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Mechanical Computer Relies On Kirigami Cubes, Not Electronics

Matt Shipman

Several blue and yellow tentacles wave from a blue and yellow stem against a black backdrop

Aug 26, 2024

The Scope of Our Research: Winners of the 2024 Envisioning Research Contest

The 2024 Envisioning Research contest captures the spectacular landscape of research being conducted at NC State. 
photo of nc state university's iconic belltower

Aug 22, 2024

For First Time, DNA Tech Offers Both Data Storage and Computing Functions

The new DNA computer is the first that can repeatedly store, retrieve, compute, erase and rewrite data. 
a flexible circuit has been printed onto a piece of polymer. the polymer and circuit are being crumpled by a pair of gloved hands. the circuit is lighting up an LED. the image is a photograph, not an illustration.

Aug 15, 2024

New Technique Prints Metal Oxide Thin Film Circuits at Room Temperature

Researchers have used the new technique to create transparent, flexible circuits. 
medical image of lungs

Aug 13, 2024

Quantitative Ultrasound Parameters Offer New Tool for Diagnosing Lung Disease

The researchers demonstrated the parameters' ability to accurately diagnose and assess the severity of lung diseases in an animal model. 
a person wearing a sweater takes notes at a wooden desk

Aug 12, 2024

One Way Social Work Researchers Can Better Understand Community Needs – and Move the Field Forward

Researchers are calling on the social work community to begin incorporating a methodology called “discrete choice experiments” into their research, to better understand the needs and preferences of key stakeholders. 
two fingers are holding an octagonal white patch with a sticker in the middle. The sticker has a circuit design printed on it.

Aug 7, 2024

Electric Bandage Holds Promise for Treating Chronic Wounds

In animal testing, wounds that were treated with these electric bandages healed 30% faster than wounds treated with conventional bandages. 
image shows four photos of a glove and a graph. The hand wearing the glove is underwater. In each photo, the hand is extending a different number of fingers, which correspond to different electrical signals shown on the graph.

Aug 7, 2024

‘Amphibious’ Sensors Make New, Waterproof Technologies Possible

Researchers have demonstrated a technique for creating sensors that can function both in air and underwater. 
Campus gateway sign reading NC State University

Aug 6, 2024

Researchers Solve Long-Standing Challenge for Piezoelectric Materials

The discovery paves the way for new ultrasound technologies. 

Jul 27, 2024

What Colors Do Bees See? And How Do We Know?

I was reading a children’s book about insects to my daughter, and it said that bees see colors differently than humans do. My daughter immediately asked, in short succession: “What colors do they see? Why? How do we know?” I did some homework to find out, and discovered that bees see flowers much differently than… 
a smartphone displays the wi-fi symbol on its screen

Jul 24, 2024

How a ‘Digital Twin’ Can Make Wireless Networks Faster, More Reliable

A new technique predicts which data wireless computing users will need before they need it, making wireless networks faster and more reliable. 
image on left is labeled 'expanded' and shows 3D grid of pink polymer; image on left is labeled 'contracted' and shows a much smaller grid of the pink polymer, with much smaller gaps between the polymer strands

Jul 22, 2024

3D Printing of Light-Activated Hydrogel Actuators

3D-printed hydrogels create structures that contract when exposed to light and expand when the light is removed, meaning they can serve as remotely controlled actuators. 
a woman stands before a classroom of young children. her body language shows that she is listening carefully to one of the students

Jul 22, 2024

Even in ‘Care Work,’ Women Face Lower Wages if They Have Kids

Mothers get paid less than either men or women without children, even in fields that are traditionally thought of as being “women’s work.” 
wet spots show up as dark stains on the concrete next to a swimming pool

Jul 5, 2024

Why Do Things Look Darker When They’re Wet?

From rain-soaked sidewalks to sweat-stained dress shirts, you’ve probably noticed that most things look darker when they’re wet. Why? 
Left: person wearing the fluid motor attached to artificial muscles. Center: artificial muscle lifts suitcase off the ground. Right: robotic leg attached to artificial muscle flexes its ankle.

Jul 1, 2024

Portable Engine Can Power Artificial Muscles in Assistive Devices

What sets the new engine apart is its ability to generate significant force without being tethered to an external power source. 
image shows three different configurations of 3-D cubes

Jun 26, 2024

Mechanical Computer Relies On Kirigami Cubes, Not Electronics

The mechanical computer uses a complex structure of rigid, interconnected polymer cubes to store, retrieve and erase data without relying on electronic components.