Posts by Lisa McDonald
Go thin or go home: Scientists create world’s thinnest lens that could revolutionize consumer tech
Scientists at Australian National University (Canberra, Australia) created what they describe as “the world’s thinnest lens, one two-thousandth the thickness of a human hair,” which could revolutionize flexible computer displays and miniature cameras.
Read MoreInnovation on the ground—3-D printed shoes offer custom fit, perfect cushion
Sportswear manufacturer adidas recently unveiled its concept for the most personalized pair of shoes yet—custom fitted, 3-D printed running shoe midsoles.
Read MoreVideo: Bricklaying robot SAM does the heavy lifting, so masons don’t have to
SAM, or Semi-Automated Mason, is a robot that assists masons by partially automating the bricklaying process, increasing worksite productivity and reducing the amount of heavy lifting required by masons.
Read MoreOther materials stories that may be of interest
Making larger sheets of 2-D materials, secret to 3-D graphene revealed, and other materials stories that may be of interest for March 9, 2016.
Read MoreCeramics Expo 2016 draws thousands of commercial and manufacturing industry leaders to Cleveland
CLEVELAND, OHIO—Cleveland will host more than 3,000 ceramic and glass commercial and manufacturing industry leaders and 300 vendors for Ceramics Expo 2016, April 26–28, outpacing last year’s event, which brought 171 exhibitors and more than 2,300 attendees from 25 countries representing 1,000 organizations.
Read MoreNew year, new materials: NSF funds program to accelerate discovery of new materials and tech
A new Materials Innovation Platforms (MIP) program funded by the National Science Foundation made its first awards to Penn State University and Cornell University to significantly accelerate materials research and development.
Read MoreSupersonic revival: NASA developing quieter, more fuel-efficient supersonic commercial jet
NASA recently announced that it is spending $20 million to push supersonic jet travel back into commercial reality. The funding is going to a team led by Lockheed Martin for preliminary design work on a reimagined supersonic jet that could take to the skies by 2020.
Read MoreHeating up rust could make large-scale solar power storage possible
Is the key to large-scale solar power storage rusting before our eyes? Researchers at Stanford University (Stanford, Calif.) found that ordinary metal oxides, such as rust, can be made into solar cells capable of splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen by day for energy use at night.
Read MoreBetter batteries? Study uncovers potential hidden impact of oxide nanoparticles on earth microbiome
A new study by researchers at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and the University of Minnesota shows that nanoparticles of lithium battery catalyst nickel manganese cobalt oxide may harm important bacteria that reside in the soil and have untold environmental consequences.
Read MoreVideo: New smartphone prototype ‘bends’ to meet consumers’ needs
Researchers at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada, have developed a prototype for a flexible smartphone that gives users a more tactile viewing experience.
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