University of Michigan

Surprising discovery could lead to better batteries

Scientists have observed how lithium moves inside individual nanoparticles that make up batteries. The finding could help companies develop batteries that charge faster and last longer

Memristors power quick-learning neural network

A new type of neural network made with memristors can dramatically improve the efficiency of teaching machines to think like humans.

3D-printing gets a turbo boost

A major drawback to 3-D printing - the slow pace of the work - could be alleviated through a software algorithm.

Wearables to boost security of voice-based log-in

A security-token necklace, ear buds or eyeglasses eliminate vulnerabilities in voice authentication -- the practice of logging in to a device or service with your voice alone.

Printed meds could reinvent pharmacies, drug research

A new process can print multiple medications onto a single dissolvable strip, microneedle patch or other surface.

Teijin Aramid supporting student teams in solar car race

Teijin Aramid has announced it is supporting two student teams, one from KU Leuven and one from the University of Michigan, to compete in the 'Challenger' category of this year's Bridgestone World Solar Challenge.

Pizza delivery using self driving vehicles

Domino's Pizza and Ford Motor Co are launching an industry-first collaboration to understand the role that self-driving vehicles can play in pizza delivery.

New robot speeds sampling of ocean's biogeochemistry and health

The world's first underwater vehicle designed specifically to collect both biological and chemical samples from the ocean water column successfully completed sea trials.

Cellf BIO LLC

IDTechEx analyst Nadia Tsao interviewed Cellf BIO Founder Prof Khalil Bitar and COO Rayana Marker on July 27, 2017. Cellf BIO is a tissue engineering company producing bioengineered sphincters to address the root cause of fecal incontinence.

Driverless shuttle service

The service will use two fully-automated, 15-passenger, all-electric shuttles manufactured by French firm NAVYA to transport students, faculty, and staff on a non-stop two-mile route.

New generation of smart prosthetics

Scientists are developing smart prosthetics, which allow lower limb amputees greater mobility, particularly on uneven terrain.

Teaching robots to teach other robots

Researchers have developed a system which allows noncoders to teach robots a range of tasks simply by providing some information about how objects are typically manipulated and then showing the robot a single demo of the task.

Toyota uses artificial intelligence to hunt for new materials

$35 Million to Accelerate Materials Science Discovery. Projects will apply artificial intelligence and machine learning to speed development of materials for next-generation energy.

Transparent silver: Tarnish-proof films for flexible displays

The thinnest, smoothest layer of silver that can survive air exposure has been laid down, and it could change the way touchscreens and flat or flexible displays are made.

Stabilising energy storage

Because the sun doesn't always shine, solar utilities need a way to store extra charge for a rainy day. The same goes for wind power facilities, since the wind doesn't always blow. To take full advantage of renewable energy, electrical grids need large batteries that can store the power coming from wind and solar installations until it is needed.

Could new metamaterial allow a car to be its own airbag?

When a material is made, you typically cannot change whether that material is hard or soft. But a group of researchers have developed a new way to design a "metamaterial" that allows the material to switch between being hard and soft without damaging or altering the material itself.

Method takes material out of theory and makes it into a real electrode

A little sodium goes a long way. At least that's the case in carbon-based energy technology.

A window into battery life for next-gen lithium cells

Dendrites, whiskers of lithium that grow inside batteries and can cause fires like those in the Samsung Galaxy Note 7, are the bane of next-generation lithium batteries.

Atomic sandwiches could make computers more energy efficient

Researchers have engineered a material that could lead to a new generation of computing devices, packing in more computing power while consuming a fraction of the energy that today's electronics require.

Emissions from transport are about to surpass those from electricity

In the US, carbon dioxide emissions from electricity generation, primarily coal, have long been the main air polluter in the country, but it's about to change.