Tech Xplore news
Tech Xplore / Friendly social robots may help ease a child's anxiety at the doctor's office
When 3-year-old Cameron arrived at the UC Davis MIND Institute for a recent medical appointment, she was in for a surprise: cuddly, social AI robots visiting from Japan were in the waiting room. "We both melted when we saw ...
Tech Xplore / Brain-inspired AI architecture could compute faster while using far less power
Spiking neural networks (SNNs) are artificial intelligence (AI) models inspired by how biological neurons communicate with each other. While biological neurons exchange information in the form of electrical impulses, SNNs ...
Tech Xplore / Safer lithium-ion batteries move closer as 3D-printed cobalt-free electrodes boost power
Since the early 2000s, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries have become the predominant rechargeable power source for many mobile devices, electric vehicles, renewable-energy storage grids and more. But the Li-ion batteries in ...
Tech Xplore / Ultraefficient chip could help tiny robots traverse complex environments
A new chip developed by MIT researchers could help tiny, low-power UAVs avoid obstacles as they zip around tight corners inside an industrial HVAC system to check for gas leaks. The chip allows small autonomous robots and ...
Tech Xplore / Seaweed-based ingredient helps turn dirt into 3D-printed walls
An ingredient that gives ice cream a creamier texture could make natural earthen materials like clay and sand easier to 3D print into durable structures, according to new research led by scientists at the University of Colorado ...
Tech Xplore / Forgetting may be the secret to better AI language learning
Giving AI a human-like memory limitation may actually help it learn language better. In their new proof-of-principle study, Abishek Thamma (University of Amsterdam) and Micha Heilbron (Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics) ...
Tech Xplore / Onsite fabrication unlocks large-area electronic skin for robots and wearables
Korean researchers have secured flexible electronic skin technology that can be fabricated directly in the field. This achievement has increased the feasibility of commercializing electronic skin for use in various fields, ...
Tech Xplore / Robot 'Floaty' rides the wind like a bird, staying stable without propellers
Current flying objects face a trade-off: Drones with propellers, for instance, are very agile and able to hover; however, they use up a lot of energy. Airplanes, on the other hand, feature fixed wings that allow them to fly ...
Tech Xplore / Food waste can become jet fuel through simpler refining and 50-50 blending
The aviation industry accounts for a large portion of global greenhouse gas emissions. Biobased, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) can mitigate climate impacts, but transitioning to SAF faces critical supply chain constraints. ...
Tech Xplore / Ink-based thermoelectric technology could be solution for replacing problematic refrigerants
Today's refrigerants, which are specialized working fluids used in air conditioners, refrigerators and heat pumps, come with a host of issues, including leakage, emissions concerns, flammability and limited reclamation of ...
Tech Xplore / 3D photothermal design unlocks 8.5-fold higher solar evaporation for desalination and crop irrigation
The global shortage of freshwater has become a critical challenge. Conventional water treatment relies heavily on fossil fuels and associated infrastructure, which can make it unsuitable for remote and harsh regions. In contrast, ...
Tech Xplore / Next-generation battery potential unlocked with a novel electrolyte design
A research team has successfully designed a novel electrolyte for fluoride shuttle batteries based on a new concept. The research is published in the journal ACS Applied Energy Materials.
