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Engineers revolutionize molecular microscopy

Engineers developed a novel scanning quantum dot microscopy method that enables the accurate measurement of electrical potentials at molecular resolution. This breakthrough allows for high-resolution images of potential fields, previously unattainable, and opens up possibilities for creating nanostructures via 3D printing.

SourceOtto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg·JournalNature Materials·DateJul 11, 2019

Novel Chinese nanogenerator takes cue from electric eels

Researchers developed a bionic stretchable nanogenerator inspired by electric eels, generating up to 170V under dry conditions. The technology has potential for wearable devices, human motion monitoring and underwater rescue applications.

SourceChinese Academy of Sciences Headquarters·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 24, 2019

Artificial intelligence speeds up!

A team at Politecnico di Milano has developed an electronic circuit that can solve systems of linear equations in a single operation, accelerating computing by orders of magnitude. The memristor-based circuit boasts superior performance to classical digital computers and even quantum computers, paving the way for AI breakthroughs.

SourcePolitecnico di Milano·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 15, 2019
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Digital PLL achieves a power consumption of 0.265 mW

Scientists at Tokyo Institute of Technology have developed a digital PLL frequency synthesizer with a power consumption of 0.265 mW, reducing energy usage by over half. The innovative design achieves this low power consumption through an automatic feedback control system.

SourceTokyo Institute of Technology·DateFeb 19, 2019

New research could lead to more energy-efficient computing

Binghamton University researchers developed 'neuristor' circuits that mimic biological neurons, enabling complex computations using minimal power. The team created niobium dioxide devices without electroforming, making them more efficient and scalable.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalScientific Reports·DateOct 3, 2018

EPFL uses excitons to take electronics into the future

A team of EPFL researchers has created a new type of transistor using excitons, enabling effective operation at room temperature. The breakthrough uses two 2D materials to manipulate exciton lifespans and control their movement, paving the way for optoelectronic devices with reduced energy consumption and increased efficiency.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalNature·DateJul 25, 2018

How the brain performs flexible computations

Researchers identified a neural strategy that enables the brain to rapidly select and perform different mental operations. The brain uses a combination of internal cues and external inputs to control movement times flexibly, allowing for novel computations on the fly.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNeuron·DateJun 6, 2018
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

A surprising new superconductor

Researchers have created a new superconductor with a critical temperature over 6 Kelvin, which could enable the development of ultrafast and powerful computers. The electroplated rhenium material is non-toxic, easy to work with mechanically, and melts at high temperatures.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 1, 2018

A major step forward in organic electronics

Researchers at Linköping University developed the world's first complementary electrochemical logic circuits that function stably for long periods in water. This breakthrough has major consequences for many applications, including bioelectronics and printed electronics.

SourceLinköping University·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 11, 2018

Sensors applied to plant leaves warn of water shortage

MIT researchers have developed sensors that can be printed onto plant leaves to reveal when they are experiencing a water shortage. These sensors take advantage of plants' stomata and can detect even slight changes in water pressure, allowing for early warnings in agricultural settings.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalLab on a Chip·DateNov 8, 2017

WSU physicists turn a crystal into an electrical circuit

Researchers have successfully written an electrical circuit into a crystal, enabling the creation of transparent and reconfigurable electronics. The phenomenon, called persistent photoconductivity, can be erased and reconfigured using heat and light, similar to an Etch A Sketch.

SourceWashington State University·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 27, 2017

Molecular electronics scientists shatter 'impossible' record

Researchers have overcome a fundamental theoretical limitation to design molecular diodes with a record-high rectification ratio of 6.3 x 10^5. This breakthrough enables the use of molecular diodes in applications that silicon diodes can't handle, potentially leading to cheaper and easier fabrication.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateJul 3, 2017
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.

New diode features optically controlled capacitance

A new optically tunable capacitor has been developed by Israeli researchers, featuring embedded metal nanoparticles. The capacitor's capacitance is tunable by illumination and exhibits a strong frequency dispersion, allowing for high degree of tunability.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateJun 6, 2017

Efficient power converter for internet of things

Researchers at MIT have designed a power converter that maintains efficiency across a wide range of current levels, reducing resting power consumption by 50%. The converter uses a variable clock and advanced control circuitry to accommodate high-power transmissions, enabling new possibilities for energy-harvesting devices.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateFeb 17, 2017
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.

Gold from old phones is real prospect thanks to chemical advance

A simple chemical method has been developed to extract gold from old mobile phones, potentially recovering up to 300 tonnes of gold per year. The new process uses a mild acid and an oily liquid containing a specific compound to selectively extract gold from other metals, eliminating the need for toxic chemicals.

SourceUniversity of Edinburgh·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateAug 30, 2016

The first autonomous, entirely soft robot

Researchers at Harvard University have created the first autonomous, entirely soft robot called the octobot. The small, 3D-printed robot is powered by a chemical reaction controlled by microfluidics, eliminating the need for electronics.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalNature·DateAug 24, 2016
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.

See-through circuitry

Scientists have developed a new method for making transparent transistors and electronic circuits using aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO), a cheaper and more abundant material than indium tin oxide (ITO). The process uses atomic layer deposition, which improves circuit performance and simplifies fabrication.

SourceKing Abdullah University of Science & Technology (KAUST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateAug 14, 2016

Towards the T-1000: Liquid metals propel future electronics

Researchers at RMIT University have developed self-propelling liquid metals, a critical step towards flexible and dynamically reconfigurable soft circuit systems. The breakthrough enables liquid metal to move autonomously in three dimensions, opening the door to new applications in smart engineering solutions and biomedicine.

SourceRMIT University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 4, 2016

Flexible wearable electronic skin patch offers new way to monitor alcohol levels

Researchers at UC San Diego have developed a flexible wearable sensor that can accurately measure blood alcohol levels from sweat, providing real-time monitoring for doctors and police officers. The device, consisting of a temporary tattoo and portable electronic circuit board, can be worn on the skin and transmit data wirelessly to a ...

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalACS Sensors·DateAug 2, 2016

New 'self-healing' gel makes electronics more flexible

Researchers at UT Austin developed a self-healing gel that repairs and connects electronic circuits without external stimuli. The gel has high conductivity, strong mechanical and electrical self-healing properties, and can be used as a soft joint to join circuit parts.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalNano Letters·DateNov 24, 2015
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.

Researchers build a digital piece of brain

The Blue Brain Project digitally reconstructs a slice of juvenile rat brain containing over 31,000 neurons and 55 layers, enabling researchers to simulate neural activity and circuit-level behaviors

SourceCell Press·JournalCell·DateOct 8, 2015

How to short circuit hunger

Scientists at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center have discovered a long-sought component of the neural network that controls eating, finding that the melanoncortin 4 receptor-regulated circuit inhibits and controls hunger. Activating this circuit reduces feeding in mice and removes feelings of intense hunger.

SourceBeth Israel Deaconess Medical Center·JournalNature Neuroscience·DateApr 27, 2015

Future electronics based on carbon nanotubes

A team of researchers has found a way to strip out metallic carbon nanotubes from arrays using a simple, scalable procedure, leaving behind semiconducting nanotubes suitable for electronic devices. This breakthrough could lead to the development of smaller, faster, and cheaper electronic devices.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalJournal of Applied Physics·DateApr 7, 2015

A new spin on spintronics

A team of researchers from the University of Michigan and Western Michigan University has developed a new radiation-resistant spintronic material that can maintain its spin-dependence after being irradiated. This breakthrough could enable electronic devices to work in harsh environments, such as space-based communications satellites.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 17, 2015
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.

Half spheres for molecular circuits

Researchers discovered corannulene's potential as a material for future electronic devices due to its easily accessible energy levels. The molecule can form a tunneling effect when connected in a row, making it suitable for constructing molecular circuits.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalPhysical Chemistry Chemical Physics·DateFeb 16, 2015

Researchers identify brain circuit that regulates thirst

A team of scientists has identified a brain circuit in mice that regulates thirst, with two distinct cell types working together to maintain fluid balance. The study found that activating one set of cells triggers drinking behavior, while silencing the other population suppresses thirst.

SourceHoward Hughes Medical Institute·JournalNature·DateJan 26, 2015
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.

Breakthrough in light sources for new quantum technology

Researchers at the University of Copenhagen's Niels Bohr Institute have successfully created a steady stream of photons emitted one at a time, enabling control over their direction. The breakthrough has significant implications for future quantum technologies, including encryption and complex calculations.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateAug 29, 2014

Laser physics upside down

Researchers at Vienna University of Technology have created a system of coupled lasers that exhibit paradoxical behavior. By adding or reducing energy, the lasers can switch each other on or off, making them suitable for building logical circuits using light.

SourceVienna University of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateJun 17, 2014

With imprecise chips to the artificial brain

Junior Professor Dr. Elisabetta Chicca and colleagues discover that imprecise digital and analog circuits are more efficient than precise ones in building artificial nervous systems. The study, published in Proceedings of the IEEE, reveals a new approach to designing autonomous cognitive systems with minimal power requirements.

SourceBielefeld University·JournalProceedings of the IEEE·DateMay 16, 2014

Progress made in developing nanoscale electronics

Scientists have successfully directed charges through single molecules using a bi-layer arrangement of organic molecules, enabling precise control over electronic properties. This breakthrough brings us closer to nanoscale circuitry, which could be used in various applications such as OLEDs and biomedical devices.

SourceUniversity of Rochester·JournalAdvanced Materials Interfaces·DateApr 21, 2014
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.

UNC researchers create new tool to unravel the mysteries of metastasis

A new biochemical technique allows researchers to study how specific proteins called kinases interact to trigger cellular behavior, such as cell movement. The method, developed by Klaus Hahn's team, enables the activation of just one kinase and its interaction with another molecule in real time.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina Health Care·JournalNature Chemical Biology·DateMar 9, 2014

A new renewable energy source?

Researchers at Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences envision a device that harnesses energy from Earth's infrared emissions into direct-current power. The proposed technology, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, could provide a new source of renewable energy.

SourceHarvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateMar 3, 2014

Stirring-up atomtronics in a quantum circuit

Researchers at JQI observe hysteresis in an ultracold atomic gas, a phenomenon crucial for electronics. By controlling the rotation of a quantum fluid, they create a stable two-velocity state that has implications for building practical atomtronic devices.

SourceJoint Quantum Institute·JournalNature·DateFeb 12, 2014

Molecules as circuits

Researchers exploited the Kondo effect in molecules to change conductance between electrodes. The phenomenon allows for an increase in electrical resistance at low temperatures but can be reversed at small size scales.

SourceInternational School of Advanced Studies (SISSA)·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJan 23, 2014
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.

'Wise chisels': Art, craftsmanship, and power tools

Researchers at MIT are developing smart tools that can mimic the human touch while controlling outcomes to ensure precision. These tools, designed by Amit Zoran and his team, use computer-aided design and feedback mechanisms to create distinctive imperfections and styles in handmade objects.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateNov 22, 2013

Dragonflies can see by switching 'on' and 'off'

Researchers at the University of Adelaide have discovered a novel visual circuit in dragonflies' brains that combines opposite pathways for processing simple dark objects. This finding has implications for improving vision systems in robots and developing neural prosthetics.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·DateAug 15, 2013

Genetic circuit allows both individual freedom, collective good

Researchers discovered a genetic circuit in bacteria that enables individual freedom while ensuring the collective good. The circuit allows each bacterium to weigh its decisions based on stress levels and peer signals, striking a balance between selflessness and selfishness.

SourceRice University·JournalScientific Reports·DateApr 22, 2013
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)

Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.

NIST mechanical micro-drum used as quantum memory

Researchers at NIST have successfully demonstrated the use of a mechanical micro-drum as a quantum memory, storing and retrieving information with 65% efficiency. This innovation exploits a mechanical form of quantum physics and has potential applications in quantum computing and precise force sensing.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalNature·DateMar 13, 2013
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.

Could a computer one day rewire itself?

Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a reconfigurable electronic material that can rearrange itself to meet different computational needs. This new material enables the creation of self-adapting electronic components with directed paths for electron flow.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateOct 16, 2011

An advance toward ultra-portable electronic devices

Researchers create ultra-portable electronic devices by connecting molecular components using conductive nanowires. The breakthrough enables cheaper, higher-performance alternatives to conventional silicon-based devices.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJul 20, 2011

MIT: New method found for controlling conductivity

Researchers at MIT have found a way to manipulate the electrical and thermal properties of materials by changing external conditions such as temperature. The technique can change electrical conductivity by over 100 times and heat conductivity by threefold, making it suitable for various applications including electronic circuitry and t...

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalNature Communications·DateMay 4, 2011

The first non-trivial atom circuit: Progress toward an atom SQUID

Scientists at NIST and UM create a toroidal Bose-Einstein condensate with ultracold sodium atoms, exhibiting superfluidity and persistent flow. The circuit includes a tunable weak link barrier that controls the atom current to specific values.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalPhysical Review Letters·DateMar 31, 2011

Electron billiards in nanoscale circuits

Scientists created a 70-nanometer narrow channel to analyze photogenerated electrons with high precision. They demonstrated that photogenerated electrons can flow several micrometers before colliding with crystalline atoms, revealing the influence of circuit geometry on electron paths.

SourceTechnical University of Munich (TUM)·JournalNano Letters·DateOct 21, 2010
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.

Scientists concerned about environmental impact of recycling of e-waste

A study published in Atmospheric Environment found toxic elements in e-waste recycling emissions in southern China, posing health risks to workers and the environment. The research team identified carcinogens and persistent organic pollutants through mass spectrometry and other instrumentation.

SourceOregon State University·JournalAtmospheric Environment·DateAug 26, 2010

Cat brain: A step toward the electronic equivalent

Researchers are developing a computer inspired by the feline brain's ability to recognize faces and learn from experience. The project aims to create a machine that can perform tasks simultaneously, like recognizing faces, while conventional computers rely on sequential processing.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 14, 2010

Electrical circuit runs entirely off power in trees

A team from University of Washington has created a working electronic circuit that runs entirely off the power generated by trees, producing an output voltage of 1.1 volts and consuming just 10 nanowatts of power during operation.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalIEEE Transactions on Nanotechnology·DateSep 8, 2009

New silver-based ink has applications in electronics, researchers say

Researchers at the University of Illinois developed a new silver-based ink that allows for flexible and stretchable microelectrodes. The ink can be used in electronic and optoelectronic applications to create integrated systems from diverse materials on various substrates.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·DateFeb 12, 2009
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.

Economical and flexible

Organic transistors consume less energy than silicon transistors and can be constructed on flexible surfaces. Researchers linked p channel and n channel transistors in complementary circuits to save energy and create flexible electronic components.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalNature·DateMar 2, 2007

Rewiring the mammalian brain -- neurons make fickle friends

Neurons make fickle friends as the brain rapidly forms and reconfigures connections in response to new experiences. This process allows the brain to adapt quickly to changing situations, strengthening and pruning circuits to optimize information processing.

SourceEcole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateAug 7, 2006
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.