Tech Briefs

Powering Research and Discovery with Micromotors

In May 2021, NASA’s OSIRIS-REx spacecraft left its study asteroid Bennu to return to Earth. Scientists will use the rubble it brings back to learn more about how the planets formed and how life arose on Earth.

Neuro-Chip Manages Brain Disorders

Researchers have combined low power chip design, machine learning algorithms, and soft implantable electrodes to produce a neural interface that can identify and suppress symptoms of various neurological disorders.

Powering Wearable Technology with MXene Textile Supercapacitor ‘Patch’

Researchers at Drexel University are one step closer to making wearable textile technology a reality.

An Ultrasoft Material for On-Skin Health Devices

Researchers have created an ultrasoft skin-like material that’s both breathable and stretchable for use in the development of an on-skin, wearable bioelectronic device.

First Transient Electronic Bandage Speeds Healing by 30%

Researchers have developed a first-of-its-kind small, flexible, stretchable bandage that accelerates healing by delivering electrotherapy directly to the wound site.

Medical App Development: Top 3 mHealth Solutions

Medical mobile applications have gained popularity during the pandemic. This article presents some guidelines for medical app development.

The Promise of Mobile Photoacoustic Imaging

Photoacoustic imaging, which combines optical and acoustic modalities, is enabling some of the most promising medical research.

Wearable Skin Patch Monitors Hemoglobin in Deep Tissues

A team of engineers has developed an electronic patch that can monitor biomolecules, including hemoglobin, in deep tissues.

High-Power Electrostatic Actuators to Realize Artificial Muscles

It may be possible to use electrostatic actuators in artificial muscles thanks to research that made use of ferroelectric materials to create an electrostatic actuator that can generate a strong force at a low driving voltage.

Wearable Belt with Sensors Accurately Measures Heart Failure 24/7

Heart failure is a progressive clinical syndrome characterized by a structural abnormality of the heart, in which the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s requirements.

Wearable Sensor Could Guide Precision Drug Dosing

For some of the powerful drugs used to fight infection and cancer, there’s only a small difference between a healing dose and a dangerous dose.

Wireless, High-Speed, Low-Power Communications for Implantable Devices

Implantable bioelectronics are now often key in assisting or monitoring vital organs, but they often lack a safe, reliable way of transmitting their data to doctors.

Designing Feature-Rich Wearable Health and Fitness Devices

The next step in wearables is to shrink the size of the devices while offering more comfortable shapes and additional features and wireless communications capabilities.

Smart Wearable Sensors for Parkinson’s Disease

Parkinson's Disease is the fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition in the world and affects 600,000 Americans yearly at a cost of $20 billion to the U.S. healthcare system.

Silicon Nanochip Could Treat Traumatic Muscle Loss

Technology developed by researchers at the Indiana University School of Medicine can change skin tissue into blood vessels and nerve cells.

An Investigation to Test Remote-Controlled Drug-Delivery Implant Launched on SpaceX CRS-26

A new remotely controlled drug-delivery implant could one day provide extended, adjustable medication for patients — even those on spacecraft headed for Mars.

Extrusion Process Enables Synthetic Material Growth

A team of scientists and engineers has developed a first-of-its-kind, plant-inspired extrusion process that enables synthetic material growth.

In-Home Wireless Device Tracks Disease Progression in Parkinson’s Patients

Parkinson’s disease now affects more than 10 million people worldwide, yet clinicians still face huge challenges in tracking its severity and progression.

Battery-Free, Light-Powered Pacemaker May Improve Quality of Life for Heart Disease Patients

Atrial fibrillation — a form of irregular heartbeat, or arrhythmia — leads to more than 454,000 hospitalizations and nearly 160,000 deaths in the United States each year.

Soft but Tough: Biohybrid Material Performs Like Cartilage

Producing biomaterials that match the performance of cartilage and tendons has been an elusive goal for scientists.

Stretchable Battery Packaging Could Power the Future of Wearable Devices

In order for wearables to be functional and practical, they need to have batteries that are stretchable and highly deformable.

Endoscope Uses Bendable GRIN Lens for 3D Microscopy

Researchers have created a flexible needle-like endoscopic imaging probe that can acquire 3D microscopic images of tissue.

Integrated Rupture Disk Assemblies for Cryogenic Equipment and Storage Systems

OEMs are increasingly turning to integrated rupture disk assemblies with all components combined by the manufacturer, as opposed to loose rupture disk and holder devices that leave much to chance.

Medical Lasers: When the Laser Application Requires Utmost Safety

The range of laser applications in the field of medicine and aesthetics in medicine is vast and varied.

Tubing Coated with Light-Powered Catalysts Aids Drug Manufacturing

The new class of materials is insoluble, so it can be used over and over again. Such catalysts could be used to coat tubing and perform chemical transformations on reactants as they flow through the tube.

Tough Gel Adhesives for Wound Healing

A Band-Aid® adhesive bandage is an effective treatment for stopping external bleeding from skin wounds, but an equally viable option for internal bleeding does not yet exist.

Novel Radiation Therapy Delays Brain Cancer Regrowth

UC San Diego Health is the first hospital system in San Diego to offer a new, highly targeted, and precisely placed radiation therapy that delays tumor regrowth while protecting healthy tissue in patients with brain cancer.

Medical Device Machining: Precise and Reliable Parts for Critical Applications

For the medical device industry, the cutting edge of parts machining goes far beyond having the latest CNC equipment and accessories.

AI-Enabled Optical Fiber Sensor Device Monitors Brain Injury

The results from tests on animal brain tissues suggest it could help clinicians to better monitor both disease progression and patients’ response to treatment than is currently possible.