Background Under-actuated compliant systems have grown in prevalence in recent years in the soft robotics area. The coupled stiffness and damping characteristics of system structure and materials of these systems enable robotic systems for tasks including locomotion and gripping. Legged robots in particular exhibit superior maneuverability in intricate...

Background The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes the urgent need to remove CO2 from the atmosphere by the end of the century to limit global warming to below 2 °C. Direct Air Capture (DAC) is essential in all scenarios to meet this target, requiring the removal of about 1,000 gigatons of CO2. DAC systems use chemical sorbents...

Background Many companies have made sustainability pledges like having net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and eliminating plastic waste. However, few tools are available to guide industry transition toward this future while remaining profitable. The complex multi-material structures of plastics and multilayer materials pose significant challenges for...

Background Mid to long-wave infrared detectors capture and interpret infrared radiation emitted by objects, and convert it into additional data. These detectors have wide ranging applications including gas sensing, thermal imaging, environmental monitoring, and defense applications. Typically, these detectors use micro- or nano-scale microwave-frequency...

Background There have been growing concerns relating to public safety and law enforcement in urban environments, particularly in New York City. The interconnected nature of mass shootings, hate crimes, and criminal complains remains a matter of significant concern. This has prompted the need for a comprehensive and data-driven approach to understand...

Background The increasing frequency and severity of wildfires creates difficulty for power engineers to decide on the best course of action for ensuring reliable and resilient system operation. To enable informed decision-making in the presence of active wildfire risks, knowledge of the local environmental conditions surrounding the electric power...

Background Integrated sensing and communication (ISAC) has been envisioned to benefit various emerging applications in the future, with enhanced spectral, energy, and hardware efficiency. One potential scenario is the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) for inventory management in warehouses or retail stores, where low-cost passive RFID tags...

Background Understanding the mechanical properties of biologically relevant soft materials is increasingly important for developing a comprehensive knowledge of the underlying injury mechanism and emerging biomedical applications such as tissue regeneration, and shockwave lithotripsy. Soft materials, which are composed of a variety of substances such...

Background Zn-air batteries (ZABs) are an emerging technology recognized for their environmentally friendly properties, cost-effectiveness, and high energy density. ZABs are reinventing next generation metal air batteries and are considered potential alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, providing a greener alternative. These batteries operate by...

Background The increasing level of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) poses a significant environmental challenge, necessitating innovative direct air capture designs. Traditional methods of CO₂ separation and capture, such as amine scrubbing or passive membrane filtration, often struggle with the issue of high energy consumption, low selectivity, and...