Engineering news
Engineering
Perovskite solar cells reach 26.61% certified efficiency with cesium-doping strategy
Solar cells, devices that convert sunlight into electricity, are now widely used in many countries. While most existing solar cells are based on silicon, energy engineers have been working on other devices made of so-called ...
14 hours ago
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Engineering
One-step CO₂ system triples capture, ditches silver for zinc, and turns emissions into industrial fuel feedstock
Every year, power plants and factories release billions of tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂) into the atmosphere. Methods exist to capture that CO₂ using chemical solutions and, separately, to convert pure CO₂ into useful fuels ...
Apr 17, 2026
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Slime-like artificial muscle reshapes on command, heals after damage and turns one robot into many
Breaking away from conventional robots that perform only predefined functions once fabricated, researchers have developed a next-generation artificial muscle that can change its shape in real time, recover from damage, and ...
Apr 17, 2026
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Simple robots inspired by ants collectively build and excavate
When it comes to teamwork, we could all learn something from ants. These relatively simple, small-brained animals are famous for their ability to collectively build massive, intricate, climate-controlled structures, despite ...
Apr 17, 2026
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Bio-based foam replaces petroleum-based materials—without changing production processes
A new extruded foam made from polybutylene succinate (PBS), developed by the Fraunhofer Cluster of Excellence Circular Plastics Economy CCPE, offers industrial companies a direct path to sustainable material solutions—without ...
Apr 17, 2026
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Engineering
'Like liquid metal': Entangled, staple-like particles could inspire new generation of materials
A tightly packed ball of office staples can be surprisingly strong. Try to pull it apart and the tangled metal resists like a solid object. But with the right movement or vibration, that same bundle can quickly fall back ...
Apr 16, 2026
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Engineering
Oxygen anchoring unlocks air-stable solid-state batteries with faster charging
Expectations are rising for all-solid-state batteries—the "dream battery" with low fire risk—not only for electric vehicles but also for various fields such as robotics and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). A research team at KAIST ...
Apr 16, 2026
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Engineering
Gone with the wind: Turbine parameters drive significant differences in offshore wind power forecasts
Offshore wind energy generation is a central pillar of Europe's energy transition. At the same time, it is placing increasing demands on models that are expected to reliably predict future wind power production and its impact ...
Apr 16, 2026
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Engineering
This tough Australian seed could reshape helmets and protective gear
Researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi have uncovered the secret behind the remarkable toughness of the marri nut, the hard seed of the marri tree native to Western Australia. The nut's shell is so strong that even natural predators ...
Apr 15, 2026
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Robotics
AI-guided snakebot unlocks rolling move that doubles speed per unit power
Snake-like robots represent the future of rescue. Their slender bodies allow them to navigate narrow spaces, uneven terrain, and water surfaces, entering places that would be hazardous for humans. This could potentially save ...
Apr 15, 2026
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Engineering
Tiny battery-free tags turn radio waves into a new way to track breathing at home and in hospitals
The same wireless technology that can track your cat or locate an item in a warehouse can also monitor your breathing. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital and the University of ...
Apr 15, 2026
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Engineering
These restless materials don't just bend under pressure—they snap, crawl, walk and dig on their own
When we think of materials, we usually think of substances like metal, concrete, glass or rubber. What these examples have in common is that they are inactive: when pushed, pulled, shifted or sheared they may move or deform, ...
Apr 15, 2026
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Engineering
Depleted oil fields offer hydrogen storage sites
Hydrogen is a clean-burning gas that could help to tackle climate change by reducing our dependence on fossil fuels. But storing and transporting hydrogen is expensive and technically challenging, typically requiring high-pressure ...
Apr 15, 2026
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Engineering
Clean concrete: How shrimp waste can transform sustainable construction
Cement production is responsible for around 8% of global carbon dioxide emissions, primarily due to the production of Portland cement. In response to this environmental challenge, geopolymers—materials obtained through the ...
Apr 14, 2026
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Engineering
Scientists adapt 3D printing for manufacturing copper alloy components
A research team from Skoltech (part of the VEB.RF group) and other scientific organizations in Russia and India has conducted a systematic study of the laser powder bed fusion (PBF-LB) process for aluminum bronze. This material ...
Apr 14, 2026
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Engineering
Engineers offer roadmap to close the 'human error' gap in offshore crane safety
University of Houston professor of Mechanical Engineering Technology Weihang Zhu is spearheading an effort to redefine offshore safety, releasing a new roadmap designed to identify and close critical gaps in international ...
Apr 14, 2026
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Engineering
Bridges, roadways threatened by changes in weather patterns
The combination of extreme weather conditions, like atmospheric rivers, and aging infrastructure is putting increasing pressures on Canadian highways, bridges and tunnels—many of which are almost 100 years old. UBC Okanagan ...
Apr 14, 2026
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Engineering
Phase-changing VO₂ turns methane into propane and hydrogen more efficiently
Converting methane, the primary component of natural gas, into higher alkanes and hydrogen, could be highly advantageous. Alkanes, such as propane and butane, are easier to transport than methane and are used in a wider range ...
Engineering
Mechanical computers use springs and bolts to count, sort odd-even pushes and remember force
Published in Nature Communications, researchers from St. Olaf College and Syracuse University built a computer made entirely of mechanical components that can perform simple computations without electricity or batteries.
Apr 13, 2026
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Robotics
This robot sees danger, decides its route and powers over obstacles while carrying loads
A KAIST research team has developed quadrupedal robot technology that not only enables walking by estimating terrain without visual information, but also allows the robot to perceive its surroundings through cameras and LiDAR ...
Apr 13, 2026
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Engineering
AI-powered surrogate models bring real-time simulation to composite manufacturing
A recent publication from IMDEA Materials Institute and the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) presents a major step forward in bringing real-time simulation capabilities to composite manufacturing processes. By addressing ...
Apr 13, 2026
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Engineering
Interface tweak triples graphene oxide fuel cell power density to 0.7 W/cm²
A breakthrough in interface engineering clears the path for sustainable, high-power hydrogen energy. As the world races toward a hydrogen-based society, the quest for a truly green fuel cell has faced a persistent material ...
Apr 11, 2026
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Engineering
Volcanic rock formula cuts cement emissions by two-thirds
Researchers have developed a volcanic rock formula that cuts carbon emissions by 67%, potentially offering an affordable alternative to increasingly scarce cement additives.
Apr 9, 2026
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Robotics
Origami-inspired robot built from printable polymers uses electric current to move
With their ability to shapeshift and manipulate delicate objects, soft robots could work as medical implants, deliver drugs inside the body and help explore dangerous environments. But the squishy machines are often limited ...
Apr 9, 2026
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Engineering
Safer, water-based zinc-ion battery delivers 900-cycle durability
Researchers at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering have developed a rechargeable zinc-ion battery that uses low-cost materials and a simplified water-based assembly process to make safer, reliable batteries. The approach ...
Apr 9, 2026
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