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Fusion energy demo plant moves ahead as backers sign on
General Fusion said it has attracted more than $200 million in funding to develop its approach to fusion energy.
Kirigami-inspired paper can autonomously transform into 2D shapes and 3D structures
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University have created a series of self-folding structures inspired by the art form kirigami, which is a form of origami wherein the paper can be cut instead of exclusively folded.
Virginia Tech creating virtual construction sites to train future construction engineers
A researcher at Virginia Tech’s Myers-Lawson School of Construction is using a combination of augmented reality (AR) and hologram technology to give construction engineering students virtual hands-on construction site training.
Simple sensor detects fluoride levels in drinking water
The method was demonstrated to detect fluoride at levels above 2 parts per million, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s most stringent regulatory standard, in both laboratory and field conditions.
Glucose biosensor is powered by...glucose
The sensor combines an electron-transporting polymer with an enzyme that extracts electrons from its reaction with glucose to drive its circuitry.
Sponge wipes up oil droplets in oil production wastewater
The surface-engineered sponge more effectively removes oil microdroplets over a range of pH conditions relative to current treatment methods.
Duke University researchers develop robot tattoo remover
Researchers from Duke University’s Brain Tool Laboratory have developed a way to remove tattoos using robot-guided lasers.
Reducing gearbox costs in the aggregate industry
An understanding of the harsh operating conditions and significant costs of downtime is the first step to reducing gearbox costs in the aggregate industry.
2019 was a record year for supertall buildings
The tallest building to complete in 2019 was the Tianjin CTF Finance Centre, at 530 m. It is now tied for the third-tallest building in China.
Testing electron beam welding in nuclear applications
The application of electron beam welding technology to the joining of components in civil nuclear assemblies is being explored by a U.K.-based consortium led by Sheffield Forgemaster.
Hermetic Pumpen expands V-Line
The modular line of canned motor pumps for chemical and petrochemical industries has expanded.
Researchers develop plastic film that prevents the spread of bacteria in healthcare and food packaging industries
A team of researchers from McMaster University in Ontario, Canada, has created a non-stick material coating capable of repelling viruses and bacteria, even antibiotic-resistant superbugs, with possible applications for both the healthcare and food packaging industries.
Coated sand can prepare urban stormwater for potable purposes
The sand-based filtration media effectively captures heavy metals and organics, leaving purified stormwater to augment municipal groundwater supplies.
Construction bot developed to manage construction site progress
A Spain-based startup has developed a robot that can assess the progress of construction sites.
High-performance dielectric films for demanding applications
Saint-Gobain Film products are categorized by four distinct properties: release, protection, insulation and friction control. Their line of dielectric insulation materials, inclusive of their FluoroWrap® and CHEMFILM® brands, possess a range of dielectric strengths, dielectric constants and anti-static properties to fulfill the specific needs of electrical applications
Low cost catalyst boosts hydrogen generation economics
Earth-abundant iron and nickel can substitute for platinum and other noble metal-based catalysts used in electrochemical water splitting.
Robot series Tom, Dick and Harry to automate farming
A U.K. startup has developed a series of robots that use artificial intelligence (AI) and electricity to destroy weeds — a process that entirely forgoes the use of chemicals in agriculture.
Cool Idea Award: Healthcare grant from Protolabs spurs a pair of creative feeding tube inventions
The MedStar Health device improves NICU feeding while the Cleveland Clinic Innovations' feeding tube enhances quality of life for patients.
Holey photovoltaics! Making silicon solar cells transparent
Punching microholes in crystalline silicon wafers imparts transparency to solar cells and opens new applications in building-integrated photovoltaics, vehicles and personal electronics.
Novel HVAC and building efficiency projects are targeted by Oak Ridge
The Energy Department said that the 127 million buildings in the United States consume nearly 40% of the nation’s total energy at a cost of $415 billion annually.