Fraunhofer Society

“The number of applications of this new technology is vast.” A team of engineers has developed a new acousto-optic device that can shape and steer beams of light at speeds never before achieved. The new technology will enable better optical devices to be made, such as holographs that can move rapidly in real time. The

If someone asks you to describe a solar power plant you’d likely look to convey an image of row upon row of sun-soaking panels pointing skyward. It’s doubtful that the first thought to pop into your head would be of someone’s home, unless of course you’ve already witnessed the likes of the Heliotrope. Sited at

Could a glow-in-the-dark dye be the next advancement in energy storage technology? Scientists at the University at Buffalo think so. They have identified a fluorescent dye called BODIPY as an ideal material for stockpiling energy in rechargeable, liquid-based batteries that could one day power cars and homes. BODIPY — short for boron-dipyrromethene — shines brightly

Robot saved, people take the hit To what extent are people prepared to show consideration for robots? A new study suggests that, under certain circumstances, some people are willing to endanger human lives – out of concern for robots. Robots are now being employed not just for hazardous tasks, such as detecting and disarming mines.

Research paves the way for alloys that are 3x stronger than steel yet bend like gum Creating futuristic, next generation materials called ‘metallic glass‘ that are ultra-strong and ultra-flexible will become easier and cheaper, based on UNSW Australia research that can predict for the first time which combinations of metals will best form these useful

The people who run U.S. Steel have not had much reason to celebrate in a long time. Once the icon of American manufacturing, the company became shorthand for the country’s industrial decline. For decades, it ignored innovation and was undercut by cheaper Asian producers and outflanked by U.S. start-ups. Its brief glory in the mid-2000s

Researchers from North Carolina State University and Elon University have developed a technique that allows them to remotely control the movement of soft robots, lock them into position for as long as needed and later reconfigure the robots into new shapes. The technique relies on light and magnetic fields. “We’re particularly excited about the reconfigurability,”

New findings could one day help orthopaedic surgeons better deal with battlefield injuries Bones are resilient and heal well after most fractures. But in cases of traumatic injury, in which big pieces of bone are missing, healing is much more difficult, if not impossible. These so-called “large segmental defects” are a major clinical problem, and

The development of affordable and efficient ceramic fuel cells that could be used to power homes, the culmination of five years worth of work by Colorado School of Mines researchers, is featured in the July 23 issue of Science magazine. The research, led by Mines Professor Ryan O’Hayre, would enable more efficient use of natural