UCF Engineering Professor Necati Catbas collaborated with his former civil engineering student Marwan Debees ’23PhD, who now works as a NASA Bridge Program manager, on newly published research that details how infrared thermography, high-definition imaging and neural network analysis can combine to make concrete bridge inspections more efficient.

Catbas and Debees are hopeful that their findings, recently published in the Transportation Research Record, can be leveraged by engineers through a combination of these methods to strategically pinpoint bridge conditions and better allocate repair costs.

Millions of years of evolution have enabled some marine animals to grow complex protective shells composed of multiple layers that work together to dissipate physical stress. In a new study, engineers have found a way to mimic the behavior of this type of layered material, such as seashell nacre, by programming individual layers of synthetic material to work collaboratively under stress. The new material design is poised to enhance energy-absorbing systems such as wearable bandages and car bumpers with multistage responses that adapt to collision severity.

A new Nature Communications paper describes a longer-lasting, 3D-printed, adhesive-free wearable capable of providing a more comprehensive picture of a user's physiological state.

In the laboratory, the species Monoraphidium contortum removed some of the drugs added to the liquid and produced biomass with potential commercial value.

A study published in Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts details the development of anion exchangers from microfibrillated cellulose using glycidyltriethylammonium chloride. The resulting material demonstrates high ion exchange capacity and efficiency in removing pollutants like nitrates, sulphates, and phosphates from water.

A study published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts details the development of an ultra-robust hydrogel using bamboo cellulose-derived carbon nanomaterials. The hydrogel shows significant improvements in mechanical strength, adhesion, and conductivity, with potential applications in flexible electronics and wearable devices.

A new study published in the Journal of Bioresources and Bioproducts explores the shear performance of wood-frame shear walls with wooden nail connections. Through experimental and finite element analysis, the research evaluates the impact of various parameters on lateral resistance, providing valuable insights for sustainable timber construction.