This hat might look ordinary, but it can sense when traffic lights change colour Zhixun Wang Flexible and wear-resistant strands of conductive fibre have been used to make smart clothes with embedded computers and sensors, such as hats that can sense traffic light changes. Previous efforts to create fibres with a hardwearing coating and a … Read more
A wood transistor made from balsa wood Van Chinh Tran An electrical switch made from conductive wood could become a building block for future electronic devices embedded within living trees and other plants. “There is an emerging research field called electronic plants, where scientists look at different ways to send signals inside plants or to … Read more
This wound-monitoring smart patch could one day be used to speed healing in humans – so far it has been tested in mice and rats Wei Gao, California Institute of Technology A stretchy bandage that can monitor wounds, release drugs as needed and perform electrical stimulation has been shown to accelerate healing in rodents. Wei … Read more
The fermented, probiotic tea kombucha is created by microorganisms that form a mat of organic material Premyuda Yospim/iStockphoto/Getty Images A byproduct of making the drink kombucha can be used to create flexible electronic circuits that could be useful for wearable technology or even for making simple computers that are partially alive. More than 60 types … Read more
Thin layers of wood covered in nanocrystals could shield smartphone components from electromagnetic waves tolgart/iStockphoto/Getty Images Ultra-thin sheets of wood modified with nanocrystals can work as a shield against electromagnetic waves. Electrical devices such as phones, laptops and microwaves produce electromagnetic radiation, which can disrupt electrical circuits, harming performance or stopping devices from working. To … Read more
Networks of nanoscale resistors that work in a similar way to nerve cells in the body could offer advantages over digital machine learning Technology 28 July 2022 By Alex Wilkins Artwork of nodes in a network Kiyoshi Takahase Segundo/Alamy A resistor that works in a similar way to nerve cells in the body could be … Read more