NEWS RELEASES

Researchers have improved upon techniques that use thin films to compress infrared light, demonstrating three advantages that make the films more useful for practical applications. The researchers have proven that the “squeezed” infrared light can propagate at least four times further than previously shown; that the technology can “squeeze” a wider range of infrared wavelengths than previously demonstrated; and that the thin films can be integrated onto a variety of substrate materials and shapes.

Researchers developed a new machine learning method that, given a relevant amino acid sequence, can automatically predict the location of a protein in any human cell line down to the single-cell level. This advance could help clinicians identify certain diseases, streamline the process of drug discovery, and give biologists new insights into the effects of protein mutations.

A team of University of Wisconsin–Madison engineers created a twisty high-temperature heat exchanger that outperformed a traditional straight channel design in heat transfer, power density and effectiveness and used an innovative technique to 3D print and test the metal proof of concept.

To help reduce the United States’ reliance on foreign sources of critical materials, the U.S. Department of Energy is investing $17 million into 14 projects focused on strengthening the domestic supply chain through safe, sustainable, and cost-effective solutions. Among the selected projects is a collaboration led by Texas A&M University researchers who are developing a new way to pull rare earth elements out of old electronics like tablets, phones and circuit boards.