Rutgers University

This 3D printer gantry, which was utilized in the study, incorporates three nozzles (bottom right) – all of the parts used in the MF3 system are already commercially available

3D Printing

Multi-nozzle MF3 tech could revolutionize 3D printing

Although 3D printing technology continues to improve, it's still limited by relatively long print times and low resolution. A new technology could help, by simultaneously utilizing multiple small print nozzles instead of a single big one.

A selection of the headphones successfully tested, which ranged in price from an estimated $2.99 to $15,000

Wearables

HeadFi system gives dumb headphones smart functions

While there are some "smart" headphones that can perform multiple functions, the vast majority still just amplify music. A new system, however, could give those "dumb" headphones capabilities such as heart rate monitoring and gesture recognition.

A hydrogel lattice, without (left) and with (right) a coating – the coating materials included nanoporous polystyrene and a polystyrene-polybutadiene blend

3D Printing

"Electric mist" used to paint complex 3D-printed objects

3D printing may indeed allow for the creation of intricate objects, but what happens if you want to apply a coating to all of those nooks and crannies? Well, a newly-adapted technology should let you do so easily, with a minimum of waste.

A look inside the lab at Rutgers University, where scientists have discovered cheap new catalysts to turn CO2 into valuable products

Materials

Artificial photosynthesis breakthrough could turn CO2 into plastics on the cheap

Researchers at Rutgers University have made an exciting breakthrough, describing a new method of artificial photosynthesis that can convert carbon dioxide into the building blocks for plastics and other materials, and do so with greater efficiency and much more cheaply than ever before.

Researchers have developed a way to use regular Wi-Fi signals to screen bags for dangerous objects and chemicals

Telecommunications

Can Wi-Fi signals reveal hidden explosives?

It’s an unfortunate truth that weapons and explosives in public places are an increasing problem. But many screening technologies are bulky and expensive, and require staff to operate. Now a new study has found a way to tap into a type of signal that’s already ubiquitous in public places – Wi-Fi.

Rutger University researchers have created a humanoid figure out of a smart gel that can walk underwater by alternating electric currents

Materials

3D-printed hydrogel humanoid goes for an underwater walk

Hydrogels could make for robots that are more flexible, safer to be around and simpler to build and use. Now researchers at Rutgers University have developed a smart gel that can be 3D printed into a variety of shapes, and electrically-activated to make it “walk” underwater, grab and move objects.

The 3D-printed braille maps provide students with the layout of each of the training center's three floors

3D Printing

3D-printed braille maps to show students the way

A pair of researchers at Rutgers University School of Engineering came up with a way of improving the situation for students at a training center for the blind and visually impaired in New Brunswick by 3D-printing detailed braille maps of the facility.

A squiggly line like this may be more secure than your PIN

Mobile Technology

Finger-drawn lines could replace PINs on mobile devices

Researchers are working on a possible alternative to typed passcodes. They've discovered that passwords consisting of hand gestures used to draw free-form lines on a smartphone or tablet screen are much more difficult for "shoulder surfers" to copy after seeing.

Marine

Autonomous wave energy PowerBuoy device commences sea trial

Wave energy company Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) has commenced sea trials of an autonomous wave energy device that provides clean energy for sea-based radar and communications systems in remote ocean locations and in all wave conditions.