EurekAlert! News by Subject: Tech & Engineering - News by Subject: Tech & Engineering

Tech & Engineering

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 4-Apr-2026 19:15 ET (4-Apr-2026 23:15 GMT/UTC)

Rats played major role in Easter Island’s deforestation, study reveals

Binghamton University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

While the Rapa Nui people did play a role in the island’s deforestation, the greater role may belong to a virtual tidal wave of rats, according to new research from Binghamton University, State University of New York.

Journal: Journal of Archaeological Science

From artificial organs to advanced batteries: A breakthrough 3D-printable polymer

University of Virginia School of Engineering and Applied Science
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A new material developed at UVA could lead to breakthroughs in transplant treatments, drug delivery systems, even battery storage.

Journal: Advanced Materials
Funder: UVA LaunchPad for Diabetes, Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation

SwRI turbocharges its hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine

Southwest Research Institute
Business Announcement

SAN ANTONIO — November 17, 2025 — Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has upgraded its hydrogen-powered heavy-duty internal combustion engine (H₂-ICE) with a state-of-the-art turbocharger. The upgrades have significantly improved performance across the board, making the engine competitive with current long-haul diesel engines focused on fuel economy while maintaining near-zero tailpipe emissions.

Naval Research Laboratory scientist elected fellow of the American Physical Society

Naval Research Laboratory
Grant and Award Announcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Physical Society (APS) selected John Lyons, Ph.D., a physical scientist in the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Materials Science and Technology Division, as a 2025 APS Fellow for his fundamental contributions to the understanding and design of wide-band-gap semiconductors using first-principles methods, including strategies for semiconductor doping and for understanding and controlling exciton fine structure.

Clinical trials affected by research grant terminations at the National Institutes of Health

JAMA Network
Peer-Reviewed Publication

About The Study: Approximately 1 in 30 trials and more than 74,000 trial participants were affected by grant funding disruptions. Affected trials disproportionately studied infectious diseases, prevention, and behavioral interventions, and were based in the Northeastern U.S. or in other countries. Because trials require sustained financial support to ensure operations and participant safety, unanticipated funding disruptions raise concerns about avoidable waste, data quality, and compromised ethical obligations to participants.

Journal: JAMA Internal Medicine

Light-intensity-dependent transformation of mesoscopic molecular assemblies

Chiba University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Out-of-equilibrium states that deviate from thermodynamic equilibrium are crucial not only for biological systems but also for designing synthetic functional materials. Now, researchers from Japan have developed supramolecular 2D nanosheets capable of transforming into dimensionally distinct out-of-equilibrium structures depending on ultraviolet light intensity. This work opens a new avenue for designing advanced adaptive materials that exhibit diverse responses depending on the light energy applied.

Journal: Chem
Funder: Japan Society for the Promotion of Science

Needs salt: Table seasoning enables new nanomaterial development

Penn State
Peer-Reviewed Publication

For the first time, researchers have made niobium sulfide metallic nanotubes with stable, predictable properties, a long-sought goal in advanced materials science. According to the international team, including a researcher at Penn State, that made the accomplishment, the new nanomaterial that could open the door to faster electronics, efficient electricity transport via superconductor wires and even future quantum computers was made possible with a surprising ingredient: table salt.

Journal: ACS Nano