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Researchers challenge status quo of battery commercialization

Researchers challenge traditional battery commercialization approach by incorporating lessons from the pharmaceutical industry. They propose a tailored proposal for entrepreneurs, investors, manufacturers, and policymakers to fuel battery innovation, including niche applications, strategic partnerships, targeted capital raises, and cus...

Why US battery startups fail -- and how to fix it

A new study investigates why US battery material startups are failing under current venture capital funding models. The authors draw inspiration from the pharmaceutical industry, providing recommendations for entrepreneurs, investors, manufacturers, and policy-makers to improve commercialization chances.

No batteries required: Energy-harvesting yarns generate electricity

Researchers have developed high-tech yarns that can generate electricity when stretched or twisted, opening up new possibilities for self-powered wearable devices and energy harvesting from ocean waves. The twistron yarns, constructed from carbon nanotubes, can convert mechanical energy into electrical power.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.

aCar -- the electric 'all-rounder'

The aCar is an electric off-road capable vehicle designed to strengthen rural structures and drive the economy in Africa. Its modular structure allows for various applications, including water treatment, medical care, and cargo transportation.

A battery-inspired strategy for carbon fixation

Researchers in Japan and China create a way to isolate solid carbon dust from gaseous carbon dioxide, yielding a promising approach to fix carbon in a stable form. The method also shows potential for treating atmospheric CO2 and scrubbing other harmful gases.

New battery is activated by your spit

Researchers at Binghamton University developed a paper-based bacteria-powered battery activated by spit, which can generate reliable power from one drop of saliva. The battery has competitive advantages over conventional solutions due to the availability of biological fluid and long-term storage capabilities.

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.

UMD engineers invent the first bio-compatible, ion current battery

Researchers at UMD developed a new battery type that produces ionic electrical energy used by humans, powering brain functions and muscle movements. The battery uses grass to store energy and can be run at any voltage, making it suitable for medical devices and potential applications in neuroscience.

Smart sensors could save lives

A team from KAUST developed a cheap, reliable system to signal danger using disposable sensor nodes linked wirelessly to fixed nodes. The system uses 3D printing and inkjet printing to create small sensors that can detect heat, low humidity, and hydrogen sulphide.

Ultrathin device harvests electricity from human motion

A Vanderbilt University team developed an ultrathin energy harvesting system that generates electricity from human motion, offering a potential solution for wearable devices and smart clothing. The device operates at low frequencies, making it suitable for slow movements like sitting or standing.

No battery, no wire, no problem

Researchers at Harvard University have created battery-free folding robots that can perform complex movements using wireless magnetic fields and shape-memory alloy coils. The robots, inspired by origami, use passive electronic components to deliver an electric current, eliminating the need for batteries or wired connections.

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars

Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.

Smart toys without the batteries

Researchers have developed lightweight, flexible, and simple TENGs from recycled plastics that can generate electricity in self-powered smart toys. The technology has shown promise in creating interactive games without the need for batteries, benefiting children's entertainment and education.

Drones that drive

Researchers at MIT's CSAIL have developed a system of quadcopter drones that can both fly and drive through urban environments with ease. The drones, equipped with wheels on the bottom, can navigate around obstacles in both air and ground modes, making them ideal for transporting objects or rescuing people in disaster zones.

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB

SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.

Scientists propose better battery system for smart home use

Researchers have developed a new algorithm to optimize battery power consumption in smart home systems. The system learns to adapt to real-time electricity rates and minimizes grid power needed while extending battery life. Future work will investigate avoiding damage caused by frequent charging and discharging modes.

Is this the 'holey' grail of batteries?

Researchers have developed a new battery system using electrodes with porous graphene scaffolding, showing substantial improvement in energy storage. By fine-tuning nanopore size, they achieved high mass loading and power capability while maintaining charge transport.

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach

Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.

Harnessing geometric frustration to tune batteries for greater power

Researchers at the University of Kent have discovered a way to increase the charge transport rate in solid materials using geometric frustration, a phenomenon that breaks up regimented atomic formations. This technique enables faster ionic conductivity, potentially leading to more powerful batteries and fuel cells with zero-emission ca...

Thin layers of water hold promise for the energy storage of the future

The study found that the material with atomically thin layers of water stored energy more efficiently than the regular material, wasting less energy as heat. This breakthrough holds promise for future energy-storage technologies, such as thinner batteries and faster renewable-based power grids.

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station

Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.

Revolutionary method reveals impact of short circuits on battery safety

Researchers developed a novel approach to study Li-ion battery failure under short-circuit conditions, gaining insights into cell design vulnerabilities and thermal runaway propagation. The findings provide new knowledge to improve battery safety and reliability for portable electronics, electric vehicles, and grid-scale storage.

Freezing lithium batteries may make them safer and bendable

Researchers at Columbia University developed a new method using ice-templating to create solid electrolytes for lithium batteries, which are safer, have longer battery life, and are bendable. This approach could improve energy density by replacing the graphite layer with lithium metal.

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter

GQ GMC-500Plus Geiger Counter logs beta, gamma, and X-ray levels for environmental monitoring, training labs, and safety demonstrations.

A battery prototype powered by atmospheric nitrogen

Researchers in China have developed a battery prototype that captures atmospheric nitrogen to generate electricity, offering a promising alternative to existing lithium-nitrogen batteries. The battery's energy output is brief but comparable to other lithium-metal batteries, making it a potential solution for renewable energy storage.

Multi-university effort to advance materials, define the future of mobility

Three MIT-affiliated research teams receive $10M in funding to develop novel energy storage technologies for future mobility and autonomous systems. The projects focus on lithium-ion batteries and nanostructured catalysts for oxygen reduction, with the goal of accelerating materials discovery and reducing CO2 emissions.

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only)

Sony Alpha a7 IV (Body Only) delivers reliable low-light performance and rugged build for astrophotography, lab documentation, and field expeditions.

Clarifying how lithium ions ferry around in rechargeable batteries

Researchers observe ultrafast bonding of lithium ions with solvents, challenging existing theory on ion diffusion. The study reveals dynamic restructuring of the solvent shell during ion transport, indicating that electrolytes play an active role in transporting lithium ions.

Liquid fuel for future computers

Researchers at ETH Zurich and IBM Research Zurich have built a tiny redox flow battery that supplies electrical power and cools computer chip stacks simultaneously. The new micro-battery reaches record-high output and has potential applications in lasers, solar cells, and large energy storage systems.

New nanofiber marks important step in next generation battery development

Researchers at Georgia Tech have developed a nanofiber catalyst that improves the efficiency of rechargeable batteries and hydrogen production. The new catalyst, made from double perovskite nanofibers, shows significantly enhanced oxygen evolution reaction capability compared to existing materials.

Paper pumps power portable microfluidics, biomedical devices

Biomedical engineers at North Carolina State University have created affordable paper pumps using capillary action that power portable microfluidic devices. These devices hold promise for use in applications ranging from diagnostics to drug testing, offering advantages such as portability, low cost, and disposability.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.

Coming soon: Oil spill-mapping swarms of flying drones

Researchers at the University at Buffalo have developed software that allows a swarm of low-cost drones to quickly map an offshore oil spill. The system uses principles from nature, such as flock dynamics, to optimize communication and data sharing among the drones, enabling them to determine the size of the spill in just nine minutes.

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)

Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.

Engineers harness stomach acid to power tiny sensors

Researchers at MIT and Brigham and Women's Hospital have designed a small voltaic cell powered by acidic stomach fluids, generating enough energy to run small sensors or drug delivery devices. This innovation could offer a safer and lower-cost alternative to traditional batteries.

Powerful change: A profile of today's solar consumer

A QUT study reveals that solar PV systems are being acquired by families with lower incomes, contradicting the long-held notion that it is a luxury reserved for high-income individuals. The research found that financial capacity, education status, and home ownership were not the primary factors driving solar uptake.

I can see clearly now

Researchers create adaptive lenses made of glycerin and rubber-like membranes to change the focal length, eliminating the need for bifocals or reading glasses. The lenses are controlled by electronics and a battery, allowing users to switch between near and far vision in just 14 milliseconds.

Faster recharging batteries possible after new insights

Researchers at the University of Bath have gained important insights to improve the performance of lithium batteries by adding charged metal atoms. This discovery could lead to faster charging batteries for portable electronics and electric vehicles, benefiting consumers and reducing carbon emissions.

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer

Creality K1 Max 3D Printer rapidly prototypes brackets, adapters, and fixtures for instruments and classroom demonstrations at large build volume.

New technology will cut plug-in hybrid fuel consumption by one third

Researchers at UC Riverside developed an innovative energy management system for plug-in hybrids, cutting fuel consumption by over 30% through real-time data analysis. The system combines connected vehicle technology and evolutionary algorithms to optimize power split between engine and battery, achieving greater efficiency.

Evolving deep brain stimulation patterns

Duke University researchers have developed a new approach to deep brain stimulation that reduces energy consumption by up to 75% without compromising treatment efficacy. The algorithm uses computational evolution to design tailored patterns for individual patients, leading to improved symptoms and reduced battery replacement procedures.

The beating heart of solar energy

Researchers found that small solar cells under the skin can generate enough power to fully charge pacemakers or extend their lifespan. This technology has the potential to reduce device replacements and size, saving patients discomfort and stress.

Fractional calculus helps control systems hit their mark

Researchers developed a new setpoint-tracking strategy using fractional calculus to improve the response time and stability of automated systems. The approach outperformed classical integer-order filters in tracking complex paths, offering potential benefits for applications like robotics, self-driving cars, and medical devices.

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope

AmScope B120C-5M Compound Microscope supports teaching labs and QA checks with LED illumination, mechanical stage, and included 5MP camera.

Delivering a power punch

A KAUST research team created integrated microsupercapacitors with three-dimensional porous electrodes, achieving high energy density of 200 microwatt-hours per square centimeter. The devices outperform state-of-the-art microsupercapacitors and thin film batteries, offering promising applications for self-powered sensors and IoT systems.

'Back to the Future' inspires solar nanotech-powered clothing

A UCF scientist has developed filaments that can harness and store sunlight, weaving them into textiles for a breakthrough in wearable technology. The innovation could revolutionize military and civilian applications, including powering smartphones and electric cars.

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)

DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.

Salty batteries

Sodium-oxygen batteries have shown improved cycle life and rechargeability thanks to a highly concentrated electrolyte solution. The new approach stabilizes DMSO in the presence of sodium, resulting in a passivating protective layer that enhances battery performance.

Making high-performance batteries from junkyard scraps

Researchers at Vanderbilt University have developed a steel-brass battery that can store energy comparable to lead-acid batteries and charge/dischcharge at rates comparable to ultra-fast charging supercapacitors. The secret lies in anodization, a common chemical treatment used to give aluminum a durable finish.

Lithium ion extraction

Chinese scientists have designed a solid composite membrane that mimics biological ion channels with molecular sieve technology to effectively separate lithium ions from contaminants in brines. The approach allows for fast lithium ion flux and selectivity over other ions, making it a promising method for improved lithium extraction.

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)

Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.

A complete waste of energy

Researchers have created a new type of switch that can instantly connect and disconnect electrical flow, reducing power waste by up to 50% in devices like smartphones and laptops. This technology has the potential to significantly improve energy efficiency and prolong battery life.

New innovation in modeling and designing power grids

Researchers developed a new method to model microgrids using Hybrid Petri Net (HPN), allowing for efficient operation under various conditions. This analysis helps engineers estimate time and cost required for grid component switching, enabling improved microgrid design.

Fractional order modeling may reduce electric car drivers' anxiety

Researchers developed a fractional order model to estimate Lithium-ion battery charge, reducing errors of up to 1% compared to traditional methods. The model replicated the battery's performance and provided accurate results, promising to reduce drivers' anxiety on the road.

GoPro HERO13 Black

GoPro HERO13 Black records stabilized 5.3K video for instrument deployments, field notes, and outreach, even in harsh weather and underwater conditions.