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Catalyst deposition on fragile chips

Researchers have developed a new method of depositing catalyst particles to tiny electrodes, providing a clean and easy-to-use approach for testing various catalyst materials. This innovative technique allows for the stable and reproducible application of different catalysts on liquid cell TEM chips.

SourceRuhr-University Bochum·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateFeb 14, 2020

New air-pressure sensor could improve everyday devices

A new air-pressure sensor developed by Binghamton University researchers uses a micro-switch mechanism to improve the performance of various devices, including those monitoring barometric pressure and oxygen levels in hospitals. The sensor's design allows for faster response times and longer lifespans compared to conventional sensors.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics·DateFeb 12, 2020

New droplet-based electricity generator: A drop of water generates 140V power, lighting up 100 LED bulbs

A research team has developed a droplet-based electricity generator that can produce 140V power from a single drop of water. The device features a field-effect transistor-like structure and achieves high energy-conversion efficiency and instantaneous power density, making it an innovative solution for sustainable energy generation.

SourceCity University of Hong Kong·JournalNature·DateFeb 5, 2020

To make amino acids, just add electricity

Researchers at Kyushu University have successfully synthesized several types of amino acids using abundant materials. The process uses electric energy generated from renewable sources and involves titanium dioxide as the electrocatalyst and an organic acid called alpha-keto acid as the key source material.

SourceKyushu University·JournalChemical Communications·DateJan 29, 2020

Hermetically sealed semi-conductors

Researchers have developed a new encapsulation technique to protect the electronic properties of sensitive materials like indium selenide and gallium selenide. The method uses hexagonal boron nitride to encase the material, preserving its performance and enabling its integration into electronic components.

SourceHelmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateJan 29, 2020

Illinois researcher's theory of pore-scale transport to enable improved flow batteries

A new theory by Assistant Professor Kyle Smith predicts how fluid flow affects molecule reaction at porous electrode surfaces in redox flow batteries. The research enables prediction of mass transfer coefficients based on microscopic pore structure, enabling engineers to design optimal structures.

SourceUniversity of Illinois Grainger College of Engineering·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·DateNov 21, 2019

Injectable, flexible electrode could replace rigid nerve-stimulating implants

Researchers have developed an injectable, flexible electrode that can reduce the cost of neuromodulation therapy, increase its reliability and make it less invasive. The 'injectrode' uses a liquid that cures in the body to create a wired contact, allowing for more elasticity and flexibility compared to traditional rigid implants.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalAdvanced Healthcare Materials·DateNov 11, 2019

Research reveals potential dangers during skin-to-skin contact for mother and baby following cesarean section birth

Researchers warn of risks in allowing skin-to-skin contact between mothers and newborns after a C-section, as cardiac activity can interfere with electrocardiogram readings. Both cases involved abnormal heart rhythms triggered by the baby's touch on ECG electrodes, highlighting the need for safe protocols.

SourceThe European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC)·JournalEuropean Journal of Anaesthesiology·DateNov 7, 2019

Straight from the source

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis have uncovered a novel process by which phototrophic microbes can accept electrons from solid and soluble substances. This discovery, published in mBio, could lead to the development of bacterial platforms that feed on electricity and carbon dioxide to produce valuable compounds.

MIT engineers develop a new way to remove carbon dioxide from air

A new system can capture carbon dioxide from the air at any concentration level, including 400 parts per million, and release it into a carrier stream. This technology has significant implications for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and could eliminate the need for fossil fuels in applications such as soft-drink bottling plants.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalEnergy & Environmental Science·DateOct 25, 2019

Electric cloth

Chinese scientists developed a new material that enables the creation of flexible, wearable supercapacitors with high energy density. The electrodes are made from a hybrid material synthesized from two carbon nanomaterials and a metal-organic framework, which provides a balance of porosity, conductivity, and electrochemical activity.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateOct 18, 2019

Battling BPA with biofilms

The University of Pittsburgh researcher is using biofilms and electrodes to remove BPA from water, a common contaminant found in plastics. The project aims to create an effective method for degrading BPA, which has been linked to fertility problems and other health issues.

Flexible solar cells a step closer to reality

Researchers at the University of Warwick have discovered that organic solar cells only need 1% of their surface area to be electrically conductive, opening up possibilities for composite materials and improved device performance. This breakthrough could enable flexible solar cells to become a commercial reality sooner.

SourceUniversity of Warwick·JournalAdvanced Functional Materials·DateSep 11, 2019

Feeling legs again improves amputees' health

Researchers developed an interface to connect a leg prosthesis with residual nerves, providing sensory feedback that reduces effort during walking and phantom limb pain. The system also increased confidence in prosthetic use, enabling users to devote more attention to other tasks.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalNature Medicine·DateSep 9, 2019

Testing new treatment for epilepsy patients

Researchers have developed a new machine learning algorithm that can detect the seizure onset zone in just 10-20 minutes, eliminating the need for prolonged monitoring and reducing risks. This breakthrough could lead to a new treatment approach for epilepsy patients, particularly those with drug-resistant forms of the disease.

The future of mind control

Researchers propose mesh electronics as a foundation for brain-machine interfaces, enabling precise targeting of neural communication networks to treat neurological disorders. This technology could lead to improved therapeutic options, such as enhanced prosthetic control and cognitive enhancement.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature Biotechnology·DateSep 5, 2019

Doped photovoltaics

A Chinese-German team developed a way to boost electric conductivity of organic solar cells, increasing their performance. By doping metal oxide interlayer with modified organic dye, both efficiency and stability were improved.

SourceWiley·JournalAngewandte Chemie International Edition·DateAug 16, 2019