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Recording thousands of nerve cell impulses at high resolution

Researchers developed a new generation of microelectrode-array chips that can record electrical activity from up to 20,000 nerve cells simultaneously. The new chip enables comprehensive measurements of more than 1,000 cells at once, suitable for testing the effects of drugs and reducing animal experiments.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 28, 2020

High-performance single-atom catalysts for high-temperature fuel cells

Researchers have developed a novel single-atom Pt catalyst that can operate stably at high temperatures, increasing electrode reaction rates by up to 10 times. This breakthrough could accelerate the commercialization of solid oxide fuel cells, next-generation eco-friendly power generation systems.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateSep 25, 2020
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

How to bounce back from stretched out stretchable sensors

Researchers at Yokohama National University have proposed a fix to prevent stretched-out stretchable sensors from producing large errors in pressure movement measurement. The new sensors use a hard silicone shell to protect the soft porous silicone pressure sensor, allowing it to measure force without being overextended.

SourceYokohama National University·JournalScientific Reports·DateSep 24, 2020

Dresden physicists develop printable organic transistors

Researchers at Technische Universitßt Dresden have successfully developed printable organic transistors with high switching frequencies and adjustable threshold voltages. These breakthrough devices can be used to create complex logic circuits and enable flexible electronic applications such as RFID and high-resolution displays

SourceTechnische Universität Dresden·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 22, 2020

Gentle probes could enable massive brain data collection

The Rice University project aims to optimize the use of flexible nanoelectronic thread (NET) probes to record neuronal activity in different brain regions. The biocompatible probes can be implanted in various areas of the brain, enabling researchers to analyze complex patterns of neural dynamics over time.

SourceRice University·DateSep 14, 2020
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.

Lightweight green supercapacitors could charge devices in a jiffy

Researchers at Texas A&M University have designed a new plant-based energy storage device that can store up to 900 times greater charge than state-of-the-art supercapacitors. The devices are also environmentally friendly, lightweight, and cost-effective, making them suitable for charging electric cars within minutes.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalEnergy Storage·DateSep 8, 2020

First 'plug and play' brain prosthesis demoed in paralyzed person

A team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, has made a significant breakthrough in developing a 'plug and play' brain prosthesis that enables individuals with paralysis to control devices using their brain activity. The device uses machine learning algorithms to match brain signals to desired movements, allo...

SourceUniversity of California - San Francisco·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateSep 7, 2020

UMass Amherst scientists invent new sensing eye mask

The researchers created a lightweight eye mask called Chesma with two kinds of fabric electrodes to track electro-oculography and cardiac signals. The mask can be integrated into various garments and tested for performance after multiple washings.

SourceUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst·JournalMatter·DateAug 20, 2020
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.

A smart eye mask that tracks muscle movements to tell what 'caught your eye'

Researchers developed a smart eyewear that tracks eye movement and cardiac data, providing accurate measurements in everyday environments. The device uses washable hydrogel electrodes and pulse sensors, offering comfort and durability, with potential applications in health monitoring, virtual reality, and advertising analysis.

SourceCell Press·JournalMatter·DateAug 20, 2020

No more playing with fire: Study offers insight into 'safer' rechargeable batteries

Scientists at Okayama University developed a new technique to analyze dendrite formation in rechargeable batteries, improving safety. They discovered that quasimetallic Li clusters act as a buffer for dendrite formation in hard carbon electrodes, providing valuable insight into overcoming lithium dendrite formation limitations.

SourceOkayama University·JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A·DateAug 19, 2020

Biomorphic batteries could provide 72x more energy for robots

Researchers have developed a new rechargeable zinc battery that integrates into the structure of a robot to provide much more energy. The battery uses a network of aramid nanofibers and a water-based polymer gel, making it environmentally friendly and efficient.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalScience Robotics·DateAug 19, 2020
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.

Fabrication advance: Spray-on clear coatings for cheaper smart windows

Researchers at RMIT University developed a simple method for making ultra-thin, cost-effective transparent electrodes that can block heat and conduct electricity. The new spray-on coatings rival current industry standards and could simplify the fabrication of smart windows and low-emissivity glass.

SourceRMIT University·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateAug 5, 2020

Trying to listen to the signal from neurons

Researchers developed a coaxial cable-inspired needle-electrode for multichannel and local-differential recordings of neuronal activity. This innovation achieved high-quality neuronal signal acquisition with a high signal-to-noise ratio, while reducing tissue damage compared to conventional electrodes.

SourceToyohashi University of Technology (TUT)·DateJul 29, 2020

Ultra-low power brain implants find meaningful signal in grey matter noise

The team discovered a technique to compress brain signals, focusing on neural activity spikes called threshold crossing rate or TCR, which requires less data while still being able to predict firing neurons. By listening to a specific feature of neuron data called spiking-band power, the SBP method is highly accurate and takes in one-t...

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateJul 27, 2020

Vacancy dynamics on CO-covered Pt(111) electrodes

Scientists studying CO-covered Pt(111) electrodes found that carbon monoxide can induce structural degradation under benign conditions. The presence of vacancies in the topmost Pt layer contributes to this effect.

SourceUniversity of Science and Technology of China·JournalChemical Communications·DateJul 25, 2020
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Spinal stimulators repurposed to restore touch in lost limb

A new study from the University of Pittsburgh's Rehab Neural Engineering Labs has repurposed spinal cord stimulators to provide sensory feedback to amputees, generating sensations such as touch and pressure. The devices were found to be stable and effective in restoring feelings of touch in users.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateJul 21, 2020

Orderly arranged bead-chain ternary nanocomposites for supercapacitors

Researchers from Jiangsu University of Technology developed novel Cu2O-Mn3O4-NiO ternary nanocomposites using electrospinning technology, showing improved performance in supercapacitor electrode materials. The nanocomposites exhibit high specific capacitance and capacitance retention due to strong interaction between functional groups ...

SourceWorld Scientific·JournalNANO·DateJul 17, 2020
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.

Pencil-and-paper-based electronics

Flexible on-skin electronics made from pencil traces on paper can record various biomedical signals such as temperature, heart rate, and glucose levels. The technology has the potential to enable transdermal drug delivery and provides a cost-effective solution for monitoring vital signs in low-resource medical settings.

SourceProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 13, 2020

Using electricity to break down pollutants left over after wastewater treatment

Researchers at INRS have successfully tested an advanced electro-oxidation process, which uses electric current to break down non-biodegradable pollutants in treated domestic wastewater. The process generates hydroxide radicals that attack refractory molecules without requiring chemicals, reducing the cost of treatment.

SourceInstitut national de la recherche scientifique - INRS·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJul 9, 2020
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.

The electrified brain

Researchers at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin have identified a specific nerve bundle as the optimal target for deep brain stimulation in obsessive-compulsive disorder. The study's findings may improve treatment outcomes for patients with severe OCD, which affects over 2% of people worldwide.

SourceCharité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 6, 2020

Rice lab's bright idea is pure gold

Researchers created a nanoscale gap between gold electrodes and found that excited electrons leaping the gap emitted bright light. The effect depends on metal's plasmons, ripples of energy flowing across its surface.

SourceRice University·JournalNano Letters·DateJun 29, 2020

Artificial intelligence identifies, locates seizures in real-time

Researchers developed a new method to detect and locate seizures in real-time using artificial intelligence and systems theory. By treating the brain as a network, they extracted meaningful data from electroencephalograph (EEG) signals, improving seizure detection accuracy.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScientific Reports·DateJun 29, 2020

AI could help improve performance of lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells

Researchers applied machine learning techniques to explore microstructure of fuel cells and lithium-ion batteries. They used DC-GANs to generate 3D image data and run simulations to predict cell performance. The technique could help design optimized electrodes for improved energy storage.

SourceImperial College London·Journalnpj Computational Materials·DateJun 25, 2020

Nature-imitating coating makes batteries more durable and efficient

Aalto University researchers have developed a nature-imitating coating that makes batteries more durable and efficient. The coating, produced using carbon dioxide in molecular layer deposition, can protect the actual electrode material and enable the use of new, more efficient materials like lithium.

SourceAalto University·JournalNanoscale Advances·DateJun 24, 2020
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.

Using Jenga to explain lithium-ion batteries

A University of Birmingham team has created a hands-on educational tool using Jenga to explain lithium-ion battery operation and characteristics. The game helps students visualize electrochemistry and redox reactions, demonstrating the importance of rate of charge and performance over time.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalJournal of Chemical Education·DateJun 15, 2020

Flexible and recyclable optoelectronics move a step closer

Researchers have demonstrated a new type of flexible, recyclable electrode that could replace traditional transparent conductive oxides in creating low-cost solar cells, computer displays, smartphone touch screens, and smart windows. The electrodes boasted high transmittance, low sheet resistance, and outstanding flexural endurance.

SourceARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateJun 10, 2020

Engineers put tens of thousands of artificial brain synapses on a single chip

Researchers create memristors on a single chip, enabling small, portable AI devices to recognize objects and make decisions in real-time. The design could advance the development of neuromorphic computing and enable powerful, portable computing devices that don't rely on supercomputers or the Internet.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJun 8, 2020
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.

New material, modeling methods promise advances in energy storage

Researchers from the University of Houston have reported a structural supercapacitor electrode made from reduced graphene oxide and aramid nanofiber that is stronger and more versatile than conventional carbon-based electrodes. The new material offers promise for longer battery life and higher energy at a lighter weight.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalACS Nano·DateJun 4, 2020

A new strategy for the optimal electroreduction of Co2 to high-value products

Researchers at KAIST developed a novel approach to modulate local CO2 concentration in gas-diffusion electrode-based flow electrolyzers. This method improves the selectivity, conversion rate, and electrode stability, promoting C-C coupling reactions for multi-carbon molecule production.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalJoule·DateJun 3, 2020

Van der Waals junction spin valves without spacer layer

Scientists create vertical spin valves using 2D van der Waals materials, eliminating the need for a spacer layer. The devices exhibit low resistance-area products and low operating current densities, making them suitable for future spintronics applications.

SourceScience China Press·JournalScience Bulletin·DateMay 27, 2020
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.

Novel electric impulses relieve the pain

Researchers at TU Wien and MedUni Vienna have developed a novel method for electric stimulation of the vagus nerve in the ear. A microanatomical study revealed the optimal placement of tiny electrodes to stimulate the nerve, resulting in effective pain relief. The triphasic signal pattern was found to be particularly effective.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalFrontiers in Neuroanatomy·DateMay 26, 2020

Study finds electrical fields can throw a curveball

Researchers at MIT have discovered a new phenomenon that enables the controlled movement of tiny particles in suspension, analogous to the swerving of a curveball. This electrokinetic effect could lead to new ways of performing industrial or medical processes that require separation of suspended nanomaterials.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMay 26, 2020

Flow-through electrodes make hydrogen 50 times faster

Researchers at Duke University have developed flow-through electrodes that can store hydrogen more efficiently than conventional electrolyzers. The new design increases the surface area of the electrode to allow for faster and more productive water electrolysis, with potential implications for affordable renewable energy storage.

SourceDuke University·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateMay 26, 2020
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.

Microbial cyborgs: Bacteria supplying power

Scientists at KIT have developed a programmable biohybrid material system that uses bacteria to generate power. The system consists of a nanocomposite and the Shewanella oneidensis bacterium, which produces electrons. The team achieved controlled electron flow with increasing bacterial cells on the conductive matrix.

SourceKarlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateMay 25, 2020

Development of electrode material improving the efficiency of salinity gradient energy

Researchers have developed a new electrode material that can improve the efficiency and economic feasibility of salinity gradient power generation using reverse electrodialysis. The material, molybdenum disulfide thin films, was synthesized directly on the electrode current collector surface to enhance electrochemical activity.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalApplied Surface Science·DateMay 25, 2020

Blood flow recovers faster than brain in micro strokes

A Rice University study reveals that blood flow to the brain recovers faster than brain function after a microstroke. The research used advanced neural monitoring technology to measure both blood flow and neuronal recovery simultaneously, showing a significant disconnect between the two processes.

SourceRice University·JournalScience Advances·DateMay 22, 2020
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.

KIST develops large-scale stretchable and transparent electrodes

Researchers at KIST have developed a large-scale stretchable and transparent electrode using wavy silver nanowire networks. The technology overcomes previous limitations, enabling stable stretching and maintaining transparency and conductivity.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateMay 6, 2020

'Breathable' electronics pave the way for more functional wearable tech

Researchers at North Carolina State University created ultrathin, stretchable electronic material that is gas permeable, allowing sweat and volatile organic compounds to evaporate away from the skin. This breakthrough enables more comfortable long-term wear for biomedical or wearable technologies.

SourceNorth Carolina State University·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 30, 2020
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.

Key progress on the MRI compatible DBS electrodes and simultaneous DBS-fMRI

Researchers have developed a novel MRI compatible graphene fiber DBS electrode, enabling full activation pattern mapping by simultaneous deep brain stimulation and fMRI. This breakthrough showed a close relationship between fMRI activation and DBS therapeutic improvement in Parkinsonian rat models.

SourcePeking University·JournalNature Communications·DateApr 28, 2020

Amperometric sensors assist in analyzing food safety

Researchers at Kazan Federal University have created a novel amperometric sensor to detect sterically hindered phenols, including synthetic phenolic antioxidants. The sensor uses electropolymerized carminic acid as the sensitive layer and has been successfully tested on linseed oils, confirming high accuracy of antioxidant detection.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalJournal of Electroanalytical Chemistry·DateApr 23, 2020
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.

Development of attachable sticker-type rechargeable batteries

A joint research team from KIER, KAIST, PNU, NTU developed a high-performance re-attachable sticker-type energy storage device. The new technology features a flexible structure that can be attached anywhere on objects or surfaces using ultrashort-pulse-lasers.

SourceNational Research Council of Science & Technology·JournalChemical Engineering Journal·DateApr 14, 2020

Ear's inner secrets revealed with new technology

Scientists have developed a new technology to study the inner ear using synchrotron X-rays, providing insights into cochlear implant success. The method allows for three-dimensional mapping of blood vessels in the inner ear, which may lead to improved electrode design and better hearing results.

SourceUppsala University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 9, 2020
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor

Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.

Protecting thin, flexible brain interfaces from the human body

Researchers have developed a way to protect thin, flexible neural interfaces from the biological processes of the human body. The new technology uses thermally grown silicon dioxide to create a biocompatible barrier that lasts for more than six years.

SourceDuke University·JournalScience Translational Medicine·DateApr 8, 2020

Uncovering stimulation's impact on neurons

Takashi Kozai aims to design a coating technology that can control neuron activity using biomolecules. The goal is to establish the relationship between different types of stimulation and their impact on excitability, which could improve BCI technology for rehabilitation of neurodegenerative diseases.

SourceUniversity of Pittsburgh·DateApr 7, 2020

Textile-fiber-embedded multiluminescent device for future wearable devices

Dr. Soon Moon Jeong's team creates a new light-emitting technology using in-plane electro-luminescent technology that inserts electrodes into a luminous layer, overcoming existing limitations. The device emits light more flexibly and stably than traditional devices, with applications in wearable devices and textiles.

SourceDGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology)·JournalMaterials Today·DateMar 31, 2020
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Engineers 3D print soft, rubbery brain implants

MIT engineers create soft, flexible neural implants that can conform to the brain's contours and monitor activity over longer periods. The devices are made from a type of polymer that is electrically conductive and can be printed using a conventional 3D printer.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 30, 2020

Water splitting observed on the nanometer scale

Researchers developed a new investigation method to study electrocatalytic water splitting on gold surfaces with high spatial resolution. The study found that surfaces with nanometer-scale protrusions split water more efficiently than flat surfaces.

SourceMax Planck Institute for Polymer Research·JournalNature Communications·DateMar 5, 2020