University of Colorado

Scientists can now manipulate brain cells using smartphones

A team of scientists have invented a device that can control neural circuits using a tiny brain implant controlled by a smartphone.

A computer that understands how you feel

Could a computer, at a glance, tell the difference between a joyful image and a depressing one? Could it distinguish, in a few milliseconds, a romantic comedy from a horror film? Yes, and so can your brain, according to research.

A high-performance battery for renewable energy storage

A low-cost, high-performance battery chemistry developed by researchers could one day lead to scalable grid-level storage for wind and solar energy that could help electrical utilities reduce their dependency on fossil fuels.

New Report Forecasts E-Textiles will Reach Over $2 Billion by 2029

IDTechEx have released the latest edition of the most comprehensive report on the e-textiles industry. "E-Textiles 2019-2029: Technologies, Markets and Players" compiles over 6 years of work. There are over 200 companies in the database supporting the report, and IDTechEx analysts have conducted primary research on over 100 companies in order to collate the data and contents for the report itself.

Ability of wearable technology to detect atrial fibrillation

Researchers from the Stanford University School of Medicine presented preliminary results of the Apple Heart Study, an unprecedented virtual study with over 400,000 enrolled participants.

Stanford, Apple describe heart study with over 400,000 participants

Over 400,000 people have enrolled in a study being conducted by researchers at Stanford and Apple to determine whether a wearable technology can identify irregular heart rhythms suggestive of atrial fibrillation.

3D bioprinting artificial blood vessels, organs

Engineers have developed a 3D printing technique that allows for localized control of an object's firmness, opening up new biomedical avenues that could one day include artificial arteries and organ tissue.

Low-cost, energy saving cooling system

Engineers have successfully scaled up an innovative water-cooling system capable of providing continuous day-and-night radiative cooling for structures. The advance could increase the efficiency of power generation plants in summer and lead to more efficient, environmentally-friendly temperature control for homes, businesses, utilities and industries.

Shape-shifting material can morph, reverse itself using heat, light

A new material can transform into complex, pre-programmed shapes via light and temperature stimuli, allowing a literal square peg to morph and fit into a round hole before fully reverting to its original form and could have broad applications for manufacturing, robotics, biomedical devices and artificial muscles.

Beer waste transformed into energy-efficient window covering

Can a new type of transparent gel, made from readily-available beer waste, help engineers build greenhouses on Mars? Physicists have developed an insulating gel that they say could coat the windows of habitats in space, allowing the settlers inside to trap and store energy from the sun—much like a greenhouse stays warm during the winter. And unlike similar products on the market, the material is mostly see-through.

Soft robotic fish swims alongside real ones

Even with many technological advances in recent years, it remains a challenging task to document marine life up close. But scientists believe they have a possible solution: using robots.

Implanted continuous glucose sensor proven safe

Results of the PRECISE II study showed the implanted continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system from Eversense to be safe and highly accurate over the 90-day sensor life in patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

New malleable electronic skin: self-healable, recyclable

Researchers have developed a new type of malleable, self-healing and fully recyclable "electronic skin" that has applications ranging from robotics and prosthetic development to better biomedical devices.

Light-splitting greenhouse film

Engineers have received a $2.45 million grant to develop a scalable, cost-effective greenhouse material that splits sunlight into photosynthetically efficient light and repurposes inefficient infrared light to aid in water purification.

Next-gen flexible robots move and heal like us

Soft robots contain tremendous potential for future applications as they adapt to dynamic environments and are well-suited to closely interact with humans. The soft devices can perform a variety of tasks, including grasping delicate objects, such as a raspberry and a raw egg, as well as lifting heavy objects.

Artificial intelligence used to discover planet

Our solar system now is tied for most number of planets around a single star, with the recent discovery of an eighth planet circling Kepler-90, a Sun-like star 2,545 light-years from Earth. The planet was discovered in data from NASA's Kepler Space Telescope.

Shift in wind power by end of the century

In the next century, wind resources may decrease in many regions of the Northern Hemisphere and could sharply increase in some hotspot regions down south, according to a study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers.

Panasonic, Younicos, & Xcel Energy form microgrid partnership

A unique solar-plus-storage microgrid project under way at Denver's smart and sustainable transit-oriented development, Peña Station NEXT

Gaugewear

IDTechEx met with Jeff Wallingford, Founder & CEO of Gaugewear whilst a CES 2017 in Las Vegas. Based in Boulder, Colorado, they are a start-up commercialising wearable sensors measuring core body temperature using surface RF antennas.

Self-healing, transparent, highly stretchable material

Scientists have developed a transparent, self-healing, highly stretchable conductive material that can be electrically activated to power artificial muscles and could be used to improve batteries, electronic devices, and robots.