Chinese Academy of Sciences

CRISPR-based Rapid Diagnostic Tool for SARS-CoV-2

Blending experts from molecular genetics, chemistry and health sciences, researchers have created a rapid diagnostic technology that detects SARS-CoV-2, the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The new SENSR (sensitive enzymatic nucleic acid sequence reporter) is based on CRISPR gene-editing technology that allows speedy detection of pathogens by identifying genetic sequences in their DNA or RNA.

HiNa Battery Technology

HiNa Battery Technology are a Chinese Na-ion battery manufacturer.

CRISPR Tackles Insensitivity to Liver Cancer Drug

Liver cancer is one of the most common cancer types worldwide and is especially common in China. A collaborative effort between researchers using CRISPR/Cas has led to the discovery that insensitivity to a liver cancer drug can be prevented if it is given in combination with a second drug.

Genome Editing to Treat Human Retinal Degeneration

Gene editing therapies, including CRISPR-Cas systems, offer the potential to correct mutations causing inherited retinal degenerations, a leading cause of blindness.

Healthcare, Food & AgTech Webinars Available to Watch On-Demand Today

IDTechEx currently have a number of healthcare, food and agtech webinars available to watch on-demand. These include presentations on robotic surgery, vertical farming, plant-based and cultured meat, advances in agtech and skin analysis technologies.

Bio-Inspired Endocscope Provides 3D Visible and Near-Infrared Images

Researchers have developed a new bio-inspired medical endoscope that can acquire 3D visible light and near-infrared fluorescence images at the same time. It features an optical design that combines the high-resolution 3D imaging of human vision with the mantis shrimp's capability to simultaneously detect multiple wavelengths of light.

Waste to Treasure: Crayfish Shells to Store Energy

Other than a spicy night snack, the crayfish has been endowed with greater significance. Research has made it possible to use crayfish shell as the biological template for high-performance supercapacitors.

CRISPR-Based COVID-19 Test Uses Smartphones Cameras to Spot Virus RNA

Identifying and isolating individuals who may be contagious with the coronavirus is key to limiting the spread of the disease. But even months into the pandemic, many patients are still waiting days to receive COVID-19 test results.

Magnetic Spray Turns Creates Millirobots for Biomedical Applications

An easy way to make millirobots by coating objects with a glue-like magnetic spray was developed in a joint research. Driven by the magnetic field, the coated objects can crawl, walk, or roll on different surfaces. As the magnetic coating is biocompatible and can be disintegrated into powders when needed, this technology demonstrates the potential for biomedical applications, including catheter navigation and drug delivery.

Harvesting Energy from Wind When Walking

Most of the wind available on land is too gentle to push commercial wind turbine blades, but now researchers in China have designed a kind of "tiny wind turbine" that can scavenge wind energy from breezes as little as those created by a brisk walk.

Scientists Knock out Squid Gene for the First Time

A team has achieved the first gene knockout in a cephalopod using the squid Doryteuthis pealeii—an exceptionally important research organism in biology for nearly a century. The team used CRISPR-Cas9 genome editing to knock out a pigmentation gene in squid embryos, which eliminated pigmentation in the eye and in skin cells (chromatophores) with high efficiency.

AI to Forecast Large-Scale Tropical Instability Waves

Large-scale oceanic phenomena are complicated and often involve many natural processes. Tropical instability wave is one of these phenomena.

Self-Charging Medical Devices

Expect more healthcare wearables that power themselves, many even managing with no battery. The IDTechEx report, "Energy Harvesting for Electronic Devices 2020-2040" covers this and more.

Fighting The COVID-19 Fire With Molecular Diagnostics Innovations

The need for universal and massive testing across the population has led to a race for technology innovations for COVID-19 diagnostics.

Webinar 7 May - Where Is the Future of COVID-19 Diagnostics?

IDTechEx will be hosting a free webinar on Thursday 7 May 2020. Where Is the Future of COVID-19 Diagnostics? will be presented by IDTechEx Technology Analyst, Dr Luyun Jiang.

The Smallest Microelectronic Robot

The microelectronic robot is 0.8 mm long, 0.8 mm wide and 0.14 mm tall. To compare: a one cent piece has a diameter of around 16mm. The micro-robot is extremely flexible, motile and equipped with various functionalities.

BYD's New Blade Battery Set to Redefine EV Safety Standards

BYD has announced the launch of the Blade Battery, a development set to mitigate concerns about battery safety in electric vehicles.

Perovskite Solution Aging: Scientists Find Solution

Perovskite solar cells have developed quickly in the past decade. But like silicon solar cells, the efficiency of perovskite solar cells is highly dependent upon the quality of the perovskite layer, which is related to its crystallinity.

Smart Contact Lens for Point-Of-Care Eye Health Monitoring

A research group has developed a "smart" contact lens that can show real-time changes in moisture and pressure by altering colors. The "smart" contact lens can potentially be used for point-of-care diagnosis of xerophthalmia and high intraocular pressure disease.