Targeted gene therapy helps completely paralyzed mice walk again

A complete spinal cord injury results, tragically, in total paralysis of all limbs and muscles below the injury site. But now, scientists at EPFL have demonstrated in mice a new gene therapy that can regenerate nerves and restore the ability to walk.Co… Continue reading Targeted gene therapy helps completely paralyzed mice walk again

Dog-inspired robot keeps running on its own once started

While we’ve seen a number of quadruped “robotic dogs” lately, they all require control motors to maintain their running gait. An experimental new one, however, keeps running on its own once it’s been set in motion.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics, Te… Continue reading Dog-inspired robot keeps running on its own once started

Plasma-based noise cancelling could silence rooms, cars and planes

EPFL researchers have developed a 100% effective, ultra-thin active noise cancelling system that uses an ionized air plasma propulsion system instead of speakers. A 17-mm-thick (0.6-in) layer can block 20 Hz noise as well as a 4-m-thick (13-ft) wall.Co… Continue reading Plasma-based noise cancelling could silence rooms, cars and planes

Modular Mori3 tech could let astronauts build the robots they need

In cramped spacecraft or space stations, there typically isn’t room to store multiple robots that are each designed for a specific task. The Mori3 system was designed with that fact in mind, as it can be used to create different types of robots as need… Continue reading Modular Mori3 tech could let astronauts build the robots they need

AI and humans collaborate on first ChatGPT-designed robot

Is there anything ChatGPT can’t do? Yes, of course, but the list appears to be getting smaller and smaller. Now, researchers have used the large language model to help them design and construct a tomato-picking robot.Continue ReadingCategory: Robotics,… Continue reading AI and humans collaborate on first ChatGPT-designed robot

Soft-bodied brain electrode array squeezes through a hole half its size

In the treatment of epilepsy and other neurological disorders, doctors will sometimes implant arrays of stimulating electrodes on the surface of a patient’s brain. A new soft robotic system allows those electrodes to be placed far less invasively than … Continue reading Soft-bodied brain electrode array squeezes through a hole half its size

Wind-cheating Morpho combines qualities of copters and fixed-wing drones

Both multicopter and fixed-wing drones use up a lot of battery power when fighting the wind. The Morpho VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) drone addresses this problem with morphing wings that adapt to lessen its wind resistance. In fact, they can eve… Continue reading Wind-cheating Morpho combines qualities of copters and fixed-wing drones

System quickly spots antibiotic-resistant bacteria by watching them shimmy

If the bacteria with which someone is infected are antibiotic-resistant, physicians need to know so as soon as possible, so they can take the appropriate action. A simple new system could help, by detecting such resistance in just two hours as opposed … Continue reading System quickly spots antibiotic-resistant bacteria by watching them shimmy

Solar dish reactor produces hydrogen and captures waste products

Engineers at EPFL have built and tested a solar reactor that can generate hydrogen gas from sunlight and water. The system is not only highly efficient at producing hydrogen, it also captures the “waste” products of oxygen and heat to put them to use t… Continue reading Solar dish reactor produces hydrogen and captures waste products