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American Institute of Physics


Capturing live tumor cells in the blood

Researchers develop a new microfluidic chip that can capture over 90% of circulating tumor cells from patient blood, providing potential applications for cancer screenings, treatment assessments, and disease progression determination. The technique shortens processing time and improves efficiency compared to existing methods.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateAug 8, 2013

Getting to the core of Fukushima

A study in AIP Advances describes a muon imaging technique that could help assess damage within the reactor's core, locate melted fuel and potentially reduce radiation doses. The method uses naturally occurring muons to image dense objects, offering advantages over traditional muon imaging.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateAug 7, 2013

Catching cancer early by chasing it

A portable diagnostic device developed by Chinese researchers can travel to patients anywhere in the world, providing an opportunity for early cancer detection. The device uses microfluidics technology and is designed to be low-cost, easy-to-use, and power-independent.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateAug 1, 2013

Key factors for wireless power transfer

A team of researchers discovered that resonance frequency matching, alignment of the magnetic field, and impedance matching are crucial for efficient wireless power transfer. This technology could enable dynamic charging of electric vehicles on highways, increasing their driving ranges indefinitely.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateJul 31, 2013

Hardness, in depth

Researchers have developed a new machine that measures a material's hardness with unprecedented accuracy. The Precision Nanoindentation Platform (PNP) can test properties beyond the reach of previous devices, including viscoelastic creep.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateJul 30, 2013

Facebook for molecules

NIST researchers create a standard language for describing molecules, enabling rapid search and identification of substances with specific properties. The approach could speed up the development of new drugs and designer materials by allowing scientists to quickly sift through vast chemical and biological data sets.

Thin-film diamonds

Researchers at Advanced Diamond Technologies successfully created thin films of boron-doped diamond at low temperatures, potentially enabling a wider range of applications for electronic devices. The new method expands the possibilities for depositing high-quality diamond coatings without damaging sensitive electronics.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJul 3, 2013

Is it alive or dead?

A Korean team of mechanical engineers has created a novel nanoscale biosensing technique to detect uniform heat signatures from individual cells. This innovation allows for the measurement of cell viability and may lead to early diagnosis of diseases like cancer based on differences in thermal properties.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJun 28, 2013

Solid-state controllable light filter may protect preterm infants from disturbing light

A new solid-state controllable light filter has been developed to shield preterm infants from most wavelengths of visible light, promoting better maturation. The device switches between blocking out all light and allowing red light through, enabling medical staff and parents to monitor the infants without disrupting their sleep.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 6, 2013

Relieving chronic pain

Researchers developed a new device called Human Spinal Cord Modulation System (HSCMS) to deliver therapeutic stimulation in a more targeted way. The device is designed to be in direct contact with the spinal cord, providing improved pain relief for patients with chronic pain.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMar 25, 2013

Ultra-precision positioning

Researchers developed a novel rotary actuator that delivers more torque than previous devices, achieving four-fold improvements in loading torque and accuracy. The device uses piezoelectric material and a clamp with a changeable clamping radius to optimize power and control.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalReview of Scientific Instruments·DateMar 25, 2013

Using fluctuating wind power

Researchers propose a new strategy to optimize power-generation efficiency in fluctuating wind conditions by predicting maximum turbine generation capacity and incorporating various factors. The approach shows promise in improving power-generation efficiency, but further refinement is needed based on local conditions.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateMar 25, 2013

Detecting circulating tumor cells

Researchers have developed a multi-stage, multi-orifice flow fractionation system to detect and separate circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from blood with high efficiency, improving separation efficiency to 98.9%. The device, called MS-MOFF, employs hydrodynamic sorting and can collect viable CTCs after sorting.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateMar 23, 2013

Magnetic shielding of ion beam thruster walls

A research team at Caltech's Jet Propulsion Laboratory has found a way to effectively control erosion of Hall thruster walls by shaping the engine's magnetic field. By minimizing the effect of plasma on the magnetic field lines, they demonstrated 100 to 1,000 times less wall erosion when using magnetic shielding.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 13, 2013

Sorting stem cells

Researchers from Scotland have demonstrated a way to sort embryonic stem cells based on their electrical properties. The method uses electric fields to differentiate between undifferentiated and differentiated stem cells, which can be useful for biomedical research and potential treatments of diseases like Parkinson's.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalBiomicrofluidics·DateJan 3, 2013