Probiotics Protect Bleached Corals from Death: Beneficial Microorganisms

Coral reefs harbour the highest biodiversity of any ecosystem globally. Constant rise in temperature is causing havoc to marine life as well. Coral reefs across the globe are suffering from bleaching and mass mortality due to warming ocean temperatures. Recent research by King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) shows probiotic treatment can boost coral health.

Read More

Chameleon Inspired Next-Generation Artificial Camouflage: Biomimicry

To depict natural camouflage characteristics via artificial camouflage at device level has remained a challenge since decades. However, researchers at Seoul National University have developed an artificial camouflage that can adapt and blend with its surroundings. A defense strategy as seen in the case of chameleon that changes its appearance to avoid predators.

Read More

Interview: Dr. Song Chaoyang, Assistant Professor at Southern University of Science and Technology China

Dr. Song Chaoyang is an Assistant Professor, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) China. His Bionic Design + Learning Lab conducts research in Bionic Design, Robot Learning and Design Science. His team’s vision is to create advanced robotic systems that are sustainable and intelligent.

Read More

Stars Spin Faster as They Age: Weakened Magnetic Braking

Stars are the building blocks of galaxies. Turbulence, that is, the result of chaotic changes in pressure and velocity deep within the dust clouds gives rise to some mass. This “mass” results in stellar gravity due to which, the peripheral dust and gas start to disintegrate under its own gravitational attraction. And hence, star formation takes place.

Read More

Interview: Dr Dylan Drotman, Robotics Engineer at University of California San Diego

It’s our honor to have Dr Dylan Drotman from University of California San Diego with us today. Dr Drotman’s research interests focus on the design, modeling, fabrication, and actuation of physically soft robots that are powered by air or water. He obtained his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering at University of California San Diego. He has also been a Guest Lecturer in Experimental Robotics, Soft Robotics and Computer Aided Design & Analysis.

Read More

Super Strong Artificial Muscles: Interactive Soft Robotics

An Italian team of researchers lead by Prof. Marco Fontana, in collaboration with the departments of Industrial Engineering of the Universities of Trento and Bologna, have created an Electrostatic Bellow Muscle (EBM) to fabricate efficient small-scale robots. The innovative robotic muscle has potential of powering itself for a long period of time beyond its preliminary charge.

Read More

Interview: Professor Sheng Xu, Nanotech Scientist at University of California San Diego

It’s our honour to have Professor Sheng Xu from University of California San Diego with us today. Dr Xu’s research interests focus on the understanding of the electrical and mechanical behaviors of inorganic materials when they are engineered into a soft format; which can further be morphed into soft electronics, nano electronics and energy harvesting/storage devices. He obtained his B.S. in Chemistry and Molecular Engineering from Peking University in Beijing, China in 2006. While he received his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering in 2010 at Georgia Institute of Technology,…

Read More

One Epidermal Patch to track Cardiovascular and Multiple Biomarkers: Wearable Microelectronics

Monitoring cardiovascular signals and multiple biochemical levels together on one tiny wearable patch has always been a far-fetched dream in the nanotech world. Scientists across the globe are still trying to figure it out however, researchers at the University of California San Diego have done something extraordinary in soft, stretchy skin patch.

Read More