engineering

Jul 22, 2015

Researchers Boost Wireless Power Transfer With Magnetic Field Enhancement

Research shows that passing wireless power transfer through a magnetic resonance field enhancer – which can be as simple as a copper loop – can boost the transfer efficiency by at least 100 percent as compared to transferring through air alone. 

Jul 17, 2015

Study Finds Metal Foams Capable of Shielding X-rays, Gamma Rays, Neutron Radiation

Research shows lightweight composite metal foams are effective at blocking X-rays, gamma rays and neutron radiation, and are capable of absorbing the energy of high impact collisions. The finding means metal foams hold promise for use in nuclear safety, space exploration and medical technology applications. 

Jul 13, 2015

Researchers Find Nanowires Have Unusually Pronounced ‘Anelastic’ Properties

Researchers have found that nanoscale wires (nanowires) made of common semiconductor materials have a pronounced anelasticity – meaning that the wires, when bent, return slowly to their original shape rather than snapping back quickly. 

Jul 13, 2015

Environmentally Friendly Lignin Nanoparticle ‘Greens’ Silver Nanobullet to Battle Bacteria

Technique combines silver with lignin to create effective and environmentally benign nanobullets. 

Jun 24, 2015

Distributed Technique for Power ‘Scheduling’ Advances Smart Grid Concept

Researchers have developed a new technique for “scheduling” energy in electric grids that advances the smart grid concept by coordinating the energy being produced and stored by conventional and renewable sources. 

Jun 23, 2015

Smart Insulin Patch Could Replace Painful Injections for Diabetes

Painful insulin injections could become a thing of the past for the millions of Americans who suffer from diabetes, thanks to a new invention from researchers at NC State University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who have created the first “smart insulin patch.” 

Jun 16, 2015

Researchers Create Transparent, Stretchable Conductors Using Nano-Accordion Structure

Researchers have created stretchable, transparent conductors that work because of the structures’ “nano-accordion” design. The conductors could be used in applications such as flexible electronics, stretchable displays or wearable sensors. 

Jun 3, 2015

How Do Scientists Predict the Size of a ‘Dead Zone’?

What causes the enormous 'dead zone' in the Gulf of Mexico? And how do researchers predict how big it will be? 

May 19, 2015

Engineering Graduate Student Wins Lemelson-MIT Student Prize

Ph.D. student Alexander Richter wins a prestigious prize for innovative, pest-controlling nanoparticles. 

May 5, 2015

‘Microcombing’ Creates Stronger, More Conductive Carbon Nanotube Films

A new technique creates pure carbon nanotube films that are stronger than any previous such films. The technique also improves the electrical conductivity that makes these films attractive for use in electronic and aerospace applications. 

Apr 30, 2015

Why, and How, Computational Research is Changing Materials Science

To stay competitive, businesses and governments are constantly looking for materials that will open the door to new technologies or sources of energy. And computational research is key to developing those new materials. 

Apr 29, 2015

Enron Becomes Unlikely Data Source for Computer Science Researchers

Computer science researchers have turned to unlikely sources – including Enron – for assembling huge collections of spreadsheets that can be used to study how people use this software. The goal is for the data to facilitate research to make spreadsheets more useful. 

Apr 27, 2015

Lightweight Membrane Can Significantly Reduce In-Flight Aircraft Noise

Riding in a helicopter or airplane can be a noisy experience for passengers. But researchers have developed a membrane that can be incorporated into aircraft to drastically reduce the low-frequency noise that penetrates the cabin. 

Apr 23, 2015

Electron Spin Brings Some Order to High Entropy Alloys

High entropy alloys (HEAs) are known for amazing properties -- and having chaotic atomic structures. But researchers have discovered that electron spin brings a previously unknown degree of order to HEAs, and may play a role in giving the alloys desirable properties. 

Apr 15, 2015

How a Team of Engineers Is Trying to Save Dairy Farmers Time (and Money)

Five electrical engineers have taken on an unlikely project – finding a way to make the U.S. dairy industry more profitable.