Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Electrohydrodynamic cooling system to beat the heat on deep space missions

David Szondy — Sun, 22 Apr 2018 05:17:36 GMT

When astronauts head for Mars, keeping them cool will be a major concern, so a team of mechanical engineers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) led by Jamal Yagoobi is working on a new electrical cooling system that has no moving parts. Already being tested aboard the International Space Station (ISS), the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) cooler uses electrically charged fluids running through tiny tubes to carry away heat without noise or vibrations.

Category: Astronomy, Science

Tags: Cooling, International Space Station, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Scientists sort sperm – using an obstacle course

Ben Coxworth — Thu, 04 Jan 2018 02:23:44 GMT

When performing in vitro fertilization, it's important to use the "best" sperm possible – this will increase the patient's chances of getting pregnant, reducing the number of treatment cycles required. And while there are already sorting methods that select the fastest-swimming sperm, a new microfluidic device also ensures that they're the healthiest.

Category: Science

Tags: Stanford University, Fertility, Microfluidic, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Plant powder snatches malaria victims from death's door

Mike Franco — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 00:41:20 GMT

When 18 malaria patients in the Congo failed to respond to conventional treatments and instead continued to head toward terminal status, doctors knew they had to act fast – and try something different. So instead of turning to more synthetic drugs, they turned instead to nature and found a solution that delivered remarkable results.

Category: Body and Mind

Tags: Malaria, Worcester Polytechnic Institute