engineering

Jan 19, 2017

Advanced Biomass Cookstoves Provide Benefits in Field Settings, But Less than Expected from Lab Testing

Researchers find that while advanced wood-burning cookstoves can provide benefits to the environment, the benefits are less than expected due to higher emissions measured in the field compared to laboratory settings. 

Dec 12, 2016

NC State Hosts NSF Big Data Research Center

NC State University has been selected as a new site of the existing Center for Hybrid Multicore Productivity Research. 

Dec 1, 2016

New Findings Boost Promise of Molybdenum Sulfide for Hydrogen Catalysis

Researchers have found that molybdenum sulfide (MoS2) holds more promise than previously thought as a catalyst for producing hydrogen to use as a clean energy source. Specifically, the researchers found that the entire surface of MoS2 can be used as a catalyst, not just the edges of the material. 

Nov 28, 2016

Smart Patch Releases Blood Thinners As Needed, Prevents Thrombosis in Animal Model

A new smart patch that releases blood thinners as needed successfully prevents thrombosis in animal models. 

Nov 17, 2016

Tech Would Use Drones and Insect Biobots to Map Disaster Areas

NC State researchers have developed a combination of software and hardware that will allow them to use unmanned aerial vehicles and insect cyborgs, or biobots, to map large, unfamiliar areas – such as collapsed buildings after a disaster. 

Nov 16, 2016

An Efficient Approach for Tracking Physical Activity with Wearable Health-Monitoring Devices

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed an energy-efficient technique for accurately tracking a user’s physical activity based on data from wearable devices. 

Nov 9, 2016

New ‘Bottlebrush’ Electroactive Polymers Make Dielectric Elastomers Increasingly Viable for Use in Devices

A new electroactive polymer can change shape and size when exposed to a relatively small electric field. The advance overcomes longstanding challenges regarding the use of electroactive polymers to develop new devices, opening the door to a suite of applications ranging from microrobotics to designer technologies. 

Nov 2, 2016

New Technique for Creating NV-Doped Nanodiamonds May Be Boost for Quantum Computing

NC State researchers have developed a new technique for creating NV-doped single-crystal nanodiamonds, which could serve as components in quantum computing technologies. 

Nov 1, 2016

New Tech Uses Electricity to Track Water, ID Potential Problems in Concrete

Researchers have developed a new technique for tracking water in concrete structures – allowing engineers to identify potential issues before they become big problems. 

Oct 21, 2016

Researchers Find Way to Tune Thermal Conductivity of 2-D Materials

Researchers have found an unexpected way to control the thermal conductivity of two-dimensional materials, which will allow electronics designers to dissipate heat in electronic devices that use these materials. 

Oct 14, 2016

Study Finds Surface Texture of Gallium Nitride Affects Cell Behavior

Researchers at North Carolina State University have determined that the surface texture of gallium nitride materials can influence the health of nearby cells. 

Oct 10, 2016

‘Sensing Skin’ Detects Cracks, Harmful Chemicals in Structures

Researchers have developed a multi-layered “sensing skin” to detect corrosive or otherwise harmful substances in structures. The skin can also detect cracks and other structural flaws that are invisible to the naked eye. 

Oct 7, 2016

Don’t Panic, But Your Avocado is Radioactive: Study Eyes Background Radiation of Everyday Objects

Most people assume all radioactive materials are dangerous, if not deadly. But a new study on the radiation emitted by everyday objects highlights the fact that we interact with radioactive materials every day. 

Oct 3, 2016

New Cost-Effective Silicon Carbide High Voltage Switch Created

A high-power switch developed by NC State engineers holds promise to be more efficient and more cost effective than existing switches. 

Oct 3, 2016

‘Nano-Kebab’ Fabric Breaks Down Chemical Warfare Agents

Researchers have created a fabric material containing nanoscale fibers that are capable of degrading chemical warfare agents.