Tech Xplore news

Tech Xplore / Harvesting heat and electricity from the sun, when you need it

Solar energy is abundant and frustratingly ill-timed. A sunbeam can become either electricity (useful for running modern life) or heat (useful for keeping spaces warm). But conventional solar hardware is single-minded: Photovoltaic ...

Mar 25, 2026
Tech Xplore / Mach 1.5 tests reveal noise feedback loops from supersonic jets

Researchers from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering and the Florida Center for Advanced Aero-Propulsion, or FCAAP, are helping to solve a safety challenge in military aviation: the extreme noise generated by supersonic jets ...

Mar 25, 2026
Tech Xplore / A robotic hand without motors? How a sub-second shape-shifting actuator could work

While space structures and robotic arms require lightweight actuation devices capable of repetitive movement, conventional motor-based systems face limitations due to their heavy weight and complex structures. A KAIST research ...

Mar 25, 2026
Tech Xplore / When smell meets VR: Scent technology blends up to 8 fragrances for immersive virtual experiences

A multi-channel wearable scent display developed at Institute of Science Tokyo allows a user to experience multiple scents while exploring virtual environments. Based on virtual scenes, the device can blend up to eight fragrances ...

Mar 25, 2026
Tech Xplore / Turning biomass into graphite could help the US secure a critical mineral supply

Soft, dark-gray graphite is not just useful in pencils: The highly conductive and heat-resistant mineral is uniquely suited for advanced manufacturing. Yet the United States imports nearly half of the graphite it needs to ...

Mar 25, 2026
Tech Xplore / Graphene receivers bring energy-efficient 6G hardware closer to reality

Thanks to the 5th generation (5G) technology, we now enjoy unprecedented levels of connectivity. Nevertheless, wireless data traffic is facing an increasing demand for an even higher capacity and faster data transfer—a demand ...

Mar 25, 2026
Tech Xplore / Wristband enables wearers to control a robotic hand with their own movements

The next time you're scrolling on your phone, take a moment to appreciate the feat: The seemingly mundane act is possible thanks to the coordination of 34 muscles, 27 joints, and over 100 tendons and ligaments in your hand. ...

Mar 25, 2026
Tech Xplore / From stillage to storage: Turning bourbon byproducts into supercapacitors

The state of Kentucky produces 95% of the world's bourbon, and all that bourbon leaves behind an enormous amount of waste grain, called stillage. Now, researchers at the University of Kentucky have developed a process to ...

Mar 25, 2026
Tech Xplore / Hybrid AI tool unmasks hidden digital abuse to transform forensic investigations

Researchers from the University of Huddersfield have developed a hybrid AI tool to detect patterns of psychological abuse, including coercive control, in a bid to transform digital forensic investigations and mental health ...

Mar 25, 2026
Tech Xplore / EVs can generate widespread economic benefits, new study says

Putting more electric cars on the road doesn't just benefit those with enough money to buy the often-pricey vehicles, it also pushes down prices at the gas pump while strengthening U.S. energy security, according to new research ...

Mar 25, 2026
Tech Xplore / OpenAI pulls the plug on Sora, the viral AI video app that sparked deepfake concerns

OpenAI is shutting down its social media app Sora, which went viral last fall as a place to share short-form videos generated by artificial intelligence but also raised alarms in Hollywood and elsewhere.

Mar 25, 2026
Tech Xplore / New bifacial solar cells yield efficiencies above 32%

Solar cells, devices that can convert sunlight into electricity, are now widely used in many countries worldwide. Over the past few years, energy engineers have been exploring alternative designs that could further boost ...

Mar 24, 2026