Engineering & Technology

How could we build a liveable space habitat?

In the not-too-distant future, humanity will be faced with the challenge of building permanent homes in space. For this to happen, space habitats will need to closely replicate Earth’s gravity, while dealing with the threat of radiation and meteorites from outer space. Through his research, Werner Grandl at Space Renaissance International in Italy considers how these challenges could be overcome. Through […]

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Engineering & Technology

Satellite internet technology: A double-edged sword

Medical care is increasingly reliant on the internet, thus alternatives, such as satellite internet, should be available in case terrestrial services fail. William Nahm, who is pursuing dual MD/MBA degrees from NYU Grossman School of Medicine and Harvard Business School, USA, emphasises the need for faster and more reliant satellite internet, especially in healthcare. While satellite internet provides a lifeline […]

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Engineering & Technology

Anamorphic cryptography: How can we ensure private communication?

Cryptosystems have been developed to send secure messages with the assumption that the receiver’s key – what the intended recipient needs to read the message – is secure from adversaries. However, there have been tensions, dubbed as ‘Crypto Wars’. Friction has arisen between governments, hoping to access encryption keys to learn about potential threats, and industry, which believes that the […]

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Engineering & Technology

Urban Drone Operation: How wind in cities could affect air taxis of the future

In cities, many companies are now considering urban air mobility vehicles, from drones for parcel delivery to air taxis for travel. However, gusts of air, especially around buildings, can create pockets of wind with different properties, which could cause areas of turbulence and affect the stability of the aircraft. A research team led by Dr Abdulghani Mohamed, senior lecturer at […]

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Engineering & Technology

Inclusivity, diversity, and gender equality in cybersecurity

Digital and communication technologies have revolutionised humanity; however, cyber attacks pose a constant threat that transcends national boundaries. As such, collaborative international approaches to cybersecurity are needed. Cybersecurity has traditionally been a male-dominated field. However, at Cardiff Metropolitan University in the UK, Dr Liqaa Nawaf and her colleagues have established a new, British Council-funded initiative to promote improved gender equality […]

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Engineering & Technology

Understanding field scattering in AlGaN/GaN heterostructure field-effect transistors

Field-effect transistors featuring stacked layers of semiconductors are important elements of many electrical devices, especially in wireless communication systems. Through a series of studies, research led by Professor Zhaojun Lin at Shandong University, China, has identified one particular mechanism driving an unavoidable limitation in these devices. By drawing from their new theoretical description of ‘polarisation Coulomb field scattering’, the team […]

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Engineering & Technology

Tonic thermoelectric materials – powering future technology

Are you wearing a smartwatch? If so, what powers it? Chances are, it’s charged using mains electricity. But soon your body’s heat could be powering your wearable devices, using thermopower. Thermoelectric (TE) generators convert thermal energy into electricity. However, conventional TE generators typically can’t provide the voltage levels needed in small, wearable devices. But ionic thermoelectric materials (i-TE materials) can. […]

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Engineering & Technology

Scaling down electronic components with diamond films

Diamonds are an engineer’s best friend. As well as their incredible hardness, diamonds have several physical properties that make them excellent for electrical devices – like light-emitting diodes (LEDs). One of the big challenges in electronics is continually trying to miniaturise devices: the smaller they become, the more heat is generated which reduces their lifespan, reliability, and efficiency. Effective thermal […]

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Engineering & Technology

Digital twin for integration of design, manufacturing, and maintenance

Design, manufacturing, and maintenance of industrial equipment are usually managed separately, making them inefficient in terms of time and cost. Dr Ming-Liang Zhu, Dr Fu-Zhen Xuan and colleagues at East China University of Science & Technology develop the concept of digital twin technology to increase the efficiency of all phases that make up a product’s lifecycle. Their research offers a […]

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Engineering & Technology

Trifluoromethylpyridine: Its chemistry and applications

Trifluoromethylpyridine (TFMP) and its intermediates are important ingredients for the development of agrochemical and pharmaceutical compounds. The presence of a fluorine atom and a carbon-containing pyridine are thought to bestow many of the distinctive physical–chemical properties observed with this class of compounds. Dr Masamitsu Tsukamoto and Mr Tadashi Nakamura, of Ishihara Sangyo Kaisha, Ltd, Japan, take a closer look at this […]

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