Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Mobile security researchers present Android Malware Genome Project at IEEE]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/android-malware-genome-proje/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/android-malware-genome-proje/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/22/android-malware-genome-proje/#comments Mobile security researchers announce Android Malware Genome Project at IEEEAndroid's openness, combined with its popularity, has lead a few of the developer faithful astray -- with malware being a legitimate concern for the mobile operating system. To help combat the issue, Xuxian Jiang, an NC State researcher, has created the Android Malware Genome Project, which was presented at the IEEE Symposium on Security this week. The aim is to collect and analyse all the known malicious software, and share the findings so that more effective and preventative measures to be taken by the community. Jiang claims that the main drawback has been understanding the malware, and getting access to examples, something the project aims to solve. More than 1,200 malware samples have been collected so far, and if you're curious, the dataset is available for download via the source.

Mobile security researchers present Android Malware Genome Project at IEEE originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 22 May 2012 22:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid malwareAndroid Malware Genome ProjectAndroidMalwareAndroidMalwareGenomeProjectappappsIEEE Symposium on SecurityIeeeSymposiumOnSecuritymalwaremobilepostminiNC StateNcStateNCSUresearchsecurityTue, 22 May 2012 22:13:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists tweak wireless power transfer, Tesla nods happily in his grave]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/16/nc-state-university-wireless-power-transfer/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/16/nc-state-university-wireless-power-transfer/http://www.engadget.com/2012/05/16/nc-state-university-wireless-power-transfer/#comments nc-state-university-wireless-power-transfer

Wireless charging may be all the rage these days, but actually beaming electricity -- as sketched above by the man Tesla himself -- still has some snags. North Carolina State U researchers have found a way to possibly vanquish the biggest problem: the difficulty of exactly matching resonant frequencies to amplify current. If external factors like temperature change the tuning of a transmitter even slightly then power drops will occur, but circuitry developed by the NC State scientists would allow receivers to detect these changes and automatically re-tune themselves to match. This could make for more potent car and device charging in the future and, if they stretch the distances a bit, maybe we'll finally get the wire-free utopia Nikola dreamed up 120 years ago.

Scientists tweak wireless power transfer, Tesla nods happily in his grave originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 May 2012 11:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>charging stationChargingStationEVinductive chargingInductiveChargingMagnetic InductionMagneticInductionNC StateNC State UniversityNcStateNcStateUniversityNorth Carolina State UniversityNorthCarolinaStateUniversityTeslawireless chargingwireless powerwireless power consortiumwireless power transferWirelessChargingWirelessPowerWirelessPowerConsortiumWirelessPowerTransferwitricityWed, 16 May 2012 11:14:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State researcher finds more efficient way to cool devices, looks to cut costs too]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/09/nc-state-cheaper-faster-device-cooling/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/09/nc-state-cheaper-faster-device-cooling/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/09/nc-state-cheaper-faster-device-cooling/#comments NC State researcher finds more efficient way to cool devices, looks to cut costs tooDoes your electronic device have you a bit hot under the collar these days? A researcher at NC State has developed a faster and less expensive method for cooling gadgets -- especially those that tend to crank the heat up. Dr. Jag Kasichainula, an Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, authored a paper on the research that implements a "heat spreader' composed of a copper-graphene composite and an indium-graphene interface film to cool devices. Because the two materials exhibit a high thermal conductivity, they allow the device to cool more efficiently while distributing said heat -- 25 percent quicker than the pure copper in many pieces of tech. And if that wasn't enough, the research also details the process for creating the composite using electrochemical deposition. "Copper is expensive, so replacing some of the copper with graphene actually lowers the overall cost.," Kasichainula notes. If you're itching to read a full rundown of the findings, the full text can be accessed via the source link below.

NC State researcher finds more efficient way to cool devices, looks to cut costs too originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Apr 2012 17:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>coolingcopperdevice coolingDeviceCoolingdeviceselectronic devicesElectronicDevicesGadgetsgrapheneNC StateNcStateresearchscienceMon, 09 Apr 2012 17:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Scientists make magic auto-origami using ink and light (video)]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/scientists-make-magic-auto-origami-using-ink-and-light-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/scientists-make-magic-auto-origami-using-ink-and-light-video/http://www.engadget.com/2011/11/11/scientists-make-magic-auto-origami-using-ink-and-light-video/#comments We've seen nano-origami and robo-origami, but nothing quite as rapid and simple as this. Researchers at North Carolina State University have figured out how to neatly fold plastic using infrared light and an inkjet printer. Deep black lines are printed onto the plastic sheets, which then absorb the light and cause the material to fold without anyone having to touch it. The wider the line, the greater the angle of each fold, so it's possible to set, say, a 90-degree bend for a cube or 120 degrees for a pyramid. What's more, by giving the lines different patterns, folds can be made to work in specific directions, potentially producing the most perfect, most hygienic bento box that's ever contained your lunch. Click past the break to watch the folding unfold.

Continue reading Scientists make magic auto-origami using ink and light (video)

Scientists make magic auto-origami using ink and light (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Nov 2011 21:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2d3dautomaticbentobento boxesBentoBoxesfoldfoldinginfraredinkinkjetlightmanufacturingnc stateNcStatencsuNorth Carolina State UniversityNorthCarolinaStateUniversityorigamiplasticvideoFri, 11 Nov 2011 21:53:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State researchers team with IBM to keep cloud-stored data away from prying eyes]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/nc-state-researchers-team-with-ibm-to-keep-cloud-stored-data-awa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/nc-state-researchers-team-with-ibm-to-keep-cloud-stored-data-awa/http://www.engadget.com/2011/10/07/nc-state-researchers-team-with-ibm-to-keep-cloud-stored-data-awa/#commentsThe man on your left is Dr. Peng Ning -- a computer science professor at NC State whose team, along with researchers from IBM, has developed an experimental new method for safely securing cloud-stored data. Their approach, known as a "Strongly Isolated Computing Environment" (SICE), would essentially allow engineers to isolate, store and process sensitive information away from a computing system's hypervisors -- programs that allow networked operating systems to operate independently of one another, but are also vulnerable to hackers. With the Trusted Computing Base (TCB) as its software foundation, Ping's technique also allows programmers to devote specific CPU cores to handling sensitive data, thereby freeing up the other cores to execute normal functions. And, because TCB consists of just 300 lines of code, it leaves a smaller "surface" for cybercriminals to attack. When put to the test, the SICE architecture used only three percent of overhead performance for workloads that didn't require direct network access -- an amount that Ping describes as a "fairly modest price to pay for the enhanced security." He acknowledges, however, that he and his team still need to find a way to speed up processes for workloads that do depend on network access, and it remains to be seen whether or not their technique will make it to the mainstream anytime soon. For now, though, you can float past the break for more details in the full PR.

Continue reading NC State researchers team with IBM to keep cloud-stored data away from prying eyes

NC State researchers team with IBM to keep cloud-stored data away from prying eyes originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Oct 2011 09:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudcloud computingcloud storageCloudComputingCloudStoragecomputer scienceComputerSciencecoreCPUcybercrimedataexperimentalhackerhypervisorIBMminipostNC StateNcStatenetworkNorth Carolina State UniversityNorthCarolinaStateUniversityprocessorprogramprogrammingresearchsecuritySICEsoftwarestrongly isolated computing environmentStronglyIsolatedComputingEnvironmentTCBtechniquetrusted computer baseTrustedComputerBaseFri, 07 Oct 2011 09:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers develop method to measure effects of WiFi attacks]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/researchers-develop-method-to-measure-effects-of-wifi-attacks/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/researchers-develop-method-to-measure-effects-of-wifi-attacks/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/13/researchers-develop-method-to-measure-effects-of-wifi-attacks/#comments America is built on the principles of life, liberty and WiFi, the latter of which has increasingly become a target for hackers hoping to mess up our chi. To predict what would happen as result of an assault, researchers at North Carolina State University created two models -- one based on a continuous jam of service, and one on an intermittent disruption that would cut off service during specific times. They then measured "order gain," which compares the probability of an attacker having network access to the probability of a legitimate user having access. Basically, the more control a hacker has, the more regular users that will lose service and be shut out -- making it harder to regain control. Researchers hope the new method will help identify the most vulnerable networks, opening the doors to create effective countermeasures to keep our WiFi safe -- something that Starbucks customers will surely be thankful for.

Researchers develop method to measure effects of WiFi attacks originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 09:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>attackersattacksDr. Wenye WangDr.WenyeWanghackersinternetNC StateNcStateNCSUnetworksNorth Carolina State UniversityNorthCarolinaStateUniversityorder gainOrderGainterrorismterroristsWIFIwirelesswireless networksWirelessNetworksTue, 13 Sep 2011 09:22:00 EST<![CDATA[New program makes it easier to turn your computer into a conversational chatterbox]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/05/new-program-makes-it-easier-to-turn-your-computer-into-a-convers/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/05/new-program-makes-it-easier-to-turn-your-computer-into-a-convers/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/05/new-program-makes-it-easier-to-turn-your-computer-into-a-convers/#comments We've already seen how awkward computers can be when they try to speak like humans, but researchers from North Carolina State and Georgia Tech have now developed a program that could make it easier to show them how it's done. Their approach, outlined in a recently published paper, would allow developers to create natural language generation (NLG) systems twice as fast as currently possible. NLG technology is used in a wide array of applications (including video games and customer service centers), but producing these systems has traditionally required developers to enter massive amounts of data, vocabulary and templates -- rules that computers use to develop coherent sentences. Lead author Karthik Narayan and his team, however, have created a program capable of learning how to use these templates on its own, thereby requiring developers to input only basic information about any given topic of conversation. As it learns how to speak, the software can also make automatic suggestions about which information should be added to its database, based on the conversation at hand. Narayan and his colleagues will present their study at this year's Artificial Intelligence and Interactive Digital Entertainment conference in October, but you can dig through it for yourself, at the link below.

New program makes it easier to turn your computer into a conversational chatterbox originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 01:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>algorithmcomputercomputer scienceComputerScienceconversationgeorgia techGeorgiaTechlanguagenatural languagenatural language generationNaturalLanguageNaturalLanguageGenerationNC StateNcStateNorth Carolina State UniversityNorthCarolinaStateUniversityprogramprogrammingresearchsoftwarespeechtemplateMon, 05 Sep 2011 01:04:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State discovery finds optimal connections 10,000 times more quickly, ResNet admins do a double take]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/29/nc-state-discovery-finds-optimal-connections-10-000-times-more-q/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/29/nc-state-discovery-finds-optimal-connections-10-000-times-more-q/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/29/nc-state-discovery-finds-optimal-connections-10-000-times-more-q/#comments Ever wondered how just one message in an average Chatroulette session finds its way to whatever destination fate may deem suitable? Sure you have. As it stands, every single pulse from your Ethernet socket starts its initial journey by hunting for an optimal connection path; in some cases, that involves routing through massive ring networks crossing over untold miles of fiber optic cabling. Using traditional techniques, nailing down an optimal solution for a ring can take eons (or days, whichever you prefer), but there's a new methodology coming out of NC State's den that could enable the same type of scenario to reach its natural conclusion 10,000 times faster. Dr. George Rouskas, a computer science professor and proud Wolfpacker, has just published a new paper describing the scheme, with the focal point being a "mathematical model that identifies the exact optimal routes and wavelengths for ring network designers." More technobabble surrounding the discovery can be found in the source link below, but unfortunately, there's no telling how long it'll take your impending click to be addressed using conventional means. Here's to the future, eh?

NC State discovery finds optimal connections 10,000 times more quickly, ResNet admins do a double take originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jun 2011 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accdiscoveryfiberFiber OpticFiberOpticGeorge RouskasGeorgeRouskasinternetnc statenc state universityNcStateNcStateUniversitynetworknetworkingnorth carolinanorth carolina stateNorthCarolinaNorthCarolinaStateresearchring networkRingNetworkuniversityWed, 29 Jun 2011 08:11:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State builds self-healing structural stress sensor, moves on to other alliterative projects]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/nc-state-builds-self-healing-structural-stress-sensor-moves-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/nc-state-builds-self-healing-structural-stress-sensor-moves-on/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/16/nc-state-builds-self-healing-structural-stress-sensor-moves-on/#comments
"Sensor, heal thyself," goes an old saying, and North Carolina State University researchers have given it a new spin. Structural stress monitors can break during, say, an earthquake or explosion: just when you most need information about a building's integrity. So the NCSU crew added a reservoir of ultraviolet-curable resin; if their sensor cracks, the resin flows into the gap, where a UV light hardens it. An infrared light, which does the actual monitoring, then has a complete circuit through which to pass, and voila: stress data flows once more, aiding decision-makers. Obviously we never tire of UV-reactive gadgetry, especially for making safer buildings, and we're doubly glad to see self-healing that doesn't involve the phrase "he's just not that into you." To see the self-repair in action, check the picture after the break, and hit the source link for more info.

Continue reading NC State builds self-healing structural stress sensor, moves on to other alliterative projects

NC State builds self-healing structural stress sensor, moves on to other alliterative projects originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 09:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>buildingsNC StatencisNcStatencsunorth carolinaNorth Carolina StateNorth Carolina State UniversityNorthCarolinaNorthCarolinaStateNorthCarolinaStateUniversityresinself healingself-healingself-repairSelfHealingSensorsensorsstressultravioletUVUV-reactiveThu, 16 Jun 2011 09:13:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State's coiled nanowire discovery could lead to stretchable electronic devices]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/12/nc-states-coiled-nanowire-discovery-could-lead-to-stretchable-e/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/12/nc-states-coiled-nanowire-discovery-could-lead-to-stretchable-e/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/12/nc-states-coiled-nanowire-discovery-could-lead-to-stretchable-e/#commentsCotton may very well be the fabric of our lives, but it'd sure feel a lot better draped across our skin if we could incorporate stretchable electronic devices into it. That's the goal of NC State's own Dr. Yong Zhu, who has worked with a team of gurus to create "the first coils of silicon nanowire on a substrate that can be stretched to more than double their original length." Essentially, this type of breakthrough brings us one (major) step closer to "incorporating stretchable electronic devices into clothing, implantable health-monitoring devices, and a host of other applications." Compared to prior studies on buckling, this particular approach one-ups those focusing on freestanding nanowires, with the new coils' mechanical properties enabling them to be "stretched an additional 104 percent beyond their original length." That's a lot of technobabble, for sure, but what you need to realize is just how amazing your life will be as soon as The Zhu Crew figures out how to improve the reliability of the electrical performance when the coils are stretched to the limit. Flexible PMPs woven into your ski jacket? Bendable LCDs sewn right into your car's headrests? The future... it's here.

NC State's coiled nanowire discovery could lead to stretchable electronic devices originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 22:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>clothingcoiledcoiled nanowiresCoiledNanowireselectronicshealthmedicalnanowiresnc stateNcStateresearchscienceStretchablestretchable electronicsStretchableElectronicsYong ZhuYongZhuWed, 12 Jan 2011 22:26:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State and CMU develop velocity-sensing shoe radar, aim to improve indoor GPS routing]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/01/nc-state-and-cmu-develop-velocity-sensing-shoe-radar-aim-to-imp/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/01/nc-state-and-cmu-develop-velocity-sensing-shoe-radar-aim-to-imp/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/01/nc-state-and-cmu-develop-velocity-sensing-shoe-radar-aim-to-imp/#commentsThe world at large owes a good bit to Maxwell Smart, you know. Granted, it's hard to directly link the faux shoe phone to the GPS-equipped kicks that are around today, but the lineage is certainly apparent. The only issue with GPS in your feet is how they react when you waltz indoors, which is to say, not at all. In the past, most routing apparatuses have used inertial measurement units (IMUs) to track motion, movement and distance once GPS reception is lost indoors, but those have proven poor at spotting the difference between a slow gait and an outright halt. Enter NC State and Carnegie Mellon University, who have worked in tandem in order to develop a prototype shoe radar that's specifically designed to sense velocity. Within the shoe, a radar is attached to a diminutive navigational computer that "tracks the distance between your heel and the ground; if that distance doesn't change within a given period of time, the navigation computer knows that your foot is stationary." Hard to say when Nike will start testing these out in the cleats worn by football players, but after last week's abomination of a spot (and subsequent botching of a review by one Ron Cherry) during the NC State - Maryland matchup, we're hoping it's sooner rather than later.

NC State and CMU develop velocity-sensing shoe radar, aim to improve indoor GPS routing originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 01 Dec 2010 17:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Carnegie MellonCarnegie Mellon UniversityCarnegieMellonCarnegieMellonUniversityCMUIMUinertial measurement unitsInertialMeasurementUnitsinventionncnc stateNcStateNCSUnorth carolinaNorthCarolinaprototyperadarresearchsensorsensorsshoeshoe radarShoeRadaruniversityWed, 01 Dec 2010 17:54:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State gurus find 'Goldilocks' of DNA self-assembly, look to improve drug-delivery vehicles]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/28/nc-state-gurus-find-goldilocks-of-dna-self-assembly-look-to-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/28/nc-state-gurus-find-goldilocks-of-dna-self-assembly-look-to-i/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/28/nc-state-gurus-find-goldilocks-of-dna-self-assembly-look-to-i/#comments We're guessing that most Wolfpackers in the greater Raleigh area are in full-on tailgate mode right now, but aside from laying a beating on the Seminoles this evening, NC State faithful are also trumpeting a new DNA discovery that could one day make it easy to get vital drugs to hard-to-reach places within you. Researchers from the university have purportedly discovered the 'Goldilocks' of DNA self-assembly, which holds promise for technologies ranging from drug delivery to molecular sensors. The concept, known as DNA-assisted self-assembly, has been vastly improved by using "computer simulations of DNA strands to identify the optimal length of a DNA strand for self-assembly." You see, perfection occurs when strands aren't long enough to intertwine with each other, yet not short enough to simply fold over on each other. We know, it's a lot to wrap your brain around with half a hot dog shoved in your mouth, but hit the video after the break for a... shall we say, more visual explanation.

Continue reading NC State gurus find 'Goldilocks' of DNA self-assembly, look to improve drug-delivery vehicles

NC State gurus find 'Goldilocks' of DNA self-assembly, look to improve drug-delivery vehicles originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 28 Oct 2010 15:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accbiomedicalDNAdrug deliveryDrugDeliverydrugshealthmedicalmedicineNC StateNcStateresearchscienceuniversityvideoThu, 28 Oct 2010 15:35:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State patents multifunctional smart sensors, looks to 'revolutionize energy and communications infrastructure']]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/04/nc-state-patents-multifunctional-smart-sensors-looks-to-revolu/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/04/nc-state-patents-multifunctional-smart-sensors-looks-to-revolu/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/04/nc-state-patents-multifunctional-smart-sensors-looks-to-revolu/#commentsBold words coming from a program that choked in epic fashion this past Saturday in front of 58,000+, don't you think? Thankfully for those who are actually involved in the global energy and communications infrastructure (not to mention depressed alumni), NC State's athletics department is far removed from its research labs, and the university's latest development was born and bred in the latter. A team of researchers have managed to patent a new technology that is expected to enable the development of "high-power, high-voltage and high-current devices that are critical for the development of energy distribution devices, such as smart grid technology and high-frequency military communications." The secret? Integrating gallium nitride (GaN) sensors and devices directly into silicon-based computer chips, a feat that hasn't been accomplished by any team prior. According to Dr. Jay Narayan, this newfangled integration has "enabled the creation of multifunctional smart sensors, high-electron mobility transistors, high-power devices, and high-voltage switches for smart grids," and it also makes a broader range of radio frequencies available -- something that'll obviously be beneficial in the advancement of communications. Best of all, a US-based corporation is already in the process of licensing the technology, so it's likely that we'll see this in use in the not-too-distant future. An ACC championship, however, remains far more elusive.

NC State patents multifunctional smart sensors, looks to 'revolutionize energy and communications infrastructure' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cpueco-friendlyenergyenvironmentGaNgreenNC StateNC State universityNcStateNcStateUniversitypatentprocessorresearchsciencesemiconductorsemiconductorssensorsensorssiliconsmart gridSmartGridtransistortransistorsuniversityMon, 04 Oct 2010 12:41:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State's computer vision software promises improved self-driving vehicles]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/25/nc-states-computer-vision-software-promises-improved-self-drivi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/25/nc-states-computer-vision-software-promises-improved-self-drivi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/25/nc-states-computer-vision-software-promises-improved-self-drivi/#comments
Well, NC State researchers sure seem to be keeping themselves busy these days, with them not only recently developing some improved smart sensors, but some computer vision software that could one day lead to self-driving vehicles. The big advantage with their software is that it's basically able to watch the road and recognize real world driving conditions a few steps in advance -- lane changes, stop signs, etc. -- while also watching out for other cars and pedestrians. Of course, at the moment, that "road" is actually the hallways of NC State, and the vehicle is a toy Jeep, but you get the idea. The researchers are also quick to point out that while the software could eventually lead to truly autonomous vehicles, they first see it being used in the event of an emergency, with the car able to slowly and safely pull itself over and then dial 911. Head on past for a quick overview, local news style.

Continue reading NC State's computer vision software promises improved self-driving vehicles

NC State's computer vision software promises improved self-driving vehicles originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 25 Apr 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autonomousautonomous carautonomous vehicleAutonomousCarAutonomousVehiclecomputer visioncomputer vision softwareComputerVisionComputerVisionSoftwarenc stateNcStatenorth carolinanorth carolina state universityNorthCarolinaNorthCarolinaStateUniversityself-driving carself-driving vehicleSelf-drivingCarSelf-drivingVehicleSun, 25 Apr 2010 09:01:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State gurus create harder, better, faster, stronger 'smart sensors']]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/23/nc-state-gurus-create-harder-better-faster-stronger-smart-se/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/23/nc-state-gurus-create-harder-better-faster-stronger-smart-se/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/23/nc-state-gurus-create-harder-better-faster-stronger-smart-se/#commentsThe year is 1974. Skywalker lives, and a tradition is born. The year is 1983. The odds are ridiculous. The final score leads to an unpremeditated running around the court that'll live forever in history. Fast forward to 2010, and NC State is hanging onto advancements in science while the blued neighbors in Durham and Chapel-Hill are celebrating back-to-back titles. Regardless of all that, we're still pretty proud of Dr. Jay Narayan and company, who have just uncovered a new "smart sensor" that will allow for "faster response times from military applications." Essentially, the team has taken a sensor material called vanadium oxide and integrated it with a silicon chip, forcing the sensor to become a part of the computer chip itself. The new approach leads to intelligent sensors that can "sense, manipulate and respond to information" in a much faster manner than before, providing soldiers with weapons and analyzing tools that can react more hastily to incoming ammunition or other, um, pertinent information. It's no banner hanging ceremony, but we'll take what we can get.

NC State gurus create harder, better, faster, stronger 'smart sensors' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Apr 2010 11:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>militaryNC StateNcStatenorth carolinaNorthCarolinaresearchsciencesensorsensorssiliconsmart sensorsSmartSensorsuniversitywarwargadgetFri, 23 Apr 2010 11:12:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State's refreshable Braille display could revolutionize reading for the blind]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/nc-states-refreshable-braille-display-could-revolutionize-readi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/nc-states-refreshable-braille-display-could-revolutionize-readi/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/01/nc-states-refreshable-braille-display-could-revolutionize-readi/#comments While many in Raleigh are wondering whatever happened to the glory days of 1983, Dr. Neil Di Spigna and company are doing far more productive things at NC State. It's no secret that the holy grail of Braille is a tactile display that could change on a whim in order to give blind viewers a way to experience richer content (and lots more of it) when reading, but not until today have we been reasonably confident that such a goal was attainable. Gurus at the university have just concocted a "hydraulic and latching mechanism" concept, vital to the creation of the full-page, refreshable Braille display system. As you may expect, the wonder of this solution is the display's ability to erect dots at the precise points, retract them, and re-erect another set when the reader scrolls through a document or presses a "link" on a website. We're told that the researchers have already presented their findings, and if all goes well, they'll have a fully functioning prototype "within a year." Here's hoping a suitable replacement to Lee Fowler is also unearthed during the same window.

NC State's refreshable Braille display could revolutionize reading for the blind originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 04:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accblindBrailledisplayElectroactive PolymerElectroactivePolymereyeeyesightncnc stateNcStatenorth carolinaNorth Carolina State UniversityNorthCarolinaNorthCarolinaStateUniversitypolymerrefreshable tactile displayRefreshableTactileDisplaysciencescreensighttactiletactile displaysTactileDisplaysThu, 01 Apr 2010 04:43:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State intellects design twistable, shape-shifting antennas]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/nc-state-intellects-design-twistable-shape-shifting-antennas/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/nc-state-intellects-design-twistable-shape-shifting-antennas/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/nc-state-intellects-design-twistable-shape-shifting-antennas/#commentsNC State may be well on its way to yet another underwhelming season on the hardwood, but it seems as if a few of its most spirited boffins aren't even taking any time off to celebrate the season-ending victory over the hated Heels on the team's final football game. Dr. Michael Dickey and team have just published their latest invention, and if this thing ever reaches commercial status, you can expect ordinary objects to become a lot more intelligent. The crew's shape-shifting, twistable antenna overcomes the common limitation of copper-based alternatives by relying on an alloy that can be "bent, stretched, cut and twisted" while still transmitting or receiving a signal. Aside from enabling concept phones like the Ondo to become real, the development could also allow for stretchable antennas to be integrated into actual structures, giving buildings and bridges a way to communicate stresses to architects. Too bad it can't communicate the crumbling of an athletics program to an oblivious AD, but hey, there's always room for improvement in version 2.0.

NC State intellects design twistable, shape-shifting antennas originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 10:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Micro-aerial vehicles, or MAVs as they're called in the elusive underground, are far from new, but a team from NC State University is hoping to advance the field with an all new critter. The Robo-Bat is a remote controlled creature that relies on a super elastic shape-memory metal alloy for the joints, which is said to provide a full range of motion while enabling it to "always return to its original position -- a function performed by many tiny bones, cartilage and tendons in real bats." The crew is also utilizing other "smart materials" in the muscular system, giving it the ability to react in real time to environmental changes such as sudden wind gusts. Ideally, this bionic chiropteran would be used to chivvy those who dare step foot on Franklin Street or inside Cameron Indoor Stadium, but in less malicious situations, it could help well-meaning scientists get the bottom of that whole "aerodynamics" thing.

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NC State gurus build remote control bats, freak out Dukies and Tar Holes originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If NC State's athletic branches had even half the aptitude as its medical researchers, maybe then those blue boys down the road wouldn't have so much right to bang us up. Personal beefs aside, we're simultaneously stoked and amazed by a new machine crafted down in Raleigh, one that enables scientists to keep a heart pumping even after it has been removed from the body, but for research purposes only. Andrew Richards, a bright young mechanical engineering student, designed the so-called dynamic heart system, which "pumps fluid through a pig heart so that it functions in a very realistic way." Obviously, such a device has a multitude of benefits, including time / money savings compared to alternative approaches, the ability to record the inner workings of a pumping heart and scoring the creator some serious street cred in the industry. Mind-blowing video is just after the break.

[Via Neatorama]

Continue reading NC State gurus keep hearts beating outside of the body

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NC State gurus keep hearts beating outside of the body originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Beating Heart MachineBeatingHeartMachinehealthheartmedicalnc stateNcStateNCSUresearchuniversityvideoWed, 03 Jun 2009 11:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Researchers fire most powerful antimatter beam ever]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/27/researchers-fire-most-powerful-antimatter-beam-ever/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/27/researchers-fire-most-powerful-antimatter-beam-ever/http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/27/researchers-fire-most-powerful-antimatter-beam-ever/#commentsScientists at North Carolina's PULSTAR nuclear reactor facility fired a positron bean five times stronger than any other ever created earlier this month, breaking a record previously held by a team in Germany. The antimatter device -- which apparently looks like a Star Trek warp reactor -- was developed as part of a two year project by NC State, the University of Michigan, and Oak Ridge National Labs. Now that the device is working, the team is looking for practical applications for the tech, including building an "antimatter telescope," which would allow even closer observations of atomic interactions. Or they could use it to blow up the universe. You know, whatever.

[Via TG Daily]

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Researchers fire most powerful antimatter beam ever originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If being able to recharge your future collection of batteries "a thousand times more" than your existing stockpile sounds enticing, a team of NC State physicists now have your attention. Thanks to their research on the electromechanical properties of the commonly used polymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), they have discovered that when combined with CTFE (that's yet another polymer), it may allow capacitors to store "up to seven times more energy than those currently in use." According to Vivek Ranjan, the process moves atoms within the material "in order to make the polymer rearrange with the least voltage," and this storage booster could even be used to allow electric cars of the future to sport the "same acceleration capability as a gas-powered sports car." Sounds like more than a few manufacturers are desperate for something like this, eh?

[Image courtesy of Biopact]

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NC State researchers working up longevous capacitors originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 21 Jul 2007 01:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accalternative energyAlternativeEnergybatteriesbatteryCapacitorselectricityenergync stateNcStatepowerresearchuniversitywolfpackSat, 21 Jul 2007 01:51:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State researchers uncover muscle mimicking fibers]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/07/nc-state-researchers-uncover-muscle-mimicking-fibers/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/07/nc-state-researchers-uncover-muscle-mimicking-fibers/http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/07/nc-state-researchers-uncover-muscle-mimicking-fibers/#commentsWhile some researchers over in Raleigh are having fun tinkering with PlayStation 3 farms and dodging the RIAA, NC State's Drs. Tushar Ghosh and John Muth are occupied building prototypes with fibers they say "resemble human muscle and can exhibit muscle-like capabilities when electrical currents are applied." The duo sees the development as paving the way for "advancements and potential applications in robotics, smart textiles, prosthetics, and biomedicines," as they have reportedly found that polyurethane and silicone tube structures shaped like human muscle strands can be manipulated with electricity. It was noted, however, that the current models are using strands "roughly the size of a pencil lead," but the next step is to scale down the fibers and integrate them into a robotic Mr. and Mrs. Wuf.

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NC State researchers uncover muscle mimicking fibers originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Jun 2007 01:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We had a sneaking suspicion that there was an ulterior motive behind Raleigh getting lit up as the "world's first LED city," and aside from savings tons of dough on energy bills over the next decade or so, it seems to make motorists feel a good bit safer, too. According to a before and after survey conducted by Mindwave Research, the number of respondents who "perceived the garage as very safe increased by 76-percent after the LED fixtures were installed." Admittedly, the newfangled lighting certainly added a new level of brightness to the situation, and the number of individuals who gave the garage an overall rating of "excellent" increased by 100-percent in response. The (unnecessarily lengthy) survey also added a few more minor figures to further prove that LED lighting is simply superior to the other stuff , but we're not yet sure if Cree will successfully use this ammunition to grab even more contracts to freshen up the city lights.

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Survey sez LED lit parking garages seem safer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 30 Mar 2007 08:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>acccreeelectrcityenergygaragegaragesledled cityled lightingLedCityLedLightinglightinglitncnc stateNcStatenorth carolinaNorthCarolinaparking garageParkingGaragepowerraleighsafersafetysurveywolfpackFri, 30 Mar 2007 08:31:00 EST<![CDATA[NC State researchers devise new ways to invade your bloodstream]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/17/nc-state-researchers-devise-new-ways-to-invade-your-bloodstream/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/17/nc-state-researchers-devise-new-ways-to-invade-your-bloodstream/http://www.engadget.com/2007/03/17/nc-state-researchers-devise-new-ways-to-invade-your-bloodstream/#commentsWhile schools in the ACC are certainly making noise on the hardwood, it seems that the Atlantic Coast Conference is also interested in shoving microbots all around your innards. Just days after a team from Georgia Tech envisioned a new internal method for monitoring blood pressure, research conducted at NC State is hoping to cram even more robotic creatures into deep, dark places within your body. A team led by Orlin Velev has discovered that "a simple electronic diode" could spark a new form of propulsion which could power robots and other diminutive devices from a distance. By exploiting "a phenomenon known as electro-osmosis," the diodes can push microscopic material through internal fluids "at speeds of several millimeters per second," which could allow cameras and medicines to reach critical locales that are presently isolated. Of course, there's still a good bit of work to be done, as the prototype device still has become substantially smaller before it will even fit in most of the tiny tubes within your skin, but it's looking more and more like we'll have nursebots shoving spinoffs of themselves into our beings before too long.

[Via NewScientistTech]

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NC State researchers devise new ways to invade your bloodstream originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 17 Mar 2007 03:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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[Via TWW]

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NC State engineer crafts academic cluster with PlayStation 3s originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 10 Mar 2007 17:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>academicclustercomputing clusterComputingClusterengineernc stateNcStatencsuplaystation 3Playstation3ps3serverserver farmServerFarmsupercomputeruniversitySat, 10 Mar 2007 17:17:00 EST<![CDATA[RIAA lists top 25 universities handing out piracy notices]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/22/riaa-lists-top-25-universities-handing-out-piracy-notices/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/22/riaa-lists-top-25-universities-handing-out-piracy-notices/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/22/riaa-lists-top-25-universities-handing-out-piracy-notices/#commentsThe "good guys" have tried to tempt college kids with free legal music for far too long to no avail, and after continuous failed attempts at gaining traction here in the US, it's no surprise that the RIAA would devote precious man-hours to concocting a most-wanted list of pirating schools. It should be noted that the top 25 is based on the amount of warnings sent out from the university to its students, and some schools may be omitted simply due to a lack of response on the administration's end. Nevertheless, it's reported that over three times as many infringement notices have been sent out during the 2006 - 2007 school year versus the year prior, but the RIAA did attribute some of that boost to its heightened awareness and tracking capabilities. Interestingly enough, the top spot holder doesn't seem to be overly concerned about its position, as Purdue feels the "service provider" shouldn't be the one lashing out at "criminals," essentially brushing that RIAA grief right off its shoulder. Still, we all know what you're here for, and that's to see if your alma mater made the dubious cut (full list after the jump), and while some here at Engadget can proudly proclaim to be in the top ten (ahem), drop us a comment and let us know where you stand.

[Via TWW]

Continue reading RIAA lists top 25 universities handing out piracy notices

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RIAA lists top 25 universities handing out piracy notices originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Feb 2007 21:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyrightcrimecriminaldownloaddownloadshowardillegalmichigan stateMichiganStatenc stateNcStatenebraskaohiopiracyportable audioportableaudiopurdueriaaschoolssouth carolinaSouthCarolinatennesseeuniversitywisconsinThu, 22 Feb 2007 21:56:00 EST<![CDATA[Raleigh officials envision "world's first" LED lit city]]>http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/14/raleigh-officials-envision-worlds-first-led-lit-city/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/14/raleigh-officials-envision-worlds-first-led-lit-city/http://www.engadget.com/2007/02/14/raleigh-officials-envision-worlds-first-led-lit-city/#commentsWhile it's no secret that LEDs light up the night in a more efficient (albeit expensive) manner, few locales have given the idea of lighting up the town en masse with LEDs any serious consideration. In a feat that would surely oust Brussles' Dexia Tower in terms of magnitude, city officials in Raleigh, North Carolina are hoping to make the Capital City the "world's first LED city." Reportedly envisioned by the mayor, officials are teaming up with RTP-based Cree, Inc. in order to "save money and help the environment," and in a pilot program completed late last year, a LED-equipped parking deck purportedly burned "40-percent less energy" than those with "standard lighting systems." Additionally, the quality and brightness of the lighting was said to have improved, which paved the way for LEDs to hit up street lights, architectural and accent lighting, and pedestrian and walkway lights over the next 18 months. If things go as planned, the entire city will "convert permanently to LED lighting," hopefully saving around $80,000 a year in parking deck utility bills alone -- and hey, if nobody in charge can figure out how to use an extra 80 large per year, there's a few potholes craters on Hillsborough Street that could use some attention.

[Via TWW]

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Raleigh officials envision "world's first" LED lit city originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 14 Feb 2007 10:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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If the Cardinal (or Tartans) think that the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge will be a gimme, they may want to sneak a peek at the looming competition. Students from NC State's College of Engineering are readying a highly modified Lotus Elise for next year's autonomous vehicle contest, and are working with Insight Technologies as well as Lotus' own engineering group to craft what's likely to be the sexiest unmanned vehicle on the track. Dubbed the Insight Racing team, the crew is loading the whip with "sensors and onboard computers that have been programmed to autonomously maneuver it through an urban setting complete with traffic, intersections and traffic circles." Moreover, the highly-coveted machine will be able to handle its own parking duties (and pose for glamour shots) when the day's done. After finishing 12th overall with just a Chevrolet Suburban in the 2005 Challenge, the Pack hopes its newfangled toy (and subsequent cornering abilities) can propel them to the top come next November.

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NC State preps Lotus Elise for 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 20 Nov 2006 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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