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2019

Optic nerve stimulation to aid the blind

Scientists are developing technology for the blind that bypasses the eyeball entirely and sends messages to the brain. They do this by stimulating the optic nerve with a new type of intraneural electrode called OpticSELINE.

Tiny biodegradable circuits for releasing painkillers inside the body

Researchers have developed biodegradable microresonators that can be heated locally with a wireless system. Doctors could soon be using them in implants to control the release of painkillers within tissue.

New perovskite material shows promise alternative silicon

Silicon dominates solar energy products -- it is stable, cheap, and efficient at turning sunlight into electricity. Any new material taking on silicon must compete, and win, on those grounds. As a result of an international research collaboration have found a stable material that efficiently creates electricity - which could challenge silicon hegemony.

Robot-ants that can jump, communicate and work together

A team of researchers has developed tiny 10-gram robots that are inspired by ants: they can communicate with each other, assign roles among themselves and complete complex tasks together. These reconfigurable robots are simple in structure, yet they can jump and crawl to explore uneven surfaces.

Neurotechnology holds promise for chronic stroke patients

Personalized neurotechnology-aided rehabilitation of the arm could improve recovery in severe chronic stroke patients.

Producing electricity at estuaries using light and osmosis

Researchers are working on a technology to exploit osmotic energy - a source of power that's naturally available at estuaries, where fresh water comes into contact with seawater.

New material to revolutionise electronics, fast-charging battery tech

Tiny, individual, flexible ribbons of crystalline phosphorus have been made in a world first, and they could revolutionise electronics and fast-charging battery technology.

Mystery of negative capacitance in perovskite solar cells solved

On the verge of outcompeting current thin-film solar cells, perovskite solar cells seem to embody an ideal solar cell: highly efficient and low-cost - if there was not the issue of a weak long-term stability, which remains a challenge.

Next-gen rooftop solar panels achieve record efficiency

Insolight's pre-production modules set a new efficiency standard of 29% for commercial solar panels. Results were validated by the Solar Energy Institute of the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid setting the stage for large-scale industrialization.

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.

Nanofacturing project accelerates development of innovative medicines

The Nanofacturing consortium has worked on a pan-European nanopharmaceutical project to develop new manufacturing methods and improve supply chain co-ordination to advance treatments for rare cancers, autoimmune diseases and viral infections.

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.

Gummy-like robots that could help prevent disease

Scientists have developed microscopic, hydrogel-based muscles that can manipulate and mechanically stimulate biological tissue. These soft, biocompatible robots could be used for targeted therapy and to help diagnose and prevent disease.

Using artificial intelligence to save bees

A beekeeper teamed up with researchers to develop an app that counts the number of Varroa mites in beehives. This parasite is one of the two main threats - along with pesticides - to bees' long-term survival. Knowing the extent of the mites' infestation will allow beekeepers to protect their bees more effectively.

More energy-efficient cruise ships

A researcher has developed a system based on fuel cells to reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of cruise ships, which are increasingly popular among vacation goers around the world.

Smart microrobots adapt to their surroundings

Scientists at EPFL and ETH Zurich have developed tiny elastic robots that can change shape depending on their surroundings. Modeled after bacteria and fully biocompatible, these robots optimize their movements so as to get to hard-to-reach areas of the human body. They stand to revolutionize targeted drug delivery.

2018

Foldable drone flies through narrow holes

A research team have developed a new drone that can retract its propeller arms in flight and make itself small to fit through narrow gaps and holes. This is particularly useful when searching for victims of natural disasters.

Robotics Flagship aims to develop sustainable robots and AI

The Robotics Flagship aims to develop robots and artificial intelligence that are economically, socially and environmentally sustainable: this is the project proposal submitted to the European Commission, that by 2020 will have chosen the flagships that will receive one billion euros over ten years to guarantee Europe a leading position in science and technology.

Using diamonds to recharge civilian drones in flight

A small lab-grown diamond measuring a few millimeters per side could one day enable civilian drones to be recharged in mid-flight through a laser. Thanks to the diamond, the laser beam can remain strong enough over a long distance to recharge photovoltaic cells on the drones' surface.

Breakthrough neurotechnology for treating paralysis

Three patients with chronic paraplegia were able to walk over ground thanks to precise electrical stimulation of their spinal cords via a wireless implant.

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