University of California

New device paves the way to 3D-printed organs, food

From prosthetics and implants to dental crowns and hearing aids, 3D printers are being used to manufacture a whole host of customized medical devices for patients in need. So, why not organs, too?

Deep learning to assess suicide risks

Researchers are applying deep learning and analytics to electronic health record data to help the Veterans Administration address a host of medical and psychological challenges affecting many of the nation's 700,000 military veterans.

Scientific device creates electricity from snowfall

Researchers have designed a new device that creates electricity from falling snow. The first of its kind, this device is inexpensive, small, thin and flexible like a sheet of plastic.

Low-cost, human-friendly robot designed for AI

Researchers have created a new low-cost, human friendly robot named Blue, designed to use recent advances in artificial intelligence and deep reinforcement learning to master intricate human tasks, all while remaining affordable and safe enough that every AI researcher could have one. The team hopes Blue will accelerate the development of robotics for the home.

Printed sensors provide on the spot fentanyl detection

Researchers have developed screen-printed sensors that could offer a faster, convenient and low-cost method to detect the drug fentanyl. The sensors can detect micromolar concentrations of fentanyl in just one minute. They are easy to produce, cost only a few cents apiece, and are disposable.

Near-perfect performance in low-cost semiconductors

Tiny, easy-to-produce particles, called quantum dots, may soon take the place of more expensive single crystal semiconductors in advanced electronics found in solar panels, camera sensors and medical imaging tools. Tiny, easy-to-produce particles, called quantum dots, may soon take the place of more expensive single crystal semiconductors in advanced electronics found in solar panels, camera sensors and medical imaging tools.

Water resistant and self-healing electronic skin

Inspired by underwater invertebrates such as the jelly fish, researchers have created an electronic skin with similar functionality.

Robots to assist dementia caregivers

Building robots that can help people with dementia has been a longtime goal for roboticists. Yet until now, no one has sought to survey informal caregivers, such as family members, about what characteristics and roles these robots should have.

$27 million for hydro power project on Uganda/Tanzania border

100% of the energy generated will be bought by the Uganda Electricity Transmission Company Limited, Uganda's single-buyer and transmission company, which will then sell half the energy on to Tanzania.

Biosensor may provide better cancer diagnosis

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory researchers have developed a new biological sensor that could help clinicians better diagnose cancer and epilepsy.

Keeping high-risk workers safer

Researchers have created a motion-powered, fireproof sensor that can track the movements of firefighters, steelworkers, miners and others who work in high-risk environments where they cannot always be seen.

Robotic glider makes first turbulence measurements beneath Antarctic

A small group of scientists recently returned from Antarctica, where they became the first group to collect turbulence measurements from an underwater glider beneath an ice shelf.

Cutting the cost of fuel cells in electric vehicles

The 2019 Toyota Mirai electric vehicle touts zero emissions, thanks to a fuel cell that runs on hydrogen instead of gasoline. But the Mirai has barely left California, partly because today's fuel cell electrodes are made of super expensive platinum.

USA DOE launches lithium ion battery recycling R&D Centre: ReCell

The use of lithium-ion batteries has surged in recent years, starting with electronics and expanding into many applications, including the growing electric and hybrid vehicle industry. But the technologies to optimize recycling of these batteries has not kept pace.

Charting a path to cheaper flexible solar cells

There's a lot to like about perovskite-based solar cells. They are simple and cheap to produce, offer flexibility that could unlock a wide new range of installation methods and places, and in recent years have reached energy efficiencies approaching those of traditional silicon-based cells. But figuring out how to produce perovskite-based energy devices that last longer than a couple of months has been a challenge.

CRISPR gene editing makes stem cells 'invisible' to immune system

Scientists have used the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing system to create the first pluripotent stem cells that are functionally "invisible" to the immune system, a feat of biological engineering that, in laboratory studies, prevented rejection of stem cell transplants.

Unleashing perovskites' potential for solar cells

Researchers have been able to decipher a key aspect of the behavior of perovskites made with different formulations: With certain additives there is a kind of "sweet spot" where greater amounts will enhance performance and beyond which further amounts begin to degrade it.

Vagus nerve stimulation eases PTSD

In a randomized, controlled pilot trial, participants pre-treated with noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation experienced less pain after heat stimulus than mock-treated participants.

Engineers develop wearable respiration monitor with children's toy

Researchers have developed a wearable, disposable respiration monitor that provides high-fidelity readings on a continuous basis. It's designed to help children with asthma and cystic fibrosis and others with chronic pulmonary conditions.

CRISPR/Cas9 to control genetic inheritance in mice

Biologists have developed the world's first CRISPR/Cas9-based approach to control genetic inheritance in a mammal.