Smart postage box packs e-ink label, sensors, camera, speaker and mic

There are few things more exciting in our modern world than watching and waiting for a parcel to arrive – and by the same token, few things more frustrating than when it arrives broken or doesn’t arrive at all. To prevent that, or at least make it easi… Continue reading Smart postage box packs e-ink label, sensors, camera, speaker and mic→

Novel nanocrystal treatments could protect cells from radiation damage

Ideally, the body is protected from damaging radiation before it reaches us, by shielding materials or clothing. But now, researchers in South Korea have developed a new type of drug that could prevent some of the tissue damage radiation causes, which … Continue reading Novel nanocrystal treatments could protect cells from radiation damage→

Experimental all liquid-metal battery stays liquid at room temperature

Liquid and solid-state batteries each have their own advantages and disadvantages, but now researchers at the University of Texas at Austin claim to have developed a new battery that mixes the best of both worlds. The new design is the first all-liquid… Continue reading Experimental all liquid-metal battery stays liquid at room temperature→

DIY robot arm construction kit makes pick-and-place competitive

Craft and construction kits have been a blessing in our recent lockdown phases, and now there’s a new one that might appeal to those interested in tinkering with robots. ArmPal is a robot arm kit that you build yourself, then pit against other robot ar… Continue reading DIY robot arm construction kit makes pick-and-place competitive→

“Graphene armor” protects perovskite solar cells from damage

Perovskite is emerging as a promising material for solar cells, but it has some durability problems. Now, engineers have developed a new electrode that could make them more stable, using a protective layer of “graphene armor.”Continue ReadingCategory: … Continue reading “Graphene armor” protects perovskite solar cells from damage→

Cinera Edge personal cinema straps a 5K OLED display to your face

A device with a screen that measures less than an inch sounds ridiculous in the modern world, but the Cinera Edge compensates by cramming it up to within an inch of your eyeballs. This portable personal cinema headset packs a 5K(ish)-resolution display… Continue reading Cinera Edge personal cinema straps a 5K OLED display to your face→

Hubble and ALMA mosaic captures stellar fireworks of star formation

Astronomers are celebrating the 4th of July weekend in their own trademark fashion – by releasing a new image of some cosmic fireworks. The spectacular shot is made up of a mosaic of radio and infrared images, showing a cluster of young stars exploding… Continue reading Hubble and ALMA mosaic captures stellar fireworks of star formation→

Fluorinated membrane breaks a limit for capturing carbon dioxide

Carbon dioxide is an all too common waste product of industry, belched into the air in huge amounts from smokestacks. Now, researchers have developed a new type of fluorinated membrane that can selectively filter CO2 out of flue gas at the point of rel… Continue reading Fluorinated membrane breaks a limit for capturing carbon dioxide→

New drug helps reduce brain damage from a stroke in mice

Strokes can leave lifelong lingering issues, as neurons are damaged and die. But now, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute have identified a new drug that could help prevent damage even after a stroke, with tests in mice showing … Continue reading New drug helps reduce brain damage from a stroke in mice→

Tiny quantum fluctuations observed moving 40-kg mirror

Physics is mostly divided into two areas – classical physics describes how large objects and systems work on a scale that we see every day, while quantum physics describes the “spooky” subatomic world. Now, scientists have observed a rare crossover, wh… Continue reading Tiny quantum fluctuations observed moving 40-kg mirror→