Industries
Synthetic hydrogels help repair intestinal injuries
By combining engineered polymeric materials known as hydrogels with complex intestinal tissue known as organoids – made from human pluripotent stem cells – researchers have taken an important step toward creating a new technology for controlling the growth of these organoids and using them for treating wounds in the gut that can be caused by disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Flexible skin for prosthetics can sense shear force
If a robot is sent to disable a roadside bomb — or delicately handle an egg while cooking you an omelet — it needs to be able to sense when objects are slipping out of its grasp. Yet to date it’s been difficult or impossible for most robotic and prosthetic hands to accurately sense the vibrations and shear forces that occur, for example, when a finger is sliding along a tabletop or when an object begins to fall.
Screen doors are integral to rail project
The installation of a platform screen system on the multi-billion-pound underground Crossrail project is being supported by engineering firm SCX. The mechanical handling rig, devised by SCX Special Projects’ engineers for rail systems contractor Knorr-Bremse, has helped to transform the installation process and generate significant benefits.
Supercomputer helps in the search for 'memory molecules'
Until now, searching for genes related to memory capacity has been comparable to seeking out the proverbial "needle in a haystack." Scientists at the University of Basel made use of the CSCS supercomputer Piz Daint to discover interrelationships in the human genome that might simplify the search for "memory molecules" and eventually lead to more effective medical treatment for people with diseases that are accompanied by memory disturbance.
ambr 15 bioreactor system with Nova BioProfile FLEX2 integration
Sartorius Stedim Biotech (SSB) has announced the ambr 15 automated micro bioreactor system combined with a Nova Biomedical (Nova) BioProfile FLEX2 automated cell culture analyzer. This newly integrated system, which is a first from SSB and Nova’s successful collaboration, enables rapid at-line sample collection and analysis of massive quantities of key cell culture data.
Growth of home automation market fuelled by connectivity
Unambiguous business models, frequent innovations on IoT, cloud services, Big Data platforms, rise of connected devices, and dependency on technology are some of the drivers propelling double-digit growth in the European home automation market. Products and services associated with home automation and smart and connected homes have changed the consumer’s perception of technological innovation.
mmWave solution delivers low latency connections
Inventors of plasma silicon technology, Plasma Antennas has announced its mmWave Plasma Silicon Antenna (PSiAN) for use in smartphones and other consumer electronics, delivering high throughput with low-latency and utilising directional beams that generate less interference and maximise energy efficiency. As wirelessly connected consumer electronics increase in complexity, they demand greater capacity and throughput for their short range con...
Robots are on the rise
According to the latest projection from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), sales in service robots for professional use will increase 12% by the end of 2017 to a new record of $5.2bn. The long term forecast is positive too, with an expected average growth rate of 20-25% in the period 2018-2020.
First responders to bacterial invasion identified
When bacteria enter our body, they kick-start a powerful immune response. But this chain of reactions doesn't fully account for our immediate responses. KU Leuven researchers show that so-called ion channels play a key role as ‘first responders’. When we get a bacterial lung infection, the cells lining our airways are the first line of defence. These cells recognise the lipopolysaccharide molecules typically found on many bacteri...
Reducing component obsolescence for premium automotive prototypes
As an automotive manufacturer, streamlining the controlled build engagement process can bring a host of benefits, offering increased research and development speed and a reduced bill of materials. Businesses such as Optimas have built a reputation in such work, offering expertise during the capital intensive controlled build engagement process, to enable a unified and efficient approach to component specification and utilisation.