Cornell University

Octopus inspires 3-D texture morphing project

A group is using the cephalopod as inspiration for a method to morph flat surfaces into three-dimensional ones on demand.

Atoms-thick Post-It notes for solar cells and circuits

Over the past half-century, scientists have shaved silicon films down to just a wisp of atoms in pursuit of smaller, faster electronics. For the next set of breakthroughs, though, they'll need novel ways to build even tinier and more powerful devices.

A wearable brain scanner

The scanner can be "worn" like a helmet, allowing research subjects to stand and make movements as the device scans.

Researchers map wind to better harvest energy

Scientists and engineers are seeing wind in high resolution. They are creating the world's largest, most-detailed wind maps ever. This research aims to find how wind and turbulence behave in intricate terrain.

Stabilizing molecule could pave way for lithium-air fuel cell

Lithium-oxygen fuel cells boast energy density levels comparable to fossil fuels and are thus seen as a promising candidate for future transportation-related energy needs.

Bionic Eye Technologies

In this profile, Alexis Karandrea reports on correspondence with Richard Birney, the CEO of Bionic Eye Technologies, Inc., and the retinal implant technology they are developing.

Linking robots to surveillance teams

Researchers are developing a system to enable teams of robots to share information as they move around and, if necessary, get help in interpreting what they see, enabling them to conduct surveillance as a single entity with many eyes.

Agricultural robot may be game changer for crop growers, breeders

A semiautonomous robot may soon be roaming agricultural fields gathering and transmitting real-time data about the growth and development of crops, information that crop breeders -- and eventually farmers -- can use to identify the genetic traits in plants likely to produce the greatest yields.

Autonomous car/ taxi/ microbus reduces traffic 75 percent

This new MIT assessment shows how autonomous cars can be operated in a way that sharply reduces the need for taxis and possibly impacts large buses. If successful, this mode will also provide grounds for private cars whether autonomous or not to be banned from cities. Here comes "silent city"!

Robot walks over 134 km to set new record

A Chinese developed robot has set a new world record for furthest distance covered by a quadruped robot

Engineers get under robot's skin to heighten senses

Most robots achieve grasping and tactile sensing through motorized means, which can be excessively bulky and rigid. Researchers have devised a way for a soft robot to feel its surroundings internally, in much the same way humans do.

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.

Wearables to help amputee gamers

It's tough to play video games when you have no fingers to push buttons on the controller.

On-the-fly print' lets CAD designers modify in progress

Researchers have come up with an interactive prototyping system that prints what you are designing as you design it; the designer can pause anywhere in the process to test, measure and, if necessary, make changes that will be added to the physical model still in the printer.

Nanocrystal self-assembly sheds its secrets

The secret to a long-hidden magic trick behind the self-assembly of nanocrystal structures is starting to be revealed.

Touch sensitive super stretchy skin shows promise for soft robots

A material that can emit different coloured light and sense touch - yet still stretch nearly five times its original length - has been invented by scientists in the US and Italy.

NOHMs

NOHMs is a start up that develops lithium sulphur battery technology. Their technology was originated in Cornell University. The company's CEO and lead researchers are all Cornell alumni. Whilst the company is known for their Li sulphur battery technology, which promises double the energy density of Li ion batteries, they are also commercializing an ionic liquid electrolyte technology which they claim can increase by 20-30% of Li ion battery technnologies.

Processed perovskite has superior stability

A new perovskite solar cell with 16% efficiency has been developed by researchers from Switzerland and China.

Campus will be living lab for interconnected sensors, gadgets

Carnegie Mellon University will turn its campus into a living laboratory for a Google-funded, multi-university expedition to create a robust platform that will enable Internet-connected sensors, gadgets and buildings to communicate with each other.

Robotic eel harvests energy from electromagnetic fields

An amphibious robot that can swim through the oceans of distant moons and planets could be the next iteration of self-sustaining, robotic space exploration.