North Carolina State University researchers have developed a new framework for building deep neural networks via grammar-guided network generators. In experimental testing, the new networks—called AOGNets—have outperformed existing state-of-the-art frameworks, including the widely-used ResNet and DenseNet systems, in visual recognition tasks. “AOGNets have better prediction accuracy than any of the networks we’ve compared it to,”…
New Microscopy Works at Extreme Heat, Sheds Light on Alloys for Nuclear Reactors
A new microscopy technique allows researchers to track microstructural changes in real time, even when a material is exposed to extreme heat and stress. Recently, researchers show that a stainless steel alloy called alloy 709 has potential for elevated temperature applications such as nuclear reactor structures. “Alloy 709 is exceptionally strong and resistant to damage…
Gold Nanoparticles Activate Sequential Unfolding of 3-D Structures
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new technique that takes advantage of gold nanoparticles to trigger the sequential unfolding of three-dimensional structures using different wavelengths of light. Specifically, the technique makes use of the fact that different shapes of gold nanoparticles convert different wavelengths of light into heat. In this instance, researchers…
Flexible, Stretchable Silver Nanowire Circuits Printed Using New Method
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new technique that allows them to print circuits on flexible, stretchable substrates using silver nanowires. The advance makes it possible to integrate the material into a wide array of electronic devices. Silver nanowires have drawn significant interest in recent years for use in many applications, ranging…
Atomic Structure of Ultrasound Material Reveals a Surprise
Lead magnesium niobate (PMN) is a prototypical “relaxor” material, used in a wide variety of applications, from ultrasound to sonar. Researchers have now used state-of-the-art microscopy techniques to see exactly how atoms are arranged in PMN — and it’s not what anyone expected. “This work gives us information we can use to better understand how…
Metal Printing Produces Cheap, Flexible, Stretchable Electronics
Researchers from North Carolina State University have developed a new technique for directly printing metal circuits, creating flexible, stretchable electronics. The technique can use multiple metals and substrates and is compatible with existing manufacturing systems that employ direct printing technologies. “Flexible electronics hold promise for use in many fields, but there are significant manufacturing costs…
Researchers Accidentally Improve Nickel Nanoparticles
Researchers from North Carolina State University and the Air Force Research Laboratory have discovered that a technique designed to coat nickel nanoparticles with silica shells actually fragments the material — creating a small core of oxidized nickel surrounded by smaller satellites embedded in a silica shell. The surprising result may prove useful by increasing the…
Rough Microparticles Can Mean Big Problems
New research from North Carolina State University, MIT, and the University of Michigan finds that the surface texture of microparticles in a liquid suspension can cause internal friction that significantly alters the suspension’s viscosity — effectively making the liquid thicker or thinner. The finding can help address problems for companies in fields from biopharmaceuticals to…
A New Manufacturing Process for SiC Power Devices
Researchers from North Carolina State University are rolling out a new manufacturing process and chip design for silicon carbide (SiC) power devices, which can be used to more efficiently regulate power in technologies that use electronics. The process — called PRESiCETM — was developed with support from the PowerAmerica Institute funded by the Department of…
‘Spincasting’ Holds Promise for Creation of Nanoparticle Thin Films
Researchers from North Carolina State University have investigated the viability of a technique called “spincasting” for creating thin films of nanoparticles on an underlying substrate – an important step in the creation of materials with a variety of uses, from optics to electronics. Spincasting, which utilizes centrifugal force to distribute a liquid onto a solid…
Nano-Kebab Fabric Overpowers Chemical Warfare Agents
Researchers have created a fabric material containing nanoscale fibers that are capable of degrading chemical warfare agents (CWAs). Uniform coatings of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were synthesized on top of the nanofibers, forming unique kebab-like structures. These MOFs are what break down the CWAs, rendering them harmless. “Current technologies for addressing CWAs rely on carbon-based materials…
Wearable Technology Turns Body Heat into Electricity
Researchers at North Carolina State University have developed a new design for harvesting body heat and converting it into electricity for use in wearable electronics. The experimental prototypes are lightweight, conform to the shape of the body, and can generate far more electricity than previous lightweight heat harvesting technologies. The researchers also identified the optimal…
Novel Materials Plus Silicon Chips Equals New Smart Devices
Researchers from North Carolina State University and the U.S. Army Research Office have developed a way to integrate novel functional materials onto a computer chip, allowing the creation of new smart devices and systems. The novel functional materials are oxides, including several types of materials that, until now, could not be integrated onto silicon chips:…