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An accelerated pipeline to open materials research

The Bellerophon Environment for Analysis of Materials (BEAM) platform unites imaging technologies with advanced data analytics and high-performance computing to accelerate materials discovery and design. This innovation enables near-real-time processing, analysis, and visualization of large experimental datasets.

SourceDOE/Oak Ridge National Laboratory·JournalProcedia Computer Science·DateJul 21, 2016

Optical magnetic field sensor can detect signals from the nervous system

Researchers have developed an optical magnetic field sensor that can detect ultra-small magnetic fields from the nervous system. The sensor uses a gas of caesium atoms and measures electrical impulses without contact, offering new possibilities for medical diagnoses.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Niels Bohr Institute·JournalScientific Reports·DateJul 15, 2016

Researchers develop novel microscope to study the underwater world

Researchers developed a novel microscope to study marine microorganisms in their natural settings, revealing new insights into ecological processes on the seafloor. The Benthic Underwater Microscope captured images of coral polyp interactions, including turf wars and 'kissing' behavior.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 12, 2016
Apple iPhone 17 Pro

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

MSU builds high-tech test track to improve crop performance

Michigan State University's DEPI technology allows for real-world condition testing, enabling scientists to make better plants and understand complex processes like photosynthesis. By monitoring hundreds of plants at once, researchers can study varying behaviors under dynamic environmental conditions.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalCell Systems·DateJul 12, 2016

Spreadsheet-style tool could democratize database design

The new tool allows organizations to create custom database queries and reports using familiar functions, eliminating the need for in-house expertise. By enabling direct manipulation of data, it provides a hands-on approach that mimics physical interactions, reducing errors and increasing user productivity.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·DateJul 11, 2016

How plants sense electric fields

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.

SourceUniversity of Würzburg·JournalPlant Biology·DateJul 8, 2016
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.

Wireless, wearable toxic-gas detector

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·DateJun 30, 2016

New software improves ability to catalog bacterial pathogens

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.

SourceWashington State University·JournalBMC Genomics·DateJun 27, 2016

PNNL to lead regional smart manufacturing center

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.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateJun 22, 2016

A 'Fitbit' for plants?

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.

SourceAmerican Society of Agronomy·JournalCrop Science·DateJun 22, 2016

Droplets finally all the same size -- in a nanodroplet library

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.

SourceInstitute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalLab on a Chip·DateJun 15, 2016
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.

Electronic bacteria sensor is potential future tool for medicine and food safety

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.

SourcePurdue University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJun 13, 2016

Glass now has smart potential

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.

SourceUniversity of Adelaide·JournalAdvanced Optical Materials·DateJun 7, 2016

Software turns webcams into eye-trackers

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.

SourceBrown University·DateJun 1, 2016
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.

Robots get creative to cut through clutter

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.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·DateMay 18, 2016

Making invisible physics visible

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Barbara·JournalNature Nanotechnology·DateMay 2, 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.

Powerful mass spectrometer opens new vistas for scientists

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.

SourceDOE/Pacific Northwest National Laboratory·DateApr 13, 2016

Computers in your clothes? A milestone for wearable electronics

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.

SourceOhio State University·JournalIEEE Antennas and Wireless Propagation Letters·DateApr 13, 2016

UOG scientists seek genetic reasons for coral reef survival

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.

SourceUniversity of Guam·DateApr 6, 2016

Bioengineer's gut biome sensors earn NSF backing

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.

SourceRice University·DateApr 4, 2016
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.

'Disruptive device' brings xenon-NMR to fragile materials

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.

SourceDOE/Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory·JournalAngewandte Chemie·DateMar 16, 2016
Meta Quest 3 512GB

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

Autonomous acoustic sensors help researchers find endangered seabirds

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Santa Cruz·JournalWildlife Society Bulletin·DateFeb 25, 2016

Breakthrough in dynamically variable negative stiffness structures

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.

SourceHRL Laboratories·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 19, 2016

New app turns smartphones into worldwide seismic network

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.

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley·JournalScience Advances·DateFeb 12, 2016
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.

Turning good vibrations into energy

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.

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Sound and Vibration·DateFeb 1, 2016

Open-source laser fabrication lowers costs for cancer research

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.

SourceRice University·JournalRSC Advances·DateJan 26, 2016
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.

Copper deposition to fabricate tiny 3-D objects

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.

SourceETH Zurich·JournalAdvanced Materials·DateJan 20, 2016

Colorado State University's breakthrough imaging tool maps cells' composition in 3-D

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.

SourceColorado State University·JournalOptics and Photonics News·DateJan 19, 2016

Tiny electronic implants monitor brain injury, then melt away

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalNature·DateJan 18, 2016
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.

Brain monitoring takes a leap out of the lab

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.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·DateJan 12, 2016

Portable NIST kit can recover traces of chemical evidence

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.

SourceNational Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)·JournalJournal of Chromatography A·DateJan 7, 2016

Project to engineer cells that compute awarded $10M NSF grant

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.

SourceBoston University College of Engineering·DateJan 7, 2016

Nanodevices at one-hundredth the cost

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalJournal of Microelectromechanical Systems·DateDec 18, 2015
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope

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

Lie-detecting software uses real court case data

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.

SourceUniversity of Michigan·DateDec 10, 2015

Detecting and identifying explosives with single test

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.

SourceUniversity College London·JournalACS Nano·DateDec 9, 2015

Portable device can quickly determine the extent of an eye injury

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.

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 8, 2015
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.

New detector perfect for asteroid mining, planetary research

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.

SourceVanderbilt University·DateNov 20, 2015

A new way to monitor vital signs

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.

SourceMassachusetts Institute of Technology·JournalPLOS ONE·DateNov 18, 2015
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.

Sugar molecules lose their 'Cinderella' status

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.

SourceUniversity of York·JournalNature Structural & Molecular Biology·DateNov 10, 2015

Korea's 'Hanoks' display acoustic excellence

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.

SourceAcoustical Society of America·DateNov 5, 2015
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.

Ultrasensitive sensors made from boron-doped graphene

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.

SourcePenn State·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateNov 2, 2015

NUS scientists developed super sensitive magnetic sensor

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.

SourceNational University of Singapore·JournalNature Communications·DateOct 30, 2015

Internal fingerprint sensor peers inside fingertips for more surefire ID

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.

SourceOptica·JournalBiomedical Optics Express·DateOct 20, 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.

NASA satellites dissect Typhoon Dujuan affecting Taiwan

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.

SourceNASA/Goddard Space Flight Center·DateSep 28, 2015