Virginia Tech

NALA Membranes

NALA Membranes has developed a new chlorine durable polymer membrane for reverse-osmosis wastewater treatment. In September 2024, IDTechEx Technology Analyst Thomas Bithell spoke with the CEO, Sue Mecham.

New Soft Electronics Don't Break Even When Punctured

Want a smartphone that stretches, takes damage, and still doesn't miss a call? A team of researchers has created a new type of soft electronics, paving the way for devices that are self-healing, reconfigurable, and recyclable. These skin-like circuits are soft and stretchy, sustain numerous damage events under load without losing electrical conductivity, and can be recycled to generate new circuits at the end of a product's life.

Robotics Enter the COVID-19 Fight

A decontamination robot funded by the Office of Naval Research and designed by several local universities was recently tested. The robot--initially designed for shipboard firefighting and maintenance tasks--has now been enlisted in the fight against Covid-19.

Machine Learning Reduces Hazards in Nuclear Power Plants

The application of machine learning with simulation data will provide additional possibilities for field engineers to more accurately assess the hazards for their specific plant. Field conditions are typically not the same as data set conditions. Machine learning models developed in this research will be able to rapidly translate what the appropriate hazard event conditions are for the given field conditions.

3D Printed Latex Rubber Breakthrough

Researchers have discovered a novel process to 3D print latex rubber, unlocking the ability to print a variety of elastic materials with complex geometric shapes.

Chiton Mollusk Provides Model for New Armor Design

The motivations for using biology as inspiration to engineering vary based on the project, but the combination of flexibility and protection seen in the chiton mollusk was all the motivation necessary.

3D printed prosthetics with integrated electronic sensors

With the growth of 3D printing, it's entirely possible to 3D print your own prosthetic from models found in open-source databases. But those models lack personalized electronic user interfaces like those found in costly, state-of-the-art prosthetics.

Process to 3D print piezoelectric materials

The piezoelectric materials that inhabit everything from our cell phones to musical greeting cards may be getting an upgrade. Researchers have developed methods to 3D print piezoelectric materials that can be custom-designed to convert movement, impact and stress from any directions to electrical energy.

Breakthroughs in 3D printing Kapton, the ultimate polymer

Researchers have developed a new process to 3D print one of the most-desired materials in the electronics and aerospace industries.

Electric vehicle cybersecurity grant

The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded Virginia Tech a $3 million grant for research on electric vehicle charging infrastructure cybersecurity as part of a larger $80 million investment by the department on advanced technologies research.

PVDF: gymnast of electrically useful fluoropolymers

As explained in our new fluoropolymer report, the market for these formulations will at least double in the next 20 years largely powered by new electrical and electronic applications exploiting properties many of which are not even measured let alone made consistent in today's production lines.

Novel process to 3D print graphene

Researchers have developed a novel way to 3D print complex objects of one of the highest-performing materials used in the battery and aerospace industries.

Australia trials delivery drones

Over the past few years, Project Wing has conducted thousands of flights to get their drone delivery technology ready for everyday use.

Air-breathing battery can store electricity for months

Wind and solar power are increasingly popular sources for renewable energy. But intermittency issues keep them from connecting widely to the grid.

Novel 3-D printed high-performance polymer

Researchers have created a novel way to 3-D print the type of high-temperature polymeric materials commonly used to insulate space craft and satellites from extreme heat and cold. Previously, the polyimide could be made only in sheets.

No batteries required: energy-harvesting yarns generate electricity

An international research team has developed high-tech yarns that generate electricity when they are stretched or twisted.