University of Wollongong

Tiny robots could serve useful functions, but shrinking actuators has proven challenging. Now researchers at the University of Wollongong have made artificial muscles that surpass your puny natural ones, inspired by the “supercoiling” of DNA strands.

Following years of research and development, an accidental fire and rebuild, and around a month in the Dubai desert, Virginia Tech students have won the 2018 Solar Decathlon Middle East with the FutureHaus. The prefabricated modular home runs from solar power and was assembled in under two days.

Fiber optics allows for ultra-fast communication systems, and more data can be crammed in by "twisting" the light. Now, Australian researchers have developed a device to decode beams that’s small enough to fit over the end of a fiber optic cable.

Cancer cells have gone rogue and are dividing unchecked, and now Australian researchers have designed a new molecule that may put a stop to that. It targets a protein called PCNA, a donut-shaped structure that plays a key role in cell division, which could lead to a new class of cancer treatments.

Potential cancer treatments often come from unexpected sources. Now, tests have shown that a type of molecule originally derived from sea snail eggs has performed surprisingly well in destroying cancer cells, particularly those that have become resistant to other treatments.

With a view to bringing bespoke rides to more surfers, Australian researchers are 3D printing fins that can be tailored to individuals and their local waves.

Researchers at the University of Wollongong (UOW) have used 3D printing technology to produce custom flutes able to play microtonal notes that are not achievable with standard manufacturing techniques, thus opening up a whole new series of tones to flute players.

Researchers at the University of Wollongong, Australia, have created a 3D printer-compatible hydrogel that is mechanically tough and able to repeatedly change shape in response to water temperature.

An international team of scientists has successfully used special fabric to serve as an electricity-generating triboelectric nanogenerator. The research could pave the way for clothing that charges devices simply by moving.

Almost one in five women avoid exercise because of breast-related problems such as pain, breast bounce and not being able to find the right sports bra. The Bionic Bra, which quickly adjusts to breast movement, providing more - or less - support as required, should provide welcome relief.

Dr Shahriar Hossain from the University of Woolongong in Australia is looking to overcome the problems posed by gearboxes in wind turbines by replacing them with a superconducting coil to slash production costs and drastically improve efficiency.

Scientist have used ordinary fishing line and sewing thread to create artificial muscles. With possible applications including robotics and prostheses, they're 100 times more powerful than human muscles of the same size.