North Carolina State University

US Army Research Laboratory (3D electronics)

Origami electronics involves assembling 3D electronic structures by cutting and folding 2D circuits, and is being investigated by the US Army Research Laboratory together with North Carolina State University.

Plant Patch Enables Continuous Monitoring for Crop Diseases

Researchers have developed a patch that plants can "wear" to monitor continuously for plant diseases or other stresses, such as crop damage or extreme heat.

Inkjet Printing Shows Promise As New Strategy For Making E-Textiles

In a new study researchers have demonstrated they could print layers of electrically conductive ink on polyester fabric to make an e-textile that could be used in the design of future wearable devices.

3D-Printed Jelly Developed

3D-printable gels with improved and highly controlled properties can be created by merging micro- and nano-sized networks of the same materials harnessed from seaweed, according to new research. The findings could have applications in biomedical materials - think of biological scaffolds for growing cells - and soft robotics.

Plants Would Grow Well in Solar Cell Greenhouses

A recent study shows that lettuce can be grown in greenhouses that filter out wavelengths of light used to generate solar power, demonstrating the feasibility of using see-through solar panels in greenhouses to generate electricity.

Improved Heat Leakage for Wearables

Researchers report significant enhancements in preventing heat leakage in the flexible body heat harvester they first reported in 2017 and updated in 2020. The harvesters use heat energy from the human body to power wearable technologies - think of smart watches that measure your heart rate, blood oxygen, glucose and other health parameters - that never need to have their batteries recharged.

Textile Sensor Patch Could Detect Pressure Points for Amputees

A soft, flexible sensor system created with electrically conductive yarns could help map problematic pressure points in the socket of an amputee's prosthetic limb, researchers report in a new study.

Self-Driving Laboratories: A Reality Waiting to Happen

Imagine a situation where, given a request, a lab automatically chooses what experiments to do, robotically carries this out, tracks the reaction with integrated sensors, acquires and analyzes the results, and then decides what experiment to do next. This seems like science-fiction, but certain truths may be closer than you think.

Flexible Material Shows Potential for Use in Fabrics to Heat, Cool

A film made of tiny carbon nanotubes may be a key material in developing clothing that can heat or cool the wearer on demand. A new study finds that the CNT film has a combination of thermal, electrical and physical properties that make it an appealing candidate for next-generation smart fabrics.

Artificial Chemist uses AI, Robotics for Autonomous R&D

Researchers have developed a technology called "Artificial Chemist," which incorporates artificial intelligence and an automated system for performing chemical reactions to accelerate R&D and manufacturing of commercially desirable materials.