Building free-standing 3D structures out of liquid metal

By Damir Beciri
13 July 2013

dicky-liquid-metal-3d-structureResearchers at the North Carolina State University (NC State) have developed a 3D printing technology method which allows them to create free-standing structures made of liquid metal microstructures at room temperature. The researchers developed multiple techniques to create these free-standing microstructures which could be used in electronics, microfluidic networks, tissue engineering scaffolds, photonic band gap… »

5D optical memory in nanostructured quartz glass

By Damir Beciri
One Comment11 July 2013

5d-data-storage-1Using nanostructured glass, researchers at the University of Southampton have experimentally demonstrated the recording and retrieval processes of five dimensional digital data by femtosecond laser writing. Dubbed as the ‘Superman’ memory crystal’, since the glass memory has been compared to the “memory crystals” used in the Superman movies, a disc can store 360 TB of… »

Novel advancements in hydrogels

By Maja Bosanac
9 July 2013

hydrogel-double-network-1Hydrogels are gelatinous substances with several biomedical applications, including cartilage repair, implants for minimally invasive surgery and drug delivery. Most hydrogels are weak, brittle, and of low mechanical strength. They also exhibit limited extensibility, recoverability, and poor toughness. On the other hand, double-network hydrogels exhibit high mechanical strength, excellent recoverable properties, and a unique, free-shapeable… »

Samsung Roboray gets a 3D localization and mapping algorithm

By Damir Beciri
One Comment8 July 2013

samsung-roboray-1Researchers at the University of Bristol developed computer vision algorithms that enable creation of real-time 3D visual maps which enable Samsung‘s humanoid robot named Roboray to move around more efficiently. Rapid 3D visual mapping is essential for faster operation of humanoid robots because it provides them with ability to robustly track and recover from rapid… »

Stella – the first solar-powered family car

By Maja Bosanac
2 Comments7 July 2013

stella-solar-car-1Student team at the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) presented the world’s first solar-powered family car. This is the first ‘energy-positive car’ with room for four people, a trunk, intuitive steering, and a range of 600 kilometers (372 miles). Named ‘Stella’ after the Latin word for “star”, the car is user friendly and comfortable, and… »

SIS solar cells allow creation of colorful solar facades

By Damir Beciri
3 Comments6 July 2013

fraunhofer-color-facade-sis-cells-1When you hear someone talking about solar panels, you imagine the black or bluish-gray colored panels. However, various groups of researchers are contributing to changes which help designers and architects in their goal for aesthetics. With the help of thin-film technologies, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute managed to contribute to this cause by turning solar… »

Using 3D printers to make octopi-inspired underwater propulsion

By Damir Beciri
4 July 2013

fraunhofer-ipa-octopod-propulsion-1Octopods, such as octopuses and squids, are considered to be the most intelligent invertebrates. Their ability to flee fast when in danger by swimming head first inspired researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute to develop a silent propulsion system for boats and water sport devices. The system can be produced at a low cost and in… »

New powerful anti-cancer drugs inspired by leaf cutter ants

By Maja Bosanac
2 Comments3 July 2013

ants-webResearchers at the University of East Anglia’s School of Biological Sciences are currently developing a new class of anti-cancer drugs that have powerful activity against drug resistant cancer cells. These anti-cancer drugs circumvent a primary cause of resistance to chemotherapy. The study is inspired by leaf cutter ants that belong to the tribe of the… »