Propellers are louder over ground, researchers find

Propellers are louder over ground, researchers find The effects of the ground on propeller noise have been measured experimentally for the very first time by researchers in the Aeroacoustics research team at the University of Bristol.

Researchers explore feasibility of using drones to survey sites for low levels of radiation

Researchers explore feasibility of using drones to survey sites for low levels of radiation Unoccupied aerial vehicles, better known as drones, have rapidly advanced from a quirky, high-flying novelty to a versatile workhorse.

Grad student helps design 'artificial muscles' you can toss in the compost bin

Grad student helps design 'artificial muscles' you can toss in the compost bin Say "hello" to the robots of the future: They're soft and flexible enough to bounce off walls or squeeze into tight spaces. And when you're done with them, you can toss these machines into a compost bin to decompose.

Surface steers signals for next-gen networks

Surface steers signals for next-gen networks 5G communications' superfast download speeds rely on the high frequencies that drive the transmissions. But the highest frequencies come with a tradeoff.

A framework to enable touch-enhanced robotic grasping using tactile sensors

A framework to enable touch-enhanced robotic grasping using tactile sensors To successfully cooperate with humans on manual tasks, robots should be able to grasp and manipulate a variety of objects without dropping or damaging them. Recent research efforts in the field of robotics have thus focused on developing tactile sensors and controllers that could provide robots with the sense of touch and bring their object manipulation capabilities closer to those of humans.

Making drones suitable for cities

Making drones suitable for cities Unmanned aerial vehicles will make their way into urban skies only if the safety of people below can be ensured.

Robots predict human intention for faster builds

Robots predict human intention for faster builds Humans have a way of understandings others' goals, desires and beliefs, a crucial skill that allows us to anticipate people's actions. Taking bread out of the toaster? You'll need a plate. Sweeping up leaves? I'll grab the green trash can.

Plastic transistor amplifies biochemical sensing signal

Plastic transistor amplifies biochemical sensing signal The molecules in our bodies are in constant communication. Some of these molecules provide a biochemical fingerprint that could indicate how a wound is healing, whether or not a cancer treatment is working or that a virus has invaded the body. If we could sense these signals in real time with high sensitivity, then we might be able to recognize health problems faster and even monitor disease as it progresses.

Robots can help improve mental well-being at work—as long as they look right

Robots can help improve mental well-being at work—as long as they look right Robots can be useful as mental well-being coaches in the workplace—but perception of their effectiveness depends in large part on what the robot looks like.

Green gold: Torrefied biomass to replace coal and oil

Green gold: Torrefied biomass to replace coal and oil In February, the Estonian-based startup New Standard Oil successfully commissioned their first industrial-scale prototype for drying and torrefaction of biogenic feedstock operating with superheated steam at atmospheric pressure. The energy-efficient process was developed at the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB in Stuttgart, Germany, and produces valuable raw materials for the chemical and energy industries: basic chemicals, biocoal and water.

Will future computers run on human brain cells?

Will future computers run on human brain cells? A "biocomputer" powered by human brain cells could be developed within our lifetime, according to Johns Hopkins University researchers who expect such technology to exponentially expand the capabilities of modern computing and create novel fields of study.

Ramping up domestic graphite production could aid the green energy transition

Ramping up domestic graphite production could aid the green energy transition Given the growing importance of graphite in energy storage technologies, a team of Northwestern researchers has conducted a study exploring ways to reduce reliance on imports of the in high-demand mineral, which powers everything from electric vehicles (EVs) to cell phones.

To help recover balance, robotic exoskeletons have to be faster than human reflexes

To help recover balance, robotic exoskeletons have to be faster than human reflexes Wearable robotics promise to help older people retain their mobility and paraplegic patients regain theirs. They could help make humans stronger and faster. But, so far, they're not great at keeping people from falling.

Small, convenient mosquito repellent device passes test to protect military personnel

Small, convenient mosquito repellent device passes test to protect military personnel A device developed at the University of Florida for the U.S. military provides protection from mosquitos for an extended period and requires no heat, electricity or skin contact.

New laser lays groundwork for next-generation ethernet technology

New laser lays groundwork for next-generation ethernet technology Scientists from Japan have developed a new type of distributed feedback (DFB) laser and have shown that it can be used to transmit data at speeds of 200 Gb/s over a record distance of 10 kilometers. This research could help advance network technology that would allow internet data centers to handle unprecedented levels of data.

Anisotropy dependence of damage evolution and material removal during nanoscratching of MgF₂ single crystals

Anisotropy dependence of damage evolution and material removal during nanoscratching of MgF₂ single crystals The research team, led by A/Prof. Chen Li from the State Key Laboratory of Robotics and System (HIT), Harbin Institute of Technology, China, has shown the anisotropy dependence of the damage evolution and removal behaviors involved in ultra-precision machining of MgF2 crystals in terms of stress field, slip deformation and cleavage fracture.

Toilets spew invisible aerosol plumes with every flush. Here's the proof

Toilets spew invisible aerosol plumes with every flush. Here's the proof Every time you flush a toilet, it releases plumes of tiny water droplets into the air around you. These droplets, called aerosol plumes, can spread pathogens from human waste and expose people in public restrooms to contagious diseases.

New data set improves modeling of supersonic flows around a cantilever

New data set improves modeling of supersonic flows around a cantilever Extreme pressures come with high-speed flight. The resulting aerodynamic forces can bring significant risk to deforming the components of the vehicle in motion—even to the point of aeroelastic deformation—when solids behave more like liquids. This can jeopardize stability or controllability of the entire vehicle.

Using vibrations to control a swarm of tiny robots

Using vibrations to control a swarm of tiny robots Vibrating tiny robots could revolutionize research.

New 3D printing method promises faster printing with multiple materials

New 3D printing method promises faster printing with multiple materials Advancements in 3D printing have made it easier for designers and engineers to customize projects, create physical prototypes at different scales, and produce structures that can't be made with more traditional manufacturing techniques. But the technology still faces limitations—the process is slow and requires specific materials which, for the most part, must be used one at a time.