Colloidal coatings, such as paint, are all around us. However, we know little about the mechanics of the film-forming process because the composition and properties of drying coatings vary dramatically in space and time.  To surmount this challenge, we extend traction force microscopy to quantify the spatial distribution of all three components of the stress [...]

The present paper deals with mathematical models of heat and moisture transport in layered building envelopes.  The study of such processes generates a system of two doubly nonlinear evolution partial differential equations with appropriate initial and boundary conditions.  The existence of the strong solution in two dimensions on a (short) time interval is proven.  The [...]

We study the heat transfer between weakly coupled systems with flat interface.  We present simple analytical results which can be used to estimate the heat transfer coefficient.  As applications we consider the heat transfer across solid-solid contacts, and between a membrane (graphene) and a solid substrate (amorphous SiO2).  For the latter system the calculated value [...]

Biomedical engineering degrees have increased more than any other field over the past decade.  Respectively, they’ve grown by 215 percent, 193 percent, and 256 percent at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels since 2000.  [ASEE Connections, August 2010]

Tiny charges gathered directly from humid air could be harnessed to generate electricity, researchers say.  Dr. Fernando Galembeck told the American Chemical Society meeting in Boston that the technique exploited a little-known atmospheric effect.  Tests had shown that metals could be used to gather the charges, he said, opening up a potential energy source in [...]

The NSF Dynamical Systems program supports innovative research on the theories of dynamical systems, including new analytical and computational tools, as well as the novel application of dynamical systems to engineered systems.  The program is especially interested in transformative research in the area of complex systems, uncertain, or stochastic nonlinear dynamical systems, model order reduction [...]

The Control Systems program supports innovative research on control theory and control technology driven by real life applications.  The program accepts proposals on transformative research in established topic areas such as model-based control.  However, the program emphasis is on paradigm-shifting ideas for control strategies that may be inspired by nature, unconventional applications, and the combined [...]

Optical biosensors typically require complex engineering and multistep fabrication strategies, which make them expensive and difficult to service.  For example, to fabricate a very popular plasmonic sensor, one starts with a polished glass prism, then deposits a nanometer-thick metallic layer, activates the surface with bio- or chemical receptors, and finally installs a prefabricated optofluidic system [...]

Artificial light has long been a significant factor contributing to the quality and productivity of human life.  As a consequence, we are willing to use huge amounts of energy to produce it.  Solid-state lighting (SSL) is an emerging technology that promises performance features and efficiencies well beyond those of traditional artificial lighting, accompanied by potentially [...]

IEEE Green Technologies Conference organizers are seeking technical papers on topics related to current and emerging renewable energy sources and energy-reduction technologies.  Accepted papers will be presented during the third-annual conference, 14-15 April 2011, at the Hilton Hotel in Baton Rouge, La.  Papers must be submitted between 1 September and 1 November.  For questions regarding [...]