Jul 8, 2024 Physics World

Novel ‘glassy gel’ materials are strong yet stretchable

Meixiang Wang, a post-doctoral fellow from Michael Dickey’s group at North Carolina State University, discovered these new materials while trying out different mixtures for making gels that she hoped would be useful ionic conductors. Standard gels, such as those used to make contact lenses, are polymers with an added liquid solvent. The liquid weakens the… 

Jul 8, 2024 WUNC

NC State Plant Sciences Initiative developing AI resources for agriculture

Researchers at North Carolina State University and the N.C. Plant Sciences Initiative (PSI) are working to bring artificial intelligence technologies to agriculture. AI has many potential applications in agriculture. But the industry doesn’t currently have the same resources that have enabled AI development in other fields. NC State researchers are trying to change that. 

Jul 5, 2024 Medical Xpress

Lack of relevant stock photos hinders farmworker safety education

A new North Carolina State University study examining the availability and content of commercial stock farmworker photos—images often used in health- and safety-education materials for farmworkers—shows a dearth of useful depictions of the people who work on farms and the tasks they perform. The study’s recommendations could lead to more relevant education materials that gain… 

Jul 5, 2024 Farm Progress

Little hope for yield recovery in North Carolina

As North Carolina State University Extension corn specialist Ron Heiniger puts it, there is strong lament. In a June 27 blog post and webinar, Heiniger emphasized importance of determining if a corn ear leaf is desiccated, browning and wilting, to figure out if your corn will survive severe drought stress. 

Jul 5, 2024 Live Science

Computer inspired by Japanese art of paper-cutting has no electronics and stores data in tiny cubes

“For example, a specific configuration of functional units could serve as a 3D password,” lead study author Yanbin Li, a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina State University’s College of Engineering, said in a statement. “We’re also interested in exploring the potential utility of these metastructures to create haptic systems that display information in a three-dimensional… 

Jul 5, 2024 TurfNet

After 40 years, it is the end of an era at NC State

There have been two constants in the North Carolina State University turf program for most of the past four decades. Fred Yelverton and Rick Brandenburg each earned his doctorate degree at NC State, then returned to work at their alma mater within a year of each other — in 1984 and 1985, respectively. As they came… 

Jul 3, 2024 Interesting Engineering

New fluidic engine runs muscle-mimicking soft robots without external power

A team of engineers has developed a featherlight fluidic engine to power soft robots in assistive devices. The new engine’s standout feature is its capacity to produce substantial force autonomously without reliance on an external power source. According to researchers at North Carolina State University, their engine works on a principle of fluid dynamics. The… 

Jul 3, 2024 Bloomberg

Raleigh, Baltimore Named Best Cities for College Grads to Find First Jobs

Raleigh, North Carolina, topped the list thanks to its sturdy hiring rate and annual wage of $52,857. ADP Research Institute’s report also points to the metro area’s academic heft – it contains Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University — as a driver of opportunity in the… 

Jul 3, 2024 WRAL Sports Fan

NC State alum Abby Lampe on a roll after second cheese rolling victory

It’s been a banner year for NC State. The university’s men’s and women’s basketball teams made the Final Four, the baseball team made the College World Series and Abby Lampe won the cheese rolling competition again. “I’m widely known as the cheese girl now,” Lampe laughed. “I love NC State. I love the NC State community, so it’s… 

Jul 3, 2024 The News & Observer

NC State researchers develop ready-to-wear exoskeleton to help people walk and run

Strap a fanny pack around the back of your waist, a sensor on the front of each thigh, secure a few buckles and you can be in command of an AI-powered exoskeleton. What’s that? It’s a type of robot under development at North Carolina State University that is intended to help disabled and non-disabled people… 

Jul 1, 2024 Best in Technology

The Best Cooling Sheets for Hot Summer Nights

Some companies treat sheets with something called phase-change materials, or PCMs, which are substances that absorb and release energy to either heat or cool an area. “PCMs create a microclimate,” says Karen Leonas, a professor of textile sciences at the Wilson College of Textiles at North Carolina State University. Excess body heat is absorbed by… 

Jul 1, 2024 New Atlas

New “glassy gel” materials are strangely strong, stretchy and sticky

Glassy polymers are plastics made to have properties like glass – they’re strong, hard, and stiff, but also usually brittle, fracturing if you try to bend or stretch them. Gels on the other hand are soft and flexible, but also weak. The NCSU team has now developed a new material that combines the best of… 

Jul 1, 2024 Peanut Grower

Blade Change Decisions Are Not Cutting It

“Blades should be sharp so they can slice through the soil and roots cleanly and smoothly,” says North Carolina State University Extension peanut specialist David Jordan in the 2024 NCSU Peanut Information. “The blade should be nearly flat with a slight lift in the rear, typically ½ inch. 

Jul 1, 2024 Star Gazette

What age can kids be left home alone in New York?

“Parents should look for signs of responsibility when their children are with them before leaving them home alone. Are they able to follow directions without being told repeatedly? Do they only follow directions if you are there watching? If they only follow the rules when you’re watching, it’s unlikely that they will follow them when… 

Jun 28, 2024 WUNC

NC State researchers create AI-trained robotic exoskeleton that enhances human movement

Researchers at North Carolina State University have created a robotic exoskeleton that helps users walk, run, and climb stairs. The device leverages artificial intelligence to be ready to use as soon as a new user puts it on.