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Producing biofuel from bioengineered marine algae

By Damir Beciri
4 December 2012

saltpondsBiologists at UC San Diego have genetically engineered marine algae to produce five different kinds of industrially important enzymes in fresh water, and they claim that the same process could be used to enhance the yield of petroleum-like compounds from algae grown in salt water. This approach would allow biofuel production in the ocean or… »

Bionics| Tech»

Hydrogel that can self-heal in aqueous environment

By Damir Beciri
12 March 2012

ucsd-self-healing-hydrogel-1University of California, San Diego bioengineers have developed a smart and easy-to-synthesize self-healing hydrogels that consist of linked chains of polymer molecules which are capable to self-heal in aqueous environment. This jello-like material’s ability to self-heal, bind in seconds and form a bond strong enough to withstand repeated stretching could find uses in biology, medicine,… »

Bionics| Tech»

Arapaima fish scales inspire new materials

By Damir Beciri
9 February 2012

ucsd-arapaima-fish-scale-1Inspired by massive Arapaima fish which lives in is Brazil’s Amazon waters, a group of researchers from UC San Diego are developing new materials suitable for armor and panels. Biomimicry of Arapaima’s complex scales could lead to new ceramics that are both tough and flexible, making them ideal for use in soldier’s body armor, fuel… »

Bionics»

New biosensors arise from glowing bacteria synchronization research

By Damir Beciri
One Comment19 December 2011

glowing-bacteria-microfluidic-chipBiologists and bioengineers at UC San Diego have created a living neon sign composed of millions of bacterial cells that periodically fluoresce in harmony like blinking light bulbs. By utilizing the same method they used to create the flashing signs, the researchers managed to make a simple bacterial sensor that could be used to detect… »

Bionics| Robotics»

Researchers use birds for models of future UAVs

By Rob Aid
One Comment31 May 2011

ucsd-perching-uavBirds routinely land on small surfaces, using wing morphing and flapping techniques. The UC San Diego engineers, led by mechanical and aerospace engineering professor Tom Bewley and graduate student Kim Wright, analyzed slow motion videos of birds landing to generate a working hypotheses for how biomimicry of wing morphing and flapping can be used for… »

Architecture»

Robert Paine Scripps Forum for Science, Society and the Environment

By Damir Beciri
21 March 2011

robert-paine-scripps-forum-for-science-society-and-the-environment-1The Robert Paine Scripps Forum for Science, Society and the Environment is an oceanfront conference center that offers over 45 undergraduate courses covering a wide breadth of earth and marine sciences providing a broad interdisciplinary perspective with an applied environmental focus. The Scripps Forum is a part of UC San Diego and as such, they… »