Technology

A research team led by Professor Junsuk Rho at POSTECH (Pohang University of Science and Technology) has developed a secure hologram platform that operates solely based on the wavelength of light and the spacing between metasurface layers. The technology makes hacking and counterfeiting virtually impossible, and is expected to be... Read more

As we shift toward more sustainable fuels, natural gas and biogas, which mainly contain methane (CH4), have become important sources of energy and raw materials for chemical production. However, these gases also contain impurities that must be removed before use. One major contaminant is carbon dioxide (CO2), which reduces the... Read more

Despite the prevalence of synthetic materials across different industries and scientific fields, most are developed to serve a limited set of functions. To address this inflexibility, researchers at Penn State, led by Hongtao Sun, assistant professor of industrial and manufacturing engineering (IME), have developed a fabrication method that can print... Read more

Seating furniture is frequently not designed for long-term use or simple assembly and disassembly and has a tendency to break after just one move. This does not apply to the benches, chairs, and stools that were created as part of the LinumTube cooperation project led by Fraunhofer WKI. The goal... Read more

Additive manufacturing has revolutionized manufacturing by enabling customized, cost-effective products with minimal waste. However, with the majority of 3D printers operating on open-loop systems, they are notoriously prone to failure. Minor changes, like adjustments to nozzle size or print speed, can lead to print errors that mechanically weaken the part... Read more

Electromagnetic pulses (EMPs)—high-energy-density and ultra-wideband beams of electromagnetic radiation—are generated from sources such as nuclear explosions, high-power electromagnetic pulse devices, and intentional electromagnetic interference. These pulses can infiltrate electronic equipment to significantly incapacitate civilian and military electrical, electronic, and communications infrastructures and undermine command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and... Read more

Intelligent drones and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) are rapidly evolving from experimental prototypes into essential infrastructure across disaster response, health care delivery, agriculture, logistics, archaeology, environmental monitoring, and numerous other fields vital to human development, scientists say in new research.... Read more

As green hydrogen emerges as a key next-generation clean energy source, securing technologies that enable its stable and cost-effective production has become a critical challenge. However, conventional water electrolysis technologies face limitations in large-scale deployment due to high system costs and operational burdens.... Read more

From TVs and smartwatches to rapidly emerging VR and AR devices, micro-LEDs are a next-generation display technology in which each LED—smaller than the thickness of a human hair—emits light on its own. Among the three primary colors required for full-color displays—red, green, and blue—the realization of high-performance red micro-LEDs has... Read more

The demand for energy is ever-increasing across various industries. In recent decades, scientists have explored the electrostatic potential of particulate matter as a highly promising avenue for energy harvesting. However, this technology poses ignition risks that can cause significant harm owing to uncontrolled electrical discharge.... Read more

MIT researchers have designed silicon structures that can perform calculations in an electronic device using excess heat instead of electricity. These tiny structures could someday enable more energy-efficient computation. In this computing method, input data are encoded as a set of temperatures using the waste heat already present in a... Read more

Researchers have developed a new method for 3D printing objects with very different properties, including levels of hardness and transparency, on a pixel-by-pixel basis while using commonly available materials and inexpensive 3D printers. The method, described in the journal Science by researchers from The University of Texas at Austin, Sandia... Read more

Inspired by electric rays that generate high voltages through stacked electrocytes, researchers at UNIST have developed a novel energy harvesting technology that mimics this biological mechanism. Unlike electric rays, which require mechanical stimulation, this new approach produces power autonomously, without external inputs.... Read more

Power sources used in devices found in or around biological tissue must be flexible and nontoxic, while still powerful enough to support demanding technologies such as medical devices or soft robotics. To achieve this balance, researchers at Penn State are taking inspiration from a "shocking" place—electric eels.... Read more

From subarctic to subtropical, Japan's varied climates present a challenge for energy-saving housing design. Adding the projected effects of climate change, with temperatures estimated to rise from 1.5 to 3.5°C by the close of the century, there currently is not a standard, one-size-fits-all solution. Therefore, climate-based building design solutions that... Read more

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are known for their impressive ability to convert sunlight into energy, their low production costs and their lightweight design. They may well be the rising stars of renewable energy, but they are not yet as common as traditional solar panels. PSCs are also notoriously fragile and... Read more

Concrete structures like roads and bridges require nondestructive testing methods to identify interior defects without destroying their structure. Most methods send sound waves into the material and capture the waves that echo back to create images of what's inside and find defects. This process is similar to ultrasounds used to... Read more

More than a century after the Titanic sank, engineers still have hopes of someday creating "unsinkable" ships. In a step toward reaching that lofty goal, researchers at the University of Rochester's Institute of Optics have developed a new process that turns ordinary metal tubes unsinkable—meaning they will stay afloat no... Read more

Prompt, individual-based dose assessment is essential to protect people from the negative consequences of radiation exposure after large-scale nuclear or radiological incidents. However, traditional dosimetry methods often require expensive equipment or complex laboratory analysis.... Read more

Organic semiconductors are thin, flexible, and extremely versatile materials that have revolutionized the world of consumer electronics. They are the core technology behind organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, which deliver the vivid colors and contrast seen in modern smartphones and televisions. Additionally, there are ongoing research efforts to harness these... Read more

A research team at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has developed a simple and affordable hydrogel coating that not only enhances the heat dissipation in solar panels for cooling their "hot spots" effectively, but also increases power generation efficiency, ultimately supporting Hong Kong's goal of achieving urban carbon neutrality.... Read more

Detecting concealed explosives and chemical threats constitutes a critical challenge in global security, yet current technologies often face significant operational limitations. While X-ray scanners and millimeter-wave imaging can efficiently identify suspicious shapes, they frequently lack chemical specificity.... Read more

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are technologies that allow users to immerse themselves in digital worlds or enhance their surroundings with computer-generated filters or images, respectively. Both these technologies are now widely used worldwide, whether to experience video games and media content in more engaging ways or improve... Read more

Monash University and Indian Institute of Technology Bombay researchers have developed a solar-powered desalination prototype that can produce safe drinking water continuously, overcoming a major technical barrier that has limited many existing systems.... Read more

A research team affiliated with UNIST has unveiled a new technology that can convert seawater into clean drinking water using only sunlight, without any external power source. This breakthrough could play a crucial role in solving water shortages in developing countries and remote island communities where electricity is often unavailable.... Read more

Thermal management is essential for reducing future heating and cooling energy consumption. Notably, the near-infrared (NIR) component of sunlight is closely associated with heat absorption.... Read more

Researchers at the Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a novel extrusion system that combines multiple 3D-printing extruders into a single, high-output stream via specially designed nozzles. This system matches the speed of larger extruders while providing greater flexibility, precision and multi-material printing capabilities.... Read more

Most electronics are built on flat, stiff boards, which makes it incredibly difficult to fit them onto curved and irregular shapes we find in the real world, such as human limbs or curved aircraft wings. While flexible electronics have made some progress, they are often not durable enough or are... Read more

A new portable reactor based on a solid oxide fuel cell solves thermal management and safety issues, as reported by researchers from Japan. This miniaturized reactor can start up rapidly within five minutes at room temperature and demonstrate electric power generation. Featuring an innovative structural design with high thermal insulation... Read more

Mark Zuckerberg's vision for the metaverse was meant to reimagine how we interact with each other and the world, providing us with an immersive world where we could seamlessly combine digital and physical information.... Read more

Next-generation technology requires next-generation materials that can be tailored to exact mission requirements. Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, has already revolutionized industries like aerospace engineering by enabling previously unthinkable component designs. However, this technique has been largely limited to pre-existing metallic alloys. This is due to the inherent complexity of... Read more

Like something out of the Addams Family, scientists have created a detachable robotic hand that can crawl and grab objects. The design enables tasks such as retrieving objects beyond normal reach and performing multi-object handling, offering potential applications in industrial, service, and exploratory robotics.... Read more

Gemstones like precious opal are beautiful to look at and deceivingly complex. As you look at such gems from different angles, you'll see a variety of tints glisten, causing you to question what color the rock actually is. It's iridescent thanks to something called structural color—microscopic structures that reflect light... Read more

Ice detection technology developed by researchers at the University of Toronto could speed up the de-icing process for aircraft and other aerospace vehicles, helping to prevent costly flight delays.... Read more

By rethinking how thin metal threads are woven into a flexible textile, EPFL researchers have created a lightweight fabric capable of lifting over 400 times its own weight. The work advances the development of wearables that provide physical assistance without mechanical bulk.... Read more

Demand is booming for batteries that are faster, thinner and cheaper. We want electric cars and bikes that travel further, devices that last longer, charge quicker and cost less. Today, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) set the benchmark. But after decades of research, this technology is approaching its limits, and each new... Read more

Researchers at UNSW have developed a new type of motor that spins, not with rigid components, but with a droplet of liquid metal. The breakthrough could transform soft robotics, flexible electronics, and medical devices.... Read more

Touch the back of a laptop and it often feels warm. This is because part of the energy used for computation and communication escapes to the outside as heat. Yet even this "waste heat" still contains a great deal of usable energy. Technologies that convert such waste heat into electricity... Read more

Scientists have discovered a new quantum state of matter that connects two significant areas of physics, potentially leading to advancements in computing, sensing and materials science.... Read more

The U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Oak Ridge National Laboratory has released a new version of its advanced slicing software, ORNL Slicer 2, which accelerates and simplifies the creation of large 3D printed parts.... Read more

New research from the WISE group (Wearable, Intelligent, Soft Electronics) at The University of Hong Kong (HKU-WISE) has addressed a long-standing bioelectronic challenge: the development of soft, 3D transistors.... Read more

Regulations limit both the intensity and frequency of whip use during horse racing. Nevertheless, compliance is currently verified manually after each race. Researchers at University of Tsukuba have developed an innovative system combining high-resolution audio recording with artificial intelligence for automatic detection of whip sounds. The work is published in... Read more

Generative artificial intelligence models have left such an indelible impact on digital content creation that it's getting harder to recall what the internet was like before it. You can call on these AI tools for clever projects such as videos and photos—but their flair for the creative hasn't quite crossed... Read more

A team of engineers has made major strides in generating the tiniest earthquakes imaginable. The team's device, known as a surface acoustic wave phonon laser, could one day help scientists make more sophisticated versions of chips in cellphones and other wireless devices—potentially making those tools smaller, faster and more efficient.... Read more

Environmentally friendly buildings are highly attractive for sustainable development and efficient energy consumption. Recently, scientists have made significant strides toward the development of energy-efficient smart windows—with features such as optical modulation, high transparency, low thermal conductivity, and ultraviolet (UV) blocking and heat shielding capabilities—to replace traditional glass windows. Smart windows... Read more

Shape memory alloys are exotic materials that can be deformed at room temperature and return to their "remembered," pre-deformed shape when heated. They are used in a broad range of applications, such as heart stents, dental braces, actuators that move wing flaps, and energy harvesting. Mechanical engineer Francesco Maresca and... Read more

Researchers have developed a simple, scalable way to reliably generate hydrogen with impure water, such as seawater or industrial wastewater.... Read more

Aran Nayebi jokes that his robot vacuum has a bigger brain than his two cats. But while the vacuum can only follow a preset path, Zoe and Shira leap, play and investigate the house with real autonomy.... Read more

The sheen of satin, the subtle glints of twill, the translucence of sheer silk: Fabric has long been difficult to render digitally because of the myriad ways different yarns can be woven or knitted together.... Read more

Structural health monitoring (SHM) and condition monitoring are crucial processes that ensure reliability and safety of engineering systems in a variety of fields, including aerospace, civil engineering, and industry. These systems are often assessed using vibration-based methods, where damage is detected by analyzing changes in a structure's vibration characteristics.... Read more