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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.

Storage technologies for renewable energy can pay off

A new study by MIT researchers found that certain energy storage systems, such as pumped hydroelectric storage, can add significant value to solar and wind installations in various locations. The study demonstrated that despite regional variations in prices and demand fluctuations, the optimal storage technology is similar across locat...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Climate Change·DateJun 13, 2016

Massive trove of battery and molecule data released to public

The Materials Project has released a vast dataset of material properties, including 1,500 compounds and 21,000 organic molecules, to accelerate battery research. The data enables computationally driven design and discovery of new materials with improved performance and energy density.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateJun 8, 2016

Origami ninja star inspires new battery design

Engineers at Binghamton University have developed a disposable microbial fuel cell powered by bacteria available in dirty water, which can power biosensors for up to 20 minutes. The new design boasts increased power density and voltage compared to previous origami batteries, offering potential for use in resource-limited regions.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalBiosensors and Bioelectronics·DateJun 7, 2016

Tiny probe could produce big improvements in batteries and fuel cells

Scientists have developed a new nanoscale probe to study electrochemical properties, which could lead to significant improvements in battery and fuel cell performance. The device can measure local variations in material properties, allowing researchers to better understand how electrochemical systems work.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateMay 31, 2016
Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter

Kestrel 3000 Pocket Weather Meter measures wind, temperature, and humidity in real time for site assessments, aviation checks, and safety briefings.

Ingestible robot operates in simulated stomach

Researchers at MIT and partners developed a tiny origami robot that can unfold from a swallowed capsule and remove stuck objects or patch wounds. The robot uses external magnetic fields to navigate and is made of biocompatible materials, enabling potential medical applications.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateMay 12, 2016

Technique processes RFID signals rapidly for real-time interactivity

Researchers at Disney Research and Carnegie Mellon University have developed a framework called RapID that interprets RFID signals by weighing possibilities, reducing lag times from two seconds to less than 200 milliseconds. This enables the use of low-cost RFID tags in interactive objects, such as games, toys, and physical interfaces.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateMay 11, 2016

Cleaning up hybrid battery electrodes improves capacity and lifespan

The new ion soft-landing technique resulted in electrodes that could store a third more energy and had twice the lifespan compared to conventional methods. The team also found that the POM hybrid electrodes used the active material extremely efficiently, with the lowest amount of POM required to reach their highest capacity.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 21, 2016

For rechargeable batteries that crush the competition, crush this material

Scientists at NIST have made significant advances in creating safe and efficient solid-state rechargeable batteries. By modifying the chemical makeup of promising compounds, they increased their current-carrying capacity and enabled them to operate within a wider temperature range.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalEnergy Storage Materials·DateApr 1, 2016
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.

Separating charge and discharge in measuring next-generation car batteries

Researchers at Southwest Jiaotong University developed an improved algorithm to estimate lithium ion phosphate battery state of charge by separately measuring charging and discharging states. This allows for more accurate estimation amidst initial inaccuracies and varying dynamic characteristics among batteries in series.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Renewable and Sustainable Energy·DateMar 29, 2016

Wrinkles and crumples make graphene better

Researchers from Brown University found that repeatedly crumpling sheets of graphene can improve its water-repelling properties and electrochemical behavior. The process creates complex architectures with interesting patterns, including superhydrophobic surfaces and enhanced electrodes for batteries and fuel cells.

SourceBrown University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateMar 21, 2016

Turning smokestack emissions into carbon nanotube-containing batteries

Scientists have developed a method to transform CO2 from smokestack emissions into high-value materials for lithium and sodium batteries. The process produces carbon nanotubes with stable performance, offering a potential solution for reducing environmental impact of current power plants.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Central Science·DateMar 2, 2016

New material to enhance battery life

Scientists at MSU have created a new cathode material for Li-ion batteries that can enhance charge rates drastically. The material demonstrated high charge/discharge rates while retaining over 75% of initial capacity, making it a promising contender for commercialized high-power cathode materials.

SourceLomonosov Moscow State University·JournalChemistry of Materials·DateFeb 20, 2016
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.

Power walk: Footsteps could charge mobile electronics

Researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison developed an energy-harvesting technology that captures human motion to power mobile devices. The 'bubbler' method generates high power densities, enabling smaller and lighter energy-harvesting devices that can be integrated into shoes.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 10, 2016

Getting more miles from plug-in hybrids

Researchers at University of California, Riverside developed an energy management system that improves plug-in hybrid efficiency by 12 percent. The system uses machine learning and real-time data to optimize energy consumption and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalTransportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board·DateFeb 9, 2016

Battery technology could charge up water desalination

University of Illinois engineers have developed a device that can desalinate seawater using electricity, potentially providing a more efficient and cost-effective alternative to traditional methods. The technology uses saltwater-filled batteries to draw out salt ions, leaving fresh water behind.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateFeb 4, 2016

UT Dallas study: Most NFL arrests not for violent crimes

A new UT Dallas study suggests that most NFL arrests are not for violent crimes, but rather minor offenses. The majority of players involved in violent incidents have only one arrest during the studied period, highlighting a small fraction of repeat offenders.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalDeviant Behavior·DateFeb 3, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Fuel cell advance

Researchers at the University of Delaware have developed a low-cost nickel-based catalyst that can power fuel cells with unprecedented efficiency. This breakthrough could make hydrogen fuel cell cars truly affordable, potentially priced around $23,000 for a Toyota Mirai.

SourceUniversity of Delaware·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 14, 2016

Unique 2-level cathode structure improves battery performance

A team of scientists from the US Department of Energy's Brookhaven National Laboratory developed a hierarchical cathode material with two levels of complexity, protecting reactive materials from degradation. The structure allowed lithium ions to enter the material, enabling improved high-voltage cycling behavior.

SourceDOE/Brookhaven National Laboratory·JournalNature Energy·DateJan 11, 2016

New hybrid electrolyte for solid-state lithium batteries

Berkeley Lab researchers developed a novel glass-polymer hybrid electrolyte that is compliant and conductive at room temperature. The new material shows signs of being compatible with promising next-generation cathode candidates such as sulfur and high-voltage lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateDec 21, 2015

The world's tiniest temperature sensor is powered by radio waves

Researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology developed a tiny wireless temperature sensor that measures just 2 square millimeters and weighs 1.6 milligrams. The sensor operates beneath a layer of paint or concrete, consumes extremely low energy, and can be easily incorporated into buildings.

SourceEindhoven University of Technology·DateDec 7, 2015
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.

New approaches for hybrid solar cells

Researchers at TUM developed a new method to produce extremely thin and robust, yet highly porous semiconductor layers using nanostructured germanium. These layers can be custom tailored with organic polymers to create hybrid materials suitable for small solar cells or batteries.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateDec 7, 2015

Stanford researcher suggests storing solar energy underground for a cloudy day

A new study by Stanford researcher Mark Z. Jacobson suggests storing solar energy underground to meet electricity demand on cloudy days. The proposed system uses heat, cold, and electricity storage to provide a stable grid, with potential benefits including reduced air pollution and lower costs.

SourceStanford University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 24, 2015

Large-scale study on Lumos Labs' online cognitive assessment published in Frontiers in Psychology

A large-scale study published in Frontiers in Psychology found the NeuroCognitive Performance Test (NCPT) to be a reliable and valid measure of cognitive performance. The NCPT assesses various cognitive domains, including working memory, reasoning, and attention, with good test-retest reliability and sensitivity to age-related changes.

SourceLumosity·JournalFrontiers in Psychology·DateNov 3, 2015

An enhanced lithium-air battery

Researchers have developed a new lithium-air battery that utilizes unique materials to overcome common issues with efficiency and water tolerance. The battery's design features a lithium metal negative electrode, non-aqueous electrolyte, and positive electrode that work together to improve overall performance.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateOct 29, 2015
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Male mosquitoes lured to traps by sounds of female wing-beats

Researchers found that male mosquitoes are lured to traps emitting sounds similar to female wing-beats. The frequency used was around 484 Hz, capturing over 95% of males exposed to it. This method could enhance studies and mosquito control in developing countries.

SourceEntomological Society of America·JournalJournal of Medical Entomology·DateOct 26, 2015

Synthetic batteries for the energy revolution

Researchers at Jena University developed a simple, safe, and economical redox-flow battery based on organic polymers and water, which can be produced at lower cost than traditional systems. The new technology has shown high capacity and efficiency in initial tests.

SourceFriedrich-Schiller-Universitaet Jena·JournalNature·DateOct 21, 2015
CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock

CalDigit TS4 Thunderbolt 4 Dock simplifies serious desks with 18 ports for high-speed storage, monitors, and instruments across Mac and PC setups.

Extending a battery's lifetime with heat

Researchers from California Institute of Technology found that heat can shorten dendrites by up to 36% and possibly extend battery lifetimes. By analyzing the effect of temperature on individual lithium atoms, they discovered that increased temperatures trigger atomic motion, leading to the breakdown of dendrite structures.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalThe Journal of Chemical Physics·DateOct 1, 2015

Green storage for green energy

Harvard scientists have developed a rechargeable battery that can store electricity from renewable sources like solar and wind power. The new technology uses non-toxic, abundant elements dissolved in water solution, making it safer and cheaper than traditional batteries.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalScience·DateSep 24, 2015

Digestible batteries needed to power electronic pills

Researchers are exploring how minerals from a healthy diet can be used in bioelectronics to create ingestible devices that power electronic pills. The goal is to reduce the amount of expensive medications needed for each patient, making them more cost-effective.

SourceCell Press·JournalTrends in Biotechnology·DateSep 21, 2015
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.

New design brings world's first solar battery to performance milestone

Researchers at Ohio State University have developed the world's first aqueous solar flow battery, which achieves a 20% energy savings over traditional lithium-iodine batteries. The new design combines a solar cell and a battery into a single device using a water-based electrolyte and a solid sheet solar panel.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateAug 1, 2015
Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply

Rigol DP832 Triple-Output Bench Power Supply powers sensors, microcontrollers, and test circuits with programmable rails and stable outputs.

New technique for 'seeing' ions at work in a supercapacitor

Scientists have developed a new technique to visualize the behavior of ions in supercapacitors, revealing that different processes occur at work in the two electrodes. The research uses nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and tiny weighing scales to measure changes in mass as ions interact with the surface.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalNature Materials·DateJun 22, 2015

Novel battery uses light to produce power (video)

Scientists have developed a novel battery that uses light to produce power, utilizing titanium nitride for the anode. The 'photo battery' demonstrated high stability and safety, discharging electric current within 30 seconds under normal indoor lighting.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry C·DateJun 17, 2015

Binghamton engineer creates origami battery

A Binghamton University engineer has developed an origami battery made from paper that generates power from microbial respiration. The battery is cheap and biodegradable, and can be used to run a biosensor in remote areas with limited resources.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalNano Energy·DateJun 10, 2015
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.

Trees are source for high-capacity, soft and elastic batteries

Researchers at KTH Royal Institute of Technology have developed a method to create an elastic, foam-like battery material from nanocellulose broken down from tree fibres. This material can withstand shock and stress, enabling the storage of significantly more power in less space than conventional batteries.

SourceKTH, Royal Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 2, 2015

New 'designer carbon' from Stanford boosts battery performance

The new material has exceptional energy-storage capacity, enabling unprecedented performance in lithium-sulfur batteries and supercapacitors. Designer carbon can be fine-tuned for various applications by adjusting the type of polymers and organic linkers used during fabrication.

SourceStanford University·JournalACS Central Science·DateMay 29, 2015

Physicists precisely measure interaction between atoms and carbon surfaces

Researchers at the University of Washington have made the most precise measurements yet of atom-surface interactions crucial for improving lithium batteries and air filters. By studying gas atoms' behavior on a carbon nanotube surface, they found a measurable change in electrical resistance occurs when an atom sticks to the surface.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalNature Physics·DateMay 28, 2015
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.

Cost-efficiency of plug-in hybrids calculated a thousand times faster

Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology have developed a new method to calculate the cost-efficiency of plug-in hybrids, significantly reducing calculation time. The convex optimisation algorithm allows for rapid feedback and consideration of various parameters affecting the overall cost.

SourceChalmers University of Technology·DateApr 21, 2015
Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount

Sky-Watcher EQ6-R Pro Equatorial Mount provides precise tracking capacity for deep-sky imaging rigs during long astrophotography sessions.

Beyond the lithium ion -- a significant step toward a better performing battery

Scientists at the University of Illinois Chicago have made a significant breakthrough in battery technology by replacing lithium ions with magnesium ions, which can carry twice the positive charge. This development could lead to the creation of high-voltage, high-energy batteries that can outperform existing lithium-ion batteries.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Chicago·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateApr 17, 2015

Thumbnail track pad

Researchers at MIT Media Lab create a miniature wireless track pad using capacitive sensing, allowing users to control devices with their thumbs. The technology has potential applications in various scenarios, including cooking, texting, and subtle communication.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateApr 16, 2015

New material could boost batteries' power, help power plants

Researchers developed a material that acts as a superhighway for ions, making batteries more powerful and changing how gaseous fuel is turned into liquid fuel. The material also helps create membrane systems that purify gas mixtures, potentially replacing steam in fuel conversion processes.

SourceClemson University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 10, 2015
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition

Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.

Drop the bounce test: A common battery test often bounces off target

Researchers at Princeton University found that the common battery bounce test is not an effective way to check a battery's charge. Instead, they discovered that the bouncing increases due to the formation of tiny bridges within the zinc material, decreasing mechanical damping and causing the battery to bounce more.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateApr 1, 2015