A team of researchers from the University of Southern California’s Viterbi School of Engineering have developed a design for a new sensor that’s able to measure a strain range up to three times higher than a typical sensor using 3D electrodes inspired by the folding patterns used in origami. Hollywood is a go-to source of inspiration for roboticists. The astonishingly … [Read more...] about Origami-inspired strain sensor could transform soft robotics and health care
Technology
Toyota reveals British-built, hydrogen-fuelled Hilux prototype
Toyota has unveiled a prototype hydrogen fuel cell-powered version of its Hilux light commercial vehicle. The new vehicle’s powertrain uses core elements from the Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel cell electric saloon – technology that been in commercial production for almost ten years. When driven, the fuel cell produces no exhaust emissions other than pure water. The vehicle … [Read more...] about Toyota reveals British-built, hydrogen-fuelled Hilux prototype
CALLUM unveils high-spec martini mixer
Warwick-based design and engineering company CALLUM has created a modern martini mixer that’s designed and engineered to stir – not shake – the cocktail at the perfect speed. The mixer’s precise motorised stirring motion balances aeration, dilution and cooling to create a smoother cocktail blend, resulting in what the company claims is ‘the ultimate martini’. The Martini … [Read more...] about CALLUM unveils high-spec martini mixer
Nature-inspired pressure sensor could transform healthcare and surgical robots
Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have developed a novel aero-elastic pressure sensor that can potentially be applied to minimally invasive surgeries and implantable sensors by directly addressing the challenges associated with existing pressure sensors. Dubbed eAir, the sensor promises increased precision and reliability across medical applications. … [Read more...] about Nature-inspired pressure sensor could transform healthcare and surgical robots
NASA engineers test printed electronics in space
A team of Nasa engineers has successfully tested hybrid printed circuits at the edge of space in a sounding rocket flight from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility near Chincoteague, Virginia. Electronic temperature and humidity sensors printed onto the payload bay door and onto two attached panels monitored the entire SubTEC-9 sounding rocket mission, recording data that were beamed … [Read more...] about NASA engineers test printed electronics in space