ScienceDaily: Engineering and Construction News

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• First snapshots of water splitting in photosynthesis
• 'Nano-pixels' promise thin, flexible, high resolution displays
• Projecting a three-dimensional future based on nanoantennas
• Fast building inspection from the air: Quiet flying robots do the work
• Even geckos can lose their grip

First snapshots of water splitting in photosynthesis Posted: 09 Jul 2014 11:01 AM PDT Scientists have taken the first snapshots of photosynthesis in action as it splits water into protons, electrons and oxygen, the process that maintains Earth's oxygen atmosphere. The revealing of the mechanism of this water splitting process is essential for the development of artificial systems that mimic and surpass the efficiency of natural systems.

'Nano-pixels' promise thin, flexible, high resolution displays Posted: 09 Jul 2014 11:01 AM PDT A new discovery will make it possible to create pixels just a few hundred nanometers across that could pave the way for extremely high-resolution and low-energy thin, flexible displays for applications such as 'smart' glasses, synthetic retinas, and foldable screens.

Projecting a three-dimensional future based on nanoantennas Posted: 09 Jul 2014 08:54 AM PDT Highly efficient holography has been developed based on nanoantennas, using the parameters of light itself to create dynamic and complex holographic images. This research could be used for security as well as medical and recreational purposes, improving laser-based radars and advancing anti-counterfeiting techniques to safeguard against theft.

Fast building inspection from the air: Quiet flying robots do the work Posted: 09 Jul 2014 07:48 AM PDT Many buildings in Germany are in need of renovation. The reasons for this are often aging building structures and environmental influences. In the future, flying inspection robots will be able to accelerate and simplify inspections, thus reducing the safety risk. Compared to many conventional methods, the inspection is more convenient, thanks to the assistance of an aerial robot, and can occur at shorter intervals. In addition, inspection time can be significantly shortened, usually without impeding use of the buildings.

Even geckos can lose their grip Posted: 09 Jul 2014 06:55 AM PDT Not even geckos and spiders can sit upside down forever. Nanophysics makes sure of that. Mechanics researchers have demonstrated this in an article that can be of great industrial benefit.

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