ScienceDaily: Top Technology News

Pop-up coffee table -- no assembly required

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 02:06 PM PDT

Researchers have developed a deployable system that is light, compact, inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and, most importantly, easy to deploy. By harnessing the mechanical instabilities in curved beams, the system can transform objects into elaborate and customizable 3D configurations on a range of scales, from large-scale furniture to small medical devices.

Are we missing other Earths?

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 02:05 PM PDT

Some exoplanet searches could be missing nearly half of the Earth-sized planets around other stars. New findings suggest that Earth-sized worlds could be lurking undiscovered in binary star systems, hidden in the glare of their parent stars. As roughly half of all stars are in binary systems, this means that astronomers could be missing many Earth-sized worlds.

Unique exoplanet photobombs CHEOPS study of nearby star system

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 02:05 PM PDT

While studying two exoplanets in a bright nearby star system, the CHEOPS satellite has unexpectedly spotted the system's third known planet crossing the face of the star. This transit reveals exciting details about a rare planet 'with no known equivalent', as the scientific team points out.

Storing carbon inn rocks underground: Old oil fields may be less prone to induced earthquakes

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 02:05 PM PDT

Subsurface carbon sequestration -- storing carbon in rocks deep underground -- offers a partial solution for removing carbon from the atmosphere. Used alongside emissions reductions, geologic carbon sequestration could help mitigate anthropogenic climate change. But like other underground operations, it comes with risks -- including earthquakes.

Using the ancient art of Kirigami to make an eyeball-like camera

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 02:05 PM PDT

Using Kirigami, the Japanese art of paper cutting, a mechanical engineer has developed a camera with a curvy, adaptable imaging sensor that could improve image quality in endoscopes, night-vision goggles, artificial compound eyes and fish-eye cameras.

How to build a better wind farm

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 02:05 PM PDT

Location, location, location -- when it comes to the placement of wind turbines, the old real estate adage applies, according to new research.

New type of metasurface allows unprecedented laser control

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 02:05 PM PDT

Researchers have developed a single metasurface that can effectively tune the different properties of laser light, including wavelength, without the need of additional optical components. The metasurface can split light into multiple beams and control their shape and intensity in an independent, precise and power-efficient way.

Satellite unexpectedly detects a unique exoplanet

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 12:29 PM PDT

An exoplanet-hunting satellite has unexpectedly detected a third planet passing in front of its star while it was exploring two previously known planets around the same star. This transit, according to researchers, will reveal exciting details about a strange planet without a known equivalent.

Striking gold: Synthesizing green gold nanoparticles for cancer therapy with biomolecules

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 10:21 AM PDT

Scientists have designed an eco-friendly protocol for synthesizing gold nanoparticles with optimized morphology for near-infrared light absorption using a biomolecule called B3 peptide. They report the synthesis of triangular and circular gold nanoplates and their effectiveness in killing cancer cells by converting the absorbed light into heat, providing useful insights for the development of non-invasive cancer therapy.

Deep machine learning completes information about the bioactivity of one million molecules

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 10:21 AM PDT

A newly developed tool predicts the biological activity of chemical compounds, key information to evaluate their therapeutic potential. Using artificial neural networks, scientists have inferred experimental data for a million compounds and have developed a package of programs to make estimates for any type of molecule.

Fast IR imaging-based AI identifies tumor type in lung cancer

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 10:21 AM PDT

The prognosis and effective therapies differ based on the type of lung cancer. While it previously took several days to precisely determine the underlying mutation, a research team has been able to reliably perform this determination in just one step using a combination of quantum cascade laser-based infrared microscopy and artificial intelligence.

Transforming the layered ferromagnet F5GT for future spintronics

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 09:49 AM PDT

Engineers have achieved record-high electron doping in a layered ferromagnet, causing magnetic phase transition -- with significant promise for future electronics. Control of magnetism by electric voltage is vital for developing future, low-energy high-speed nano-electronic and spintronic devices, such as spin-orbit torque devices and spin field-effect transistors.

Advanced care: Smart wound dressings with built-in healing sensors

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 09:30 AM PDT

New type of multifunctional wound dressings feature glowing nanosensors to track and monitor for infection. Harnessing the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory power of magnesium hydroxide, the smart dressings can also fight bacteria and reduce inflammation to help promote healing.

A way to surmount supercooling

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 09:30 AM PDT

Researchers study the use of nanoparticles to induce crystallization of supercooled aqueous solutions to clathrate hydrates. On the basis of scanning electron microscopy images, they discovered that silver nanoparticles are much more effective compared with palladium or gold. This research may open the way for new latent heat energy storage materials via enhanced supercooling control.

Transient pacemaker harmlessly dissolves in body

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 08:41 AM PDT

The thin, flexible, lightweight device could be used in patients who need temporary pacing after cardiac surgery or while waiting for a permanent pacemaker. All components of the pacemaker are biocompatible and naturally absorb into the body's biofluids over the course of five to seven weeks, without needing surgical extraction.

The Goldilocks Supernova

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 08:41 AM PDT

Scientists have discovered the first convincing evidence for a new type of stellar explosion -- an electron-capture supernova. While they have been theorized for 40 years, real-world examples have been elusive. They are thought to arise from the explosions of massive super-asymptotic giant branch (SAGB) stars, for which there has also been scant evidence.

New face mask prototype can detect COVID-19 infection

Posted: 28 Jun 2021 08:41 AM PDT

Engineers have designed a prototype face mask that can diagnose the person wearing the mask with Covid-19 within about 90 minutes. The technology can also be used to design wearable sensors for a variety of other pathogens or toxic chemicals.

Test distinguishes SARS-CoV-2 from other coronaviruses with 100-percent accuracy

Posted: 25 Jun 2021 12:56 PM PDT

Researchers have demonstrated a tablet-sized device that can reliably detect multiple COVID-19 antibodies and biomarkers simultaneously. Initial results show the test can distinguish between antibodies produced in response to SARS-CoV-2 and four other coronaviruses with 100-percent accuracy. The researchers are now working to see if the easy-to-use, energy-independent, point-of-care device can be used to predict the severity of a COVID-19 infection or a person's immunity against variants of the virus.