Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a combination of software and hardware that will allow them to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and insect cyborgs, or biobots, to map large, unfamiliar areas – such as collapsed buildings after a disaster. “The idea would be to release a swarm of sensor-equipped biobots – such […]
Efficient Approach For Tracking Physical Activity With Wearable Health Devices
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed an energy-efficient technique for accurately tracking a user’s physical activity based on data from wearable devices. One goal for wearable health technologies is to identify and track physical activity by the wearer. However, accomplishing this goal requires a trade-off between accuracy and the power needed for data […]
Researchers Find Way To Tune Thermal Conductivity Of 2-D Materials
Researchers have found an unexpected way to control the thermal conductivity of two-dimensional (2-D) materials, which will allow electronics designers to dissipate heat in electronic devices that use these materials. 2-D materials have a layered structure, with each layer having strong bonds horizontally, or “in plane,” and weak bonds between the layers, or “out of […]
Lightweight, Wearable Tech Efficiently Converts Body Heat To Electricity
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new design for harvesting body heat and converting it into electricity for use in wearable electronics. The experimental prototypes are lightweight, conform to the shape of the body, and can generate far more electricity than previous lightweight heat harvesting technologies. The researchers also identified the optimal […]
Food Additive Key To Environmentally Friendly, Efficient, Plastic Solar Cells
Researchers from North Carolina State University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have created an efficient, semi-printed plastic solar cell without the use of environmentally hazardous halogen solvents. These solar cells can be manufactured at room temperature, which has implications for large-scale commercial production. Plastic solar cells, or organic photovoltaics, are popular because they are […]
New Tech Promises to Boost Electric Vehicle Efficiency, Range
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new type of inverter device with greater efficiency in a smaller, lighter package — which should improve the fuel-efficiency and range of hybrid and electric vehicles. Electric and hybrid vehicles rely on inverters to ensure that enough electricity is conveyed from the battery to the motor […]
New Technique Improves Accuracy of Computer Vision Technologies
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new technique that improves the ability of computer vision technologies to better identify and separate objects in an image, a process called segmentation. Image processing and computer vision are important for multiple applications, from autonomous vehicles to detecting anomalies in medical imaging. Computer vision technologies use […]
New Tech To Help Companies Detect And Respond To Cloud Computing Performance Bugs
In late 2012, Helen Gu presented a research paper on a new tool designed to prevent disruptions in cloud computing. Less than four years later, she has launched a start-up to help companies that use cloud computing improve the user experience for their customers. “The technology I developed has evolved significantly since 2012,” says Gu, […]
Domain Size and Purity Key to Efficient Organic Solar Cells
As solar energy becomes more popular, the drive to create more efficient, less expensive solar cells increases. Solar energy is abundant, but the devices we use to collect that energy have an efficiency problem – currently, the most efficient polymer-based solar cells operate at a shade under 11 percent efficiency. A major reason behind this […]
Researchers Find Way To Create Wide Variety Of New Holograms
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed techniques that can be used to create ideal geometric phase holograms for any kind of optical pattern – a significant advance over the limitations of previous techniques. The holograms can be used to create new types of displays, imaging systems, telecommunications technology and astronomical instruments. A geometric […]