Storing energy at seabed as efficient as current energy storage plants

By Damir Beciri
19 May 2013

norway-seaThe idea where energy is stored at the bottom of the sea has been around for a while, and a group of Norwegian researchers decided to contribute to realization of that concept. In cooperation with researchers at SINTEF who develop the tanks employed by this method, they plan to use their patent pending technology to... »

Single-pixel detectors used to make 3D images without a camera

By Damir Beciri
18 May 2013

single-pixel-detector-3d-imageResearchers at the University of Glasgow’s School of Physics and Astronomy have found a way to make sophisticated 3D images without using conventional digital cameras. Their system uses simple, cheap detectors which have just a single pixel to sense light instead of the millions of pixels used in the imaging sensors of digital cameras. The... »

Using paper to generate electrically conducting structures

By Damir Beciri
16 May 2013

paper-electronicsResearchers at the Max Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam-Golm have created targeted conductive structures on paper. Their method relies on conventional inkjet printer which prints a catalyst on a sheet of paper. After getting heated, the printed areas on the paper get converted into conductive graphite. Being an inexpensive, light and flexible... »

Extracting human DNA with full genetic data within minutes

By Maja Bosanac
14 May 2013

uw-dna-extraction-deviceCollaboration between engineers at the University of Washington (UW) and NanoFacture, a UW spinout company, resulted in the development of a device that can extract human DNA in a simpler, more efficient and environmentally friendlier way than conventional methods. The new device will enable hospitals and research labs to extract DNA from human fluid samples... »

Oxygen-sensing microrobots could help in fight against glaucoma

By Damir Beciri
13 May 2013

eye-healthGlaucoma is only one of several diseases that can decrease the oxygen supply to the retina. An insufficient supply can cause blindness, sometimes within mere hours, so patients and physicians have to react as soon as possible to preserve the eyesight of the patient. Up until now there have been no methods sensitive enough to... »

Liquid hydrogen and fuel cell powered UAV sets new endurance record

By Damir Beciri
12 May 2013

ion-tiger-flightResearchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) broke the endurance record for small electric Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) by developing a vehicle powered by liquid hydrogen fuel and a fuel cell. This flight shatters their previous record of 26 hours and 2 minutes set in 2009 using the same vehicle, but with gaseous hydrogen... »

Robot butler HERB gets improved object recognition

By Damir Beciri
One Comment9 May 2013

herb-robot-explores-objectsAs most researchers who work with computer vision know, it can be troublesome to discover objects in its surroundings. Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute introduced properties such as object’s location, size, shape and even whether it can be lifted in order to enable a robot to continually discover and refine its understanding of... »