engineering

Apr 19, 2012

Researchers Boost Efficiency of Multi-Hop Wireless Networks

Multi-hop wireless networks can provide data access for large and unconventional spaces, but they have long faced significant limits on the amount of data they can transmit. Now researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a more efficient data transmission approach that can boost the amount of data the networks can transmit by 20… 

Apr 16, 2012

Diesel Technologies Drastically Cut Emissions in Real-World Conditions

New research from North Carolina State University shows that federal requirements governing diesel engines of new tractor trailer trucks have resulted in major cuts in emissions of particulate matter (PM) and nitrogen oxides (NOx) – pollutants that have significant human health and environmental impacts. 

Apr 9, 2012

Researcher Finds Faster, Cheaper Way To Cool Electronic Devices

A North Carolina State University researcher has developed a more efficient, less expensive way of cooling electronic devices – particularly devices that generate a lot of heat, such as lasers and power devices. 

Apr 2, 2012

What Impact Can A Single Machine Have?

What impact can a single machine have? If it is an aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscope (AC-STEM), the impact may be pretty big. A uniquely-configured AC-STEM is a new arrival at NC State, but is expected to boost research across North Carolina’s Research Triangle – and help keep the region relevant in research and development (R&D)… 

Mar 27, 2012

Electroactive Polymer Key to Durable, Affordable Full-Screen Braille Displays

A team of North Carolina State University researchers are one step closer to creating a workable, affordable full-screen Braille computer display that would allow the blind to scan Web pages in much the same way that sighted people do. The team, composed of textile, electrical and computer engineers, had previously introduced a design that could… 

Mar 20, 2012

NSA Science of Security ‘Lablet’ Established at NC State

North Carolina State University, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Carnegie Mellon University are each receiving an initial $2.5 million in grant funds from the U.S. National Security Agency (NSA) to stimulate the creation of a more scientific basis for the design and analysis of trusted systems. 

Mar 9, 2012

Want to Win the NCAA Tournament? Learn Some Physics

It’s March Madness time again, and the fate of millions of NCAA Tournament fans – and bracket sheets – will live and die with gut-wrenching, soul-sapping, last-second three-point shots and rimmed-out free throws. How can a team increase its chances of winning the Big Dance? A sound knowledge of physics could be a start. For… 

Mar 7, 2012

Functional Oxide Thin Films Create New Field Of Oxide Electronics

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed the first functional oxide thin films that can be used efficiently in electronics, opening the door to an array of new high-power devices and smart sensors. This is the first time that researchers have been able to produce positively charged (p-type) conduction and negatively charged (n-type) conduction… 

Mar 6, 2012

New Method For Estimating Parameters May Boost Biological Models

Modeling biological systems can provide key insights for scientists and medical researchers, but periodic cycles that repeat themselves – so-called oscillatory systems – pose some key challenges. Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new method for estimating the parameters used in such models – which may advance modeling in research areas ranging… 

Feb 7, 2012

Engineers Boost Computer Processor Performance By Over 20 Percent

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new technique that allows graphics processing units (GPUs) and central processing units (CPUs) on a single chip to collaborate – boosting processor performance by an average of more than 20 percent. “Chip manufacturers are now creating processors that have a ‘fused architecture,’ meaning that they include… 

Jan 24, 2012

Cancer-Surviving Cat Is First to Receive Total Knee Replacement

A cancer survivor named Cyrano will be the first cat ever to receive total knee replacement surgery. The pioneering feline will receive his new knee on Jan. 26 at North Carolina State University. On Wednesday, Jan. 25, the day before the surgery, media are invited to meet Cyrano, view the implant, and speak with surgeon… 

Jan 24, 2012

Researchers Devise New Means For Creating Elastic Conductors

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new method for creating elastic conductors made of carbon nanotubes, which will contribute to large-scale production of the material for use in a new generation of elastic electronic devices. 

Jan 9, 2012

Early college high school students confront real-world issues

The Wake NC State Early College High School gives students a chance to earn college credit and confront real-world issues in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. 

Jan 5, 2012

Smart Grid: Coordinating Efforts For the Road Ahead

Editor’s Note: This is a guest post by Aranya Chakrabortty, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at NC State. The concept of a “smart grid” for power utilities is drawing significant interest from researchers, practitioners and governments around the globe. The benefits of making the grid smart would be immense, including improved security, reliability,… 

Dec 16, 2011

Trivial Pursuits: The Abstract’s 2011 Quiz

The Abstract staff will be taking off for a couple of weeks to prepare for 2012. In an attempt to amuse and entertain ourselves you, we’ve pulled together a quick quiz on some of the research we’ve written about over the past year. See how you do! Questions: 1). Until recently, researchers thought Greece was…