research and innovation

10 Nov 23

UK signs major deal with the US to develop nuclear fusion technology

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

The UK has signed a deal with the US to further research into advanced fusion energy as part of efforts to tackle the climate crisis. In a joint statement, the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and the US Department of Energy said that fusion could provide…

27 Oct 23

Nasa testing laser system to help ISS communicate 10 times faster with Earth

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation

The ILLUMA-T (Integrated Laser Communications Relay Demonstration Low Earth Orbit User Modem and Amplifier Terminal) payload will be launching to the International Space Station (ISS) next month to show how missions in low Earth orbit can benefit from laser communications. The system works by using invisible infrared light to send…

04 Oct 23

AI designs new robot from scratch in seconds

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation

The team tested the system by giving it a simple prompt: “Design a robot that can walk across a flat surface.” The computer started with a block about the size of a bar of soap. Knowing it was unable to walk, as instructed, the AI began making iterations of the…

02 Oct 23

Nasa validates a new AI-enabled form of energy

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

During the Energy & Mobility Conference & Expo in Cleveland, Ohio, the two organisations presented alternating direct current (ADC), a hybrid of Thomas Edison and Nikola Tesla technologies. The research has been led by Nasa Langley Research Center scientist Narasimha Prasad PhD, with the goal of developing an AI-enabled technology…

18 Aug 23

Scientists design tougher flash memory device for space missions

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation

The researchers have been able to build a flash memory device that can withstand the hazards encountered by space probes, including exposure to radiation and huge temperature swings, which can be challenging for traditional electronic circuits. Although semiconductors are usually made from silicon, gallium oxide allows scientists to build devices…

31 Jul 23

Supercapacitor made of concrete could provide renewable energy storage

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

The inconsistency of renewable energy production is one reason why power grids are still reliant on fossil fuels. For example, solar panels cannot generate energy at night and wind turbines do not work when the air is still. But MIT researchers believe their energy storage device, which is a supercapacitor…

25 Jul 23

Solar energy could help purify water, researchers find

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

A team of researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have suggested that renewable solar energy could play a crucial role in purifying water. Currently, water purification processes rely on electrochemical separation processes that are able to separate different particles within a solution. Although energy-efficient, this technique relies on energy derived…

21 Jul 23

Flying taxi factory to be built in Brazil

Civil, Structural & Architecture, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

On the 150th anniversary of the birth of Brazilian aviation pioneer Alberto Santos Dumont, Brazilian aeronautics firm Embraer and its subsidiary Eve Air Mobility have announced their plans to build a factory for "electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft" or eVTOL. The companies have already received orders for 2,850 eVTOLs worth…

14 Jul 23

Energy grid upgrade costs could be slashed with coordinated software approach

Electrical, Electronics & Instrumentation, Mechanical, Production & Manufacturing

Demand for electricity is expected to soar as decarbonisation efforts in industry and transport creates greater demand. This has prompted concerns that current infrastructure is not ready for the increased loads, especially considering the demand from a rapid switch towards electric vehicles. Researchers from Stanford University believe that many infrastructure…

14 Jul 23

Futuristic concrete made from fungi allows for eco-friendly construction

Geotechnical & Environmental

Using the knitted moulds as a flexible framework or ‘formwork’, the scientists created a composite called ‘mycocrete’ which is stronger and more versatile in terms of shape and form, allowing the scientists to grow lightweight and relatively eco-friendly construction materials. “Our ambition is to transform the look, feel and wellbeing…