Add BrightSurf on Google Email

The Fitbits of food ingestion?

A multi-disciplinary team developed flexible sensors that can sense movement and ingestion in the stomach for at least two days. These devices can harvest energy from the gastrointestinal tract movement and potentially power novel ingestible electronic systems.

SourceBrigham and Women's Hospital·JournalNature Biomedical Engineering·DateOct 10, 2017

Small scale energy harvesters show large scale impact

Researchers from Shahid Charmran University of Ahvaz in Iran have modeled new piezoelectric energy harvester (PEH) technology at the nano-scale level. Their study demonstrates how small-scale dimensions impact nonlinear vibrations and PEH voltage harvesting, revealing significant size effects on output.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalAIP Advances·DateSep 28, 2017

Developing roads that can generate power from passing traffic

Lancaster University engineers create smart road surfaces that harness and convert vehicle vibration into electrical energy, generating up to two Megawatts per kilometre. This technology could save taxpayers around £1,800 to £3,600 per day in street lighting costs.

SourceLancaster University·DateSep 18, 2017

What links light, fat and microbes in the gut?

Gut microbes produce proteins that regulate NFIL3's circadian cycling, controlling fat absorption and export. This interaction may shed light on why disrupted clocks increase risk for obesity and diabetes.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 31, 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.

A new twist toward practical energy harvesting

Researchers have developed a twistron harvester that harnesses energy from ocean waves, achieving a voltage of 46 mV and average output power of 1.79 mW. The device also acts as a motion sensor, demonstrating its potential for self-powered devices and natural energy harvesting.

SourceAmerican Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)·JournalScience·DateAug 24, 2017

No batteries required: Energy-harvesting yarns generate electricity

Researchers have developed high-tech yarns that can generate electricity when stretched or twisted, opening up new possibilities for self-powered wearable devices and energy harvesting from ocean waves. The twistron yarns, constructed from carbon nanotubes, can convert mechanical energy into electrical power.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Dallas·JournalScience·DateAug 24, 2017

Ultrathin device harvests electricity from human motion

A Vanderbilt University team developed an ultrathin energy harvesting system that generates electricity from human motion, offering a potential solution for wearable devices and smart clothing. The device operates at low frequencies, making it suitable for slow movements like sitting or standing.

SourceVanderbilt University·JournalACS Energy Letters·DateJul 21, 2017

New self-sustained multi-sensor platform for environmental monitoring

A team of researchers from UNIST and Korea University has developed a self-sustaining sensor platform to monitor water motion dynamics, frequency, and amplitude. The platform harnesses energy from water motion to perform multiple functions simultaneously, enabling continuous monitoring without external power source.

SourceUlsan National Institute of Science and Technology(UNIST)·JournalNano Energy·DateMay 4, 2017

Art of paper-cutting inspires self-charging paper device

A new paper-based device harnesses mechanical energy from body movements to charge small electronics, offering an untethered alternative to traditional batteries. The lightweight, rhombic design is capable of charging devices to 1 volt in just a few minutes.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Nano·DateApr 12, 2017
Meta Quest 3 512GB

Meta Quest 3 512GB enables immersive mission planning, terrain rehearsal, and interactive STEM demos with high-resolution mixed-reality experiences.

New approach captures the energy of slow motion

A new concept harnesses low-frequency mechanical energy to generate electricity, improving performance at lower frequencies than existing devices. The device, called an ionic diode, operates at one-tenth Hertz and has a higher peak power density compared to piezoelectric generators.

SourcePenn State·JournalAdvanced Energy Materials·DateDec 21, 2016

'Back to the Future' inspires solar nanotech-powered clothing

A UCF scientist has developed filaments that can harness and store sunlight, weaving them into textiles for a breakthrough in wearable technology. The innovation could revolutionize military and civilian applications, including powering smartphones and electric cars.

SourceUniversity of Central Florida·JournalNature Communications·DateNov 13, 2016
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.

Breakthrough in powering wireless sensors

Researchers at Australian National University have modeled energy consumption by wireless sensors and explored the use of ambient radio frequency sources for powering devices. The breakthrough aims to replace batteries with long-lasting monitoring devices in industries such as health, agriculture, and infrastructure.

SourceAustralian National University·JournalIEEE Transactions on Wireless Communications·DateJul 12, 2016

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

Energy harvesting via smart materials

Researchers at INSA de Lyon discovered a way to improve electrostrictive polymer energy harvesting by introducing plasticizers, increasing efficiency and sensitivity. This breakthrough enables the development of piezoelectric active sensors for force measurement.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateJan 26, 2016
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.

Flexible, biodegradable device can generate power from touch (video)

Scientists have developed a biodegradable nanogenerator made with DNA that can capture and convert everyday motion into electrical power. The flexible device has been successfully tested, lighting up multiple LEDs with gentle tapping, and offers a promising solution for reducing e-waste and increasing portable electronics' battery life.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateAug 12, 2015

A camera that powers itself!

A team led by Shree K. Nayar has created a fully self-powered video camera that can produce an image each second indefinitely. The camera uses a pixel that measures incident light and converts it into electric power, eliminating the need for a battery.

SourceColumbia University School of Engineering and Applied Science·DateApr 15, 2015

Harvesting energy from electromagnetic waves

A team of researchers from the University of Waterloo has developed a novel design for electromagnetic energy harvesting based on the full absorption concept, which enables the collection of essentially all electromagnetic energy that falls onto a surface. This technology has vast applications in space solar power and wireless power tr...

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateApr 14, 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.

Novel plastic could spur new green energy applications, 'artificial muscles'

Researchers have developed a novel plastic that can produce electricity when pulled or pressed, opening up new possibilities for green energy harvesting. The material, called PVDF, has been enhanced with carbon nanostructures to increase its piezoelectric performance, allowing it to contract and relax in response to an electric current.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·DateMar 26, 2015

VTT demonstrates new technique for generating electricity

Researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland have demonstrated a novel method for converting mechanical vibrations into electrical energy. This technique utilizes the charging phenomenon between bodies with different work functions, generating power that can be harnessed using external circuits or semiconductors. The technol...

SourceVTT Technical Research Centre of Finland·JournalScientific Reports·DateNov 10, 2014

'Smart material' chin strap harvests energy from chewing

Researchers have created a smart material-based chin strap that generates electricity from chewing, eating and talking, with potential to power hearing aids, cochlear implants and other small electronic devices. The device harnesses piezoelectric fiber composites to convert mechanical stress into electric charge.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalSmart Materials and Structures·DateSep 16, 2014

Batteryless cardiac pacemaker is based on automatic wristwatch

The new pacemaker eliminates the need for battery replacement and leads, tackling two major disadvantages of traditional pacemakers. Researchers successfully tested the system in domestic pig experiments, allowing for batteryless overdrive-pacing at 130 beats per minute.

SourceEuropean Society of Cardiology·DateAug 31, 2014
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

The first demonstration of a self-powered cardiac pacemaker

A research team from KAIST has developed a self-powered artificial cardiac pacemaker that operates semi-permanently using flexible piezoelectric nanogenerators. This technology prolongs the lifetime of pacemaker batteries, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimizing surgical risks.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJun 23, 2014
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.

First precise MEMS output measurement technique unveiled

A new experimental set-up developed by Dr Alexandre Bounouh's team at LNE in France accurately measures mechanical values and properties of MEMS devices through electrical measurement. The technique uses a current with varying frequency to analyze the harmonic content of the output voltage, determining mechanical characteristics such a...

SourceNational Physical Laboratory·DateMay 14, 2013

Chaos proves superior to order

Researchers have demonstrated that chaotic systems can store more light than ordered ones in optical cavities, with applications for quantum optics and solar cells. The study found a six-fold increase in energy storage in chaotic cavities, outperforming classical counterparts.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Photonics·DateMay 7, 2013

New material harvests energy from water vapor

Researchers at MIT have created a new material that can generate electricity by drawing on water vapor, which could power micro- and nanoelectronic devices. The material changes shape after absorbing evaporated water, allowing it to repeatedly curl up and down.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalScience·DateJan 10, 2013

New device could allow your heartbeat to power pacemaker

Researchers developed an energy-harvesting device that uses piezoelectricity to convert heartbeat-induced vibrations into electricity. The device can generate enough power to continuously operate a pacemaker without the need for battery replacements.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateNov 4, 2012
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-generating knee strap hints at end for batteries

Researchers have created a novel energy harvester that can power body-monitoring devices by walking, offering a potential solution to the heavy battery burden on soldiers. The device, designed to fit onto the outside of the knee joint, generates electricity through vibrations caused by plectra plucking energy-generating arms.

SourceIOP Publishing·JournalSmart Materials and Structures·DateJun 14, 2012

Slip-and-slide power generators

A new technology harnesses power from a single droplet sliding along an electret film, producing electricity when it reaches maximum velocity. The device has potential for low-power portable devices and human body motion harvesting, with a prototype demonstrating peak output power of 0.18 microwatts.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMay 24, 2012

Analyzing energy potential

Researchers develop data logger to analyze and harness energy from vibrations, enabling wearable devices, IoT systems, and industrial applications. The technology replaces traditional battery-powered devices with sustainable energy harvesting.

SourceFraunhofer-Gesellschaft·DateMay 4, 2012
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 harvesting approach boosts energy output from bacteria

A team of scientists at CU Denver has developed a novel energy system that increases the amount of energy harvested from microbial fuel cells by more than 70 times. This breakthrough improves energy efficiency and enables active extractions of electrons from bacteria.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalEnvironmental Science & Technology·DateApr 25, 2012

Nanocrystal-coated fibers might reduce wasted energy

Researchers have developed nanocrystal-coated glass fibers that can generate electricity when exposed to heat, potentially recovering 10% of the energy wasted in US industries. The technology also enables solid-state cooling without compressors or refrigerants, making it suitable for use in garments and industrial applications.

SourcePurdue University·JournalNano Letters·DateApr 17, 2012

New online energy harvesting data repository launched

A new online resource, Energy Harvesting Open Access Data Repository, provides detailed data on energy availability and characteristics for researchers worldwide. The repository aims to standardize the evaluation of energy-harvesting devices and systems by offering a common dataset.

SourceUniversity of Southampton·DateMar 9, 2012

Heart-powered pacemaker could one day eliminate battery-replacement surgery

Researchers at the University of Michigan have designed a device that converts heartbeat vibrations into electricity to power pacemakers and defibrillators. The new energy harvester could save patients from repeated surgeries by reducing or eliminating the need for battery replacements.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 2, 2012

UK scientists develop optimum piezoelectric energy harvesters

Researchers at the National Physical Laboratory have developed a new model for piezoelectric energy harvesters that can convert up to 25% more energy from unwanted mechanical vibrations. The new design covers only two-thirds of the cantilever's length, reducing internal power loss and increasing overall efficiency.

SourceNational Physical Laboratory·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateMar 2, 2012
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.

Wringing more energy out of everyday motions

The Duke team has created a nonlinear approach to energy harvesting that can capture more frequencies from ambient vibrations, making it ideal for practical uses in the real world. This could lead to the development of devices that power implants, sensors, and even larger electrical systems.

SourceDuke University·DateFeb 21, 2012

Powering pacemakers with heartbeat vibrations

A team of aerospace engineers developed a prototype device that harnesses chest cavity vibrations to generate electricity for pacemakers, delivering eight times the required energy. The technology has potential as a biocompatible alternative to competing methods.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateFeb 1, 2012
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.

Tiny levers, big moves in piezoelectric sensors

Researchers have integrated a highly efficient piezoelectric material into a silicon microelectromechanical system, enabling significant advances in sensing, imaging, and energy harvesting. The new material, PMN-PT, delivers two to four times more movement with stronger force than rival materials, while using only 3 volts.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalScience·DateNov 23, 2011

A new MEMS device generates energy from small vibrations

Researchers at MIT have designed a tiny energy harvester that can generate 100 times the power of similar devices, making it a potential solution to the power constraint in wireless sensors. The device uses a single layer of PZT and responds to a wide range of low-frequency vibrations.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateSep 14, 2011

Human gait could soon power portable electronics

A new energy-harvesting technology, reverse electrowetting, converts human motion into electrical power to power mobile electronic devices. This technology could enable footwear-embedded energy harvesters that capture energy produced by humans during walking and convert it into up to 20 watts of electrical power.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 23, 2011

Strain and spin may enable ultra-low-energy computing

By combining spintronics and straintronics, researchers created an ultra-low-power integrated circuit that harnesses ambient energy for computation. The proposed design uses multiferroic composite structures to achieve significant energy savings, potentially powering implantable medical devices and buoy-mounted computers.

SourceAmerican Institute of Physics·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateAug 15, 2011
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)

Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.

Chemists turn gold to purple -- on purpose

Researchers confirmed that citric acid reacts with sunlight to harvest energy and form purple-colored nanoparticles, a potential green energy source.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Nanoparticle Research·DateJan 26, 2011
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Scavenging energy waste to turn water into hydrogen fuel

Scientists at UW-Madison have designed a method to harness small amounts of wasted energy to produce usable hydrogen fuel. The process uses the piezoelectric effect to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen, achieving an impressive 18% efficiency.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalThe Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters·DateMar 11, 2010

Harvesting energy from nature's motions

Researchers at Duke University created a non-linear device that can convert a range of vibrations into electricity, improving efficiency over traditional linear devices. This technology has the potential to power small electronic devices, such as pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators, and even sensors in ocean buoys and spacecraft.

SourceDuke University·JournalApplied Physics Letters·DateOct 30, 2009
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.

Soldiers turn a march into a charge

Engineers at the University of Leeds are developing a system to harness kinetic energy from soldiers' marches, capturing up to 15% of their foot-power to reduce pack weight. The project also aims to adapt radio equipment to run on low power budgets, enhancing soldier mobility and reducing fatigue.

SourceUniversity of Leeds·DateJul 27, 2009

Best energy harvesting sources for future AF UAVs

The Air Force Office of Scientific Research is working on airborne solar cells using flexible films and transparent conductive electrodes. These cells have shown promise in powering small aircraft, and the team hopes to develop large, flexible DSSCs with higher energy conversion efficiency.

SourceAir Force Office of Scientific Research·DateJul 14, 2009

Heart's surplus energy may help power pacemakers, defibrillators

Researchers have developed a microgenerator that harnesses the heart's surplus energy to produce electricity for pacemakers and defibrillators. The innovative system, called SIMM, has shown promising results in increasing energy production with each heartbeat, potentially leading to longer-lasting devices.

SourceAmerican Heart Association·DateNov 10, 2008

Berkeley researchers identify photosynthetic dimmer switch

Researchers identified pigment-binding protein CP29 as a valve regulating excess solar energy during photosynthesis. The study suggests that ambient pH levels can control the dimmer switch's opening and closing, with implications for designing artificial photosynthesis systems.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalScience·DateMay 8, 2008
Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C)

Apple AirPods Pro (2nd Generation, USB-C) provide clear calls and strong noise reduction for interviews, conferences, and noisy field environments.

Circuit transfers four times more power out of shakes and rattle

Researchers developed a new circuit that harnesses vibrations to generate up to 50 milliwatts of power, surpassing the output of simple energy harvesting circuits. The adaptive piezoelectric energy harvesting circuit can be used in various applications, including wearable devices, sensor networks, and smart home security systems.

SourcePenn State·DateSep 23, 2002