University of Massachusetts (UMASS)

New laws of attraction: Scientists print magnetic liquid droplets

Scientists have made a new material that is both liquid and magnetic, opening the door to a new area of science in magnetic soft matter. Their findings could lead to a revolutionary class of printable liquid devices for a variety of applications from artificial cells that deliver targeted cancer therapies to flexible liquid robots that can change their shape to adapt to their surroundings.

Smart Façades: Working from the outside in for energy efficiency

In an ongoing effort to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings, an interdisciplinary team of scientists and students is working to design and build more-sustainable building façade systems - so-called smart façades.

Researchers create new way to power electric cars

The innovation will enable electric vehicles of all sizes to run longer while maintaining zero emissions. The new technology uses water, carbon dioxide and the metal cobalt to produce hydrogen gas on demand at a relatively low temperature and pressure.

Tapping body heat to power smart garments

Some research has shown that small amounts of power can be harvested from a human body over an eight-hour workday, but the special materials needed at present are either very expensive, toxic or inefficient.

Fabric alternative to batteries

A major factor holding back development of wearable biosensors for health monitoring is the lack of a lightweight, long-lasting power supply. Now scientists report that they have developed a method for making a charge-storing system that is easily integrated into clothing for "embroidering a charge-storing pattern onto any garment."

Teaching robots to sort out their issues

Robots can help do a lot of things - assemble cars, search for explosives, cook a meal or aid in surgery. But one thing they can't do is tell you how they're doing - yet.

Why a robot can't yet outjump a flea

When it comes to things that are ultrafast and lightweight, robots can't hold a candle to the fastest-jumping insects and other small-but-powerful creatures. New research could help explain why nature still beats robots, and describes how machines might take the lead.

Next big breakthrough in robotics

While drones and driverless cars dominate the headlines, another breakthrough—robot dexterity—is likely to have an even greater impact in both business and everyday life.

Paving the way for a non-electric battery to store solar energy

Materials chemists have been trying for years to make a new type of battery that can store solar or other light-sourced energy in chemical bonds rather than electrons, one that will release the energy on demand as heat instead of electricity - addressing the need for long-term, stable, efficient storage of solar power.

Peel-and-go printable structures fold themselves

As 3-D printing has become a mainstream technology, industry and academic researchers have been investigating printable structures that will fold themselves into useful three-dimensional shapes when heated or immersed in water.

A good read: AI evaluates quality of short stories

The idea that artificial intelligence will someday be able to understand and even generate narratives has inspired and motivated researchers for years. A question inextricably bound to both lines of research remains unresolved, however: Can AI recognize a good story if it sees one?

Off-the-shelf, power-generating clothes are almost here

A lightweight, comfortable jacket that can generate the power to light up a jogger at night may sound futuristic, but materials scientists could make one today.

Reducing conducting thin film surface roughness for electronics

Surface roughness reduction is a really big deal when it comes to fundamental surface physics and while fabricating electronic and optical devices.

'Braidio' technology, lets mobile devices share power

A team of computer science researchers has introduced a new radio technology that allows small mobile devices to take advantage of battery power in larger devices nearby for communication.

Common soil bacteria creates nano sized conductive wires

Scientists have genetically modified a common soil bacteria to create electrical wires that not only conduct electricity, but are thousands of times thinner than a human hair.

Could wearable biosensors become part of drug rehab programs?

There is merit in looking at the use of wearable biosensors to detect whether opioid users stay focused on their rehabilitation programs.

NextFlex America's flexible hybrid electronics manufacturing institute

NextFlex, America's Flexible Hybrid Electronics Manufacturing Institute, has officially welcomed its founding members.

IDTechEx Printed Electronics USA 2015 Award Winners

At the Printed Electronics USA 2015 conference and exhibition, five companies were awarded for their great achievement in developing and commercializing printed electronics technologies. The awards were presented to the five winning companies by Ralph Russo, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Novasentis, who has also had a prolific and highly successful career as an executive at Apple, Honeywell, Bay Networks, and Nortel Networks.

Onion-like layers help this efficient new nanoparticle glow

A new, onion-like nanoparticle could open new frontiers in biomaging, solar energy harvesting and light-based security techniques.