University of Pittsburgh

$Runoff from fracking operations is not usually considered a good thing, but a new finding reveals it could be a source of a very valuable metal$

Energy

40% of US lithium needs could come from unlikely source in Pennsylvania

Thanks to the increase of electric vehicles and other battery-using technologies, the demand for lithium is expected to skyrocket in the coming years. One odd but potent source of the metal is a Pennsylvania wastewater stream, says a new study.

Chips embedded in the metamaterial may even help driverless cars stay on the road one day

Technology

Metamaterial concrete lays foundation for smart, self-powered infrastructure

Traditional concrete is so last century. A team of engineers has created a concrete that is strong but flexible, can generate electricity and have its qualities fine-tuned for tailor-made builds. And one day it might even help guide driverless cars.

Thanks to its nanoscale "grassy" structure, a new kind of glass can switch between clear and cloudy in seconds just by adding or removing water

Materials

"Nanograss" glass turns clear or cloudy on command – just add water

With blinds in front of our windows, we usually have to choose between light and privacy, but “smart glass" can toggle its opacity as needed. Now a University of Pittsburgh team has developed a new type of glass that can switch between hazy and clear in seconds – just add water.

The PneuChair has a range of only about three miles, but takes just 10 minutes to recharge

Good Thinking

Waterproof wheelchair is powered by air

It's safe to say that generally-speaking, electricity and water don't mix. So, what do you do if you're designing a powered wheelchair for use in a splash park? If you're part of a team at the University of Pittsburgh, you power it using compressed air.

Nathan Copeland, paralyzed for over 10 years, has been able to experience the sensation of touch again through a robotic arm developed by the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC

Robotics

Robotic arm gives quadriplegic man a new sense of touch

The same team responsible for a thought-controlled robotic arm demonstrated in 2012 has recreated the physical feeling of touch through a robotic hand, allowing a quadriplegic man to feel "his" fingers and hand for the first time in 10 years.

Quadriplegic Jan Scheuermann prepares to take a bite out of a chocolate bar she is guiding into her mouth with a thought-controlled robot arm while research assistant Brian Wodlinger, Ph.D., watches on (Photo: UPMC)

Robotics

Quadriplegic woman gets chocolate fix using thought-controlled robotic arm

Quadriplegic Jan Scheuermann has been able to feed herself chocolate using a robotic arm directly controlled by her thoughts thanks to researchers from the University of Pittsburgh.