Worcester Polytechnic Institute Professor Nitin Sanket has secured a $704,908 NSF grant to develop sound-based navigation for tiny drones. His bio-inspired research, drawing from bats, will enable robots smaller than 100mm to operate in smoke, dust, and dark for search and rescue missions.

"US researchers at The University of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering have developed concrete rail ties reinforced with shape memory alloys (SMAs) that return to their original shape under heat. Led by Professor Bassem Andrawes, the design surpasses industry standards, offering a smarter way to prevent track warping and reduce costly maintenance."