Students from the University of New South Wales in Australia have broken the electric vehicle world speed record over 500 kilometres. The institute’s solar racing team – which goes by
R&D News
![Air umbrella surpasses kickstarter fund target](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/air-umbrella-battery-powered-505x306_c.jpg)
An ‘invisible umbrella’ that uses a jet of air to deflect raindrops has surpassed its fundraising goal of US$10,000 to reach US$30,493 on crowdfunding site Kickstarter, with nine days remaining
![MIT report warns Mars One hopefuls that death would come quickly](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/mars-one-lander-505x306_c.png)
For the 1,058 remaining Mars hopefuls, worrying news came for their chances of short-term survival after MIT published a detailed scientific report showing how they’ll likely die within two months.
![Frozen faecal matter no longer a tough pill to swallow](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Frozen-Fecal-Healthy-Volunteers-treat-C-difficile-505x306_c.jpg)
Often used as a treatment for bacterial infections in the intestines, faecal matter, or poo to you and me, is to be frozen and put in pills to make it
![Cork students make Time’s most influential teenager list](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/google-science-fair-hunger_84091_990x742-505x306_c.jpg)
Three Irish students from Cork have made it onto Time magazine’s annual list of most influential teenagers, alongside Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai and New Zealand singer Lorde. Ciara
![Irish botanist Matilda Knowles honoured after 150 years](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Matilda-Knowles-505x306_c.jpg)
One of the world’s great lichen experts of the 20th century, Irishwoman Matilda Knowles, has been honoured with a commemorative plaque at the Botanic Gardens in Dublin 150 years after
![World’s first dissolvable microchip created by researchers](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Microchip-505x306_c.jpg)
A team of researchers has developed a series of silicon chips and sensors that can be dissolved in water after they reach the end of their lives, which could prove
![Scientists are closer than ever to curing type 1 diabetes](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/bigstock-Insulin-Dependent-Diabetes-Pat-12759956-505x306_c.jpg)
A team of researchers from the Harvard Stem Cell Institute have made a giant leap towards establishing effective treatment for type 1 diabetes. The team of stem cell researchers led
![Amputees get sensation from prosthetic hand](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/ProstheticHand-505x306_c.jpg)
Even before he lost his right hand to an industrial accident 4 years ago, Igor Spetic had family open his medicine bottles. Cotton balls give him goose bumps. Now, blindfolded
![NASA looking at induced hibernation for travel to Mars](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/deep-sleep-670x440-141003-505x306_c.jpg)
In a bid to bring astronauts to Mars who could last the months-long journey, US space agency NASA is looking at possible ways of inducing a coma-like state through extreme
![Nobel prize for chemistry awarded for discovery of nanoscopy](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/cells-nobel-prize-505x306_c.jpg)
Eric Betzig, Stefan W Hell and William E Moerner have been awarded the 2014 Nobel prize in chemistry for their discovery of nanoscopy to view objects at a scale once
![AAA study shows in-car hands free systems often more distracting](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/10950639346_6fcf0d4a3f-505x306_c.jpg)
Two new AAA (American Automobile Association)-University of Utah studies show that despite public belief to the contrary, hands-free, voice-controlled automobile infotainment systems can distract drivers, although it is possible to
![Surgeons save two-week-old infant with aid of 3D printed heart](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/3D-heart-505x306_c.png)
In what is reminiscent of an episode of Grey’s Anatomy, surgeons at Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital in New York City have 3D printed a heart and saved the life of
![Mantis shrimp eyes inspiring new cancer-detecting cameras](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Mantis-Shrimp-505x306_c.jpg)
Researchers at the University of Queensland have pulled unlikely inspiration in their ground-breaking work developing advanced new cameras that can detect cancer. Mantis shrimps have influenced designs as the marine crustaceans’ eyes can
![AIB forges seven-year research alliance with UCD](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/AIB-sign-505x306_c.jpg)
AIB has invested in a seven-year Partnership and Innovation Initiative with UCD that will see the bank and the university work on original research across a number of sectors. This
![MIT team develops most efficient solar panels to date](/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/roof-mounted-power--505x306_c.jpg)
A team of researchers from MIT have reportedly developed a new solar absorption material that is close to ideal maximum efficiency at a reasonable cost. To make the most efficient
![Bacterial ‘communication system’ could be used to stop the spread of cancer cells](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/cancer-cells-pic-wellcome-trust-188858703-194754-505x306_c.jpg)
Cancer, while always dangerous, truly becomes life-threatening when cancer cells begin to spread to different areas throughout the body. Now, researchers at the University of Missouri have discovered that a
![Irish-designed sensor tells farmers when cows are ready to calve](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Moocall1-620x350-505x306_c.jpg)
A wireless calving alert device which sends the farmer an SMS text alert when a cow goes into labour was unveiled today at the National Ploughing Championships. In what its
![Three Irish schoolgirls win Google Science Fair](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Google-Science-fair-winners-505x306_c.jpg)
Ciara Judge, Emer Hickey and Sophie Healy-Thow from Kinsale Community School were last night named the overall winners of the Grand Prize as well as the 15-16 Age category at
![Wireless sensors to improve poultry production wins UCD award](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Free_Range_Hens-505x306_c.jpg)
An early-stage business idea focused on using wireless sensors to monitor environmental conditions in chicken barns to improve poultry production has been declared winner of the UCD Agri-Food Sprint Programme.
![US researchers develop optical sensor that gives robot unprecedented dexterity](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/MIT-GelSight-01_0-505x306_c.jpg)
Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Northeastern University in the US have equipped a robot with a tactile sensor that lets it grasp a USB cable and
![Tyndall and TSSG plan €82m fund for 10 internet start-ups](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/TSSG-and-Tyndal-IoT_English1-505x306_c.jpg)
Waterford Institute of Technology’s TSSG and University College Cork’s Tyndall Institute have signed a memorandum of understanding to target €82m in EU funding to support 10 internet of things start-ups.
![Limerick student’s life-saving technology wins €2,500 James Dyson Award](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Nutria_6501-505x306_c.jpg)
A new feeding system designed by a Limerick student after witnessing his cousin struggle with feeding tubes after her birth has won the Irish leg of the 2014 James Dyson
![Irish company Skytek to host major space meeting in Dublin](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Sky-at-Night-505x306_c.jpg)
Astronauts and other space experts are gathering in Dublin this week for a major think tank about the International Space
![Scientists producing hydrogen energy from water at 30x faster rate](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/hydrogen-505x306_c.jpg)
Scientists from the University of Glasgow have claimed to have cracked the process of creating hydrogen fuel from water 30
![Irish Government invest €5m in new pharma manufacturing tech centre](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/pmtc-logo_sm_1-505x306_c.jpg)
Ireland’s Government is to invest €5m over the next five years in a new Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technology Centre (PMTC) that
![Researchers developing pitch-side concussion detector](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/concussion-505x306_c.jpg)
Researchers in the UK are attempting to obtain a better understanding of sports-related concussions by developing a detector that could
![Irish geologists create atlas to aid in Atlantic exploration](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Falkland_Islands-wallpaper-505x306_c.jpg)
Scientists from the Geological Survey of Ireland and University College Dublin (UCD) have launched a new geological atlas of the
![Highest resolution ever with X-ray microscopy](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/3-advancedligh-505x306_c.jpg)
A record-setting X-ray microscopy experiment may have ushered in a new era for nanoscale imaging. Working at the U.S. Department
![Scientists reveal body’s infection fighters chatter a lot](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Strong-Immune-System-505x306_c.jpg)
The best defense is a good offense, especially when it comes to the immune system. The troops that respond to
![Rapid and durable protection against Ebola virus with new vaccine regimens](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/27.ebola_.afp_-505x306_c.jpg)
One shot of an experimental vaccine made from two Ebola virus gene segments incorporated into a chimpanzee cold virus vector
![World’s first brain to brain message sent](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Mind_Meld_Spock_Valeris-505x306_c.jpg)
Scientists have been able to send a simple mental message from one person to another without any contact between the
![Athlone IT sets out goal to become a technological university](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ait-english_logo-505x306_c.jpg)
Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) will become a technological university, according to a new strategic plan published today. According to
![UCD ranked 5th university in Europe for VC-backed entrepreneurs](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/ucd_brandmark_colour-505x306_c.gif)
Dublin’s University College Dublin (UCD) has been ranked fifth in a list of European universities that have produced venture capital
![UCC scientists developing multi-use vaccine patch](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Dr.-Anne-Moore-UCC-505x306_c.jpg)
Scientists from University College Cork (UCC) have developed a micro-needle patch that lowers the amount of vaccine needed for the
![Galway based firm to develop “Life saving” drones](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/UAV-Drone-505x306_c.jpg)
A Galway couple’s start-up has developed technology that will transform aerial drones from weapons of war into life-saving devices that
![ReelLIFE SCIENCE competition seeks student-made videos](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/video-camera-shutterstock-505x306_c.jpg)
NUI Galway is challenging primary and secondary school students across Ireland to create videos on science topics for the ReelLIFE
![New IT Sligo science building honours Irish scientist MacMunn](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/sligo-IT-Science-Block-505x306_c.jpg)
IT Sligo’s new €17m science building named after an Irish scientist who conducted research in a hayloft over his stables
![Mystery solved: ‘Sailing stones’ of Death Valley seen in action for the first time](/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/moving-rocks-1-505x306_c.jpeg)
Racetrack Playa is home to an enduring Death Valley mystery. Littered across the surface of this dry lake, also called
![Trinity researchers lead the design of a new futuristic eco-friendly aircraft](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/trinity-800-shutterstock-71481451-505x306_c.jpg)
Researchers at Trinity College Dublin’s School of Engineering have been selected to lead an EU consortium in the design of
![Fever’s origin discovered by researchers](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/woman-with-thermometer-505x306_c.jpg)
Fever is a response to inflammation, and is triggered by an onset of the signaling substance prostaglandin. Researchers at Linköping
![Robots could replace sheepdogs after scientists learn herding secrets](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/working-sheepdog-505x306_c.jpg)
The concept of robots replacing humans at their jobs is nothing new, but now robots could replace sheepdogs after scientists
![US hypersonic space weapon goes up in smoke](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Speed_is_Life_HTV-2_Reentry_New-505x306_c.jpg)
A futuristic space weapon developed by the US Army capable of hitting any target on Earth within an hour was
![Scientists grow an organ in an animal from cells created in lab](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/4.10labvigine-505x306_c.jpg)
Laboratory-grown replacement organs have moved a step closer with the completion of a new study. Scientists have grown a fully
![UCC team develops medical device alternative to open-heart surgery](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Open-heart-alternative-505x306_c.jpg)
The University College Cork (UCC) Centre for Research in Vascular Biology has developed a medical device that promotes the bypass
![Laser device may end pin pricks and improve quality of life for diabetics](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Diabetic-pens-505x306_c.jpg)
Princeton University researchers have developed a way to use a laser to measure people’s blood sugar, and, with more work
![Six of top 10 World’s Most Innovative Companies 2014 have Irish presence](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/innovation-ireland_EU_fake_exports_Sept182013-505x306_c.jpg)
Six of the top 10 companies on Forbes magazine’s list of The World’s Most Innovative Companies 2014 have Irish operations,
![Researchers from Sweden, Ireland and the USA believe fluorine formed in the stars](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Toothpaste-tube-2-505x306_c.jpg)
The fluorine that is found in products such as toothpaste was likely formed billions of years ago in now dead
![Severing nerves may shrink stomach cancers: Botox injections slow growth of stomach tumors in mice](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/cancer-1WEB-505x306_c.jpg)
Research from ColumbiaUniversityMedicalCenter shows that nerves may play a critical role in stomach cancer growth and that blocking nerve signals
![New research suggests rubber bands could monitor health issues](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/rubber-bands-1-505x306_c.jpg)
Ordinary rubber bands could be transformed into wearable sensors for monitoring blood pressure, joint movement and blood glucose, as a
![Scientists in Belfast develop new gel to fight superbugs](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Super-bugs-505x306_c.jpg)
Scientists in Northern Ireland claim they have made a significant advance in the fight against hospital superbugs, including those most
![Sligo-based engineer looks to improve manufacturing for medical implants](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/marion-mcafee-505x306_c.jpg)
Dr Marion McAfee is looking to monitor and improve the manufacture of materials for devices that the body can resorb
![Michael J Fox Foundation and Intel to develop wearable Parkinson’s sensor](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/michael-j-fox-foundation-505x306_c.jpg)
The Michael J Fox Foundation and Intel are to work together to develop a wearable sensor that could track the
![Employment bodies focus on STEM success as Leaving Cert results are revealed](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/state-exams-390x285-505x306_c.jpg)
As almost 57,000 students receive their Leaving Certificate results in Ireland today, Project Maths has proven its success and interest
![BT Young Scientist winners selected as Google Science Fair Global finalists](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/BT-Young-Scientist-winners-505x306_c.jpg)
The 2014 Google Science Fair Global finalists have been announced and, among the 15 projects selected from teenagers around the
![Irish researcher to showcase medical support app at TEDMED](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/ucc-researcher-tedmed-scholarship1-505x306_c.jpg)
Siobhán O’Connor is going to TEDMED to spread the word about the Supporting LIFE app being developed through an Irish-led
![€75k aid available to help schools compete in 2015 BT Young Scientist event](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Screen-Shot-2014-01-23-at-17.16.09-505x306_c.png)
BT has again created a €75,000 accommodation grant to help regional schools around Ireland to compete in the 2015 BT
![€2.8m digital plan to provide economic boost to Ireland’s south-east](/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/digital-disrupter-800-shutterstock-151107746-505x306_c.jpg)
Waterford Institute of Technology is to lead a €2.8m digital research project to boost regional economic development in Ireland’s south-east