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Gadgets| Tech»

Intelligent training with FitnessSHIRT and MENTORbike

By Maja Bosanac
11 November 2013

fitnessshirtA group of researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute have developed an intelligent sports shirt called FitnessSHIRT. The shirt can read out physiological signals such as pulse, breathing and changes in heart rate continuously. The interpreted data can be viewed on a smartphone or tablet PC. When combined with an electric bike and a smartphone, the… »

Bionics| Tech»

An imaging system helps in tumors detection during surgery

By Maja Bosanac
6 November 2013

surgeryA group of researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute have developed a multispectral fluorescence camera system – a new surgical aid that makes hidden tumors visible during an operation. In near future, this special camera could be integrated into various medical imaging systems, such as surgical microscopes and endoscopes, in order to assist surgeons during tumor… »

Bionics»

Novel bio-inks can be used to print various types of tissue

By Maja Bosanac
17 October 2013

fraunhofer-gellatine-tissue-printingA group of researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute have succeeded in developing bio-inks for tissue printing technology. The transparent liquids consist of components from the natural tissue matrix and living cells, such as a well known biological material – gelatin. By controlling the chemical modification of this biomolecule, researchers can imitate the properties of various… »

Bionics»

More efficient and cell-free production of biomolecules

By Maja Bosanac
6 October 2013

biotechnica-bioproductionScientists and engineers from eight Fraunhofer Institutes have joined forces in an interdisciplinary research project to develop bioreactors that produce proteins without the help of intact cells. It can also function without viable, genetically modified cells or organisms. This cell-free bioproduction could help produce biological ingredients more quickly and with fewer resources than current conventional… »

Tech»

Lasers test potable water automatically on the spot

By Maja Bosanac
5 October 2013

tap-water-glassResearchers at the Fraunhofer Institute have used a quantum cascade laser, a particular type of infrared laser, in analysis equipment that can automatically test samples of drinking water for contaminants. This technology analyzes water samples at the waterworks itself, and it needs only a couple of minutes to determine whether water contains any impurities and… »

Tech»

World record solar cell with 44.7 percent efficiency

By Damir Beciri
1 October 2013

fraunhofer-solar-cell-record-1Engineers at the Fraunhofer Institute, Soitec, CEA-Leti and the Helmholtz Center Berlin joined forces to achieve a new world record for the conversion of sunlight into electricity. Using a new solar cell structure with four solar subcells, they managed to set a new record efficiency of 44.7% was measured at a concentration of 297 suns… »

Tech»

Sol Chip – integrated solar energy harvesting for sensor nodes

By Damir Beciri
17 September 2013

sensors-solar-power-1Increased interest for sensor networks in various applications are forcing research groups to come up with ways to power the individual sensor modules remains a sticking point in these sorts of applications. While wiring and batteries can be viable solutions for small-scale projects, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute came up with tiny solar cells that… »

Architecture| Tech»

SIS solar cells allow creation of colorful solar facades

By Damir Beciri
3 Comments6 July 2013

fraunhofer-color-facade-sis-cells-1When you hear someone talking about solar panels, you imagine the black or bluish-gray colored panels. However, various groups of researchers are contributing to changes which help designers and architects in their goal for aesthetics. With the help of thin-film technologies, researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute managed to contribute to this cause by turning solar… »