R&D

Microdisplay Monitors Brain Activity

A thin film that combines an electrode grid and LEDs can both track and produce a visual representation of the brain’s activity in real time. The device is designed to provide neurosurgeons visual information about a patient’s brain to monitor brain states during surgical interventions to remove brain lesions including tumors and epileptic tissue. Read on to learn more.

Biohybrid Robotic Hand Research Platform

Researchers have developed a novel biohybrid neuroprosthetic research platform comprised of a dexterous artificial hand electrically interfaced with biological neural networks. Read on to learn more.

Smart Contact Lens for Glaucoma Detection

Researchers have been testing ways to continuously and more comfortably detect these tiny fluctuations in pressure. A prototype smart contact lens measures eye pressure accurately, regardless of temperature. The contact lens wirelessly transmits real-time signals about eye pressure across a wide range of temperatures. Read on to learn more.

High-Efficiency Hollow-Core Fiber Optic Cable

Researchers have designed a six-hole micro-structure antiresonant air-core fiber (AR-HCF) with a large core diameter of 78 μm. The researchers say it is the first time that 2.79 μm high energy pulsed laser has been transmitted with good efficiency at room temperature. Read on to learn more.

New Process Means Faster 3D Printing

Researchers have developed a printing process that prints strong nonmetallic materials in record time — five times faster than traditional 3D printing. The process, called SWOMP, which stands for Selective dual-wavelength Olefin metathesis 3D printing, uses dual-wavelength light, unlike the traditional printing process. Read on to learn more.

Twisted Nanotubes Power Sensors

Researchers have shown that twisted carbon nanotubes can store three times more energy per unit mass than advanced lithium-ion batteries. The finding may advance carbon nanotubes as a promising solution for storing energy in devices that need to be lightweight, compact, and safe, such as medical implants and sensors. Read on to learn more.

Hydrogel Implant Treats Endometriosis

Researchers have now developed the first hydrogel implant designed for use in fallopian tubes. This innovation performs two functions: one is to act as a contraceptive, the other is to prevent the recipient from developing endometriosis in the first place or to halt the spread if they do. Read on to learn more.

3D Printed Active Fabric

Scientists have developed an innovative wearable fabric that is flexible but can stiffen on demand. Developed through a combination of geometric design, 3D printing, and robotic control, the new technology, RoboFabric, can quickly be made into medical devices or soft robotics. Read on to learn more about it.

Bioink Mimics Human Skin

A new bioink has been designed for engineering human skin constructs using norbornene-pullulan-based hydrogels. The researchers introduced a novel photocrosslinkable bioink designed for engineering human skin constructs, based on thiol-norbornene-pullulan (N-PLN) formulations combined with various crosslinkers. Read on to learn more.

Device Strengthens Rotator Cuff Repair

Researchers focused on the development and regeneration of the tendon-to-bone attachment, particularly for advancing tendon-to-bone repair, necessary for rotator cuff repair, and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The researchers have developed a python-tooth-inspired device as a supplement to current rotator cuff suture repair and found that it nearly doubled repair strength. Read on to learn more.

Finger Pouch Actuator Improves Rehab Gloves

Researchers have succeeded in adding finger straightening or extension to soft rehabilitation gloves through a novel foldable pouch actuator (FPA) without compromising the already existing functionality of finger bending or flexion. Read on to learn more about it.

Ultrahigh Sensing Platform

New research unlocks the power of exceptional points (EPs) for advanced optical sensing. Unlike traditional methods that require modifications to the sensor itself, the system features an EP control unit that can plug in to physically separated external sensors. Read on to learn more.

Eco-Friendly 3D Printing

A method for 3D printing called vapor-induced phase-separation 3D printing, or VIPS-3D, can create single-material as well as multi-material objects. Read on to learn more about it.

Improved Microneedle Technology

An improved technique uses a single microneedle to get enough fluid for a test in about 10 minutes. The microneedles penetrate the outer skin layer, but they don’t reach nerve endings and are hollow. Read on to learn more.

Plug Prevents Total Knee Replacement

Synthetic cartilage-capped regenerative osteochondral plugs offer a potential off-the-shelf surgical device to treat OCDs and avoid total knee replacement. Read on to learn more about them.

Project Aims to Improve LVADs

Researchers are bringing together multiple areas of technical expertise to improve LVAD performance and outcomes. Read on to learn what this means.

Material Improves Implantable Technology

Borophene is more conductive, thinner, lighter, stronger, and more flexible than graphene, the 2D version of carbon. Now, researchers have made the material potentially more useful by imparting chirality — or handedness — on it. Read on to learn what this could mean for advanced sensors and implantable medical devices.

Highly Conductive Sensors for Wearables

To advance soft robotics, skin-integrated electronics, and biomedical devices, researchers have developed a 3D-printed material that is soft and stretchable — traits needed for matching the properties of tissues and organs — and that self-assembles. Read on to learn more.

Biohybrid Robotic Hand Improves Touch

Researchers have developed a novel biohybrid neuroprosthetic research platform comprised of a dexterous artificial hand electrically interfaced with biological neural networks. Read on to learn more about it.

AI-Powered Exoskeleton Helps Restores Mobility

A new method leverages AI and computer simulations to train robotic exoskeletons that can help users save energy while walking, running, and climbing stairs. The novel method rapidly develops exoskeleton controllers to assist locomotion without relying on lengthy human-involved experiments. Read on to learn more.

Flexible Film Senses Nearby Movements

A soft, flexible film senses the presence of nearby objects without physically touching them. The study features the new sensor technology to detect eyelash proximity in blink-tracking glasses. Read on to learn more.

Robotic Therapy Improves Tremor Treatment

Researchers have developed SPINDLE, a pioneering robotic rehabilitation system. Combining virtual reality (VR) with customized resistance training, SPINDLE offers personalized therapy to enhance strength and dexterity for activities of daily living (ADLs). Read on to learn more about SPINDLE.

Monitor Measures Disease Markers

A wearable health monitor can reliably measure levels of important biochemicals in sweat during physical exercise. Read on to learn more about the 3D-printed monitor.

Device Delivers Gene Therapy for Lung Disease

Drug-delivery researchers have developed a device with the potential to improve gene therapy for patients with inherited lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis. In cell culture and mouse models,...

Microneedle Patch Detects Skin Cancer

Researchers have developed a method for detecting malignant melanoma. A new type of patch equipped with microneedles can identify the biomarker tyrosinase directly in the skin.

Sweat Sensor Wristwatch for Real-Time Monitoring

A unique wristwatch contains multiple modules, including a sensor array, a microfluidic chip, signal processing, and a data display system to monitor chemicals in human sweat. It can...

EIT-Based Tactile Sensor

Using electrical impedance tomography (EIT), researchers have developed a system using a flexible tactile sensor for objective evaluation of fine finger movements. Demonstrating high accuracy in classifying diverse...

Implant Targets Optical Stimulation

A new device platform allows for smaller wireless light sources to be placed within the human body. Research indicates that such light sources will enable novel, minimally invasive means of treating and...

Robotic Exoskeleton Helps Stroke Patients

New research pushes forward the bounds of stroke recovery with a unique robotic hip exoskeleton, designed as a training tool to improve walking function. This invites the possibility of new therapies...