EurekAlert! News by Subject: Tech & Engineering

Tech & Engineering

Updates every hour. Last Updated: 22-Apr-2026 05:16 ET (22-Apr-2026 09:16 GMT/UTC)

19-Feb-2026

Nanodevice produces continuous electricity from evaporation

Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A nanodevice developed at EPFL produces an autonomous, stable current from evaporating saltwater by using heat and light to control the movement of ions and electrons.

Journal: Nature Communications

19-Feb-2026

Study shows low-field MRI is feasible for breast screening

Mass General Brigham
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Mass General Brigham’s evaluation of low-field MRI performance lays potential groundwork for this technology to be a lower-cost, accessible option for breast imaging

Journal: Scientific Reports
Funder: Kiyomi and Ed Baird MGH Research Scholar award, German-American Fulbright Commission, National Institute of Standards and Technology, U.S. Department of Commerce

19-Feb-2026

Artificial DNA base pair developed based on halogen bonds

University of Cologne
Peer-Reviewed Publication

A research team at the University of Cologne has developed an artificial DNA base pair that works according to a new chemical principle. In contrast to natural bases, the novel artificial base pairs use halogen bonds that are enzymatically incorporated into DNA / publication in the ‘Journal of the American Chemical Society’

Journal: Journal of the American Chemical Society

19-Feb-2026

Nature-inspired novel route shaping nanocrystals

Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Nanosized crystals easily form in nature through chemical weathering, while their formation requires a long time. In contrast, laboratory solid-state synthesis enables their rapid formation under ambient conditions, provided that suitably predesigned molecular building blocks or crystal frameworks are employed. Still, the effectiveness of precise control of the nanocrystals formation on the molecular level is far from desired, making it a challenging riddle to be solved. Recent studies, demonstrated by researchers from the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, and Warsaw University of Technology, led by Prof. Lewiński deliver a solution – a new route of transformation of molecular crystals to quantum dot monoliths.

Journal: Nature Communications

19-Feb-2026

KAIST overcomes limitations of existing image sensors… clear colors even under oblique light

The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)
Peer-Reviewed Publication

Smartphone cameras are becoming smaller, yet photos are becoming sharper. Korean researchers have elevated the limits of next-generation smartphone cameras by developing a new image sensor technology that can accurately represent colors regardless of the angle at which light enters. The team achieved this by utilizing a “metamaterial” that designs the movement of light through structures too small to be seen with the naked eye.

Journal: Advanced Optical Materials

18-Feb-2026

Aussie desert plant packs a protein punch

RMIT University
Peer-Reviewed Publication

The drought-tolerant shrub affectionately known as Old Man Saltbush is mostly used as stock fodder, but can also be added to salads or cooking and has been enoyed by Indigenous Australian for thousands of years. Now, early research suggests it could be a healthy and sustainable alternative many more of us should be eating.