Articles tagged with Laboratory Equipment
Scientists have discovered a molecular component in plant cells that senses electric voltage, enabling them to respond to threats. This finding has implications for understanding how plants defend against pathogens like Ebola viruses.
MIT researchers have developed low-cost chemical sensors that enable smartphones to detect trace amounts of toxic gases. The sensors, made from chemically altered carbon nanotubes, can be worn by soldiers on the battlefield or people working with hazardous chemicals to rapidly detect the presence of chemical weapons.
A new software tool, RepeatAnalyzer, has been developed to track and catalogue short repeating sequences of bacterial DNA, improving scientists' ability to identify and understand bacterial strains. This technology could significantly accelerate vaccine development for tick-borne bacteria such as Anaplasma marginale.
The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory will lead a regional smart manufacturing center, advancing and implementing smart manufacturing technologies to improve energy management and reduce energy use. The center will focus on industries such as food processing, advanced materials, and metals processing.
A new tool called Phenocart captures essential plant health data, allowing for faster measurements and larger experiments. The portable device uses a repurposed bicycle wheel and handles to collect data on growth rate, color, and other vital signs.
A new device developed at the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences produces droplets of virtually identical volume, revolutionizing microfluidic systems. The device eliminates cumbersome infrastructure, enabling researchers to carry out complex chemical and biological experiments with increased accuracy.
A Purdue University research team has developed an electronic sensor that can distinguish between dead and living bacteria cells. The sensor works by detecting changes in electrical conductivity in droplets containing bacteria, a process that varies according to whether the cell is alive or dead.
The SpecID system combines detection and identification into a single step, offering faster answers and streamlined workflow for clinical microbiology laboratories. The $2.8M award supports the development of quality and manufacturing systems required for regulatory clearance, bridging the gap between manufacture and clinical trials.
Australian researchers have developed a method to embed light-emitting nanoparticles into glass without losing their properties. The new 'hybrid glass' combines nanoparticles' luminescence with glass' transparency and versatility, opening up possibilities for ultra-high-tech applications like biological sensing and 3D displays.
A new software, WebGazer.js, uses integrated webcams to infer where users look on a webpage. This allows for more accurate web analytics than traditional methods, which often require expensive eye-tracking devices. The software can be added to any website with a few lines of code and provides insights into user behavior.
A Carnegie Mellon University software is helping robots cope with clutter, revealing their creativity in solving problems. The rearrangement planner software automatically finds a balance between 'pick and place' and 'push and shove' strategies to efficiently navigate cluttered environments.
A team of collaborators has developed a cell-free, paper-based diagnostic platform for detecting the Zika virus. The platform uses toehold sensors and isothermal RNA amplification to provide rapid, low-cost, and programmable diagnostics.
The Jayich Lab developed a quantum sensor that captures nanoscale images with high spatial resolution and sensitivity. This technology operates from room temperature, allowing for the study of various phases of matter and phase transitions.
Tropical Cyclone 20P formed in the Southern Pacific Ocean, with NASA's RapidScat instrument detecting tropical-storm-force winds on April 18. The storm is expected to affect American Samoa by the weekend, posing a threat of high surf and flash flooding.
Ohio State University researchers develop functional textiles that can transmit digital information, enabling applications such as smart clothing, health monitoring, and brain implants. The technology reduces material cost by 24 times, making it more accessible for widespread adoption.
A powerful new mass spectrometer has been made available to scientists worldwide to study molecular processes in the environment, biology and energy. The 21 Tesla Ultra-High-Resolution Mass Spectrometer can distinguish between molecules that differ by almost unimaginably small nuances.
Researchers are studying coral genomes to better comprehend why some reefs thrive while others die, with implications for Guam's economy and tourism industry. The new genetic sequencer will enable local scientists to tackle molecular reef ecology and train the next generation of researchers.
Rice University bioengineer Jeffrey Tabor has developed next-generation sensors using bacterial two-component systems to probe the gut for early signs of inflammation. The technology aims to revolutionize diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases.
Researchers create intelligent motor systems that analyze data from the motor itself to determine health and detect faults. They use mathematical models to simulate motor states, fault levels, and wear, enabling efficient control and monitoring.
The James Webb Space Telescope has completed critical cryogenic testing on its science instruments, a crucial step towards launch. The observatory will capture faint light from the universe's first objects after the Big Bang once launched into space.
A CU-Boulder student-built instrument found only six dust particles per cubic mile near Pluto, revealing the vast emptiness of space. The discovery provides insights into the solar system's formation and evolution.
Scientists at Berkeley Lab have developed a device that enables NMR spectroscopy with hyperpolarized xenon gas to analyze molecular interactions in viscous solutions and fragile materials without disrupting their order. This breakthrough could help improve advanced polymers, filters, catalysts, and liquid-crystal displays.
Researchers used autonomous acoustic sensors to detect and record marbled murrelet calls, identifying over 19,000 potential calls and confirming 7,218 actual calls. This technology offers a viable alternative to traditional surveys, enabling broader, more cost-effective searches for these endangered seabirds.
HRL Laboratories developed an active variable stiffness vibration isolator capable of 100x stiffness changes and millisecond actuation times. This innovation solves long-standing challenges in shock and vibration problems for next-generation transportation platforms.
The MyShake Android app uses smartphone accelerometers to detect earthquakes, analyzing data from millions of phones to create a dense seismic network. The goal is to provide early warning systems for areas without traditional networks.
ASTRO-H will observe X-ray sources like galaxy clusters and neutron stars up to 10 times fainter than its predecessor Suzaku. The observatory uses four co-aligned focusing X-ray telescopes and cutting-edge instruments to provide simultaneous coverage across its entire energy range.
Scientists at Ohio State University develop tree-like structures that can convert random forces into strong structural vibrations ideal for generating electricity. The technology may prove valuable in small-scale situations where other renewable energy sources are not an option, powering sensors that monitor infrastructure health.
PNNL's CHAMPION software helps prevent hacks and streamlines cyber threat analysis, saving analysts time. The Micro Aerosol Disinfecting System uses activated salt spray to kill pathogens with high efficiency, making it suitable for hospitals, schools, and other enclosed spaces.
Researchers have developed a flexible sensor system that measures metabolites and electrolytes in sweat, allowing for continuous non-invasive health monitoring. The device syncs data with smartphones and can alert users to health problems such as fatigue, dehydration, and high body temperatures.
Rice University bioengineers developed an open-source technique to etch microwells into sheets of silicone, producing up to 50,000 wells per hour. This method reduces costs by 90% compared to commercial products and enables mass production of multicellular aggregates for cancer research.
Researchers use a new technique to electro-deposit dissolved metals, creating complex structures like watch components and microtools. The process uses a force-controlled nanopipette to print pixels layer by layer, with high spatial resolution.
Colorado State University's new mass-spectral imaging system allows for unprecedented detail in cellular analysis, mapping surface composition in three dimensions. Researchers can now examine how cells respond to new medications and investigate antibiotic resistance, with potential applications in combating tuberculosis and bioterrorism.
Researchers developed a new class of dissolvable electronic sensors that can monitor temperature and pressure within the skull after a brain injury or surgery. The sensors are made from biodegradable materials and can transmit signals wirelessly, eliminating the need for additional surgery to remove them.
A wearable, 64-channel brain monitoring system has been developed, providing a better fit for real-world applications. The system comprises a dry-electrode wearable EEG headset and sophisticated software for data interpretation, with a wide range of applications in research, neuro-feedback, and clinical diagnostics.
Researchers at Boston University aim to advance synthetic biology by creating a toolbox of carefully measured and catalogued biological parts. The project will use computing engineering principles to develop an open-source repository of biological pieces that can be used to engineer organisms with predictable results.
A portable version of NIST's 'headspace analysis' technique has been developed, enabling detectives to carry a convenient version of the method in a briefcase-sized kit. The kit can recover vapors from solid or liquid compounds, including environmental pollutants and forensic evidence, with collection times as fast as 3 seconds.
Researchers at MIT's Microsystems Technologies Laboratories show promise in building microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) using affordable and high-quality desktop fabrication devices. This allows for production of useful MEMS at significantly lower costs without compromising quality, enabling new markets and applications.
Researchers at the University of Michigan developed a unique lie-detecting software using real court case data, achieving up to 75% accuracy in identifying deceivers. The system analyzes both speech patterns and body language, uncovering common behaviors such as eye contact, hand gestures, and vocal fill.
A new sensor developed by UCL scientists can detect and identify five commonly used explosives in solution within 10 seconds. The sensor uses fluorescent technology to create unique 'fingerprints' for each compound, allowing for multiple explosives to be detected with a single test.
Researchers developed a portable sensor, OcuCheck, that uses graphene and ascorbate oxidase to detect vitamin C levels in ocular fluids. The device can rapidly determine the extent of eye injuries in various settings, including rural areas with limited access to ophthalmologists.
MIT researchers develop a low-cost biomedical imaging system using fluorescence lifetime imaging and Fourier transform analysis, enabling accuracy comparable to expensive lab equipment.
A research team at Worcester Polytechnic Institute is developing new tools and technology to detect fatigue damage in aircraft components. This work has the potential to keep military aircraft in service longer while improving safety and reducing costs for commercial airlines.
A new gamma-ray spectroscope using europium-doped strontium iodide detects valuable minerals in asteroids, moons, and other celestial objects. The breakthrough technology enables accurate analysis of rock-forming elements and precious metals at lower costs and with reduced power requirements.
Researchers at MIT developed an ingestible sensor that measures heart rate and breathing rate by detecting sound waves produced by the beating heart and lungs. The device has potential applications in trauma patients, soldiers, athletes, and chronic illness diagnosis.
Researchers developed software to detect cyber threats in near-real-time, increasing security capabilities. A new mass spectrometry technology collected more ions, enhancing accuracy in chemical analysis.
A team from the University of York has developed user-friendly software called Privateer to analyze and study sugar molecules. This will enable scientists to better exploit carbohydrates in medicines, which have been poorly defined in databases.
A team led by TSRI researchers identifies Piezo2 as the long-sought protein sensor for proprioception, allowing scientists to better understand this essential sense. The discovery may also lead to a deeper understanding of human diseases related to proprioception.
BitDrones allows users to explore virtual 3D information by interacting with physical self-levitating building blocks, enabling a 'Real Reality' interface. The system has numerous applications, including real-reality 3D modeling, gaming, and medical imaging.
Research finds that Hanoks' earthen walls, paper windows, and wooden floors create a resonance effect, amplifying sound clarity and reverberation time. The unique acoustics of these traditional Korean houses make them suitable for playing classic instruments like zithers.
Researchers have developed ultrasensitive gas sensors using boron-doped graphene, detecting noxious gas molecules at extremely low concentrations. The sensors outperform current state-of-the-art sensors by six orders of magnitude, opening a path to high-performance detection of toxic gases and other molecules.
Researchers from NUS developed a new hybrid magnetic sensor that is more sensitive to low and high magnetic fields, tunability, and temperature. The sensor has been shown to be more than 200 times more sensitive than commercially available sensors.
Scientists have developed a new fingerprint imaging system that takes pictures from inside fingers, reducing the risk of fake fingerprints and improving security. The device uses optical coherence tomography technology to image internal fingerprints and sweat pores, offering a more reliable identification method.
Researchers identify Sestrin2 as a highly specific leucine sensor that activates the mTORC1 pathway upon binding, promoting cell growth. The discovery suggests potential therapeutic applications for treating diseases such as aging, muscle atrophy, and insulin-related disorders.
Researchers used holography to analyze cloud mixing, finding that wet and dry air form sharp boundaries affecting sunlight penetration and heat trapping. This discovery challenges base assumptions in computer models, influencing predictions for weather and climate change.
Typhoon Dujuan approached Taiwan with sustained winds near 100 mph and cloud top temperatures of -81F, generating heavy rainfall. NASA satellites provided detailed data on the storm's clouds and winds, helping forecasters track its movement and expected landfall in southeastern China.
NASA's RapidScat instrument identified Tropical Storm Dujuan's strongest side as the southeastern quadrant. The storm's maximum sustained winds were measured at 30m/s, equivalent to 67mph/108kph.
Researchers have developed a novel type of graphene oxide-based biosensor that can detect biomolecules at a few trillionth of a gram per millimeter square. The sensor's sensitivity is three times higher than commercially available chips, making it ideal for analyzing chemical reactions with small drug molecules.
The DOE is investing $10.5 million in CAMERA to develop computational mathematics and algorithms for experimental facilities research. This will help scientists extract useful information from experiments, tackling challenges such as data analysis and image processing.
Tropical Depression 21W has formed in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean, with cold cloud top temperatures indicating heavy rainfall potential. The depression is currently moving northwest at 11 knots and is expected to strengthen into a tropical storm by September 24.
A first draft of the 'tree of life' for 2.3 million named species has been released, combining existing branches into a single diagram. The digital resource was created by compiling thousands of smaller chunks and requires software tools to analyze and update.