Matt Shipman

Jul 20, 2012

What’s the Deal With Seedless Watermelons?

Seedless watermelons aren’t seedless. They have those little white seeds that don’t have hard black shells, like the seeds in seeded watermelons. How do they do that?  Glad you asked! In seeded watermelons, the seed develops its hard seed coat (or testa) once it is fertilized. But, because seeds in seedless watermelons cannot be fertilized,… 

Jul 16, 2012

Researchers Almost Double Light Efficiency in LC Projectors

Researchers from North Carolina State University and ImagineOptix Corporation have developed new technology to convert unpolarized light into polarized light, which makes projectors that use liquid crystal (LC) technology almost twice as energy efficient. The new technology has resulted in smaller, lower cost and more efficient projectors, meaning longer battery life and significantly lower levels… 

Jul 12, 2012

Researchers Create Highly Conductive and Elastic Conductors Using Silver Nanowires

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed highly conductive and elastic conductors made from silver nanoscale wires (nanowires). These elastic conductors can be used to develop stretchable electronic devices. 

Jul 5, 2012

Researchers Seek Public’s Help to Aid Trees

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Rosemary Hallberg, of USDA’s Southern Region Integrated Pest Management Center (SRIPMC), which is housed at NC State. The SRIPMC is launching a “tiny terrors” initiative to help protect hemlock species in the region. Those interested in learning more about the project can visit www.threatenedforests.com/tinyterrors, or contact Erin Mester,… 

Jul 3, 2012

The Chemistry of Fireworks

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Steve Townsend, director of communications in NC State’s College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences. Just in time for the 4th of July! As they have for well over 200 years, the skies over cities and towns across the country will explode in celebration this July 4. While there’s… 

Jul 2, 2012

Clickjacking Rootkits for Android: The Next Big Threat?

Mobile security researchers have identified an aspect of Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich) and earlier models that clickjacking rootkits could exploit. A research team led by Xuxian Jiang at NC State has been trying to identify potential weaknesses in various smartphone platforms as part of an overall effort to stay ahead of attacks from “black hat”… 

Jun 27, 2012

New Technique Controls Crystalline Structure of Titanium Dioxide

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new technique for controlling the crystalline structure of titanium dioxide at room temperature. The development should make titanium dioxide more efficient in a range of applications, including photovoltaic cells, hydrogen production, antimicrobial coatings, smart sensors and optical communication technologies. 

Jun 26, 2012

Expediting Design Process May Boost Diversity in Multi-Core Processors

Researchers have developed a tool that makes it faster and easier to develop new cores – also known as central processing units – for computer processors. The new tool could spur the development of processors with many different types of specialized cores. “We’re optimistic that expediting this process will unleash innovation in processor design,” says… 

Jun 25, 2012

Nano-Sandwich Technique Slims Down Solar Cells, Improves Efficiency

Researchers from North Carolina State University have found a way to create much slimmer thin-film solar cells without sacrificing the cells’ ability to absorb solar energy. Making the cells thinner should significantly decrease manufacturing costs for the technology. 

Jun 21, 2012

Innovation to Save Lives: A Student’s Story, Part I

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by NC State grad student Tate Rogers. Rogers came up with an idea to address the life-threatening challenge of human waste disposal in the developing world, and was part of a team that received funding from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to pursue the idea further. Rogers will… 

Jun 20, 2012

Researchers Find Gold Nanoparticles Capable of ‘Unzipping’ DNA

New research from North Carolina State University finds that gold nanoparticles with a slight positive charge work collectively to unravel DNA’s double helix. This finding has ramifications for gene therapy research and the emerging field of DNA-based electronics. 

Jun 18, 2012

Study Improves Understanding of Surface Molecules in Controlling Size of Gold Nanoparticles

North Carolina State University researchers have shown that the “bulkiness” of molecules commonly used in the creation of gold nanoparticles actually dictates the size of the nanoparticles – with larger so-called ligands resulting in smaller nanoparticles. The research team also found that each type of ligand produces nanoparticles in a particular array of discrete sizes. 

Jun 13, 2012

What Exoskeletons Are Hiding in Your Closet?

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Dr. Holly Menninger, director of public science for the Your Wild Life program at NC State, which explores the biodiversity that lives on, in and around us. Your Wild Life is the brain child of NC State professor Rob Dunn. Several months ago, Rob Dunn issued a challenge –… 

Jun 13, 2012

Creating An Online Portal Into the Medieval World

Perhaps it is fitting that students and scholars interested in the medieval world have to grapple with fiefdoms in order to find information dating to the period – though that doesn’t make it any less frustrating. But the days of searching through scattered online resources will soon be history. Researchers are in the process of… 

Jun 12, 2012

Science Outreach: What Do You Need?

In recent weeks, the science community has engaged in an enormous amount of discussion about science outreach. There are calls from many people, including me, for scientists to take an active role in efforts to share their work with the public. But this leaves many scientists feeling put upon – and understandably so. Scientists have…