Trees are a source of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. A new process for upgrading lignin bio-oil to hydrocarbons could help expand use of the lignin, which is now largely a waste product left over from the productions of cellulose and bioethanol. (Credit: John Toon, Georgia Tech)

New Process Boosts Lignin Bio-oil as a Next-Generation Fuel

Atlanta, GA

A new process for upgrading lignin bio-oil could expand the use of lignin, which is now largely a waste product.

Trees are a source of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin. A new process for upgrading lignin bio-oil to hydrocarbons could help expand use of the lignin, which is now largely a waste product left over from the productions of cellulose and bioethanol. (Credit: John Toon, Georgia Tech)

New Process Boosts Lignin Bio-oil as a Next-Generation Fuel

Atlanta, GA

A new process for upgrading lignin bio-oil could expand the use of lignin, which is now largely a waste product.

Transplanted pancreatic islet cells in which insulin is shown in red, the cell nucleus in blue, and the blood vessels in aqua.  (Credit: Maria Coronel, Georgia Tech)

Microgel Immuno-acceptance Method Could Improve Pancreatic Islet Transplant Success

Atlanta, GA

Researchers developed a new microgel drug delivery method that could extend the effectiveness of pancreatic islet transplantations.

Built with multifunctional appendages able to spin wheels that can also be wiggled and lifted, the Mini Rover was modeled on a novel NASA rover design and used in the laboratory to develop and test complex locomotion techniques robust enough to help it climb hills composed of granular material, here ordinary beach sand. (Credit: Christopher Moore, Georgia Tech)

Planetary Exploration Rover Avoids Sand Traps with “Rear Rotator Pedaling”

Atlanta, GA

Using the Mini Rover, researchers have studied locomotion techniques that could help future rovers work on granular lunar and planetary surfaces.

Georgia Tech graduate research assistants Kirstie Thompson and Ronita Mathias with a sample of a new membrane material that could reduce carbon emissions and energy intensity associated with refining crude oil. (Credit: Christopher Moore, Georgia Tech)

Membrane Technology Could Cut Emissions and Energy Use in Oil Refining

Atlanta, GA

New membrane technology could reduce carbon emissions and energy intensity associated with oil refining.

Conventional lithium-ion batteries are used in a broad range of applications. (Credit: Matthew McDowell, Georgia Tech)

Spontaneous Formation of Nanoscale Hollow Structures Could Boost Battery Storage

Atlanta, GA

The spontaneous formation of hollow structures in nanometer-scale antimony crystals could make them useful in lithium-ion batteries.

Helping teleworkers stay safe.

The Case For DIY Masks To Slow Coronavirus’ Spread

Atlanta, GA

If coughing in your sleeve is effective, face masks must be, too, and successes in Asia and Europe corroborate this, physicist says.

To help meet the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) for health care workers, Georgia Tech has designed and is producing face shields. Shown is a laser cutting machine used to create frames for the shields.

Do-It-Yourself Medical Devices and Protective Gear Fuel Battle Against COVID-19

Atlanta, GA

The Georgia Tech community is working together to help meet the needs for personal protection equipment for health care workers.

The Dave Johnson coal-fired power plant in central Wyoming. Credit: Wikimedia Commons CC 2.0 Generic Goebel

Energy Regulation Rollbacks Threaten Progress Against Harmful Ozone

Atlanta, GA

This is what could happen if all endangered regulations that help in the fight against harmful ozone go away.

Q&A with Georgia Tech Professors on the Intersection of Science Fiction and the Chemical Elements

Atlanta, GA

A discussion with Georgia Tech scientists and science fiction writers explores connection in science, fiction and culture.