Engineering & Technology

Osaka Prefecture University develops a method to design and control the path of electron flow in a polycrystalline material. Using epitaxial growth approach, researchers address the electrical conductivity problem of thin film materials by realizing a highly conductive in-plane orientation of a metal-organic framework. Furthermore, they show that it is possible to fabricate oriented thin film patterns by integration with UV lithography technology.

Magnetic layers interact with sunlight differently, creating a temperature gradient that generates electricity day and night.

A tiny device incorporates a compound made from starch and baking soda to harvest energy from movement.

Researchers at Osaka Prefecture University have established an approach to identify the orientation of molecules and chemical bonds in crystalline organic-inorganic hybrid thin films deposited on substrates using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and polarized infrared light with a 3D-printed attenuated total reflectance (ATR) unit. This inexpensive method with laboratory-grade equipment quickly reaches the crystal-structure model of even extremely thin films of less than 10 nm.

Researchers from The University of Tokyo Institute of Industrial Science report colloidal spheres that can be used to determine the rotational dynamics of dense suspensions

Professor Tetsuo Endoh's Group at Tohoku University's Center for Innovative Integrated Electronics has announced a new magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) quad-technology that provides better endurance and reliable data retention - over 10 years - beyond the 1X nm generation.

Researchers from Korea utilized LiNO3 pre-planted lithium particles to design a stable, long-lasting lithium metal battery

A reimagined robot hand combines strength with resilience, sidestepping the problems that accompany existing designs.

The Asia-Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies (APIAS) of Lingnan University (LU) in Hong Kong recently organised a STEM-design competition for secondary school students to develop gerontechnology products tailor-made for rural elders to improve their quality of life. Pui Shing Catholic Secondary School students’ “smart shopping cart”, equipped with an infrared-based, automatic motion-tracking system that helps seniors transport a large amount of goods with less effort, won the Overall Championship Award and the Age-friendly Innovation Award.

Scientists develop degradation-mitigating additives that vastly extend the lifespan of Nafion-based fuel cells

In collaboration with Kanazawa University, researchers from Osaka City University used high-speed atomic force microscopy (HS-AFM) to visualize at the nanometer level the movement of individual particles within the parasitic bacterium Mycoplasma mobile. After confirming the outline on the surface of the cell structure in an immobilized state with previous data gathered from electron microscopy, the team succeeded in visualizing the real-time movements of the internal structure by scanning the outside of the cell with HS-AFM.

Researchers from Tohoku University and the Japan Atomic Energy Agency have discovered a new spintronic phenomenon: a persistent rotation of chiral-spin structure. The development paves the way for further application in oscillators, random number generators, and nonvolatile memory.

Scientists reveal that the deterioration of modern concrete and asphalt structures is due to the presence of trace quantities of organic matter in these structures.

A spray-on magnetic coat turns any object into a robot controlled by a magnetic field. The biocompatible robots can walk, crawl and roll, and switch motions on demand.

The trick to extremely thin supercapacitors with improved performance is spraying graphene ink at an angle.

Controlling the organization of molecules within polymer membranes could lead to more efficient fuel cells.

Ion-conducting gels that repair themselves following damage are under development for wearable electronics.

Heusler alloys are promising contenders for faster and more energy-efficient computing and memory storage devices.

Printing electronic circuits could soon get easier and cheaper.

Molecular interactions within gels and rubbers can be controlled to fabricate stronger and more elastic materials.

An artificial intelligence approach extracts how an aluminium alloy’s contents and manufacturing are related to specific mechanical properties.

From biomemory to implants, researchers are looking for ways to make more eco-friendly electronic components.

A new device can light up 100 LED bulbs with a single drop of water.

Complex algorithms can be taught to predict steel corrosion rates in coastal regions, helping engineers choose the best materials for each location.

Lingnan University in Hong Kong (LU) - ‘LU Jockey Club Gerontechnology and Smart Ageing Project’ (the project) organised a two-day conference entitled “Gerontechnology Conference⸺Partnership Strategies for a Collaborative Society’ on 15 and 16 April 2021. The guests of honour, Dr Lam Ching-choi, Chairman of the Elderly Commission and Mr Leong Cheung, Executive Director, Charities and Community of The Hong Kong Jockey Club, officiated at the launch ceremony with Prof Leonard K Cheng, President of Lingnan University , and Prof Joshua Mok Ka-ho, Vice-President of Lingnan University .

Protons are the next big thing when it comes to fuel cell technology. The subatomic exchange produces power on a scale that challenges contemporary solid-state fuel cell technology, used to help power space shuttles. To realize the proton-based technology sooner, an international team of researchers have developed a hybrid material that effectively transports protons at high temperatures and humidity — two major challenges in past attempts.

Researchers discovered, while exploring the photomechanical properties of diarylethene, that under irradiation with UV light the crystal of the compound peels off into micrometer sized crystals at a world’s fastest speed of 260 microseconds. As the material returns to its former molecular structure when exposed to visible light, the exfoliation method positions itself as a candidate for photoactuator manufacturing.

Devices that can see shortwave infrared light, which is invisible to the naked eye, could soon become cheaper and more accessible to a broader consumer base.

Rapid and accurate flood mapping following a disaster is crucial for accelerating relief and response decisions. With news crews often the first on the scene, Tohoku University researchers have created a machine learning model that harnesses the power of media photos. The model helps quickly identify flooded buildings within 24 hours of the disaster.

A research team based at Tohoku University has 3D printed the first proton exchange membrane, a critical component of batteries, electrochemical capacitors and fuel cells.