A new study at UCSF reveals that brain implant surgeries can dramatically improve life for people with severe cervical dystonia. The procedure targets a previously untested part of the brain, showing promise in reducing pain and spasms while improving quality of life.
A team of researchers has successfully integrated stretchable electronics technology with standard endocardial balloon catheters, enabling both mapping and ablation functions in a single device. The device features an array of sensors to measure cardiac activity, temperature, blood flow, and pressure.
The NC State team has created microfluidic devices with inherently aligned electrodes composed of liquid metal alloy, allowing for easier and faster electrode creation. This approach enables the creation of useful electrode configurations that were previously difficult or impossible to achieve.
Scientists have successfully controlled the electrical conductance of a single molecule by manipulating its mechanical properties. The research uses a type of molecule called pentaphenylene and demonstrates that changing the tilt angle can increase conductance up to 10 times, thanks to lateral coupling effects.
A breakthrough in brain-computer interface technology could allow people to control prosthetic arms using only their thoughts. Researchers at Washington University have developed an Electroencephalography grid (EECoG) system that can detect specific brain signals, enabling users to control a virtual arm with unprecedented precision.
Researchers at University of Washington develop tiny, battery-powered implantable devices that bridge impaired nerve connections and promote brain recovery from injury or disease. The devices can record nerve cell activity, process it, and stimulate cells in another brain region.
Researchers have developed a new microscopy technique, electrochemical impedance microscopy (EIM), that can explore subtle features of cell adhesion, apoptosis, and electroporation. EIM provides sub-micron spatial resolution and is label-free, making it non-invasive to samples.
Researchers observed electrode wires made from materials used in rechargeable lithium ion batteries contorting and fatten as they become charged with electricity. This study suggests how rechargeable batteries eventually give out and might offer insights for improving battery performance.
Researchers have found a way to improve the reliability of carbon nanotube-based nanoelectromechanical systems by using diamond-like carbon electrodes. This enables reliable switching and storage of binary states in devices, advancing the technology from laboratory-scale demonstrations to practical applications.
Scientists from Donostia-San Sebastian and Kiel universities develop method to control atom count in molecular unions, improving electric current flow. This breakthrough enables precise characterization of nanometric systems, resolving a key problem in nanotechnology.
A new implantable device aims to restore balance during Meniere's disease attacks while preserving natural hearing and residual balance function. The device, developed by University of Washington researchers, has shown promising results in a 10-person surgical trial.
Scientists have created tiny energy storage devices, no bigger than a grain of sand, with the potential to power micro- and nano-scale devices. The new batteries are part of a larger effort to miniaturize lithium-ion technology, which could lead to breakthroughs in fields like medicine and electronics.
The new electrofluidics design combines the best features of both slow and fast electronic devices, requiring low-power and displaying bright images at high speed. This technology is manufacturable using existing equipment, making it a game-changer for environmentally friendly electronics.
Stanford researchers developed an electronic sensor that can detect the slightest touch, mimicking human skin's sensitivity. The new artificial skin uses a thin film of rubber molded into tiny pyramids, allowing it to perceive pressures in a range of very gentle touches.
Researchers translated brain signals into words using two grids of 16 microelectrodes implanted beneath the skull but atop the brain. The study showed that the method can distinguish between brain signals for each word, with an accuracy rate of 76-90%, demonstrating proof of concept.
Scientists have developed a novel method for creating atmospheric pressure plasma jets using grounded electrodes, which differ from conventional applications. This breakthrough increases operator safety and enables the creation of jets at lower voltages, opening up new possibilities for biomedical applications.
A new Northwestern University study has developed a technology that can detect imminent terrorist attacks by correlating P300 brain waves with guilty knowledge in mock terrorism scenarios. The test was accurate in identifying critical concealed information, even without prior knowledge of the planned crime.
Researchers developed a new cochlear implant with more electrodes and a thinner, more flexible wire, which can improve the quality of sound and preserve residual hearing. This innovation allows for more precise stimulation of the auditory nerve, resulting in better sound resolution.
A team of researchers at the University of Alberta developed a longer-lasting plastic solar cell by applying a polymer coating to an electrode. The coating helped prevent chemical leaching, allowing the solar cell to operate for up to 500 hours and then continue working for another seven months.
Researchers have discovered a new nanoscale electrical phenomenon that allows for nondestructive transmission of electricity through glass, enabling the development of faster and less expensive portable diagnostic devices. This breakthrough could also enable significant advancements in building micro-mechanical and lab-on-a-chip devices.
The UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science will advance MEMS technology with a $5.5 million grant from the US Defense Department. The goal is to create electrically connected, rotating microscale motors for sensing and communications in defense systems.
Researchers found significant patterns in discarded brain wave data, revealing connections between low-frequency and high-frequency brain waves. These connections suggest important aspects of brain architecture and function, potentially shedding light on the brain's organizational structure.
A new brain implant made from silk has been developed to monitor and control seizures, as well as transmit signals past damaged spinal cord areas. The ultrathin flexible implants can record brain activity more faithfully than thicker devices, with potential applications in epilepsy, spinal cord injuries, and other neurological disorders.
Researchers at Stanford University have successfully harnessed a tiny electric current from algae cells using a unique nanoelectrode. This discovery could lead to the development of high-efficiency bioelectricity with zero carbon emissions. However, further improvements are needed to scale up the process and make it economically feasible.
A team of MIT researchers has made significant progress on lithium-air batteries by identifying metal catalysts that can improve efficiency and increase energy density. The study finds that electrodes with gold or platinum catalysts show higher activity and efficiency than simple carbon electrodes.
Physicists at NIST create a device that can trap dozens of ions with versatile control, advancing the quest for practical quantum computers. The racetrack ion trap features 150 work zones and can be scaled up for mass fabrication.
The study identified path cell neurons in the entorhinal cortex that encode travel direction during navigation. These neurons work together with place cells to help people remember directions and navigate to destinations.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a versatile DNA reader that can distinguish between the four core chemical components of DNA. The device uses nanotechnology and scanning tunneling microscopes to detect unique electrical signatures from each base, enabling faster and cheaper genome sequencing.
Researchers developed a microfluidic device that selectively isolates targeted cells, including cancer cells, based on their electrical properties. This breakthrough enables the screening of entire blood samples for cancer detection.
Scientists identified rapid bursts of neural activity in high-order visual centers when patients correctly recognized target images, suggesting a 'threshold' for conscious perceptual awareness. The study found that brain processing time is crucial for ignition, with mask presentation too soon 'killing' visual input signals.
A 64-year-old woman with severe depression was treated with deep brain stimulation of the habenula, showing significant improvement and long-term remission. The procedure is a new treatment option for therapy-resistant depression, building on existing knowledge of the habenula's role in the condition.
Researchers used electrocorticography (ECoG) to record brain activity and found that patients could type alphanumeric characters on a screen by focusing on specific letters. The technique showed promise for people with disorders like Lou Gehrig's disease and spinal cord injuries.
Artificially introducing defects in nanotubes can enhance the development of supercapacitors, which combine the advantages of batteries and electrostatic capacitors. The researchers found that defects create additional charge sites, increasing stored charge capacity and power density.
Scientists at Lund University successfully injected nanowires into rat brains, revealing that the brain's 'clean-up' cells (microglia) take care of the wires. After 12 weeks, only minor differences were observed between test and control groups.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed brain implants coated with conducting polymer nanotubes, which can record neural signals better than conventional metal electrodes. The new implants may eventually lead to more effective treatment of neurological disorders like Parkinson's disease and paralysis.
A new battery made of cellulose shows promise for powering flexible electronics, such as clothing and packaging. The battery's performance is improved by coating a conductive polymer on individual cellulose fibers, creating a nano-thin coating that enables efficient electricity storage.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School used two-photon microscopy to track calcium levels in neurons during electrical stimulation, revealing a scattered and widely distributed set of neurons switch on. The findings contradict a long-standing hypothesis and suggest that axons are being stimulated rather than cell bodies.
Researchers have developed a new design for solar cells using arrays of nanoscale pillars, each a single crystal, to efficiently convert light into charge-carrying electrons. The efficiency of the test device was measured at six percent, which is higher than most photovoltaic devices based on nanostructured materials.
Researchers at Karolinska Institutet have developed an electrically conducting plastic delivery electrode that releases specific neurotransmitters to activate neighboring brain cells, enabling precise control of neural signals. This technology has the potential to treat various neurological conditions, including hearing loss, epilepsy,...
A new study from the University of Utah shows that microelectrodes can detect brain signals controlling arm movements without penetrating the brain. This technology may enable amputees and paralyzed individuals to control prosthetic limbs and computers using their thoughts.
A new system developed by MIT scientists can monitor the fetal heartbeat noninvasively, allowing for early detection of potential problems. The system separates the maternal ECG signal from the fetus's and background noise thanks to a complex algorithm, enabling clinicians to catch subtle variations in the fetal heartbeat.
Researchers have developed a unique bulls-eye electrode that can interpret brain signals, allowing paralyzed patients to control their environment. The device is also being studied as a means of delivering a stimulus to control epileptic seizures, with potential applications in treating status epilepticus, a life-threatening condition.
Scientists successfully capture a single electron in a highly tunable carbon nanotube double quantum dot using ultraclean nanotubes. They also discovered a new type of tunneling analogous to Klein paradox, allowing electrons to pass through obstacles without sufficient energy.
Researchers at Children's Hospital Boston demonstrate that the brain can recognize objects quickly and consistently, even under different lighting conditions, size, and rotation. This finding could lead to advancements in teaching computers to see and improving brain-computer interfaces for individuals with visual impairment.
Physicists at NIST have demonstrated a new ion trap that enables efficient transport of ions through an X-shaped junction, solving a key engineering issue for future ion-trap quantum computers. The demonstration achieved over 1 million successful transports with minimal heating, making it suitable for large-scale quantum computing.
Researchers at the University of Michigan have developed a nanotech coating that can help brain implants operate longer and improve treatment for various diseases. The coating, made of three components, enables electrodes to interface more smoothly with the brain, reducing tissue damage and improving signal transmission.
Researchers developed a new process to capture light energy with nearly equal efficiency by connecting molecular wires to biological photosynthetic systems. This approach improves the transfer of electrons, achieving high quantum yields similar to natural photosynthesis.
USC researchers have developed a low-temperature process to print dense lattices of transparent nanotube transistors on flexible bases, enabling the creation of high-performance electronics. The devices can be used for applications such as affordable car windshield displays and ultra-thin, low-power e-paper displays.
A recent clinical trial has shown remarkable results for patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), with 7 out of 10 participants experiencing a substantial reduction in symptoms after deep cerebral stimulation. The treatment, which involves targeting the subthalamic nucleus in the brain, offers a promising alternative to tradi...
Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have developed a new brain-computer interface (BCI) technology that can detect and decode brain signals associated with hand and arm movements on the same side of the body. This breakthrough may enable patients with partial paralysis to regain mobility in their limbs.
A new coating made from carbon nanotubes improves the signals received and transmitted by electrodes, potentially advancing electrical nerve stimulation therapy. The coating bolsters both stimulation and receptive capabilities, showing promise in treating diseases such as epilepsy, depression, and chronic leg and back pain.
A new electroplating process that joins many silicon nanowires to prepatterned electrodes in parallel has been chosen for the Nano 50 Award. This technique allows for lower-cost production of semiconducting nanowires used in electronic sensor arrays.
Ohio State University researchers have developed coatings that encourage neurons in the body to grow and connect with electrodes, boosting implant effectiveness. The coatings, which release neurotrophins over time, show promise for treating conditions such as Parkinson's disease and macular degeneration.
Researchers at Purdue University have developed a technology that uses live fish embryos to detect harmful chemicals in water, providing an early warning system for environmental contamination. The tool measures oxygen use in developing fish, revealing minute levels of toxic substances before they cause harm.
A novel data analysis method has been developed that extracts representative spatial filters for each individual subject, reducing the need for calibration before every session. This approach may pave the way for practical daily use of brain-computer interfacing technology for both patients and healthy users.
Researchers have discovered an efficient way to produce oxygen from water using a simple and inexpensive technique involving cobalt and phosphates. This breakthrough has significant implications for the large-scale deployment of solar energy, offering a cheap and easily manufactured storage mechanism.
Researchers have discovered a way to extract pure oxygen from water using relatively small amounts of electricity and common chemicals. The breakthrough could lead to the development of solar-powered energy systems that can operate 24/7.
Jülich scientists have discovered the mechanism behind Parkinsonian tremor and developed a new deep brain pacemaker to disrupt it. The device influences disturbed neurons in the core region of the brain, causing irregular rhythms that break down diseased modes.
Researchers at UC San Diego have created experimental solar cells with nanowires that show promise as efficient thin-film solar cells of the future. The new design increases electron transport and reduces recombination, leading to a significant boost in efficiency.
A study of seven patients with Parkinson's disease found that re-implanting electrodes to correct placement can improve symptoms and reduce medication doses for those who had poor results after initial implantation. The procedure led to significant improvements in motor function scores and reduced levodopa medication doses.