Author: Connected World
Innovators are at the forefront of creating a shape-memory ceramic that can be manufactured at scale without breaking. Theoretically, a strong, defect-free material could phase-shift under stress to dissipate energy and, unlike normally brittle ceramics, can be 3D-printed in bulk with full density in the as-printed state. This would then open up possibilities for practical applications in defense, infrastructure, aerospace, and even high-performance sporting equipment. Hang Yu, associate professor of materials science and engineering, Virginia Tech, along with Ph.D. student Donnie Erb ’15, M.S. ’18 and postdoctoral researcher Nikhil Gotawala, had a breakthrough. The team has used an advanced manufacturing…
The sun’s magnetic field, which fuels explosive events like solar flares and coronal mass ejections, has long been difficult to map in three dimensions. One promising AI (artificial intelligence) breakthrough comes from researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi IfA (Institute for Astronomy). The university developed an advanced AI tool that can map the sun’s magnetic field in 3D with accuracy. This innovation supports research using the NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope and enhances scientists’ ability to understand the sun’s dynamic behavior. Here is how this can help: Looking to the future, AI-augmented solar research promises to deepen our understanding…
#Factoftheweek Only 25% of U.S. employees think their organization handles major change well. Yikes. As organizations plan for 2026, one trend they can’t afford to overlook is the generational divide in how employees experience change. This is apparent in the recent Eagle Hill Consulting research that shows there are significant generational gaps in optimism, stress, and perceptions of change. Here’s what leadership should consider for their 2026 organizational playbook: One thing is clear across the board though. The most important drivers of change acceptance are understanding why a change is happening and having clear communication about it. What are you…
As the demand for digital services, AI (artificial intelligence), and cloud platforms rapidly grows, data centers are becoming critical infrastructure, but their massive power needs create technical, economic, and environmental challenges. Researchers are stepping up with innovative approaches to ensure the next generation of data centers is resilient, efficient, and sustainable. Case in point: Professor Ali Mehrizi-Sani, director of Virginia Tech’s Power and Energy Center, is spearheading interdisciplinary research and planning to transform how data centers are powered and managed. With support from Virginia Tech’s College of Engineering Major Grants Initiative, Mehrizi-Sani’s team convened experts from industry, academia, utilities, environmental…
Computational biology and AI (artificial intelligence) are transforming how we understand and fight cancer. As cancer research generates massive volumes of data—from genomic sequences to treatment outcomes—researchers are increasingly turning to advanced math, AI, and computational methods to uncover patterns hidden in the noise. As one example, Purdue University’s Collaborative Core for Cancer Bioinformatics, led by computational biologist Dr. Nadia Lanman, uses big data and AI-driven analysis to help scientists make sense of enormous datasets that would otherwise overwhelm traditional research methods. By applying algorithms and machine learning, Dr. Lanman’s work aids projects ranging from cellular differentiation studies to predictive…
#Factoftheweek 85% of U.S. homeowners now rely on at least one smart-home device, and more than half plan to buy more in the next year. This is according to Vivint’s inaugural How We Home report. It seems this holiday season, millions of homeowners aren’t just decking the halls—they are outfitting the house with connected technology. Here’s a few key drivers: What does this mean as we head to the new year? Will the biggest smart-home players keep dominating? Can niche innovators carve out a place in the market? How will energy-management features shape the next wave of adoption?
Airports are increasingly embracing digital innovation, as operations become more complex and realtime coordination becomes essential. One example of this trend is the rollout at Nantes Atlantique Airport in France, which recently implemented the Airport Community App across its entire campus workforce. The deployment at Nantes follows successful implementations at other airports within the VINCI Airports network including airports in Lyon, London (Gatwick), and Portugal (ANA). The app connects all staff—from airfield crews to terminal operations, including partners and third-party personnel. This enables realtime data flow from the tarmac to the control room. Here is how this can help: Looking…
#Factoftheweek $15.6 billion in 2025 rises to $23 billion by 2036 The global RFID (radio-frequency identification) market is accelerating, and IDTechEx now forecasts growth from $15.6 billion in 2025 to $23 billion by 2036. After digging into IDTechEx’s latest research, one thing is clear: There are many regional differences to note with RFID. Here are a few: The Americas are leading the charge. Asia-Pacific sees huge volume and shifting patterns. Europe’s regulation will lead to acceleration. Middle East & Africa will see digital payments and early UHF momentum. Here’s my take: RFID is clearly moving into a new phase where…
#Factoftheweek The number of active consumer asset tracking devices in Europe and North America reached 15 million at the end of 2024—and it will grow to 30.7 million units by the end of 2029. That’s a lot of tracking! It’s also a 15.4% growth rate. Let’s break it down. Consumer asset tracking devices can use cellular, satellite, LoRa, or Sigfox, and can be divided into four main categories: In the months ahead, we can anticipate the technology will continue to advance. We can expect improvements in: We can also anticipate AI (artificial intelligence) will have an impact on the market,…
Detecting how forests respond to logging, storms, or fire—and ultimately measuring forest recovery and growth—is not an easy feat. Enter remote sensing technologies and forest monitoring science. Researchers from the College of Natural Resources and Environment at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University have received a new grant from the U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station. The study will combine repeat collections of airborne LiDAR and photogrammetric point clouds from the National Agriculture Imagery Program with spectral data to measure forest growth and change over time. Here is how this can help: Looking to the future, the $142,000 investment will…