Matt Shipman

Jan 12, 2012

New Tech Removes Air Pollutants, May Reduce Energy Use In Animal Ag Facilities

Researchers from North Carolina State University and West Virginia University have developed a new technology that can reduce air pollutant emissions from some chicken and swine barns, and also reduce their energy use by recovering and possibly generating heat. 

Jan 9, 2012

NC State Experts Can Discuss Key National Election Issues

North Carolina State University experts can provide clear insights into the pending general election and a host of key issues that will face the presidential contenders. These experts can provide perspective and advance understanding of issues including campaign strategy, the economy, the military and foreign policy. 

Jan 5, 2012

Smart Grid: Coordinating Efforts For the Road Ahead

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Aranya Chakrabortty, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State. The concept of a “smart grid” for power utilities is drawing significant interest from researchers, practitioners and governments around the globe. The benefits of making the grid smart would be immense, including improved security, reliability,… 

Jan 3, 2012

Data defender

In 2011, NC State researcher Xuxian Jiang and his team of students discovered at least 20 types of malware affecting smartphones that use the Android operating system. 

Dec 22, 2011

How Does Santa Do It?

It takes more than magic to get Santa into millions of homes on Christmas Eve. NC State professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering Dr. Larry Silverberg details the science behind St. Nicholas. 

Dec 19, 2011

Events Preceding the Helvetican Renaissance (Part V – Conclusion)

Editor’s Note: Readers of The Abstract are generally interested in research, science and technology. People that fall into that camp are often also devotees of science fiction. So, in a throw back to the serialized storytelling of the golden age of sci-fi, we decided to serialize some science fiction by one of our favorite authors… 

Dec 16, 2011

Trivial Pursuits: The Abstract’s 2011 Quiz

The Abstract staff will be taking off for a couple of weeks to prepare for 2012. In an attempt to amuse and entertain ourselves you, we’ve pulled together a quick quiz on some of the research we’ve written about over the past year. See how you do! Questions: 1). Until recently, researchers thought Greece was… 

Dec 16, 2011

From Superbugs To Supernovas: Research Highlights From 2011

From research in antibiotic use and superbugs, which could help us address a global medical challenge, to a supernova finding that solved a millennia-old stellar mystery, 2011 was an exciting year for research at North Carolina State University. As we prepare for 2012, we’re taking a look back at some of the interesting research stories… 

Dec 14, 2011

Helping Museums Pursue Interactive Technology

In an attempt to better engage and educate the public about everything from space exploration to art history, museums are becoming increasingly interactive. But many museums lack the resources or expertise to take full advantage of emerging technologies. What to do? Researchers from NC State and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences are working to… 

Dec 13, 2011

Microneedle Sensors May Allow Real-Time Monitoring Of Body Chemistry

Researchers from North Carolina State University, Sandia National Laboratories, and the University of California, San Diego have developed new technology that uses microneedles to allow doctors to detect real-time chemical changes in the body – and to continuously do so for an extended period of time. 

Dec 12, 2011

How To Avoid Scams Targeting Older Adults

Research tells us that scams targeting older adults are becoming increasingly prevalent, and can have devastating effects on the finances of seniors and their families. I’ve spoken to researchers at NC State who focus on this issue to get information you can use to help you protect yourself and your loved ones. Public awareness is a… 

Dec 12, 2011

New Dye Will Lead To More Efficient Solar Energy Technology

A North Carolina State University invention has significant potential to improve the efficiency of solar cells and other technologies that derive energy from light. 

Dec 12, 2011

Events Preceding the Helvetican Renaissance (Part IV)

Editor’s Note: Readers of The Abstract are generally interested in research, science and technology. People that fall into that camp are often also devotees of science fiction. So, in a throw back to the serialized storytelling of the golden age of sci-fi, we decided to serialize some science fiction by one of our favorite authors… 

Dec 9, 2011

Insects And Evolution

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by post-doctoral researcher Michelle Trautwein, whose work at NC State focuses on entomology, genetics and evolution. Here she explains what we know about insect evolution – and why it matters. Our planet is swarming with insects. Literally. Six-legged creatures account for the majority of life on earth, by far… 

Dec 8, 2011

Why We Need to Pull These Films off the Shelf: Educational Films In The United States (Part III)

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Skip Elsheimer, also known as the A/V Geek, a graduate of NC State who has an archive of over 24,000 educational films, many of which he has digitized and made available on DVD or for free viewing at the Internet Archive. He is also a contributor to “Learning…