48% efficiency boost brings eco-friendly air con a step closer

We’re caught in a vicious circle of facing increasing temperatures across the planet, and combating that with air conditioning – which in turn causes global warming. A problem worth throwing a whole lot of science at, if there ever was one.Continue Rea… Continue reading 48% efficiency boost brings eco-friendly air con a step closer

Robotic insect moves across the water via world-record tech

Water striders are fascinating to watch, as they scoot across the water while supported by surface tension. Scientists have now built a tiny robotic version of the insect, which utilizes a record-breaking actuator to get a move on.Continue ReadingCateg… Continue reading Robotic insect moves across the water via world-record tech

Hyundai unveils car tires with built-in, push-button snow chains

Hyundai has presented a new wheel and tire design that incorporates built-in snow chains that deploy and retract at the push of a button, potentially putting an end to the fiddly, freezing process of wrapping and removing traditional snow chains.Contin… Continue reading Hyundai unveils car tires with built-in, push-button snow chains

NASA-inspired airless bicycle tires are now available for purchase

Two years ago, we heard how the Ohio-based Smart Tire Company was developing shape memory airless bicycle tires. Well, the resulting Metl tires can now be purchased via – you guessed it – a Kickstarter campaign.Continue ReadingCategory: Bicycles, Trans… Continue reading NASA-inspired airless bicycle tires are now available for purchase

KnitDema glove puts the electronic squeeze on swollen fingers

Hand edema, which is a swelling of the fingers due to the accumulation of fluid from injury or disease, is typically treated via a hand massage performed by a therapist. A new finger-massaging glove, however, may offer a less costly and more accessible… Continue reading KnitDema glove puts the electronic squeeze on swollen fingers

Shape-memory implant may keep immobilized muscles from wasting away

When a limb is rendered immobile for long periods of time, its muscles will inevitably begin to atrophy. A new implant could help keep that from happening, however, by mechanically stretching and compressing those muscles.Continue ReadingCategory: Medi… Continue reading Shape-memory implant may keep immobilized muscles from wasting away

Smallest-ever remote-control walking robot uses shape-memory alloy

Researchers at Northwestern University in Illinois have demonstrated the world’s smallest remote-controlled walking robot, at just half a millimeter wide. Such tiny machines can bend, twist, crawl, walk, turn and jump without hydraulics or electricity…. Continue reading Smallest-ever remote-control walking robot uses shape-memory alloy

Active Aero Wheel features brake-heat-activated cooling vents

Although a completely flat-surfaced wheel would be aerodynamic, it would also be hard to keep cool – especially during the braking process. An experimental new wheel rim, however, has cooling vents that open as needed … and they’re activated by heat.Co… Continue reading Active Aero Wheel features brake-heat-activated cooling vents

Active Aero Wheel features brake-heat-activated cooling vents

Although a completely flat-surfaced wheel would be aerodynamic, it would also be hard to keep cool – especially during the braking process. An experimental new wheel rim, however, has cooling vents that open as needed … and they’re activated by heat.Co… Continue reading Active Aero Wheel features brake-heat-activated cooling vents

Shape-memory alloy component could make for quieter aircraft landings

Although an airliner’s engines may be quite loud on takeoff, its wings also create a lot of wind noise when it’s landing. According to a new study, the latter problem could be addressed with the addition of a shape-memory alloy filler within the wing.C… Continue reading Shape-memory alloy component could make for quieter aircraft landings