The laser-based technology developed at TU Graz enables the continual real-time analysis of air pollutants and their interaction with other gases and sunlight. Sunlight has a major influence on chemical processes. Its high-energy UV radiation in particular is strongly absorbed by all materials and triggers photochemical reactions of the substances present in the air. A well-known example is the formation of ground-level ozone when UV light hits nitrogen oxides. A research team led by Birgitta Schultze-Bernhardt from the Institute of…
Princeton University find that a crystal of arsenic hosts a new type of quantum behavior. Physicists have observed a novel quantum effect termed “hybrid topology” in a crystalline material. This finding opens up a new range of possibilities for the development of efficient materials and technologies for next-generation quantum science and engineering. The finding, published in the April 10th issue of Nature, came when Princeton scientists discovered that an elemental solid crystal made of arsenic (As) atoms hosts a never-before-observed form…
Study in Nature unlocks how cortisone inhibits inflammation. Cortisone and other related glucocorticoids are extremely effective at curbing excessive immune reactions. But previously, astonishingly little was known about how they exactly do that. A team of researchers from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Uniklinikum Erlangen and Ulm University have now explored the molecular mechanism of action in greater detail. As the researchers report in the journal Nature,* glucocorticoids reprogram the metabolism of immune cells, activating the body’s natural “brakes” on inflammation….
University of Montana researchers and their partners have found a new method to generate human cartilage of the head and neck. Mark Grimes, a biology professor in UM’s Division of Biological Sciences, said they have induced stem cells to become the cell type that normally makes up human craniofacial cartilage. Stem cells can replicate themselves and also develop into different types of cells. “The cells that normally give rise to this type of cartilage are called neural crest cells,” Grimes…
Harnessing quantum technology for industry. High-quality, defect-free and perfectly dimensioned metal components. Quantum computing power looks set to optimize production processes in the metalworking industry. A team led by Professor of Business Informatics Wolfgang Maaß of Saarland University and the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence is working with commercial and academic partners in the Quasim project to develop novel quantum-based simulations that simply could not be performed on today’s conventional computing architectures due to computing time and storage limits….
LZH and TU Berlin partner with Astrobotic. In the MOONRISE project, researchers are working to bring 3D printing to the Moon. The Laser Zentrum Hannover e.V. (LZH) has contracted with Astrobotic for a flight to the Moon, set to take place in late 2026. “I am excited to announce our partnership with Astrobotic, a key player in space technology. We are thrilled to have found a partner with whom we can, in the most literal sense of the word, elevate…
When scuba divers need to say “I’m okay” or “Shark!” to their dive partners, they use hand signals to communicate visually. But sometimes these movements are difficult to see. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Nano have constructed a waterproof “e-glove” that wirelessly transmits hand gestures made underwater to a computer that translates them into messages. The new technology could someday help divers communicate better with each other and with boat crews on the surface. E-gloves — gloves fitted with electronic…
Fish and invertebrate animals are far more affected by warmer and more acidic seawater than was previously known. This is the conclusion of a study co-led by NIOZ marine biologist Katharina Alter, based on a new analysis method and published in the scientific journal Nature Communications. Lead author Katharina Alter of the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research (NIOZ) explains why it is essential to summarize and analyze the results of published studies addressing the effects of climate change: “To…
Aalto University researchers are the first in the world to measure qubits with ultrasensitive thermal detectors—thus evading the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. Chasing ever-higher qubit counts in near-term quantum computers constantly demands new feats of engineering. Among the troublesome hurdles of this scaling-up race is refining how qubits are measured. Devices called parametric amplifiers are traditionally used to do these measurements. But as the name suggests, the device amplifies weak signals picked up from the qubits to conduct the readout, which…
In a breakthrough that could help revolutionize wireless communication, researchers unveiled a novel method for manipulating terahertz waves, allowing them to curve around obstacles instead of being blocked by them. While cellular networks and Wi-Fi systems are more advanced than ever, they are also quickly reaching their bandwidth limits. Scientists know that in the near future they’ll need to transition to much higher communication frequencies than what current systems rely on, but before that can happen there are a number…
Institute builds new Space Robotics Center for in-space servicing, assembly, manufacturing R&D. Southwest Research Institute has invested in new space robotics capabilities to help the space industry pave the way for in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities. SwRI’s Intelligent Systems Division will demonstrate new ISAM-focused research at the 38th Space Symposium, April 8-11, in Colorado Springs. Visit SwRI at Booth #237. “SwRI is developing solutions to leverage Earth-based industrial robotics with advanced automation and simulation so we can help…
Engineered bacteria can produce a plastic modifier that makes renewably sourced plastic more processable, more fracture resistant and highly biodegradable even in sea water. The Kobe University development provides a platform for the industrial-scale, tunable production of a material that holds great potential for turning the plastic industry green. Plastic is a hallmark of our civilization. It is a family of highly formable (hence the name), versatile and durable materials, most of which are also persistent in nature and therefore…
Microplastic particles can be found in the most remote ocean regions on earth. In Antarctica, pollution levels are even higher than previously assumed. This is one finding of a recent study involving researchers from the University of Basel. It’s not the first study on microplastics in Antarctica that researchers from the University of Basel and the Alfred-Wegener Institute (AWI) have conducted. But analysis of the data from an expedition in spring 2021 shows that environmental pollution from these tiny plastic…
Researchers combine mobile 3D handheld scanner goSCOUT3D with robot dog. With the handheld scanner goSCOUT3D, Fraunhofer IOF researchers have developed a mobile sensor that enables high-resolution 3D measurements of complex objects. To further automate this process, researchers have now connected the scanner to a robot dog of the Boston Dynamics brand. Doing so is supposed to make measurements, e.g., in quality assurance, even more efficient as well as unburden employees in future. The unit consisting of sensor head and robot…
… and reduces their energy consumption by up to 25 percent. Smaller batch sizes instead of mass production, more complex production lines, increasing competitive pressure, unstable supply chains: Against this background, the Franco-German research project GreenBotAI addresses robotics. Three main objectives are in focus – ensuring production continuity even in pandemic times, strengthening Europe’s independence in production automation, and significantly reducing the energy consumption of robot applications in European factories. Robotics can be that simple and efficient: controlled by 2D…
…on a semiconductor material reveal ‘surprising’ hidden activity. New research suggests that materials commonly overlooked in computer chip design actually play an important role in information processing; a discovery that could lead to faster and more efficient electronics. The international team observed surprising activity in a semiconductor material using advanced imaging techniques. The finding could lead to faster and more energy-efficient electronic devices, according to the team from the Pennsylvania State University (USA) and Paul Drude Institute for Solid State…
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