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New programmable materials can sense their own movements

MIT researchers developed a method to create 3D-printed materials with tunable mechanical properties and embedded sensors, enabling real-time feedback on movement and interaction. The sensing structures use air-filled channels that deform when moved or squeezed, providing accurate feedback for robotics and wearable devices.

Brain-robot therapy reroutes motor pathway in stroke patients

Researchers discovered that brain-robot interfaces can reroute motor pathways around damaged areas in stroke patients, allowing for improved hand function and control. This breakthrough technology uses proprioceptive feedback to enhance communication between the brain and muscles.

A "nano-robot" built entirely from DNA to explore cell processes

Scientists have developed a DNA nano-robot that can apply forces with unprecedented accuracy, enabling closer study of mechanical forces at microscopic levels. The robot is designed to target specific mechanoreceptors, allowing researchers to activate them and study key signaling pathways involved in biological processes.

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

Are drones the optimal way to distribute COVID-19 tests?

A new study from Texas A&M University uses drone delivery to quickly distribute at-home diagnostic tests, minimizing exposure to others and reducing transmission rates. The approach can reduce transmission by a factor of 7.5 and has potential applications in other infectious diseases like influenza.

Complex motions for simple actuators

Researchers at Harvard University have developed inflatable actuators that can bend, twist, and move in complex ways using origami-inspired designs. The actuator's bistable origami blocks allow it to perform up to eight different motions with a single pressure source.

Hearing better with skin than ears

A team of researchers has developed a microscopic microphone that can detect sound waves by applying polymer materials to microelectro-mechanical systems. The device offers a wider auditory field than human ears and can be easily attached to the skin with a surprisingly small size, recognizing both loud and low-frequency sounds without...

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.

Robot overcomes uncertainty to retrieve buried objects

A new robotic system, FuseBot, has been developed to efficiently retrieve buried objects in piles. The system uses radio frequency signals and computer vision to reason about the probable location and orientation of objects under the pile, enabling it to find more hidden items than a state-of-the-art robotics system in half the time.

Human-robot-AI teamwork accelerates regenerative medicine

A joint research group developed a robotic AI system that autonomously determines optimal conditions for growing replacement retina layers. The system achieved a 90% rate of differentiation efficiency in 185 days, compared to months of work by humans.

Tiny limbs and long bodies: Coordinating lizard locomotion

A multidisciplinary approach reveals a continuum of locomotion dynamics in lizards, with short-limbed species exhibiting snakelike waves and long-bodied species bending like lizards. The findings deepen understanding of evolution's implications for locomotion and have applications for advanced robotics designs.

Who’s really in control?

A Japanese research team investigated the psychological impact of remotely operating semi-autonomous robots on humans. They found that when a person controls only a part of the robot's body, their attitude aligns with that expressed by the semi-autonomous robot, influencing subsequent decisions.

Third and fourth robotic arms feel like a part of the user’s own body

A research team has developed supernumerary robotic arms that users can feel as part of their own body, expanding the possibilities for human augmentation. The study, published in Scientific Reports, shows that users can embody artificial objects and perceive them as extensions of their own body.

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.

Extra “eye” movements are the key to better self-driving cars

A new AI system uses artificial neural networks to recognize objects more accurately and stably, despite changing visual inputs. The system mimics human eye movements to improve machine vision capabilities, reducing errors in self-driving cars and other applications.

Robotic lightning bugs take flight

Researchers at MIT created insect-scale robots that can emit light during flight, allowing for precise motion tracking and potential communication between robots. The ability to emit light also enables the robots to call for help in search-and-rescue missions.

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.

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.

Introducing GTGraffiti: The robot that paints like a human

Researchers created a graffiti-painting robot system that uses motion capture technology to record human painting motions. The team's cable-driven robot spray paints artwork with precision and speed, enabling the creation of human-style graffiti.

A helping hand for robotic manipulator design

MIT researchers develop an interactive design pipeline enabling users to create customized robotic hands with tactile sensors. The platform streamlines the process, allowing users to adjust palm and fingers and integrate tactile sensors, resulting in complex tasks like picking delicate items or using tools being performed flawlessly.

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.

Tiny infrared spectral filters for remote thermal sensing and imaging

New research develops a low-index BaF2 thin film-based microspectrometer technology for LWIR spectral sensing. The study demonstrates the use of flat and stress-free free-standing distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) for high-performance wavelength discrimination in the long-wave infrared region.

CABBI team develops automated platform for plasmid production

Researchers at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed PlasmidMaker, an automated platform for designing and constructing plasmids. The platform uses Pyrococcus furiosus Argonaute-based artificial restriction enzymes to assemble DNA fragments with greater flexibility and precision.

Robotic surgery improves patient recovery time

A new study has found that robotic surgery reduces the chance of readmission by half and reveals a four-fold reduction in blood clots compared to open surgery. Patients also experience increased physical activity, stamina, and quality of life.

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.

Robotic surgery is safer and improves patient recovery time

A clinical trial found that robotic surgery for bladder cancer removal and reconstruction significantly reduced recovery time, hospital stays, and readmissions. The study showed a 77% reduction in blood clots and improved physical activity and quality of life for patients.

NeuroMechFly: a digital twin of Drosophila

Researchers at EPFL's School of Life Sciences create a digital twin of Drosophila called NeuroMechFly, which uses biomechanical modeling and machine learning to simulate the fly's movements. The model is validated through experiments that demonstrate its accuracy in replicating real animal behaviors.

Boston University to open new robotics lab to foster more student innovators

The university's new Robotics and Autonomous Systems Teaching and Innovation Center (RASTIC) will provide students with hands-on experience in robotics, autonomous systems, and self-driving technology. The lab aims to boost Massachusetts' competitiveness in the tech sector by supporting innovative projects and startups.

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.

Self-propelled, endlessly programmable artificial cilia

Researchers from Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences have developed a single-material, single-stimuli microstructure that can outmaneuver even living cilia. These programmable structures could be used for soft robotics, biocompatible medical devices, and dynamic information encryption.

Engineers at UBC get under the skin of ionic skin

Researchers at UBC create ionic skins made of flexible hydrogels that use ions to carry an electrical charge. These hydrogels can generate voltages when touched, producing a piezoionic effect that allows them to detect pressure and other stimuli. The technology has potential applications in prosthetics, wearable sensors, and body impla...

Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter

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

Microrobot collectives display versatile movement patterns

Researchers have developed microrobot collectives that can move in various formations, reconfiguring their behavior quickly and robustly. The systems use a combination of magnetic forces, fluid dynamics, and computation to achieve coordinated patterns of motion.

Neural network model helps predict site-specific impacts of earthquakes

A new study by Hiroshima University introduces a novel AI-based technique for estimating site amplification factors from microtremor data. The model demonstrated potential as a predictive tool for characterizing site amplification factors, but notes are needed for further optimization with a larger dataset.

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.

Joystick-operated robot could help surgeons treat stroke remotely

A new robotic system allows surgeons to remotely treat patients experiencing a stroke or aneurysm, providing teleoperated endovascular treatment during the critical golden hour. With just one hour of training, neurosurgeons can successfully operate the system to guide a wire through complex vessels and reach difficult-to-reach areas.

Tear-free brushing? All you need is math

A team of researchers, led by L. Mahadevan, developed a mathematical model to understand the mechanics of combing and detangling. They found that using short strokes starting from the free end can effectively remove tangles, with an optimal minimum length for each stroke identified.

How to compete with robots

A study from EPFL and the University of Lausanne developed a method to calculate which jobs are at risk of being automated by robots. The team created an algorithm that predicts the risk of automation for hundreds of jobs and suggests alternative careers with minimal retraining requirements.

Solving the challenges of robotic pizza-making

Researchers at MIT developed a framework for robotic manipulation systems that can perform complex tasks using a two-stage learning process. This allows robots to learn abstract ideas about manipulating deformable objects, such as pizza dough, and execute skills to complete tasks.

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.

Behind the made-in-Canada approach to tracking COVID-19 antibodies

A team of Canadian scientists developed a scalable serology assay to track COVID-19 antibodies, informing public health decisions and vaccine timing. The assay has been used in over 30 studies across Canada, capturing natural infection and vaccination responses with high accuracy.

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.

Unexplored dimensions of porous metamaterials

By slicing a block of elastomer with a periodic array of holes at a 45-degree angle, researchers discovered new properties and opened up new applications for this long-studied group of materials. This change in surface morphology can alter friction between the material and an underlying surface.

You're doing it wrong: you need to compare apples to oranges

Ben-Gurion University researchers found that participants overwhelmingly preferred virtual reality for short-term cognitive tasks, but split over the long term. A combination of both virtual reality and socially adaptive robots may be key to keeping people engaged in remote cognitive training.

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.

Hugging a “breathing” cushion to ease anxiety

A new, touch-based device has been developed to ease anxiety in students by mechanically simulating breathing. The 'breathing' cushion was found to be equally effective at reducing anxiety as guided meditation in a study of 129 volunteers.

Bendy robotic arm twisted into shape with help of augmented reality

Researchers at Imperial College London developed a bendy robotic arm that can twist and turn in all directions, allowing for customizable shapes. The team created an augmented reality system to enhance user-friendliness, enabling users to easily configure the robot using motion tracking cameras and smartglasses.

How to help humans understand robots

Researchers at MIT and Harvard University applied cognitive science theories to human-robot interaction, finding that humans need to see variation in robot behavior to build accurate mental models. Theories suggest that strategic variation can reveal concepts that might be difficult for a person to discern otherwise.

Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Electronic skin that can feel in real time

Researchers created an artificial sensory receptor that generates spike signals on its own, enabling the e-skin to analyze spatial information and react to external stimuli in real-time. The e-skin's functionality overcomes limitations of conventional electronic skins, which can only process tactile information sequentially.

Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Introducing Nikola, the emotional android kid

Researchers from RIKEN created Nikola, an android child that can convey six basic emotions through facial expressions. The study tested the quality of these expressions and found that humans can recognize them with varying accuracy.

Surveillance testing shown to reduce community COVID-19 spread

Surveillance testing using saliva-based PCR tests significantly reduced community COVID-19 spread, catching 62% of positive cases in the Fall 2020 semester. By combining testing with mitigation strategies like masking and social distancing, Georgia Tech reduced positivity rates from 4.1% to below 0.5%.

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.