The power source for implanted medical devices, electric cars, unmanned aerial vehicles, and other such objects is vital to their performance. So, what would happen if that powerhouse of energy — a lithium battery — failed? An electric or hybrid car would be rendered useless and a much-needed biomedical device would hamper a patient’s health.…
Polymer Professor Develops Safer Component for Lithium Batteries
The power source for things like implanted medical devices, electric cars or unmanned aerial vehicles are vital to their performance. So, what would happen if that powerhouse of energy — a lithium battery — failed? An electric or hybrid car would render useless and a much-needed biomedical device would hamper a patient’s health. These are…
Smart Sensors Foresee Power Outages
Who turned out the lights? Since the natural breakdown of overhead power lines and underground cables is frequently discovered only after power has been lost, University of Akron researchers are taking a field-proven detection technology from Exacter, Inc. that can reliably predict, detect, and prevent problems with electrical equipment and miniaturizing it for applications on…
Nature’s Smallest Rainbows, Created by Peacock Spiders, May Inspire New Optical Technology
Brightly colored Australian peacock spiders (Maratus spp.) captivate even the most arachnophobic viewers with their flamboyant courtship displays featuring diverse and intricate body colorations, patterns, and movements – all packed into miniature bodies measuring less than 5 mm in size for many species. However, these displays aren’t just pretty to look at, they also inspire…
New Structural Color Inspired by Tarantulas
Inspired by the hair of blue tarantulas, researchers from The University of Akron lead a team that made a structural-colored material that shows consistent color from all viewing directions. This finding overturns the conventional wisdom that long-range order photonic structures are always iridescent, opening new potential to mass produce structural colors because highly ordered designs…