NEWS RELEASES

Researchers in the Department of Physics at Auburn University, in collaboration with scientists at Sandia National Laboratories, have developed a new method for accurately measuring microscopic defects in semiconductor materials. The work addresses a longstanding challenge in electronic device characterization by introducing a physics-based framework that improves the reliability of a widely used measurement technique. The advance could help improve high-efficiency semiconductor technologies used in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and next-generation power electronics.

Hospitals in Baltimore see an uptick in asthma-related emergency room cases in the weeks following nighttime heat waves in their neighboring communities. The findings suggest heat alert systems that rely on daytime temperature forecasts may need to be updated to be more helpful for people with asthma or other heat-sensitive health conditions.

Salicylic acid, the active molecule in aspirin and some acne medications, is a hormone in plants that is essential for immunity, but it’s a double-edged sword: Too much can cause autoimmunity and stunt growth. In a new study UC Davis researchers discovered that plants use a surprising multi-layered system to regulate salicylic acid levels and keep their immune system in check.

A model developed by Washington State University researchers can predict how transmission towers might fail and collapse in extreme wind events. The work, reported in the journal, Engineering Structures, could someday help power companies identify the most vulnerable transmission towers in extreme wind events and determine which should have retrofits to reduce the power outage risks.