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NIH-funded modern “white cane” brings navigation assistance to the 21st century

A newly improved robotic cane, funded by NIH/National Eye Institute, uses a color 3D camera, inertial measurement sensor, and onboard computer to guide users to desired locations while avoiding obstacles. The device can provide accurate navigation assistance in large spaces with sensory and auditory cues.

SourceNIH/National Eye Institute·JournalIEEE/CAA Journal of Automatica Sinica·TypeExperimental study·DateSep 8, 2021

New sensor detects valuable rare earth element terbium from non-traditional sources

Researchers at Penn State developed a luminescent sensor that can detect and quantify low concentrations of terbium in complex acidic samples. The sensor uses a protein called lanmodulin, which is selectively binding to rare earth elements, and has the potential to help develop a domestic supply of these metals.

SourcePenn State·JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 25, 2021

Measuring electric current in soil could provide answers on soil health

Researchers at Washington State University have created a sensor that can measure the electric current produced by tiny microbes in soil, allowing for real-time assessments of soil health and potential. This breakthrough could provide farmers with valuable insights into soil productivity, enabling data-driven management strategies.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of The Electrochemical Society·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 19, 2021

Russian researchers present ultra-precise brain imaging tool

A team from the Russian Quantum Center developed a novel solid-state supersensitive room-temperature magnetometer capable of registering weak electrical sources in the brain. The device successfully detected alpha rhythm, a sinusoidal electric current in the back of the brain, and showed higher sensitivity than existing systems.

SourceSkolkovo Institute of Science and Technology (Skoltech)·JournalHuman Brain Mapping·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 13, 2021

Remember: A personal dosimeter is waiting in your first aid kit!

Scientists from the Institute of Nuclear Physics PAS discovered that medicines like painkillers can be used as makeshift emergency dosimeters due to their composition and standardization procedures. This method is more personal and easier than previous methods, which require breaking down expensive devices.

SourceThe Henryk Niewodniczanski Institute of Nuclear Physics Polish Academy of Sciences·JournalIEEE Sensors Journal·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 12, 2021

Pusan National University scientists report single-step synthesis of solid-state sensors for detecting explosives

Researchers have successfully synthesized AIE-active nanoparticles in a single step, producing fluorescent sensors that can detect nitroaromatic compounds with high sensitivity. The novel solid-state sensors show quenching of fluorescence emission on contact with PA, enabling fast and accurate detection of explosives.

SourcePusan National University·JournalDyes and Pigments·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 11, 2021

Chasing the light from elusive ‘milky seas’: CSU researchers light a path toward unraveling mysteries of the ocean from space

Using nearly a decade of satellite data, researchers at CSU have detected the elusive ‘milky seas’ – a rare display of bioluminescence in the ocean. The study reveals that milky seas are not adequately explained by previous hypotheses and proposes new theories for their formation.

SourceColorado State University·JournalScientific Reports·TypeImaging analysis·DateJul 29, 2021

Underwater seismometer can hear how fast a glacier moves

A team of scientists from Hokkaido University used an ocean-bottom seismometer to detect continuous seismic radiation from a glacier sliding in Greenland. The study revealed that glacial basal motion can be monitored using underwater sensors, offering new opportunities for studying ice flow and calving processes.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalNature Communications·DateJul 1, 2021

How to make all headphones intelligent

Researchers develop HeadFi, a plug-in headphone adapter that transforms regular headphones into sensors for user identification, heart rate monitoring and gesture recognition. The invention shows promise in upgrading existing headphones without requiring new hardware or customization.

High-sensitivity nanophotonic sensors with passive trapping of analyte molecules in hot-spots

A new type of high-performance optical sensor has been demonstrated that utilizes the surface tension of liquid to concentrate and trap analyte molecules at sensitive locations, enhancing sensitivity performance. The sensor can detect picogram levels of analyte mass with readily detectable optical signals.

'Oasis effect' in urban parks could contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, ASU study finds

Researchers at Arizona State University found that urban parks experience a significant increase in evaporative losses during the night due to the oasis effect, leading to higher carbon dioxide emissions. This can have important implications for water conservation and greenhouse gas emission management in desert cities like Phoenix.

SourceArizona State University·JournalGeophysical Research Letters·DateNov 18, 2020

Wearable circuits printed directly on human skin

Scientists successfully printed wearable circuits directly onto human skin using a room-temperature sintering method, enabling seamless integration with the body. The novel approach produced reliable and comparable signal quality to conventional commercial devices for health monitoring applications.

SourceAmerican Chemical Society·JournalACS Applied Materials & Interfaces·DateOct 14, 2020

Researchers make tiny, yet complex fiber optic force sensor

A new, tiny fiber optic force sensor has been developed by researchers, enabling precise measurements of small forces and opening up potential applications in medical systems and manufacturing. The sensor, made of silica glass, measures forces with a resolution better than a micronewton and has a broad measuring range.

SourceOptica·JournalOptics Letters·DateSep 8, 2020

To make a better sensor, just add noise

Penn State researchers discovered that adding background noise can enhance weak signals in manmade sensors, a phenomenon common in the animal world. This technique, known as stochastic resonance, can be used to detect other signals with low energy consumption and space requirements, making it suitable for deployment in IoT applications.

SourcePenn State·JournalNature Communications·DateSep 3, 2020

Lensless light-field imaging through diffuser encoding

A novel modality for computational light-field imaging using a diffuser as an encoder has been developed, enabling lensless imaging with adjustable spatio-angular resolutions. This approach avoids the resolution limitation of traditional sensors, allowing for viewpoint shifting, post-capture refocusing and depth sensing capabilities.

Graphene sensors find subtleties in magnetic fields

Researchers at Cornell University developed a graphene-based Hall-effect sensor that can operate over a greater temperature range than previous sensors. The device can detect miniscule changes in magnetic fields, even within a larger magnetic background, making it ideal for various technological applications.

SourceCornell University·JournalNature Communications·DateAug 20, 2020