National Science Foundation

線上即時資料庫 Access My Portal

Filtered by:

2014

Shaping the future of energy storage with conductive clay

In the race to find materials of ever increasing thinness, surface area and conductivity to make better performing battery electrodes, a lump of clay might have just taken the lead.

Robotic ocean gliders aid study of melting polar ice

Using robotic ocean gliders, researchers have now found that swirling ocean eddies, similar to atmospheric storms, play an important role in transporting warm waters to the Antarctic coast—a discovery that will help the scientific community determine how rapidly the ice is melting and, as a result, how quickly ocean levels will rise.

Inflatable robotic arm inspires design of Disney's latest character

The fictional, balloon-like robot nevertheless reflects a growing field of research called soft robotics.

World's thinnest electric generator

Researchers report that they have made the first experimental observation of piezoelectricity and the piezotronic effect in an atomically thin material, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), resulting in a unique electric generator and mechanosensation devices that are optically transparent, extremely light, and very bendable and stretchable.

Lithium-ion battery that warns of potential fire hazards

Scientists have developed a "smart" lithium-ion battery that gives ample warning before it overheats and bursts into flames.

Electrically conductive plastics promising for batteries, solar cells

An emerging class of electrically conductive plastics called "radical polymers" may bring low-cost, transparent solar cells, flexible and lightweight batteries, and ultrathin antistatic coatings for consumer electronics and aircraft.

New ways to extend smartphone battery life

Three research groups have received $1.3 million in combined funding to improve energy management in smartphones.

Skin-Like device monitors cardiovascular and skin health

A new wearable medical device can quickly alert a person if they are having cardiovascular trouble or if it's simply time to put on some skin moisturiser.

Crumpled graphene could provide an unconventional energy storage

Researchers have now found that crumpling a piece of graphene "paper" — a material formed by bonding together layers of the two-dimensional form of carbon — can actually yield new properties that could be useful for creating extremely stretchable supercapacitors to store energy for flexible electronic devices.

Underwater robot for port security

Researchers have unveiled an oval-shaped submersible robot, a little smaller than a football, with a flattened panel on one side that it can slide along an underwater surface to perform ultrasound scans.

New technology may lead to prolonged power in mobile devices

Researchers have created technology that could be the first step toward wearable computers with self-contained power sources or, more immediately, a smartphone that doesn't die after a few hours of heavy use.

Greener low-cost transistor heralds advance in flexible electronics

Researchers report a new, inexpensive and simple way to make transparent, flexible transistors that could help bring roll-up smartphones with see-through displays and other bendable gadgets to consumers in just a few years.

Tattoo biobatteries produce power from sweat

Researchers reported that they have designed a sensor in the form of a temporary tattoo that can both monitor a person's progress during exercise and produce power from their perspiration.

Changing the shape and function of liquid metal

Gallium is one of the few metals that turns into a liquid at room temperature. When that happens, its surface oxidizes, forming a "skin" over the fluid, almost like a water balloon or a water bed. Years ago, scientists often thought the coating a nuisance. Today they consider it an opportunity.

A self-organizing thousand-robot swarm

The first thousand-robot flash mob has assembled at Harvard University.

Wearable tech for disease monitoring

A new wearable vapor sensor being developed could one day offer continuous disease monitoring for patients with diabetes, high blood pressure, anemia or lung disease.

Generating electricity from humidity

Last year, MIT researchers discovered that when water droplets spontaneously jump away from superhydrophobic surfaces during condensation, they can gain electric charge in the process. Now, the same team has demonstrated that this process can generate small amounts of electricity that might be used to power electronic devices.

Graphene and related materials promise cheap, flexible printed cameras

Dr Felice Torrisi, University Lecturer in Graphene Technology, has been awarded a Young International Researchers' Fellowship from the National Science Foundation of China to look at how graphene and two-dimensional materials could enable printed and flexible eyes.

Silicon alternatives key to future computers, consumer electronics

Researchers are reporting key milestones in developing new semiconductors to potentially replace silicon in future computer chips and for applications in flexible electronics.

Improving a new breed of solar cells

Researchers have set a new record for the most efficient quantum-dot cells — a type of solar cell that is seen as especially promising because of its inherently low cost, versatility, and light weight.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33