University of Colorado

Research Boosts Stability of Perovskites, Helps Silicon Solar Cells

A change in chemical composition enabled scientists to boost the longevity and efficiency of a perovskite solar cell. The new formula enabled the solar cell to resist a stability problem that has so far thwarted the commercialization of perovskites. The problem is known as light-induced phase-segregation, which occurs when the alloys that make up the solar cells break down under exposure to continuous light.

First Long Term Vagus Nerve Stimulation Implant in Mice

Previous preclinical VNS studies have been limited to short-term stimulation -- a timeframe of minutes to hours -- due to the surgical and technological challenges of implanting a stimulator small enough to fit a mouse nerve. In order to conduct mouse studies lasting weeks or even months, Feinstein Institutes researchers developed new techniques to deliver long-term electrical stimulation in mice.

Finalists Announced for 2019 R&D 100 Awards

Finalists for the venerable R&D 100 Awards have been announced by R&D World magazine and its new parent company, WTWH Media, LLC.

Ingestible Medical Devices can be Broken Down with Light

A variety of medical devices can be inserted into the gastrointestinal tract to treat, diagnose, or monitor GI disorders. Many of these have to be removed by endoscopic surgery once their job is done. However, engineers have now come up with a way to trigger such devices to break down inside the body when they are exposed to light from an ingestible LED.

Scientists can now manipulate brain cells using smartphones

A team of scientists have invented a device that can control neural circuits using a tiny brain implant controlled by a smartphone.

A computer that understands how you feel

Could a computer, at a glance, tell the difference between a joyful image and a depressing one? Could it distinguish, in a few milliseconds, a romantic comedy from a horror film? Yes, and so can your brain, according to research.

A high-performance battery for renewable energy storage

A low-cost, high-performance battery chemistry developed by researchers could one day lead to scalable grid-level storage for wind and solar energy that could help electrical utilities reduce their dependency on fossil fuels.

New Report Forecasts E-Textiles will Reach Over $2 Billion by 2029

IDTechEx have released the latest edition of the most comprehensive report on the e-textiles industry. "E-Textiles 2019-2029: Technologies, Markets and Players" compiles over 6 years of work. There are over 200 companies in the database supporting the report, and IDTechEx analysts have conducted primary research on over 100 companies in order to collate the data and contents for the report itself.

Ability of wearable technology to detect atrial fibrillation

Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine presented preliminary results of the Apple Heart Study, an unprecedented virtual study with over 400,000 enrolled participants.

Stanford, Apple describe heart study with over 400,000 participants

Over 400,000 people have enrolled in a study being conducted by researchers at Stanford and Apple to determine whether a wearable technology can identify irregular heart rhythms suggestive of atrial fibrillation.

3D bioprinting artificial blood vessels, organs

Engineers have developed a 3D printing technique that allows for localized control of an object's firmness, opening up new biomedical avenues that could one day include artificial arteries and organ tissue.

Low-cost, energy saving cooling system

Engineers have successfully scaled up an innovative water-cooling system capable of providing continuous day-and-night radiative cooling for structures. The advance could increase the efficiency of power generation plants in summer and lead to more efficient, environmentally-friendly temperature control for homes, businesses, utilities and industries.

Shape-shifting material can morph, reverse itself using heat, light

A new material can transform into complex, pre-programmed shapes via light and temperature stimuli, allowing a literal square peg to morph and fit into a round hole before fully reverting to its original form and could have broad applications for manufacturing, robotics, biomedical devices and artificial muscles.

Beer waste transformed into energy-efficient window covering

Can a new type of transparent gel, made from readily-available beer waste, help engineers build greenhouses on Mars? Physicists have developed an insulating gel that they say could coat the windows of habitats in space, allowing the settlers inside to trap and store energy from the sun—much like a greenhouse stays warm during the winter. And unlike similar products on the market, the material is mostly see-through.

Soft robotic fish swims alongside real ones

Even with many technological advances in recent years, it remains a challenging task to document marine life up close. But scientists believe they have a possible solution: using robots.