R&D

Nanothermometers Improve Temperature Imaging

NIST researchers are in the early stages of a massive undertaking to design and build a fleet of tiny ultra-sensitive thermometers.

Flexible Screen-Printed Rechargeable Battery

The device can be used in flexible, stretchable electronics for wearables as well as soft robotics.

Nanobiomaterial from Mites Shows Promise

A new nanomaterial from the silk produced by the Tetranychus lintearius mite has the ability to penetrate human cells without damaging them and, therefore, has promising biomedical properties.

Platform Monitors Gut Microbiome

Scientists are developing a platform that can monitor and model the real-time processing of gut microbiome serotonin activity.

Spiderwebs Inspire 3D Photodectors

Researchers used some architectural features from spiderwebs to develop 3D photodetectors for biomedical imaging.

Improved Polymer Electrode for Electronic Skin

Scientists have improved electrical conductivity in a polymer electrode for e-skin applications.

Large-Area Flexible Organic Photodiodes

The technologies may enable wearable health monitors to produce improved physiological information and continuous monitoring without frequent battery changes.

Contact Lenses for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Use

By collecting tears, the lenses effectively measure pH and levels of biomarkers.

Metal and Plastic Microrobots Interlock

The two materials are interlocked as closely as links in a chain.

Magnetic Brain Waves to Detect Injury and Disease

The achievement could increase the understanding of the brain's connectivity and detect signs of traumatic brain injury, dementia, and schizophrenia.

Wound-Healing Biomaterials Activate Immune System

A new biomaterial significantly reduces scar formation after wounding, leading to more effective skin healing.

Easier Printing of Circuitry on Wearable Fabrics

The breakthrough involves inkjet printing and materials with a crystal structure discovered nearly two centuries ago.

Flexible Sensor Offers Less Hysteresis

Flexible TRACE sensor patches can be placed on the skin to measure blood flow in superficial arteries.

3D Printed Biomimetic Tongue Surface

Using 3D printers, scientists have created synthetic soft surfaces with tongue-like textures.

Plant-Based Thermotherapy Patch

A biodegradable, transparent, flexible and fast-acting thermo-therapy patch from plant leaves is compatible with flexible electronic applications.

Wearable Pressure-Sensitive Devices

A gelatin-based hydrogel addresses the problems presented in constructing wearable pressure-sensitive sensors.

Microrobot Can Flip Through Live Colon

The rectangular robot is as tiny as a few human hairs.

Wound-Healing Biomaterial

Researchers have developed a biomaterial that significantly reduces scar formation after wounding.

Small Brain Implant Helps Paralyzed Patients

A paper-clip-sized device has been shown to help patients with upper limb paralysis to text, e-mail, and even shop online in the first human trial.

Tiny Energy Storage Power for Wearable Skin Sensors

Researchers have fabricated tiny energy storage devices that can effectively power flexible and wearable skin sensors.

Metal-Ion Breakthrough Leads to New Biomaterials

Engineers have developed a new framework that makes elastomer design a modular process, allowing for the mixing and matching of different metals with a single polymer.

3D Printed Unique Micro-Scale Fluid Channels Made for Medical Testing

Researchers have 3D printed unique fluid channels at the micron scale that could automate production of diagnostics, sensors, and assays used for a variety of medical tests and other applications.

Wearable Sensors Printed Directly on Skin with No Heat

Researchers have printed sensors directly on human skin without the use of heat.

Microneedle Patch Delivers Gene Therapy

Genetic material is delivered without producing inflammation or toxicity in the body.

3D Printed ‘Invisible’ Fibers Can Sense Breath, Sound, and Cells

Researchers have used 3D printing to make electronic fibers, each 100 times thinner than a human hair, to create non-contact, wearable, portable respiratory sensors.

Optical Tracking System Helps Improve Exoskeleton Fit

Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have developed a new measurement method to test whether an exoskeleton and the person wearing it are moving smoothly and in harmony.

New Material Family Could Build Realistic Prosthetics

Researchers have developed a new family of polymers that can self-heal, have shape memory, and are recyclable.

Drawn-on-Skin Electronics Offer Breakthrough in Wearable Monitors

Drawn-on-skin electronics allows multifunctional sensors and circuits to be drawn on the skin with an ink pen.

Biorubber Glue Offers Faster Surgical Recovery

A surgical glue can help join blood vessels and close wounds faster.