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Vascular composites enable dynamic structural materials
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Taking their cue from biological circulatory systems, University of Illinois researchers have developed vascularized structural composites, creating materials that are lightweight and strong with potential for self-healing, self-cooling, metamaterials and more. “We can make a material now that’s truly multifunctional by simply circulating fluids that do different things within the same material […]
New 3-D photonic crystals have both electronic and optical properties
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – In an advance that could open new avenues for solar cells, lasers, metamaterials and more, researchers at the University of Illinois have demonstrated the first optoelectronically active 3-D photonic crystal. “We’ve discovered a way to change the three-dimensional structure of a well-established semiconductor material to enable new optical properties while maintaining its […]
Silver pen has the write stuff for flexible electronics
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The pen may have bested the sword long ago, but now it’s challenging wires and soldering irons. University of Illinois engineers have developed a silver-inked rollerball pen capable of writing electrical circuits and interconnects on paper, wood and other surfaces. The pen is writing whole new chapters in low-cost, flexible and disposable […]
Self-cooling observed in graphene electronics
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – With the first observation of thermoelectric effects at graphene contacts, University of Illinois researchers found that graphene transistors have a nanoscale cooling effect that reduces their temperature. Led by mechanical science and engineering professor William King and electrical and computer engineering professor Eric Pop, the team will publish its findings in the […]
Why has it been so difficult to stabilize Japan’s damaged nuclear reactors?
Since the March 10 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, workers have struggled to cool damaged reactors and contain radiation at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant. Rizwan Uddin is a professor of nuclear, plasma, and radiological engineering at Illinois. In an interview with News Bureau physical sciences editor Liz Ahlberg, he discusses the ongoing struggles […]
Batteries charge very quickly and retain capacity, thanks to new structure
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The batteries in Illinois professor Paul Braun’s lab look like any others, but they pack a surprise inside. Braun’s group developed a three-dimensional nanostructure for battery cathodes that allows for dramatically faster charging and discharging without sacrificing energy storage capacity. The researchers’ findings will be published in the March 20 advance online […]
Radiation exposure: How much is too much
Residents have been told to evacuate the vicinity near the nuclear reactors damaged in Japan March 10 as a result of the historic earthquake and tsunami. The concern is radiation emanating from damaged reactors at the Fukushima Dai-ichi power plant, where several of the six reactors have been compromised. James F. Stubbins, professor and head […]
Radiation exposure: How much is too much
The unprecedented earthquake and tsunami in Japan March 10 have left thousands dead, destroyed villages and damaged many of the nation’s nuclear reactors. James F. Stubbins, professor and head of the department of nuclear, plasma, and radiological engineering at the University of Illinois, discusses what is a very fluid situation. He was interviewed by Jeff […]
Memory advance would extend mobile-device battery life
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Technophiles who have been dreaming of mobile devices that run longer on lighter, slimmer batteries may soon find their wish has been granted. University of Illinois engineers have developed a form of ultra-low-power digital memory that is faster and uses 100 times less energy than similar available memory. The technology could give […]
Stretchable balloon electronics get to the heart of cardiac medicine
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Cardiologists may soon be able to place sensitive electronics inside their patients’ hearts with minimal invasiveness, enabling more sophisticated and efficient diagnosis and treatment of arrhythmias. A team of materials scientists, mechanical and electrical engineers, and physicians has successfully integrated stretchable electronics technology with standard endocardial balloon catheters. Led by John A. […]
Physicists isolate bound states in graphene superconductor junctions
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – Illinois researchers have documented the first observations of some unusual physics when two prominent electric materials are connected: superconductors and graphene. Led by University of Illinois physics professor Nadya Mason, the group published its findings in the journal Nature Physics. When a current is applied to a normal conductor, such as metal […]
John A. Rogers elected to National Academy of Engineering
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – John A. Rogers, the Lee J. Flory-Founder Chair in Engineering at the University of Illinois, is among the 68 new members elected to the National Academy of Engineering. Election to the NAE is one of the highest professional honors an engineer can garner. The 2,290 members and 202 foreign associates are an […]