists develop next-gen energy storage technologies that enable high power and capacity simultaneously A research team has developed a high-performance supercapacitor that is expected to become the next generation of energy storage devices. With details published in the journal Composites Part B: Engineering, the technology developed by the researchers overcomes the limitations of existing supercapacitors…

Simple changes in brick kilns cut emissions and improve air quality in Bangladesh Brick manufacturing is a central component of the economy in South Asia, but also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, as the practice releases carbon dioxide (CO2), fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and other contaminants into the environment. Go…

A printable aluminum alloy system can balance strength and cost in the automotive industry Aluminum alloys are widely used in transportation applications because of their high strength-to-weight ratio, as well as their affordability. However, challenges arise when using them in extremely high-strength and high-temperature applications, particularly in components such as pistons of combustion engines, fan…

From action movies to urban planning, new method for creating large 3D models of urban areas is faster and cheaper A research team led by Waterloo Engineering has developed a faster, cheaper way to create large-scale, three-dimensional (3D) computer models of urban areas, technology that could impact fields including urban planning, architectural design and filmmaking.…

Researchers publish critical analysis of review articles on energy-saving materials Nazarbayev University’s School of Engineering and Digital Sciences (NU SEDS) researchers have published a first-of-its-kind critical review of review articles on phase change materials (PCMs) for thermal energy storage in buildings. The article was featured in Applied Energy. Go to techxplore

Sensor-based waste sorting reduces number of battery fires in recycling plants An increasing amount of electronic waste is not being properly disposed of but is often discarded together with plastic waste, for example. If the batteries in these products are damaged, they can cause fires at sorting plants. In the DangerSort project, researchers at the…

New method quickly assesses underwater landslide risk for offshore turbines Heriot-Watt researchers have developed an advanced simulation tool that accurately predicts underwater landslides caused by offshore wind turbines. Go to techxplore

Discovery of extended slip bands reshapes understanding of material deformation under stress University of California, Irvine scientists have expanded on a longstanding model governing the mechanics behind slip banding, a process that produces strain marks in metals under compression, gaining a new understanding of the behavior of advanced materials critical to energy systems, space exploration…

Algorithms provide optimized radiation-shielding design solutions for new types of nuclear reactors The research team (NEAL) from the University of South China has made significant progress in nuclear reactor radiation-shielding design. The team has developed a radiation-shielding optimization method (RP-NSGA and RP-MOABC) based on a reference-point-selection strategy, which efficiently solves many-objective optimization problems in radiation-shielding…

Prevention instead of reaction: Intelligent, networked systems for structural monitoring The safety and durability of transport and building infrastructure are in the interests of both operators and users. To maintain the best possible building condition at the lowest possible cost, effective monitoring is required to improve condition assessment. Go to techxplore

Rapid lithium extraction eliminates use of acid and high heat, scientists report Lightweight lithium metal is a heavy-hitting critical mineral, serving as the key ingredient in the rechargeable batteries that power phones, laptops, electric vehicles and more. As ubiquitous as lithium is in modern technology, extracting the metal is complex and expensive. A new method,…

1200 V GaN switch enables bidirectional current flow with integrated free-wheeling diodes Technological innovations in power electronics are not only essential for the success of the energy transition, they also provide sustainable support for economic development in Europe. The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF develops power electronic components based on the wide-bandgap…

Synchrotron in a closet: Bringing powerful 3D X-ray microscopy to smaller labs For the first time, researchers can study the microstructures inside metals, ceramics and rocks with X-rays in a standard laboratory without needing to travel to a particle accelerator, according to a study led by University of Michigan engineers. Go to techxplore

Smart surfaces could represent a powerless solution to multipath signal interference The evolution of wireless communications and the miniaturization of electrical circuits have fundamentally reshaped our lives and the digital landscape. However, as we push toward higher-frequency communications in an increasingly connected world, engineers face growing challenges from multipath propagation—a phenomenon where the same radio…

Cutting the complexity from digital carpentry: System turns simple sketches into digital schematics Many products in the modern world are in some way fabricated using computer numerical control (CNC) machines, which use computers to automate machine operations in manufacturing. While simple in concept, the ways to instruct these machines is, in reality, often complex. Go…

Combining electrical and force signals boosts prosthetic hand accuracy Combining two different kinds of signals could help engineers build prosthetic limbs that better reproduce natural movements, according to a new study from the University of California, Davis. The work, published April 10 in PLOS One, shows that a combination of electromyography and force myography is…

‘Cold’ manufacturing approach solves fabrication challenge for solid-state batteries Lithium-ion batteries have been a staple in device manufacturing for years, but the liquid electrolytes they rely on to function are quite unstable, leading to fire hazards and safety concerns. Now, researchers at Penn State are pursuing a reliable alternative energy storage solution for use in…