Research Bits: Dec. 16


Soft liquid metal vias Researchers from Virginia Tech and University of Pennsylvania found a way to create soft, flexible electric connections through circuit layers. The method could be used for soft robotics and wearable devices. The technique uses liquid metal microdroplets to create a stair-like structure that forms soft vias and planar interconnects through and across circuit layers wi... » read more

Manufacturing Bits: Nov. 13


Power beams The U.S. Naval Research Laboratory and PowerLight Technologies have demonstrated the ability to transmit energy using a long-range, free-space power beaming system. The system is being developed as part of the Power Transmitted Over Laser (PTROL) project. The system consists of two 13-foot-high towers. One tower consists of 2-kilowatt laser transmitter. The other tower consist o... » read more