Harbin Institute of Technology

Stamping technique creates functional features at nanoscale dimensions

Someday, high-tech stamping might bring us food packaging that displays a digital countdown to warn of spoiling produce, or even a window pane that shows the day's forecast, based on measurements of the weather conditions outside.

Solar floating airport with smart city

Dick Wallis, CEO of Positioning Systems in the UK has sent IDTechEx a visionary proposal for a new combined airport, smart city and green electricity supply in Wales in the UK.

Report from the IBM-EnOcean Alliance meeting

On the 29th November at the IBM Watson IoT Centre in Munich, Germany, about 60 attendees took part in a meeting about the decision by IBM to become the 401st member of the EnOcean Alliance, a group of companies that focus on hardware and software for the Internet of Things (IoT). This network was initiated by EnOcean, a German company based around Munich that, about 15 years ago, developed a battery-less, wireless technology that enables sensor solution for the IoT, building automation, and smart homes. Technology Analyst Lorenzo Grande reports updates from the meeting.

Cars reinvented: huge new opportunities and dangers

The new IDTechEx report, Electric Car Technology and Forecasts 2017-2027 finds that the biggest change in cars for one hundred years is now starting. It is driven by totally new requirements and capabilities.

First fertility tracking sensor bracelet

Worn only at night, the bracelet collects more than three million data points and measures nine physiological parameters. In addition to information about their fertility status, Ava provides users with health insights on sleep, stress and resting heart rate.

Pavegen harvests power from footsteps in Washington DC

Pavegen has been working with the US Federal Government on their flagship US V3 installation in Washington DC, just walking distance from the Whitehouse.

The bus of the future

Buses are very important. Injuries and deaths from two wheelers have not reduced very much in decades whereas vehicles with four wheels or more have seen huge improvements.

Silicon valley: doctor heal thyself

Silicon Valley in California spawns the awesome giants that hold the future in their hands but they cannot solve their traffic problem.

Electric Smart car

Just ahead of the Paris Auto Show, Daimler officially presented its pure electric Smart ED models.

Regenerative energy harvesting in 48V mild hybrids

The huge market opening up for 48V cars and commercial vehicles will involve much more effective regenerative braking generating tens of kilowatts and probably a turbine in the exhaust as well, generating one kilowatt or so in a small commercial vehicle.

Europe pulls ahead in 48V mild hybrid cars

Mild hybrid cars at 48V will first hit global markets in a big way in 2017.

Neural dust opens door to implantable self powered wearables

Engineers have built the first dust-sized, wireless sensors that can be implanted in the body, bringing closer the day when a Fitbit-like device could monitor internal nerves, muscles or organs in real time.

New technology may extend electric car range

Researchers have designed a thin plastic membrane that stops rechargeable batteries from discharging when not in use and allows for rapid recharging.

Researchers invent novel materials for better batteries

Inventors are paving the way for the future with energy-efficient batteries for sensors, portable devices and electric cars.

Printed sensor paste improves pianos

Sensor paste technology that can be printed onto a PCB board can be used for musical instruments.

New autonomous unmanned surface vessels

To its manufacturer MOST (Autonomous Vessels) Ltd in the UK, USV means controlled by satellite from anywhere on the planet. AutoNaut is the answer to the age-old challenge of affordable oceanic data gathering for science, commerce and military purposes. It creates new opportunities to meet unique mission requirements in a changing world.

Overcoming key challenge in using light for wireless communications

In an advance that could one day make light-based wireless communications ubiquitous, researchers have demonstrated a conceptually new approach for detecting optical communication signals traveling through the air.

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.

DeepField Robotics

Deepfield Robotics is a Bosch start-up focused on providing tools and services for precision agriculture. Deepfield is well positioned thanks to Bosch's strengths on IT services and sensory products.

Self-healing, flexible electronic material functions after many breaks

Electronic materials have been a major stumbling block for the advance of flexible electronics because existing materials do not function well after breaking and healing. A new electronic material created by an international team, however, can heal all its functions automatically even after breaking multiple times.