National Institute of Standards & Technology NIST

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.

Study Evaluates Effects of Race, Age, Sex on Face Recognition Software

How accurately do face recognition software tools identify people of varied sex, age and racial background? According to a new study the answer depends on the algorithm at the heart of the system, the application that uses it and the data it's fed — but the majority of face recognition algorithms exhibit demographic differentials.

All‐Solid‐State Printed Bipolar Li-S Batteries

Ultrahigh‐capacity and fire‐resistant batteries have been developed. The new battery has improved both the performance and safety of the "lithium-sulfur batteries," which have much larger capacities than commercialized lithium ion batteries, thus is easy to manufacture via the printing process.

AI for Quality Control of Stem Cell-Derived Tissues

Researchers used artificial intelligence to evaluate stem cell-derived "patches" of retinal pigment epithelium tissue for implanting into the eyes of patients with age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of blindness.

Heat shield just 10 atoms thick to protect electronic devices

Excess heat given off by smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices can be annoying, but beyond that it contributes to malfunctions and, in extreme cases, can even cause lithium batteries to explode.

Antennas of flexible nanotube films an alternative for electronics

Antennas made of carbon nanotube films are just as efficient as copper for wireless applications, according to researchers. They're also tougher, more flexible and can essentially be painted onto devices.

Dancing atoms in perovskite materials

A new study is a step forward in understanding why perovskite materials work so well in energy devices and potentially leads the way toward a theorized "hot" technology that would significantly improve the efficiency of today's solar cells.

Projects drive biopharmaceutical manufacturing innovation

The National Institute for Innovation in Manufacturing Biopharmaceuticals is pleased to announce a group of projects, designed to advance biopharmaceutical manufacturing and workforce development in the United States.

Microrobotics for disaster recovery and high-risk environments

Partnering rescue personnel with robots to evaluate high-risk scenarios and environments can help increase the likelihood of successful search and recovery efforts, or other critical tasks while minimizing the threat to human teams.

A higher-energy, safer and longer-lasting zinc battery

A team of researchers has created a water-based zinc battery that is simultaneously powerful, rechargeable, and intrinsically safe.

Psst! A whispering gallery for light boosts solar cells

Trapping light with an optical version of a whispering gallery, researchers have developed a nanoscale coating for solar cells that enables them to absorb about 20 percent more sunlight than uncoated devices.

Artificial intelligence accelerates discovery of metallic glass

If you combine two or three metals together, you will get an alloy that usually looks and acts like a metal, with its atoms arranged in rigid geometric patterns. But once in a while, under just the right conditions, you get something entirely new: a futuristic alloy called metallic glass.

Mobility-based facial recognition for smart city security

NEC Australia has entered a strategic partnership with Silicon Valley vision analytics firm, CrowdOptic, to bring next generation security to smart cities.

Nanotube fiber antennas as capable as copper

Fibers made of carbon nanotubes configured as wireless antennas can be as good as copper antennas but 20 times lighter, according to researchers. The antennas may offer practical advantages for aerospace applications and wearable electronics where weight and flexibility are factors.

Measuring fuel cell printing at a fast clip

If you're wondering when a hydrogen-powered car will become a viable option for you, take heart. A team may have overcome a significant hurdle to manufacturing hydrogen fuel cells by creating a way to check whether the expensive catalysts the cells need have been incorporated quickly and effectively.

Compelling evidence of ferroelasticity in perovskites

Crystalline materials known as perovskites could become the next superstars of solar cells.

Transparent silver: Tarnish-proof films for flexible displays

The thinnest, smoothest layer of silver that can survive air exposure has been laid down, and it could change the way touchscreens and flat or flexible displays are made.

Wearable watches to monitor blood pressure

What if there were a wearable fitness device that could monitor your blood pressure continuously, 24 hours a day?

GlySens

David Pugh interview Mr Tony Butler, Principal Product Manager at GlySens. They are developing a long-term glucose monitoring system for the management and treatment of diabetes.

For wearable devices plastic holes are golden

A research team has come up with a way to build safe, nontoxic gold wires onto flexible, thin plastic film. Their demonstration potentially clears the path for a host of wearable electronic devices that monitor our health.