news

Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - Microtechnics/Electroengineering - 2.04
Sonic lasso catches cells
Academics have demonstrated for the first time that a "sonic lasso" can be used to grip microscopic objects, such as cells, and move them about. - The research by academics at the University of Bristol's Department of Mechanical Engineering and the University of Dundee's Institute for Medical Science and Technology is published online in Applied Physics Letters . - The researchers have shown experimentally how tiny particles, such as cells, or any small objects can be trapped by a spinning ultrasonic, or sonic, vortex.

Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - Law/Forensics - 21.03
Personality clue to ’wind turbine syndrome’
Public concern about new technology infrastructure like mobile phone masts has been shown to trigger reports of ill health… and recently even the new ‘green' technology of wind turbines has been blamed for medically unexplained non-specific symptoms.

Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - Life Sciences - 15.02
Understanding why cells stick
It's thought abnormalities in their ability to do play an important role in a broad range of disorders, including cardiovascular disease and cancer. - The study's findings are outlined in the journal Molecular Cell and describe a surprising new aspect of cell adhesion involving the family of cell adhesion molecules known as integrins, which are found on the surfaces of most cells.

Business/Economics - Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - 5.12.2012
The detectives of corrosion
Corrosion costs the oil and gas industry billions of dollars every year, it can also have far reaching environmental consequences. But so far no one has managed to stop corrosion happening. - A detective style research team based at The University of Nottingham Malaysia Campus are working closely with industry to investigate real world problems and are taking a forensic look at the nature of corrosion — particularly in the oil and gas sector.

Physics/Material Science - Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - 15.11.2012
University of Glasgow makes breakthrough in understanding of turbulence
A mathematician at the University of Glasgow is helping to find an answer to one of the last unsolved problems in classical mechanics. - Andrew Baggaley, of the University's School of Mathematics and Statistics, has published a paper in the journal Physical Review Letters ,which extends our understanding of the chaotic motion of fluids, commonly known as turbulence.

Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - 29.08.2012
Scientists develop new technique for laser micro-machining
A new optical technique, capable of producing laser beams with unusual modes of electric field, has been developed by scientists at the University of Liverpool. - The new technique could have a major impact on laser micro-machining, by increasing process efficiency and quality through the use of different modes of 'polarisation' or electric fields.

Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - 17.04.2012
Orangutan nest building shows high degree of sophistication
Orangutans may be smarter than previously thought if a new study into the sophisticated way they build nests is any indication. - Scientists at The University of Manchester spent a year observing and filming (video footage available) orangutans at a research facility in Indonesia and found they apparently possess complex knowledge of mechanical design and material properties.

Medicine/Pharmacology - Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - 26.03.2012
Stem cell study aids quest for MND therapies
A breakthrough using cutting-edge stem cell research could speed up the discovery of new treatments for motor neurone disease (MND). - - Researchers have discovered that key pathological events can be detected in motor neurones derived from MND patient skins cells that had been reprogrammed to become stem cells.

Mathematics - Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - 15.12.2011
Less knowledge, more power: Uninformed can be vital to democracy, study finds
Contrary to the ideal of a completely engaged electorate, individuals who have the least interest in a specific outcome can actually be vital to achieving a democratic consensus. These individuals dilute the influence of powerful minority factions who would otherwise dominate everyone else, according to new research published in Science.

Medicine/Pharmacology - Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - 21.09.2011
Motor Neuron Disease gene pinpointed
Families suffering from a history of motor neuron disease have helped an international team locate a new gene linked to the incurable disease. - The investigators studied a large group of Finnish patients and a family from Gwent who have lost many relatives to early onset motor neuron disease (MND) and the neurodegenerative disease fronto-temporal dementia, also known as Pick's disease.

Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - Life Sciences - 20.09.2011
New gene identified for familial motor neuron disease
Families suffering from a history of motor neuron disease have helped an international scientific team locate a new gene linked to the incurable disease. - The investigators studied a large group of Finnish patients and a family from Gwent, South Wales who have lost many relatives to early onset motor neuron disease (MND) and the neurodegenerative disease fronto-temporal dementia, also known as Pick's disease.

Physics/Material Science - Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - 3.09.2010
The smallest possible refrigerator
When it comes to refrigerators, size matters. Who hasn‘t at least once in their life wished for a bigger fridge' However, who can say they‘ve wished for the extreme opposite ' the smallest conceivable one? But this is exactly what experts in quantum mechanics from the University of Bristol have done.

Chemistry - Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - 18.03.2009
Engineers Invent New Process to Make Foundries Greener
Engineers at the University of Birmingham, with local company, Ntec, have invented a new casting process that could reduce the energy costs of light-metal foundries. The technology, called CRIMSON, means that foundries need only heat the quantity of metal required to fill a single mould rather than whole batches that use unnecessary energy and create waste.

Physics/Material Science - Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - 30.05
Our ambiguous world of words
Ambiguity in language poses the greatest challenge when it comes to training a computer to understand the written word. Now, new research aims to help computers find meaning. - If we want the computer to really understand text, a new way of processing language is needed - Stephen Clark - The verb run has 606 different meanings.

Environmental Sciences - Mechanical Engineering/Mechanics - 3.04
Product pipeline: Sustainable lifestyles
As small changes in our behaviour can have a big impact on the environment, researchers are busy working to make our lifestyles more sustainable. - 1. Plastic fantastic - Co-founded by Visiting Professor Vernon Gibson (Chemistry), spin-out company Plaxica is converting sugars, such as cereals and sugar cane, into the next generation of plastics.