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engineering

Sep 24, 2010

Mimicking Nature, Water-Based ‘Artificial Leaf’ Produces Electricity

A team led by a North Carolina State University researcher has shown that water-gel-based solar devices – “artificial leaves” – can act like solar cells to produce electricity. The findings prove the concept for making solar cells that more closely mimic nature. They also have the potential to be less expensive and more environmentally friendly… 

Sep 24, 2010

NC State Lands Grant To Research Acoustics For Security, Military Applications

Imagine a tool that uses sound waves to help identify land mines, roadside bombs or suicide bombers. North Carolina State University has received a grant from the U.S. Office of Naval Research to turn that idea into a reality. 

Sep 22, 2010

Introducing the Superman of Aluminums

It can’t leap tall buildings in a single bound or stop a speeding bullet, but new aluminum material studied at NC State is as strong as steel. NC State’s Dr. Yuntian Zhu, a materials science and engineering professor, worked with a team of researchers across the globe to create an aluminum alloy – a mixture of aluminum… 

Sep 21, 2010

New Research Improves Ability To Detect Malware in Cloud-Computing Systems

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed new software that offers significantly enhanced security for cloud-computing systems. The software is much better at detecting viruses or other malware in the “hypervisors” that are critical to cloud computing, and does so without alerting the malware that it is being examined. 

Sep 15, 2010

Science Communication Breakdown (I Got Something I Think You Oughtta Know)

I used to work as a cook. And, as “Top Chef” aficionados know, teamwork is essential to cooking a good meal and getting it out on time. You can imagine how much more important teamwork is in today’s world of multi-institution, interdisciplinary research initiatives targeting complex scientific questions. Luckily, a new field of study is… 

Sep 15, 2010

Robotic Catheter Could Improve Treatment of Heart Condition

Atrial fibrillation is a heart disorder that affects more than two million Americans, and is considered a key contributor to blood clots and stroke. Now researchers from North Carolina State University are developing a new computerized catheter that could make the surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation faster, cheaper and more effective – while significantly decreasing… 

Sep 15, 2010

Virtual Tutors: NC State Receives Grant To Study Artificial Intelligence In The Classroom

While some students might dream of having a robot to help them with their homework, researchers at North Carolina State University are getting closer to making it happen. NC State recently received a four-year, $3.5 million grant to explore using artificial intelligence as a learning tool inside fourth- and fifth-grade science classrooms. Artificial intelligence is the… 

Sep 14, 2010

NC State Celebrates Opening Of New Engineering Building

North Carolina State University is opening a new building on its Centennial Campus that will provide a state-of-the-art platform for students and faculty to make the next generation of breakthroughs in mechanical, aerospace and biomedical engineering. An event marking the opening of Engineering Building III will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 15. 

Sep 8, 2010

Study Shows Nano-Architectured Aluminum Has Steely Strength

A North Carolina State University researcher and colleagues have figured out a way to make an aluminum alloy, or a mixture of aluminum and other elements, just as strong as steel. That’s important, says Dr. Yuntian Zhu, professor of materials science and engineering and the NC State researcher involved in the project, because the search for… 

Sep 3, 2010

Twitter Co-Creator to Envision ‘Beyond the Web’

Dom Sagolla, co-creator of Twitter and founder of DollarApp, will be speaking about using the Internet “Beyond the Web” at North Carolina State University on Tuesday, Sept. 7, at 8 p.m. in Stewart Theatre in NC State’s Talley Student Center. Media coverage of the event is invited. 

Aug 25, 2010

The Microneedle And (Diagnosing) The Damage Done

A forthcoming paper from Faraday Discussions shows that scientists have been able to create hollow microneedles that can be used to inject quantum dots into skin. Quantum dots are emerging as powerful diagnostic tools for cancers (among other diseases), so this could be a significant advance in medical technology used to diagnose medical conditions. In… 

Aug 25, 2010

Microneedle, Quantum Dot Study Opens Door To New Clinical Cancer Tools

Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed extremely small microneedles that can be used to deliver medically-relevant nanoscale dyes called quantum dots into skin – an advance that opens the door to new techniques for diagnosing and treating a variety of medical conditions, including skin cancer. 

Aug 20, 2010

Hot And Cold Running Wireless

Big buildings use a lot of wiring. For example, the Sears Tower contains enough telephone wiring to wrap around the world 1.75 times. That presents a major problem if you need to install new wiring for climate control, smoke detectors or other new technologies. That problem may have been solved by new research allowing engineers… 

Aug 19, 2010

NSF Grant Funds NC State Research On Predicting Effects Of Climate Change

North Carolina State University researchers are part of a major new research initiative from the National Science Foundation (NSF) aiming at improving climate scientists’ ability to predict potential consequences of climate change. The work being done at NC State will focus on improving our ability to predict hurricanes and precipitation patterns. 

Aug 18, 2010

Cool! Researchers Find Way To Use HVAC Ducts For Wireless Monitoring Technology

A new study by a team including a professor from North Carolina State University has found a way to implement wireless monitoring technology – with uses ranging from climate control to health and safety applications – by tapping into a building’s heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) ducts. The finding could lead to significant time and…