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‘Butterfly Bot’ is Fastest Swimming Soft Robot Yet

Exploration

Early-stage research happening at NC State

complex diagram showing all of the ways one can change the morphology of soft polymers

Mar 10, 2023

Some Stirring Required: Fluid Mixing Enables Scalable Manufacturing of Soft Polymer Structures

A new, scalable technique allows users to manufacture soft polymer materials in a dozen different structures, or morphologies. 
diagram shows how electrons travel along grain boundaries

Feb 27, 2023

Corralling Ions Improves Viability of Next Generation Solar Cells

The finding paves the way for a new generation of lighter, more flexible, and more efficient solar cell technologies suitable for practical use. 
Ankit Negi holds a PMN-PT crystal, like those used in the research. Standing with him is study co-author Hwang Pill Kim.

Feb 22, 2023

Study Offers Details on Using Electric Fields to Tune Thermal Properties of Ferroelectric Materials

The work allows engineers to manipulate the flow of heat through ferroelectric materials, which are used in many devices. 
plastic model of human lungs

Feb 9, 2023

Inhalable ‘SHIELD’ Protects Lungs Against COVID-19, Flu Viruses

Researchers develop an inhalable powder that could protect lungs and airways from viral invasion. 

Feb 9, 2023

Make Them Thin Enough, and Antiferroelectric Materials Become Ferroelectric

Researchers have now discovered a size threshold beyond which antiferroelectrics lose their properties, becoming ferroelectric. 
time-lapse image shows cars moving through an intersection at night

Feb 7, 2023

Researchers Propose a Fourth Light on Traffic Signals – For Self-Driving Cars

The new light would enable autonomous vehicles to help control traffic flow – and let human drivers know what’s going on. 
gloved hands stretch a silvery bag

Feb 3, 2023

Researchers Develop Elastic Material That Is Impervious to Gases and Liquids

Applications for the material include use as packaging for high-value technologies that require protection from gases, such as flexible batteries. 
Globorataloides hexagonus shell recovered from a deep-sea sediment core in the tropical Pacific ocean

Jan 4, 2023

Map of Ancient Ocean ‘Dead Zones’ Could Predict Future Locations, Impacts

A map of ancient oceanic "dead zones" could help us plan for the future as the Earth grows warmer. 
image contains four photos with various angles on the complex sensor described in the attached story

Jan 3, 2023

Researchers Demonstrate New Strain Sensors in Health Monitoring, Machine Interface Tech

The new stretchable strain sensor that has an unprecedented combination of sensitivity and range. 
image includes six photos of circuits printed on curved surfaces, including a contact lens

Nov 21, 2022

Technique Prints Flexible Circuits on Curved Surfaces, From Contact Lenses to Latex Gloves

The printing technique paves the way for a variety of new soft electronic technologies. 
black and white image shows a gloved hand holding a small winged robot; small images on the side show the robot going through a range of motions, similar to swimming

Nov 18, 2022

‘Butterfly Bot’ is Fastest Swimming Soft Robot Yet

These energy-efficient soft robots can swim more than four times faster than previous swimming soft robots.