University of California

Non-Invasive Nerve Stimulation Boosts Learning of Foreign Language

New research by neuroscientists revealed that a simple, earbud-like device that imperceptibly stimulates a key nerve leading to the brain could significantly improve the wearer's ability to learn the sounds of a new language. This device may have wide-ranging applications for boosting other kinds of learning as well.

Wearable Detects Parasite Infestations in Chickens

Blood-feeding livestock mites can be detected with wearable sensor technology nicknamed "Fitbits for chickens."

University of California in Nanoscale Study on Advanced Batteries

A team of scientists is set to unlock the inner workings of lead batteries with the help of nanoscale technology.

Scientists Use CRISPR Technology to Insert Sex-Determining Gene

Using the genome-editing technology CRISPR, researchers can make targeted cuts to the genome or insert useful genes, which is called a gene knock-in.

Battery Breakthrough Boosts Electric Flight, Long-Range Electric Cars

In the pursuit of a rechargeable battery that can power electric vehicles for hundreds of miles on a single charge, scientists have endeavored to replace the graphite anodes currently used in EV batteries with lithium metal anodes.

Marrone Bio Innovations

Marrone Bio Innovations is a Californian company that produces a range of biologically derived pesticides and fertilizers that can be used as effective alternatives to synthetic agrochemicals, without the damage to the environment. In June 2020, IDTechEx Analyst Dr Michael Dent spoke with founder and CEO of Marrone Bio Innovations, Dr Pam Marrone.

Wearable-tech Glove Translates Sign Language Into Speech in Real Time

Bioengineers have designed a glove-like device that can translate American Sign Language into English speech in real time though a smartphone app.

A Viable Sodium Battery

Researchers have created a sodium-ion battery that holds as much energy and works as well as some commercial lithium-ion battery chemistries, making for a potentially viable battery technology out of abundant and cheap materials.

New Wearable Tracks Vitamin C Levels in Sweat

A team has developed a wearable, non invasive Vitamin C sensor that could provide a new, highly personalized option for users to track their daily nutritional intake and dietary adherence.

Expandable Foam for 3D Printing Large Objects

It's a frustrating limitation of 3D printing: Printed objects must be smaller than the machine making them. Huge machines are impractical for printing large parts because they take up too much space and require excessive time to print. Now, a new material can be used to 3D print small objects that expand upon heating. The foam could find applications in architecture, aerospace and biomedicine.

To Climb Like a Gecko, Robots Need Toes

Robots with toes? Experiments suggest that climbing robots could benefit from having flexible, hairy toes, like those of geckos, that can adjust quickly to accommodate shifting weight and slippery surfaces.

Promising Material Stable Enough for use in Solar Cells

Soft and flexible materials called halide perovskites could make solar cells more efficient at significantly less cost, but they're too unstable to use.

Better-Performing 3D Electronics

Engineers have developed a faster, simpler 3D-printing technique to build electronics, trimming their manufacturing time from hours down to a few minutes. The method can be used to print electronics into complex shapes in volumes that could be used for antenna arrays, prosthetics, sensors and robots.

Ultralight, Flexible and Wearable Solar Cells

An ultralight flexible solar cell, 10 times thinner than the width of a human hair, could hold the key to promising power sources for future wearable technology.

Finding Leukemia's Weakness Using Genome-Wide CRISPR Technology

A team of researchers used CRISPR technology to identify key regulators of aggressive chronic myeloid leukemia, a type of cancer that remains difficult to treat and is marked by frequent relapse.

Now Metal Surfaces Can be Instant Bacteria Killers

Engineers have created a laser treatment method that could potentially turn any metal surface into a rapid bacteria killer -- just by giving the metal's surface a different texture.

Carbon Nanostructure Stronger Than Diamonds

Researchers have architecturally designed plate-nanolattices - nanometer-sized carbon structures - that are stronger than diamonds as a ratio of strength to density.

3D Printed Corals Could Improve Bioenergy and Help Coral Reefs

Researchers have 3D printed coral-inspired structures that are capable of growing dense populations of microscopic algae. Their results open the door to new bio-inspired materials and their applications for coral conservation.

Flexoskeletons for Faster and Cheaper Insect Inspired Robots

Engineers have developed a new method that doesn't require any special equipment and works in just minutes to create soft, flexible, 3D-printed robots.

How Robots Can Help Combat COVID-19: Science Robotics Editorial

Can robots be effective tools in combating the COVID-19 pandemic? A group of leaders in the field of robotics say yes, and outline a number of examples.