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Category: engineering

Record-breaking material emits infrared light better than it absorbs it, without violating the laws of physics

New results published in the journal Physical Review Letters detail how a specially designed metamaterial was able to tip the normally equal balance between thermal absorption and emission, enabling the material to better emit infrared light than absorb it.

At first glance, these findings appear to violate Kirchhoff’s law of , which states that—under specific conditions—an object will absorb (absorptivity) in one direction and emit it (emissivity) with equal intensity in another, a phenomenon known as reciprocity.

Over the past decade, however, scientists have begun exploring theoretical designs that, under the right conditions, could allow materials to break reciprocity. Understanding how a material absorbs and emits infrared light (heat) is central to many fields of science and engineering. Controlling how a material absorbs and emits infrared light could pave the way for advances in harvesting, thermal cloaking devices, and other technologies.

ReSURF: Stretchable, self-healing water quality sensor enables ultrafast surveillance

Clean, safe water is vital for human health and well-being. It also plays a critical role in our food security, supports high-tech industries, and enables sustainable urbanization. However, detecting contamination quickly and accurately remains a major challenge in many parts of the world.

A new device developed by researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) has the potential to significantly advance water quality monitoring and management.

Taking inspiration from the biological function of the oily protective layer found on , a team of researchers led by Associate Professor Benjamin Tee from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering in the College of Design and Engineering at NUS translated this concept into a versatile material, named ReSURF, capable of spontaneously forming a water-repellent interface.

Shape-shifting particles allow temperature control over fluid flow and stiffness

Imagine a liquid that flows freely one moment, then stiffens into a near-solid the next, and then can switch back with a simple change in temperature. Researchers at the University of Chicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering and NYU Tandon have now developed such a material, using tiny particles that can change their shape and stiffness on demand.

Their , “Tunable shear thickening, aging, and rejuvenation in suspensions of shape-memory endowed liquid crystalline particles,” published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, demonstrates a new way to regulate how dense suspensions—mixtures of solid particles in a fluid—behave under stress.

These new particles are made from liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs), a material that combines the structure of liquid crystals with the flexibility of rubber. When heated or cooled, the particles change shape: they soften and become round at higher temperatures, and stiffen into irregular, angular forms at lower ones. This change has a dramatic effect on how the flows.

Engineering nano-clouds that can change color, temperature and outwit heat sensors

How does a cloud stay cool under direct sunlight––or seem to vanish in infrared? In nature, phenomena like white cumulus clouds, gray storm systems, and even the hollow hairs of polar bears offer remarkable lessons in balancing temperature, color and invisibility. Inspired by these atmospheric marvels, researchers have now created a nanoscale “cloud” metasurface capable of dynamically switching between white and gray states—cooling or heating on demand––all while evading thermal detection.

Entropy engineering opens new avenue for robust quantum anomalous Hall effect in 2D magnets

A research team from the University of Wollongong’s (UOW) Institute for Superconducting and Electronic Materials (ISEM) has addressed a 40-year-old quantum puzzle, unlocking a new pathway to creating next-generation electronic devices that operate without losing energy or wasting electricity.

Published in Advanced Materials, the study is the work of UOW researchers led by Distinguished Professor Xiaolin Wang and Dr. M Nadeem, with Ph.D. candidate Syeda Amina Shabbir and Dr. Frank Fei Yun.

It introduces a new design concept to realize the elusive and highly sought-after quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect.

Researchers demonstrate giant photonic isolation and gyration

The original goal of the study was to get this asymmetry to a point of perfect isolation—that is, where there is zero interaction in one direction. They successfully achieved this goal by demonstrating a giant optical isolation effect, where the propagation of light in one direction was a million times easier than in the opposite direction.

But while exploring their test devices, the engineers encountered a surprise. Their approach was so efficient that they could even get past the isolation point to where the sign of the coupling simply flipped and the phase became direction dependent. This was something that had not been seen before in time modulated coupling and is an easy path to photonic gyration.

Going forward, the Illinois researchers will work to expand their findings. They are working with their partners specializing in condensed matter to explore how longer and more elaborate chains of resonators with this kind of tunable couplings could answer fundamental questions on topological physics. Simultaneously, from an engineering standpoint, they aim to create a pure gyrator which is a universal building block of many nonreciprocal devices.

From Mammoth Revival to Human Fertility with Dr. Eriona Hysolli | Singularity University

Join us for an exclusive 1-hour conversation with Dr. Eriona Hysolli, the visionary scientist bridging de-extinction technology and the future of human reproduction. Recognized by Time100 Next for her groundbreaking work reviving the woolly mammoth, Dr. Hysolli brings a unique perspective to reproductive biotechnology that you won’t find anywhere else.

In this informal Q&A session, we’ll explore how cutting-edge technologies originally developed for species conservation are now revolutionizing human fertility treatments. Dr. Hysolli will share insights on:
The latest breakthroughs in synthetic embryos and artificial wombs.
How in vitro gametogenesis could transform infertility treatment.
Lessons from mammoth de-extinction that apply to human reproductive health.
The intersection of genome engineering and fertility solutions.
Near-term commercial applications in reproductive biotechnology.

Drawing from her pioneering work at Yale, George Church’s lab at Harvard, and as Head of Biological Sciences at Colossal Biosciences, Dr. Hysolli offers a rare glimpse into technologies that could redefine human reproduction within the next decade.

The session will feature a moderated discussion followed by audience Q&A. Whether you’re an investor, entrepreneur, healthcare professional, or simply fascinated by the future of fertility, this conversation will provide essential insights into one of biotechnology’s most promising frontiers.

Subscribe: http://bit.ly/1Wq6gwm.

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Artificial photosynthesis system surpasses key efficiency benchmark for direct solar-to-hydrogen conversion

A research team affiliated with UNIST has introduced a cutting-edge modular artificial leaf that simultaneously meets high efficiency, long-term stability, and scalability requirements—marking a major step forward in green hydrogen production technology essential for achieving carbon neutrality.

Jointly led by Professors Jae Sung Lee, Sang Il Seok, and Ji-Wook Jang from the School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, this innovative system mimics natural leaves by producing solely from sunlight and water, without requiring external power sources or emitting during the process—a clean hydrogen production method. The study is published in Nature Communications.

Unlike conventional photovoltaic-electrochemical (PV-EC) systems, which generate electricity before producing hydrogen, this direct solar-to-chemical conversion approach reduces losses associated with and minimizes installation footprint. However, prior challenges related to low efficiency, durability, and scalability hindered commercial deployment.

Nanodomains hold the key to next-generation solar cells, researchers find

A new study, published in Nature Nanotechnology and featured on the journal’s front cover this month, has uncovered insights into the tiny structures that could take solar energy to the next level.

Researchers from the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB) have found that dynamic nanodomains within lead halide perovskites—materials at the forefront of solar cell innovation—hold a key to boosting their efficiency and stability. The findings reveal the nature of these microscopic structures, and how they impact the way electrons are energized by light and transported through the material, offering insights into more efficient solar cells.

The study was led by Milos Dubajic and Professor Sam Stranks from the Optoelectronic Materials and Device Spectroscopy Group at CEB, in collaboration with an international network, with key contributions from Imperial College London, UNSW Sydney, Colorado State University, ANSTO Sydney, and synchrotron facilities in Australia, the UK, and Germany.