A New Transistor Supercapacitor Hybrid: The Transcap

By Michael D’Agati   Finding new materials and geometries for the creation of transistors has become a focal point in the field of electronics within the past decade. This transition from silicon-based materials is important towards keeping up with a prediction made by Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, which states that the number of transistors in a dense integrated circuit doubles every two years. In other … Continue reading A New Transistor Supercapacitor Hybrid: The Transcap

Black Phosphorus Aids Development of Nanoscale Transistors

by Michael D’Agati   The development of classic silicon-based transistors at the nanoscale level has become more challenging, especially within the past decade. Scientists have thus turned towards producing transistors with new materials and geometries. Black phosphorus (BP), a material discovered a few years ago, could potentially provide a breakthrough towards making smaller transistors. It has grown in popularity in electronic device production because of its … Continue reading Black Phosphorus Aids Development of Nanoscale Transistors

A New Generation of Transistors

by Michael D’Agati   The number of transistors in an integrated circuit doubles every other year, according to Moore’s Law. This means that transistors must either continue to shrink beyond the nanoscopic scale or utilize different materials and geometries. However, limitations of atomic interactions at such a small scale make it difficult for transistors to be shrunk past the nanoscopic scale. In order to combat this … Continue reading A New Generation of Transistors

Improved Batteries in the Human Body

by Michael D’Agati   The field of bioelectronics, which produces implantable devices for sensing and therapeutics, has recently become a popular field. There is high promise in the collaboration between biology and electronics, but in order for these new innovations to work, a power source, such as implantable batteries, must be present to supply the energy needed. Currently, implantable batteries require bulky metal cases to keep … Continue reading Improved Batteries in the Human Body

Sodium Ion Batteries in Cold Climates

by Michael D’Agati Most aspects of electrical design and electrical engineering, such as circuits, wouldn’t be possible without batteries. Good batteries have a large capacity, high power density (quick charge/discharge cycles), and low cost energy storage. A few different types of rechargeable batteries have been developed, but at low temperatures, like -15°C, they charge slowly. This results in a severe voltage drop that can trigger problems … Continue reading Sodium Ion Batteries in Cold Climates

Storing More Energy with Carbon

by Michael D’Agati   The improvements in energy storage have been slow and costly, despite all the advancements in technology over the past decades. For this reason, there has been a lot of focus from research groups worldwide on different sources and methods of energy storage. One type of energy storage device that may be promising for the future is the supercapacitor. Supercapacitors have the ability … Continue reading Storing More Energy with Carbon

Tackling Contraction of Infections from Healthcare Facilities

by Rideeta Raquib   Healthcare-acquired infections or HAI are illnesses acquired from healthcare environments, such as hospitals or rehabilitation clinics. It is a serious issue which affects thousands of people every year and multiplies healthcare costs significantly. Klebsiella Pneumoniae, a harmful HAI agent has been attributed to causing illnesses through colonizing and transmitting infection. One of the strains of Klebsiella Pneumoniae, known as ST258, is … Continue reading Tackling Contraction of Infections from Healthcare Facilities

A New Genome-Editing Technique

by Jalwa Afroz Developmental biology explores how cells differentiate from a fertilized egg into a complex multicellular organism. Although the idea of marking cells to track their development is not new, scientists at Harvard University and the University of Washington developed a CRISPR genome-editing system that offers far more specificity and versatility by tracing cells with fluorescent proteins. In order for a technology to trace … Continue reading A New Genome-Editing Technique

Hippo Biology: The Next Step in Tissue Regeneration

by Aaron Gochman (’18) Traditional studies of tissue regeneration and repair have focused on delivering cells and biomaterials, compounds that will presumably grow when placed in a biologically friendly environment. A new avenue for research, however, has been revealed by a Chinese group that has chosen to focus on drug-based therapeutics instead. The study detailed a discovery in which the team found a drug, XMU-MP-1, … Continue reading Hippo Biology: The Next Step in Tissue Regeneration

The Exploration of Stone Tools

by Lillian Pao (’18) Stone tools have been around for millions of years. It is a technology that has evolved with the hominin phenotype. About three million years ago, flake-making was mastered by the African hominins, followed by handaxes 1.75 million years ago, and custom complex stone reductions by 1.6 million years ago.  Professor Mark W. Moore from the University of New England and a … Continue reading The Exploration of Stone Tools

The Many Advantages of Almonds

by Julia Newman (’19) Oilseeds are incredibly valuable in our society because they are applicable to a wide array of industries. Currently, soybeans, sunflowers, and rapeseeds are the most commonly used plants for their oils due to their high nutritional value, ability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and large quantity of oil extracted per plant. However, it was recently discovered by Dr. Sorkheh … Continue reading The Many Advantages of Almonds

Bio-Diesel Enhances the Flow of Emulsions in Pipelines

by Jenna Mallon (’18) Emulsions, mixtures containing two immiscible liquids, are used in a variety of industries including food, paint, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and oil/gas. Emulsions play a large role in petroleum production since they exist at every stage of production, from crude oil to the refined petroleum. Issues arise when it comes to the transport of petroleum: the emulsions in the petroleum may contain solids … Continue reading Bio-Diesel Enhances the Flow of Emulsions in Pipelines