//www.koonmotors.com/news/matter_energy/civil_engineering/ Civil Engineering News and Research. From new mathematical models for building better structures to new corrosion-resistant composites, read all the latest discoveries in civil engineering here. en-us Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:51:17 EDT Wed, 06 Sep 2023 14:51:17 EDT 60 //www.koonmotors.com/images/scidaily-logo-rss.png//www.koonmotors.com/news/matter_energy/civil_engineering/ For more science news, visit ScienceDaily. //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831121743.htm By controlling the arrangement of multiple inorganic and organic layers within crystals using a novel technique, researchers have shown they can control the energy levels of electrons and holes (positive charge carriers) within a class of materials called perovskites. This tuning influences the materials' optoelectronic properties and their ability to emit light of specific energies, demonstrated by their ability to function as a source of lasers. Thu, 31 Aug 2023 12:17:43 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230831121743.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131834.htm The safety of tall buildings in the world's cities, in the face of extreme external traumas like vehicle impacts, blasts or fires, has been tested using a model developed by structural engineers -- with reassuring results. Wed, 30 Aug 2023 13:18:34 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131834.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131611.htm While self-driving vehicles (SDVs) are being hailed as a solution for safer, more efficient roads, new research suggests some are not quite ready to embrace self-driving cars wholeheartedly -- and will need a period of gradual transition before adoption. Wed, 30 Aug 2023 13:16:11 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230830131611.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829125828.htm A new study suggests rough surfaces inspired by the bacteria-killing spikes on insect wings may be more effective at combating drug-resistant superbugs, including fungus, than previously understood. Tue, 29 Aug 2023 12:58:28 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230829125828.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822151745.htm Researchers used kirigami, the art of Japanese paper cutting and folding, to develop ultrastrong, lightweight materials that have tunable mechanical properties, like stiffness and flexibility. These materials could be used in airplanes, automobiles, or spacecraft. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 15:17:45 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822151745.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111655.htm Researchers have developed an epoxy resin that can be repaired and recycled, in addition to being flame-retardant and mechanically strong. Potential applications range from coating for wooden flooring to composites in aerospace and railways. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:16:55 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111655.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111637.htm A shipping container that can test passive cooling systems could help researchers and builders find carbon-free ways to keep people cool in extreme temperatures. Researchers created the 60 square-foot chamber to test passive systems that use wind towers along with water evaporation instead of electricity to cool spaces. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:16:37 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111637.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111622.htm Engineers in Australia have found a way of making stronger concrete with roasted used-coffee grounds, to give the drink-additive a 'double shot' at life and reduce waste going to landfills. The team developed a technique to make concrete 30% stronger by turning waste coffee grounds into biochar, using a low-energy process without oxygen at 350 degrees Celsius. Tue, 22 Aug 2023 11:16:22 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230822111622.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817163930.htm Materials are often considered to be one phase, but many engineering materials contain two or more phases, improving their properties and performance. These two-phase materials have inclusions, called precipitates, embedded in the microstructure. Alloys, a combination of two or more types of metals, are used in many applications, like turbines for jet engines and light-weight alloys for automotive applications, because they have very good mechanical properties due to those embedded precipitates. The average precipitate size, however, tends to increase over time-in a process called coarsening-which results in a degradation of performance for microstructures with nanoscale precipitates. Thu, 17 Aug 2023 16:39:30 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230817163930.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122514.htm High-temperature flames are used to create a wide variety of materials -- but once you start a fire, it can be difficult to control how the flame interacts with the material you are trying to process. Researchers have now developed a technique that utilizes a molecule-thin protective layer to control how the flame's heat interacts with the material -- taming the fire and allowing users to finely tune the characteristics of the processed material. Mon, 14 Aug 2023 12:25:14 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122514.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122318.htm A new study finds that 'connected' vehicles, which share data with each other wirelessly, significantly improve travel time through intersections -- but automated vehicles can actually slow down travel time through intersections if they are not connected to each other. The culprit? Safety. Mon, 14 Aug 2023 12:23:18 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230814122318.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811143817.htm Scientists pioneer a new machine learning model for corrosion-resistant alloy design. Fri, 11 Aug 2023 14:38:17 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/08/230811143817.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230731144135.htm Everyday life involves the three dimensions or 3D -- along an X, Y and Z axis, or up and down, left and right, and forward and back. But, in recent years scientists have explored a 'fourth dimension' (4D), or synthetic dimension, as an extension of our current physical reality. Mon, 31 Jul 2023 14:41:35 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230731144135.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230731132832.htm Chemical engineering researchers have overcome the challenge of designing such properly self-aligning structures by using fluid mechanics, chemo-mechanical processes -- and a little stickiness. Mon, 31 Jul 2023 13:28:32 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230731132832.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230726112958.htm Researchers have proposed a novel method for counting and tracking vehicles on public roads, a development that could enhance current traffic systems and help travelers get to their destinations faster. Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:29:58 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230726112958.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230725171907.htm Researchers investigated the fatigue behavior of 2D hybrid materials, opening doors to their widespread use in real-world applications. Tue, 25 Jul 2023 17:19:07 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230725171907.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230725123055.htm Researchers have uncovered the promising capability of chitin as a sustainable smart biomaterial. Through water exchange with the environment, humidity-responsive chitinous films can generate mechanical and electrical energy for potential use in engineering and biomedical applications. Tue, 25 Jul 2023 12:30:55 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230725123055.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230720125015.htm For years, unrecycled plastic bottles have been dumped in landfills. Now, thanks to new research, those bottles may have a second life in that landfill -- stabilizing its earth walls. Thu, 20 Jul 2023 12:50:15 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230720125015.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230714114743.htm What should the city we live in look like? How do structural changes affect the people who move around it? Cartographers use virtual reality tools to explore these questions before a great deal of money is spent on building measures. Using the Unity3 game engine, they recreate scenarios in 3D where people can experience potential changes through immersion. They were able to prove that the physical reaction to this experience is measurable. Fri, 14 Jul 2023 11:47:43 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230714114743.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230712203749.htm Scientists have shown it's possible to grow fungi in thin sheets that could be used for fire-retardant cladding or even a new kind of fungal fashion. Wed, 12 Jul 2023 20:37:49 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230712203749.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230711133259.htm Structural engineers are familiar with seventeenth-century scientist Robert Hooke's theory that a hanging chain will mirror the shape of an upstanding rigid arch. However, new research now shows that this common-held belief is incorrect because, regardless of the similarities, the hanging chain and the arch are two incompatible mechanical systems. Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:32:59 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230711133259.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230711131050.htm A new study has linked underground climate change to the shifting ground beneath urban areas. The phenomenon is affecting all major urban areas around the globe, causing civil structures and infrastructures to crack. Tue, 11 Jul 2023 13:10:50 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230711131050.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230706124555.htm In the wake of Colorado's devastating Marshall Fire, a team of chemists and engineers undertook a first-of-its-kind study to explore homes that survived the blaze. Their results reveal the potential health hazards that wildfires can leave behind in buildings. Thu, 06 Jul 2023 12:45:55 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230706124555.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230706124549.htm The climate control used by termites in their mounds could inspire tomorrow's climate-smart buildings. New research shows that future buildings inspired by the termites could achieve the same effect as traditional climate control, but with greater energy efficiency and without its carbon dioxide footprint. Thu, 06 Jul 2023 12:45:49 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230706124549.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230705105835.htm Engineers have developed a new test that can predict the durability of cement in seconds to minutes -- rather than the hours it takes using current methods. The test measures the behavior of water droplets on cement surfaces using computer vision on a device that costs less than $200. The researchers said the new study could help the cement industry move toward rapid and automated quality control of their materials. Wed, 05 Jul 2023 10:58:35 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230705105835.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230703133034.htm Researchers have developed new methods to solve a major source of future waste from the automotive, aerospace and renewable industries. Mon, 03 Jul 2023 13:30:34 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/07/230703133034.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230630123238.htm Researchers have demonstrated a new material for single-molecule electronic switches, which can effectively vary current at the nanoscale in response to external stimuli. The material for this molecular switch has a unique structure created by locking a linear molecular backbone into a ladder-type structure. A new study finds that the ladder-type molecular structure greatly enhances the stability of the material, making it highly promising for use in single-molecule electronics applications. Fri, 30 Jun 2023 12:32:38 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230630123238.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230628201326.htm 想象背着虚拟现实耳机'walking' through a long-gone neighborhood in your city -- seeing the streets and buildings as they appeared decades ago. That's a very real possibility now that researchers have developed a method to create 3D digital models of historic neighborhoods using machine learning and historic Sanborn Fire Insurance maps. Wed, 28 Jun 2023 20:13:26 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230628201326.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230628130416.htm In a recent study, researchers demonstrate an innovative method using thermal induction heating to rapidly break down PFAS left on the surface of two solid materials -- granular activated carbon and anion exchange resins -- after these materials have been used to filter PFAS from municipal water systems. The team's goal is to clean the materials before they are properly disposed. Wed, 28 Jun 2023 13:04:16 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230628130416.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230622120603.htm Taking a cue from the structural complexity of trees and bones, engineers have created a way to 3D-print two types of steel in the same circular layer using two welding machines. The resulting bimetallic material proved 33% to 42% stronger than either metal alone, thanks in part to pressure caused between the metals as they cool together. The new method uses commonplace, relatively inexpensive tools, so manufacturers and repair shops could use it in the near term. With further development, it could potentially be used to make high-performance medical implants or even parts for space travel. Thu, 22 Jun 2023 12:06:03 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230622120603.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230620174507.htm Engineers are placing low-powered sensors in the reflective raised pavement markers that are already used to help drivers identify lanes. Microchips inside the markers transmit information to passing cars about the road shape to help autonomous driving features function even when vehicle cameras or remote laser sensing, called LiDAR, are unreliable because of fog, snow, glare or other obstructions. Tue, 20 Jun 2023 17:45:07 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230620174507.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230602115110.htm 你宁愿碰壁或mattress? For most people, the choice is not difficult. A brick wall is stiff and does not absorb shocks or vibrations well; a mattress is soft and is a good shock absorber. Sometimes, in designing materials, both of these properties are needed. Materials should be good at absorbing vibrations, but should be stiff enough to not collapse under pressure. A team of researchers from the UvA Institute of Physics has now found a way to design materials that manage to do both these things. Fri, 02 Jun 2023 11:51:10 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230602115110.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230601160006.htm The body is pretty good at healing itself, though more severe wounds can require bandages or stitches. But researchers have now developed a wound-healing ink that can actively encourage the body to heal by exposing the cut to immune-system vesicles. The ink can be spread into a cut of any shape using a 3D-printing pen, and in mice, the technology nearly completely repaired wounds in just 12 days. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 16:00:06 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230601160006.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230601160002.htm Researchers are trying to make the process more efficient and definitive by using artificial intelligence, combined with a classic mathematical method for quantifying web-like networks, to determine how damaged a concrete structure is, based solely on its pattern of cracking. Thu, 01 Jun 2023 16:00:02 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/06/230601160002.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230525141429.htm Cage structures made with nanoparticles could be a route toward making organized nanostructures with mixed materials, and researchers have shown how to achieve this through computer simulations. Thu, 25 May 2023 14:14:29 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230525141429.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230518120903.htm Researchers have created a novel 3D printing method that produces materials in ways that conventional manufacturing can't match. Thu, 18 May 2023 12:09:03 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230518120903.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230502132308.htm In an effort to make textiles more sustainable, a new method allows researchers to break old clothing down chemically and reuse polyester compounds to create fire resistant, anti-bacterial or wrinkle-free coatings that could then be applied to clothes and fabrics. Tue, 02 May 2023 13:23:08 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230502132308.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230501114013.htm The mechanics behind the collapse of soft materials structure have befuddled researchers for decades. In a new study, researchers uncover a metric that finally correlates microscopic-level processes with what is seen at the macroscopic level. Mon, 01 May 2023 11:40:13 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/05/230501114013.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230428130819.htm A machine-learning method detects internal structures, voids, and cracks inside a material, based on data about the material's surface. Fri, 28 Apr 2023 13:08:19 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230428130819.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230420135324.htm A new machine-learning system can generate protein designs with certain structural features, and which do not exist in nature. These proteins could be utilized to make materials that have similar mechanical properties to existing materials, like polymers, but which would have a much smaller carbon footprint. Thu, 20 Apr 2023 13:53:24 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230420135324.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230419125110.htm Fabrics that resist knife cuts can help prevent injuries and save lives. But a sharp enough knife or a very forceful jab can get through some of these materials. Now, researchers report that carbon nanotubes and polyacrylate strengthen conventional aramid to produce lightweight, soft fabrics that provide better protection. Applications include anti-stabbing clothing, helmets and insoles, as well as cut-resistant packaging. Wed, 19 Apr 2023 12:51:10 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230419125110.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230418142522.htm 分子有机-无机杂化钙钛矿that have received a lot of attention over the past 10 years for their potential use in renewable energy. Some are comparable in efficiency to silicon for making solar cells, but they are cheaper to make and lighter, potentially allowing a wide range of applications, including light-emitting devices. However, they tend to degrade way more readily than silicon when exposed to moisture, oxygen, light, heat, and voltage. Researchers used machine learning and high-throughput experiments to identify perovskites with optimal qualities out of the very large field of possible structures. Tue, 18 Apr 2023 14:25:22 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230418142522.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230418101419.htm A viable formula for a carbon-negative, environmentally friendly concrete that is nearly as strong as regular concrete has been developed. In a proof-of-concept work, the researchers infused regular cement with environmentally friendly biochar, a type of charcoal made from organic waste, that had been strengthened beforehand with concrete wastewater. The biochar was able to suck up to 23% of its weight in carbon dioxide from the air while still reaching a strength comparable to ordinary cement. The research could significantly reduce carbon emissions of the concrete industry, which is one of the most energy- and carbon-intensive of all manufacturing industries. Tue, 18 Apr 2023 10:14:19 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230418101419.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230417142516.htm Transport relies heavily on steel. But steel is heavy, and scientists are turning to alternatives to lessen the transportation industry's carbon emissions. Magnesium alloys are one such alternative. But developing bonding technology that bonds magnesium alloys with structural steels has been severely limited because magnesium and iron are immiscible. Now, a research group has established a dealloying bonding technology that obtains a strong mechanical bond between iron and magnesium. Mon, 17 Apr 2023 14:25:16 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230417142516.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230405111914.htm Study by civil engineers finds that the history of the Jagersfontein dam deviates from best engineering practice. Wed, 05 Apr 2023 11:19:14 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230405111914.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230403162600.htm Materials scientists showed that fine-tuning interlayer interactions in a class of 2D polymers can determine the materials' loss or retention of desirable mechanical properties in multilayer or bulk form. Mon, 03 Apr 2023 16:26:00 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/04/230403162600.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230328145545.htm Introducing additives to concrete manufacturing processes could reduce the sizeable carbon footprint of the material without altering its bulk mechanical properties, a study shows. Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:55:45 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230328145545.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230328145425.htm Scientists develop process to remove toxic heavy metals from coal fly ash, making for greener, stronger concrete. Tue, 28 Mar 2023 14:54:25 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230328145425.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230327114920.htm The cold blast of an air conditioner can be a relief as temperatures soar, but 'A/C' units require large amounts of energy and can leak greenhouse gases. Today, scientists report an eco-friendly alternative -- a plant-based film that cools when exposed to sunlight and comes in many textures and bright, iridescent colors. The material could someday keep buildings, cars and other structures cool without requiring power. Mon, 27 Mar 2023 11:49:20 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230327114920.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230323135432.htm The impact of multi-story building design considerations on embodied carbon emissions, cost, and operational energy has been revealed. Thu, 23 Mar 2023 13:54:32 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230323135432.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230322140354.htm The push toward truly autonomous vehicles has been hindered by the cost and time associated with safety testing, but a new system shows that artificial intelligence can reduce the testing miles required by 99.99%. Wed, 22 Mar 2023 14:03:54 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230322140354.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230321135146.htm New research introduces metamaterial concrete for the development of smart civil infrastructure systems. Researchers present a new concept for lightweight and mechanically-tunable concrete systems that have integrated energy harvesting and sensing functionality. Tue, 21 Mar 2023 13:51:46 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230321135146.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230321112436.htm Researchers have built and tested a bushfire safe room that exceeds current Australian standards and could keep people alive or protect valuables when evacuation is no longer an option. Tue, 21 Mar 2023 11:24:36 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230321112436.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230316140919.htm An increasing number of U.S. interstates are set to try out an invention that could save millions of taxpayer dollars and significantly reduce traffic delays. The invention, a sensor that allows concrete to 'talk,' decreases construction time and how often concrete pavement needs repairs while also improving the road’s sustainability and cutting its carbon footprint. Embedded directly into a concrete pour, the sensor sends engineers more precise and consistent data about the concrete’s strength and need for repair than is possible with currently used tools and methods. Thu, 16 Mar 2023 14:09:19 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230316140919.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230316114049.htm Scientists have created a new material, dubbed 'StarCrete' which is made from extra-terrestrial dust, potato starch, and a pinch of salt and could be used to build homes on Mars. 星期四,2023年3月16日11:40:49美国东部时间 //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230316114049.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230315143833.htm The Notre-Dame de Paris is the first known cathedral of Gothic-style architecture to be initially constructed with extensive use of iron to bind stones together. The 2019 fire that significantly damaged the cathedral enabled analyses leading to this discovery. Wed, 15 Mar 2023 14:38:33 EDT //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230315143833.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230303105223.htm Moving parts in mechanical come into regular contact, leading to wear and tear. Now, researchers have developed a contact control system, driven by artificial intelligence, to greatly reduce contact between damaged parts. 星期五,2023年3月03 10:52:23 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/03/230303105223.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230224135103.htm A research team presents technology that enhances photoacoustic computed tomography using a deep-learning approach. Fri, 24 Feb 2023 13:51:03 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230224135103.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230223181834.htm It started with a mystery: How did molten salt breach its metal container? Understanding the behavior of molten salt, a proposed coolant for next-generation nuclear reactors and fusion power, is a question of critical safety for advanced energy production. The multi-institutional research team, co-led by Penn State, initially imaged a cross-section of the sealed container, finding no clear pathway for the salt appearing on the outside. The researchers then used electron tomography, a 3D imaging technique, to reveal the tiniest of connected passages linking two sides of the solid container. That finding only led to more questions for the team investigating the strange phenomenon. Thu, 23 Feb 2023 18:18:34 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230223181834.htm //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230222115951.htm Researchers have developed a new method to keep dust from sticking to surfaces. Wed, 22 Feb 2023 11:59:51 EST //www.koonmotors.com/releases/2023/02/230222115951.htm