Tag Archives: Sensors

Smartphones and Civilians in Wartime

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Interesting article about civilians using smartphones to assist their militaries in wartime, and how that blurs the important legal distinction between combatants and non-combatants:

The principle of distinction between the two roles is a critical cornerstone of international humanitarian law­—the law of armed conflict, codified by decades of customs and laws such as the Geneva Conventions. Those considered civilians and civilian targets are not to be attacked by military forces; as they are not combatants, they should be spared. At the same time, they also should not act as combatants—­if they do, they may lose this status…

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Electronic skin uses tiny magnetic hairs to sense touch

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The body’s largest organ, the skin, plays a key role in facilitating our sense of touch, but its sensitivity is hard to replicate in artificial versions. Now, researchers have developed a new type of electronic skin (e-skin) containing tiny embedded ha… Continue reading Electronic skin uses tiny magnetic hairs to sense touch→

Sapphire fiber sensor can withstand the rigors of fusion and flight

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Scientists at Oxford University have developed a novel sensor made of incredibly thin strands of sapphire that can withstand extreme heat and radiation. The breakthrough is billed as a solution to a 20-year problem in the field, and the scientists behi… Continue reading Sapphire fiber sensor can withstand the rigors of fusion and flight→

Humidity sensor inspired by camel noses can trace moving fingers

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Scientists have developed an advanced new type of humidity sensor that takes inspiration from camel noses to overcome shortcomings with existing solutions. The novel device is capable of detecting low levels of water molecules in the air and opens up s… Continue reading Humidity sensor inspired by camel noses can trace moving fingers→

Saildrone heads to the Gulf Stream to investigate carbon uptake in the ocean

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After sending a fleet of self-sailing drones into the path of Hurricane Sam to help improve forecast models, Saildrone has now launched three uncrewed surface vehicles into the Gulf Stream winter to gather data on carbon uptake in the ocean.Continue Re… Continue reading Saildrone heads to the Gulf Stream to investigate carbon uptake in the ocean→

Skin-worn sensor detects and measures nicotine in e-cig vapor

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Nicotine is one of the more harmful compounds in the vapor produced by electronic cigarettes, so non-vapers should avoid breathing it in whenever possible. A new skin-worn sensor could help, by monitoring airborne nicotine levels in the wearer’s immedi… Continue reading Skin-worn sensor detects and measures nicotine in e-cig vapor→

Lie-detection system tracks contorting facial muscles to reveal untruths

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Scientists in Israel have leveraged commercially available sensors to develop an advanced lie-detection system they say outperforms any other known method. The technology relies on electrodes attached to the face to reveal contorting muscles associated… Continue reading Lie-detection system tracks contorting facial muscles to reveal untruths→