At Purdue Univ., researchers created a soft robot inspired by the chameleon tongue, and also developed a soft gripper, both of which exploit the power of elastic energy.
As concerns over fossil fuels consumption rise, engineers are exploring novel energy feedstocks such as sugarcane and cornstarch. These biomass sources can be exploited to produce valuable biofuels and bioproducts, but they pose potential competition with commercial food crops and engender an unsustainable reliance on land use.
Aircraft design continues to evolve, as engineers boost airplane performance with cutting-edge technologies. At North Carolina State Univ. (NCSU), researchers have developed a material that outperforms aluminum, the standard base for airplane wings.
By adopting a modified cell-printing technique, engineers at Pohang Univ. of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in South Korea have created the most functional 3D-printed blood vessel to date.
Bioengineers at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) are using unique, engineered enzymes to destroy infectious bacterial cells with little risk of the bacteria developing resistance over time.
Going Against the Grain: Vertical Farming in the City; Metal Foam Streamlines Airplane Wings; Creating Artificial Blood Vessels to Combat Heart Disease; Sticky Chameleon Tongue Inspires Robotics; Catalyzing the Battle Against Antibiotic Resistance; Municipal Waste Provides Feedstocks for Biofuels
Steam tracing systems are used throughout oil and gas and chemical facilities. Common problems, such as steam locking caused by incorrect installation, can hinder the performance of these systems.
