National Science Foundation

Voltaiq

Voltaiq has developed a cloud-based software that enables a fast and intuitive analysis of large amounts of battery testing data. According to the company, this can save several hours of work and help spot faulty batteries more efficiently.

Tough new hydrogel hybrid doesn't dry out

Engineers have found a way to prevent hydrogels from dehydrating, with a technique that could lead to longer-lasting contact lenses, stretchy microfluidic devices, flexible bioelectronics, and even artificial skin.

Wireless, wearable toxic-gas detector

Researchers have developed low-cost chemical sensors, made from chemically altered carbon nanotubes, that enable smartphones or other wireless devices to detect trace amounts of toxic gases.

Trapped electrons to blame for lack of battery efficiency

Research has the potential to create more efficient batteries by shedding light on the cause of one of their biggest problems -- a "traffic jam" of ions that slows down their charging and discharging process.

Turnable, twistable robots

Forget steel and aluminum. The robots of tomorrow may be able to squish, stretch and squeeze.

Extend life and improved performance of fuel cell electrodes

Researchers have developed a practical and physically-based way of treating the surface of materials called perovskite oxides, to make them more durable and improve their performance. These materials are promising candidates to serve as electrodes in energy-conversion devices such as fuel cells and electrolyzers.

Origami ninja star inspires battery design

A new disposable battery that folds like an origami ninja star could power biosensors and other small devices for use in challenging field conditions.

On-the-fly print' lets CAD designers modify in progress

Researchers have come up with an interactive prototyping system that prints what you are designing as you design it; the designer can pause anywhere in the process to test, measure and, if necessary, make changes that will be added to the physical model still in the printer.

Wearable system aims to predict, prevent asthma attacks

Researchers have developed an integrated, wearable system that monitors a user's environment, heart rate and other physical attributes with the goal of predicting and preventing asthma attacks.

Using static electricity, RoboBees can land and stick to surfaces

Roboticists demonstrate that their flying microrobots, nicknamed the RoboBees, can now perch during flight to save energy - like bats, birds or butterflies.

IDTechEx Show! Berlin grows 27%

IDTechEx Research announced today that Europe's largest event on emerging technologies, IDTechEx Show! held in Berlin on 27-28 April, grew 27% vs. last year's event. This year's exhibition and conference featured attendees from 57 countries with 171 exhibitors and 2,300 attendees.

IDTechEx Printed Electronics Europe 2016 Award Winners

At the 12th IDTechEx Printed Electronics Europe conference and exhibition, four companies were awarded for their great achievement in developing and commercializing printed electronics technologies. The awards were presented to the four winning companies by Mr Stéphane Egret, R&D Packaging Innovator at The Coca-Cola Company, who was also one of the judges of the awards. The two other judges were Dr Cristina Bertoni, Project Leader, Electrolux Italia and Ashutosh Tomar, Principal Engineer, Technology Strategy, at Jaguar Land Rover.

Scale up on ocean wave energy harvesting

The Mechanical Motion Rectifier, a novel power takeoff that uses the up and down and back and forth oscillation of wave energy and turns it into a unidirectional rotation to drive the generator.

Computers in your clothes? A milestone for wearable electronics

Researchers who are working to develop wearable electronics have reached a milestone: They are able to embroider circuits into fabric with 0.1 mm precision—the perfect size to integrate electronic components such as sensors and computer memory devices into clothing.

3D material with controllable shape and size

Imagine a house that could fit in a backpack or a wall that could become a window with the flick of a switch.

Generating electricity with tomato waste

A team of scientists is exploring an unusual source of electricity — damaged tomatoes that are unsuitable for sale at the grocery store.

Tunable windows for privacy, camouflage

Researchers have developed a technique that can quickly change the opacity of a window, turning it cloudy, clear or somewhere in between with the flick of a switch.

Nanocrystal self-assembly sheds its secrets

The secret to a long-hidden magic trick behind the self-assembly of nanocrystal structures is starting to be revealed.

Advancements in diabetes patch

Researchers have devised a synthetic patch filled with natural beta cells that can secrete doses of insulin to control blood sugar levels on demand with no risk of inducing hypoglycemia.

Smartwatches can now track your finger in mid-air using sonar

As mobile and wearable devices such as smartwatches grow smaller, it gets tougher for people to interact with screens the size of a matchbook. That could change with a new sonar technology.