Category Technology/Electronics

This is a close up of microneedles with beta cells. Credit: Zhen Gu Lab, NC State / UNC

This new ‘smart cell patch’ is a proof of principle to treat millions of people with type-1 and advanced type-2 diabetes. For decades, researchers have tried to duplicate the function of beta cells, the tiny insulin-producing entities that don’t work properly in patients with diabetes. Insulin injections provide painful and often imperfect substitutes. Transplants of normal beta cells carry the risk of rejection or side effects from immunosuppressive therapies.

Now, researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University have devised another option: a synthetic patch filled with natural beta cells that can secrete doses of insulin to control blood sugar levels ...

Magnum using his prosthesis. Credit: Image courtesy of Investigación y Desarrollo

Thanks to the electrodes system a stable signal is obtained, which allows precise control like handling an egg without breaking. It allows the person to experience sensations, free mobility and is handled using the mind. It was created by the Mexican Max Ortiz Catalan, who lives in Sweden, the device becomes an extension of the human body through osseointegration, this means that it connects directly to the bone via a titanium implant, and thanks to the neuronal and muscle binding interfaces a robust and intuitive control of the artificial hand is achieved, this way just by thinking about it is possible to move the limb.

Magnus, a patient with an arm amputated above the elbow, is the first person to use tech...

The PolyU research team led by Dr Jianhua Hao, Associate Professor of Department of Applied Physics (right) and Dr Mo Yang, Associate Professor of Interdisciplinary Division of Biomedical Engineering (left) have developed a novel nano biosensor for rapid detection of flu and other viruses. Credit: Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

PolyU’s invention utilizes an optical method called upconversion luminescence resonance energy transfer (LRET) process for ultrasensitive virus detection. It involves simple operational procedures, significantly reducing its testing duration from around 1-3 days to 2-3 hours, making it more than 10X quicker than traditional clinical methods. Its cost is around HK$20 per sample, which is 80% lower than traditional testing methods...

(a) Schematic cross-sectional diagram of the device. In the absence of an electric field, the surfaces are relatively smooth, and light passes through without being scattered or refracted. (b) When connected to a high-voltage source, the nanowires locally compress the elastomer, deforming its surface. Since the nanowires are randomly oriented, the resulting deformation diffuses light passing through the device. (c–f) Changes of opacity at the indicated actuation voltage from 0 to 2.2 kV, demonstrating control over the in-line transmittance using electrical potential. The logo and text are located 15 cm behind the circular film. The black rectangles are electrical contacts to the two sides of nanowire electrodes.

Method turns glass from clear to opaque with the flick of a switch...