The icky business of soiled diapers has motivated many to pursue connected nappies that alert carers when they’re in need of changing, but scientists at MIT are now putting forward a more cost effective option. The team’s new smart diapers make use of an RFID tag that works with a hydrogel to form a cheap moisture sensor, which sends an […]
Sensing Soiled Diapers
Remote Control Bandage
The treatment of chronic wounds often involves the application of different medications, at different stages in the healing process. A newly-developed electronic bandage could allow this to happen, but without having to be removed for each application. Building upon a previously-developed device, the bandage is being created by a team from the University of Connecticut, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and […]
Dutch Foldable Furniture Only Requires 10 Minutes
Dutch design firm Malessa Studio has recently revealed its foldable and compact furniture collection, especially designed for students and renters who frequently move homes. Following in the footsteps of IKEA’s Råvaror collection, the Nest series features a collection of everyday furniture pieces that are specifically designed for small spaces, with the added bonus of being easily dismantled, packed, moved and […]
What is a Pulse Oximeter?
What will they think of next? Already, wearables are stuffed to the gills with all kinds of health sensors from electrocardiograms to sleep trackers. The new kid in town is named the Pulse Oximeter, and it’s starting to show up in the latest, most high-end smartwatches and fitness trackers. But what is this thing, and should your new device have […]
UV Blocking Bioplastic
Plant-based bioplastics are already a more eco-friendly alternative to their petroleum-based counterparts. Now, scientists have created a clear bioplastic film that not only blocks harmful ultraviolet radiation, but that is also more airtight than traditional plastics. Created by a team at Finland’s University of Oulu, the transparent “copolymer” film is made entirely of two organic compounds: hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) and furfural. […]
All In One Carabiner Can Hold 60 Pounds
You don’t need to be a professional rock climber in order to understand the significance of a good carabiner. Used for everything from hanging your gear above the ground on camping trips to consolidating rope or line, these tiny-yet-mighty helpers are must-have items for anyone who spends time outdoors. The Heroclip® takes carabiner functionality and style to an entirely new […]
Semi-Transparent Solar Cells Can Make Greenhouses Sufficient
Greenhouses and solar panels both need to be placed in areas with a lot of sunlight – so why not combine the two? Semi-transparent solar cells could potentially be built into the glass roof panels of greenhouses, capturing light at wavelengths that plants don’t use anyway. Now, researchers at North Carolina State University have modeled how this might work, and […]
3D Hand Held Wind-Mapping Rangefinder
The Trijicon Ventus looks like a set of binoculars, but in actuality it’s the world’s first hand-held device capable of providing three-dimensional wind data at multiple points between a shooter and a target up to 500 yards (457 m) away. Wind deflection begins to become an issue with longer-range shooting, dragging a bullet further off course the closer the wind […]
Polymer Patch To Repair Damaged Hearts
After a heart attack has occurred, some of the beating cardiac tissue ends up being replaced with non-beating scar tissue – this permanently compromises the function of the heart. A new patch, however, is designed to help. Being developed at Ireland’s Trinity College Dublin, the device is intended to be attached to the outside of the heart, bridging an area […]
German AI Tech Recognises Crucial Road Noises
While some vehicles now utilize computer vision systems to “see” items such as road signs and pedestrians, the urban environment consists not only of sights, but also sounds. With that in mind, German scientists are creating a noise-recognition system for cars. Currently being developed by a team at the Fraunhofer Institute for Digital Media Technology, the prototype setup utilizes of […]