Michigan Tech

You may think that water striders move across the water's surface simply by wiggling their legs, but they actually utilize what is known as the Maragoni effect. Scientists have now utilized the phenomenon in a tiny, silent, water-striding robot.

Orbiting satellites are mostly propelled by gravity. But electrospray propulsion is sometimes used to reposition them. The fine nozzles in such systems are notoriously prone to breakage though, so researchers developed a way to create them out of their own fuel source, making them self-healing.

When removing tumors, surgeons rely on what they can see with their eyes, but at a smaller scale, cancerous cells could be left behind that could grow into new malignancies. A new technique could lead to glow-in-the-dark tumors that would help guide surgeons to the exact tissue needing extraction.

When oxygen interacts with uranium, an oxidation reaction occurs that, when mixed with other elements, can create secondary minerals much like rust forms on metal. Three such minerals never before spotted have been found in the Red Canyon region of Utah growing on the walls of old uranium mines.

Following the lead of Tokyo police last month, a team of mechanical engineers has devised a retrieval system that captures small drones and carries them unharmed to desired location. ​​

Computer-controlled artificial legs have aided in improving amputees' freedom of movement by mimicking the natural motion of their missing limbs. Now, a new robotic ankle promises to make this motion even more precise by dynamically adjusting to the terrain underfoot.

With the aim of improving clinicians' interpreting of ultrasound elstography images for breast cancer diagnosis, researchers at Michigan Technological University (MTU) have created a fake breast – that's silicon fake, not silicone fake.

To help bring the phones back on line to aid in recovery efforts during disasters, researchers at Michigan Technological University are developing a team of robots designed to restore power to towers and other communication sites.

Syringe pumps can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. But researchers from Michigan Technological University have now created an open-source library of 3D-printable designs, enabling anyone in need of the commonly used scientific tool to produce their own at a fraction of the cost.

While current communications platforms offer up plenty of content for our eyes and ears, some feel that our noses are missing out on all the fun and have developed the oPhone, a Bluetooth-enabled odor emitting device designed to enable users to send smells to one another as a text or email.

At this juncture in time, humanity does not know how to travel into the past, or even if such a concept has any meaning. So if you are an astrophysicist who wants to discover something about time travel, what do you do? You look for time travelers on Twitter.

The 3D printing revolution could be set to enter a new phase with a team from Michigan Technical University building a metal 3D printer for under $1,500. The team has made everything required to build the printer, including detailed plans, software and firmware, freely available.