Engineering

Bioelectronic “Nose” Sniffs Out Food Spoilage

Bioelectronic “Nose” Sniffs Out Rotten Food

December 26, 2017April 1, 2021 Science Connected

Does that food smell rotten? Researchers have developed a way to detect rotten food odors that are too faint for the human nose. By Emily Rhode One whiff of spoiled meat is usually enough to let us know that we should definitely not eat it. But what about those leftovers that have been in the refrigerator for a few days and still smell ok? We could throw them away out of an abundance of caution, but that becomes an expensive and wasteful practice. Or we could cross our fingers and…

Geometry of Consciousness: Multi-dimensional Math Trip

May 25, 2017April 5, 2021 Science Connected

A group of scientists think they can build such a “consciousness meter” using complex mathematics: the geometry of consciousness.

Engineering New Technologies

New Futuristic Fabrics to Keep Cool

September 20, 2016September 27, 2016 Science Connectedengineering, plastics, Stanford, textiles

By Katherine Lindemann Inspired by lithium batteries and kitchen plastic wrap, engineers at Stanford University have developed a plastic material that helps the body radiate heat, lowering skin temperature and cooling the wearer. To be suitable for clothing, the material is flexible and—importantly—opaque. The teams are now working on a woven version of the textile. Po-Chun Hsu contributed to the research as a member of the Yi Cui research group. We asked him to tell us more. ResearchGate: Where did the idea for this material come from? Po-Chun Hsu: The…

Engineering New Technologies

Moth Eyes Inspire Graphene-Based Smart Tech

March 23, 2016April 7, 2021 Science Connectedelectronics, graphene, new tech, solar power

Look into the eyes of moths and see the future. The future of smart gadgets, that is. Moths’ eyes are the latest inspiration for thin solar material. Researchers from the University of Surrey’s Advanced Technology Institute say that new, ultra-thin, patterned graphene sheets will be essential in designing “smart wallpaper” and other future technologies. Graphene is traditionally an excellent electronic material, as the graphene-based microphone demonstrates, but it is inefficient for optical applications. It usually absorbs only 2 or 3 percent of the light that lands on it. That’s not…

Engineering Physics

Conductive Concrete May End Flight Delays

March 16, 2016May 12, 2016 Science Connectedconcrete, ice, new tech, snow, weather

By Emily Rhode @riseandsci Every year, thousands of flights are delayed and thousands of car accidents happen due to snowstorms and icy road conditions. Millions of dollars are spent each year plowing and de-icing runways, tarmacs, roadways, and bridges. Salt and plowing cause damage to roadways and waterways, and shoveling heavy snow causes injuries and deaths. Flight Delays (and Snow Days) Could be Things of the Past, Thanks to Science The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is very interested in a special type of conductive concrete made by researchers at the…

Biology Engineering Physics Zoology

Why Spiderman Can’t Exist, but a Gecko Can

February 8, 2016April 5, 2021 Science Connectedlizards

Want to climb walls like Spiderman or a gecko? Not today, but maybe some day. There is a size limit on who or what can stick to walls.

tiny house, off-grid living, Nice Architects

Engineering Environment New Technologies

Egg-Shaped Tiny House to Revolutionize Off-Grid Living

February 3, 2016April 4, 2021 Science Connectedarchitecture, environment, Nice Architects, off-grid living, tiny house

By Jonathan Trinastic If you spot Nice Architects’ Ecocapsule while hiking through the woods or turning the corner from your campsite, you may think you’ve come upon an alien spacecraft or advanced military technology. Deep blue solar cells pattern its sleek surface, glistening in the sun. A curving wind turbine stretches toward the sky. This lustrous, egg-shaped capsule is no military secret, but could be a revolutionary solution to self-sufficient housing powered by renewable energy. A Tiny Friend of the Earth Surprise is usually the first reaction to the Ecocapsule’s…

Engineering New Technologies Physics

Small Step for Batteries, Giant Leap for Electric Cars

November 9, 2015May 3, 2021 Science Connectedelectric vehicles

By Jonathan Trinastic @jptrinastic Solving the Silicon Swelling Problem in Batteries The dream of an electric transportation revolution—recharging stations dotting rural highways, noiseless sedans gliding across pavement—lives in the minds of many who hope to move beyond oil dependence. But the reality of this transformation will elude us until battery technology improves. Expensive and overweight, current lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology cannot support long car trips and would require lower costs to be commercially viable. Now, the ignition for such a revolution may be arriving in the form of silicon. New…

Engineering Science Videos

This Electrical Engineer Invents the Future

November 5, 2015November 4, 2015 Science ConnectedSTEM careers, women in tech

By Chantal Brine With several patents to her name, electrical engineer Peggy Matson loves her work, and loves inventing the future. In this interviews, she explains what she enjoys most about her career, and what you can do to head toward your own career in electrical engineering. Women in Tech, Women in Action Techsploration’s Women In Action series delivers a quick overview of over forty careers in sciences, technology, trades, and engineering. The series features short clips of various female role models who share “the best thing” about their careers. The series…

Engineering New Technologies

Crowdfunded 3D-Printed Robotic Hand Is a Winner

September 15, 2015April 28, 2022 Science Connected3D printing, robotics

3-D print a robotic prosthetic hand with open-source materials from the makers of the Dextrus. Affordable ready-made version coming next .