Overcoming transistor miniaturization limits due to ‘quantum tunneling’

Breakthrough could jumpstart further miniaturization of transistors, possibly extending Moore's law

An illustration of a single-molecule device that blocks leakage current in a transistor. (credit: Haixing Li/Columbia Engineering)

Ultrasound-powered nanorobots clear bacteria and toxins from blood

The U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency aims to create a broad-spectrum detoxification robotic platform

MRSA bacterium captured by a hybrid cell membrane-coated nanorobot (colored scanning electron microscope image). (credit: Esteban-Fernández de Ávila/Science Robotics)

Artificial sensory neurons may give future prosthetic devices and robots a subtle sense of touch

Artificial sensory nerve system combines a touch-pressure sensor, flexible electronic neuron, and artificial synaptic transistor modeled on human synapses

American and Korean researchers are creating an artificial nerve system for robots and humans. (credit: Kevin Craft)

New noninvasive technique could be alternative to laser eye surgery

Uses a low-powered, ultrafast laser to alter biochemical and biomechanical tissue properties without causing cellular damage or tissue disruption

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First 3D-printed human corneas

Using donated stem cells, bio-ink formed the shape of a specific human cornea in less than 10 minutes; could ensure an unlimited supply of corneas in the future

3D-printing a human cornea (credit: Newcastle University)

Teaching robots to do household chores

Future goal is to allow robots to learn by simply watching a YouTube video

MIT's “VirtualHome” system aims to teach artificial agents a range of chores, including setting the table and making coffee. (credit: MIT CSAIL)

Advanced brain organoid could model strokes, screen drugs

Functional blood brain barrier allows for discovering and testing new drugs that can cross over into the brain

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Ingestible capsule uses light-emitting bacteria to monitor gastrointestinal health

Ultra-low-power device in gut wirelessly transmits diagnostic signal to a cell phone; multiple gastrointestinal diagnoses possible

A sensor capsule that can be swallowed uses light-emitting, genetically engineered bacteria (right) to detect molecules that identify bleeding in the stomach or other gastrointestinal problems. Ultra-low-power electronics (left) sense the light and send the diagnostic information wirelessly to a cellphone. An Android app then analyzes the data. (credit: Lillie Paquette/MIT)

High-quality carbon nanotubes made from carbon dioxide in the air break the manufacturing cost barrier

“The most valuable material ever sold”

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Self-healing material mimics the resilience of soft biological tissue

Imagine first-responder robots that instantly heal themselves when damaged, or wires that continue to conduct electricity when cut

A self-healing material that spontaneously repairs itself in real time from extreme mechanical damage, such as holes cut in it multiple times. New pathways are formed instantly and autonomously to keep this circuit functioning and the device moving. (credit: Carnegie Mellon University College of Engineering)

Revolutionary 3D nanohybrid lithium-ion battery could allow for charging in just seconds [UPDATED]

Design also prevents fires in mobile devices

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MIT’s modular plug-and-play blocks allow for building medical diagnostic devices

Small labs around the world will be able to cheaply and easily detect diabetes, cancer, and infectious diseases such as Zika virus

Tiny 1/2-inch low-cost “Ampli blocks” can be assembled to create diagnostic devices. The blocks, which simply consist of a tiny sheet of paper or glass fiber sandwiched between a plastic or metal block and a glass cover, snap together to form a diagnostic procedure. Some of the blocks contain channels for samples to flow straight through, some have turns, and some can receive a sample from a pipette, or mix multiple reagents (chemicals) together. The blocks are color-coded by function, making it easier to assemble pre-designed devices using instructions that the researchers plan to put online. (credit: MIT Little Devices Lab)

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