Matt Shipman

May 29, 2012

Precision Matters: Measuring Young’s Modulus

When it comes to nanoscale devices, precision is important. By extension, anything that gives researchers more accurate measurements of the nanoscale materials that make up those devices is also important. That’s why it’s news when someone comes up with a new technique to fine-tune a way of determining Young’s modulus for nanowires. What is Young’s… 

May 29, 2012

Researchers Aim to Reduce Food Safety Risk at Farmer’s Markets

Food-safety researchers at North Carolina State University are unveiling a website that offers guidance to farmer’s markets on how to reduce the risk of foodborne illness. The program is the first to rely on observational study of farmer’s markets to establish best management practices for food safety. 

May 23, 2012

Rock and (Not) Roll: Study Eyes How to Keep a Mars Tumbleweed Rover Moving on Rocky Terrain

New research from North Carolina State University shows that a wind-driven “tumbleweed” Mars rover would be capable of moving across rocky Martian terrain – findings that could also help the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) design the best possible vehicle. 

May 22, 2012

Announcing the Android Malware Genome Project

Mobile security researchers are announcing a global effort to share data on malware targeting the Android platform, in an effort to improve our ability to defend against such attacks. The Android Malware Genome Project is the brainchild of Xuxian Jiang, a researcher at NC State who has already collected over 1,200 pieces of Android malware. The… 

May 22, 2012

Study Highlights How Twitter Is Used to Share Information After a Disaster

A study from North Carolina State University shows how people used Twitter following the 2011 nuclear disaster in Japan, highlighting challenges for using the social media tool to share information. The study also indicates that social media haven’t changed what we communicate so much as how quickly we can disseminate it. 

May 21, 2012

Researchers Improve Fast-Moving Mobile Networks

Mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) allow people in multiple, rapidly-moving vehicles to communicate with each other – such as in military or emergency-response situations. Researchers from North Carolina State University have devised a method to improve the quality and efficiency of data transmission in these networks. 

May 21, 2012

When You Publish a Paper Without Knowing It

For academic researchers, professional reputation is everything. It’s built up over years, and is essential to securing tenure, winning grants and otherwise advancing in one’s field. Because a researcher builds that reputation (in large part) through journal articles and conference presentations, it can be quite a shock to see your name listed as a co-author… 

May 16, 2012

U.S., Great Britain Share Risk Factors for Child Behavior Problems

New research from North Carolina State University shows that the United States and Great Britain share common risk factors that increase the likelihood of behavioral problems in children – and that Britain’s broader social welfare programs don’t appear to mitigate those risks. 

May 15, 2012

Getting in Tune: Researchers Solve Tuning Problem for Wireless Power Transfer Systems

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new way to fine-tune wireless power transfer (WPT) receivers, making the systems more efficient and functional. WPT systems hold promise for charging electric vehicles, electronic devices and other technologies. 

May 14, 2012

Research Opens Doors to UV Disinfection Using LED Technology

Research from North Carolina State University will allow the development of energy-efficient LED devices that use ultraviolet (UV) light to kill pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. The technology has a wide array of applications ranging from drinking-water treatment to sterilizing surgical tools. 

May 10, 2012

Efforts to Help Homeless Kids Gaining Traction

Homeless children are at higher risk for mental health problems than other kids, but one researcher from NC State is taking action to give these kids a better chance for a healthy life. Last year, we told you about Mary Haskett’s work with a program called Project CATCH, which aims to provide homeless children with the… 

May 10, 2012

Model Forecasts Long-Term Impacts of Forest Land-Use Decisions

The drive to develop crops for use in biofuels is raising questions about how to use forest land. A new computer model developed at North Carolina State University offers the most detailed insight yet into predicting how these new land uses might impact the environment – and may also help us understand how the forest… 

May 9, 2012

Pursuing a Future for STEM Equality

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Sina Bahram, a Ph.D. student in computer science at NC State who was honored as a “Champion of Change” by the White House May 7 for his efforts to make STEM accessible to people with disabilities. This post first ran on the White House blog. I would like… 

May 8, 2012

Why Don’t We Study Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs have garnered a lot of attention over the past few years, including coverage from mainstream media outlets (e.g., a search of the New York Times website for “bed bugs” calls up 4,270 mentions over the past 12 months). But their high profile has not led to a commensurate increase in related research. Bed… 

May 7, 2012

White House Honors NC State Student’s Efforts to Make STEM Accessible to Disabled

President Barack Obama recognized North Carolina State University student Sina Bahram as one of 14 “Champions of Change” at a White House ceremony May 7, honoring those who have made significant efforts to make science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) more accessible to people with disabilities.