Exploring offshore wind energy opportunities in the Great Lakes

The U.S. Great Lakes—which make up the largest freshwater system in the world—provide drinking water to more than 40 million people. They also represent vast offshore wind energy potential. Credit:…

New 3D-printing method builds structures with two metals

Part of the new hybrid setup developed by WSU researchers that creates parts using precise computer programming and two welding heads. It uses commonplace, relatively inexpensive tools, so manufacturers and…

Can reimagining old technology help build a more sustainable future?

Credit: Routledge An industrial designer has suggested that old technologies could make a comeback for a more sustainable future—such as wind-up shavers, pedal-powered tools and manual lawn mowers. In his…

New touch-activated laser lane to keep cyclists safe

The laser lane created by the device. Credit: Brunel University Cyclists are one of the most vulnerable groups of people on our roads. Unlike car users, they are not protected…

Team develops alloy to boost fusion energy

New method takes the uncertainty out of oxide semiconductor layering

Researchers from Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo develop a nanosheet oxide semiconductor for electronic devices. Credit: Institute of Industrial Science,The University of Tokyo 3D integrated circuits are…

Sponge helps robotic arms grasp delicate objects

Robot sponge. Credit: Tianqi Yue A simple sponge has improved how robots grasp, scientists from the University of Bristol have found.    This easy-to-make sponge-jamming device can help stiff robots…

Swarming microrobots self-organize into diverse patterns

Credit: Cornell University A research collaboration between Cornell and the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems has found an efficient way to expand the collective behavior of swarming microrobots: Mixing…

Photocatalytic concrete for clean air in underground tunnels

An artificial light source has been installed, allowing the photocatalytic function to work even underground where natural light does not reach. Credit: Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology…

Artificial intelligence can identify patterns in surface cracking to assess damage in reinforced concrete structures

The concept of crack-to-graph conversion using corner detection and pixel tracking algorithm. (a) Original crack patterns from the experiments (b) crack patterns sketched manually; (c) crack patterns with nodes; and…