Blog

Mains Power Monitor

alfiesmith

A friend of mine wanted to keep logs of his power consumption.He also wanted to make sure the wattage of appliances is what they state they are.As he has not got a smart meter (even if he did, there would not be a log every second), he asked if I cou...
- 13 Jul 2021
Scientists capture a high-resolution image of atoms in a sample material

Catwell

Cornell University researchers reconstructed the EMPAD’s data with algorithms to capture a high-resolution image of atoms in a praseodymium orthoscandate crystal. (Image Credit: Cornell University) Cornell University researchers recently capture...
- 12 Jul 2021
Student develops REACT device to stop internal bleeding from wounds

Catwell

The device, designed to prevent internal bleeding from a stab wound, contains a tamponade and an actuator. (Image Credit: Loughborough University) Joseph Bentley, a Loughborough University student, recently developed REACT, a 3D-printed prototyp...
- 7 Jul 2021
A 21-year-old student with cerebral palsy plays music with EyeHarp

Catwell

EyeHarp allows people with disabilities to play music with their eye movement. A user rests their eye on a musical note spaced out on a wheel on the screen. (Image Credit: EyeHarp) Alexander Kerlidou, a student with cerebral palsy who cannot use...
- 2 Jul 2021
Scientists used a balloon to detect an earthquake in California

Catwell

After powerful earthquakes rumbled in Ridgecrest, California, NASA and Caltech researchers released four ballons into the air to detect the aftershock’s sound waves. (Image Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech) Sometime between July 4th and July 6th, 2019, ...
- 29 Jun 2021
This device alerts if it detects COVID-19 in the air

Catwell

Roboscientific’s team claims that their newly-developed system can detect COVID-19 in the air with 100% accuracy. (Image Credit: Roboscientific) I’m sick today. My immediate thought − is it covid19? Temp checks, symptom lookups, frantic worry I'...
- 22 Jun 2021
Snail extinction mystery solved with M3 computer attached to a Partula hyalina

Catwell

This Partula hyaline snail rested on wild red ginger leaf with an M3 system. (Image Credit: Inhee Lee) After introducing predatory snails to Tahiti in the 1970s, 56 tree snail species became extinct, but the Partula hyalina remained. University ...
- 21 Jun 2021
IoT devices could rely less on batteries in the future

Catwell

(Image Credit: Marko Blažević) Back in 2012, IBM announced a prediction of 1 trillion connected IoT devices by 2015, a staggering number that was not reached at the time. During that same year, Ben Calhoun and Dave Wentzloff, MIT graduates, co-f...
- 9 Jun 2021
Measure ECG signals with Digilent Analog Discovery Studio and NI LabVIEW

alexwonglik1

This project shows how to use the Analog Discovery Studio's Oscilloscope to measure the natural electrical potential generated by the heart (ECG). As the measured signal is of very low amplitude, it first needs to be amplified with external circuitry...
- 2 Jun 2021
Researchers develop FieldSweep, a 2D magnetic tracking system

Catwell

The team used magnets on a plane and a three-axis magnetic sensor to track a magnet's position. (Image Credit: ACM SIGCHI) Researchers from Ochanomizu University and other institutions created FieldSweep, a 2D tracking system on a plane th...
- 2 Jun 2021
New LiDAR is the size of a finger

Catwell

This LiDAR is based on nanophotonics for a more compact, cost-effective device. Nanophotonics has several beneficial technologies, like a phase-change material based beam scanning technique. (Photo via POSTECH) LiDAR technology, or Light Detecti...
- 28 May 2021
Peakmeter PM5203 Digital Insulation Tester Review

three-phase

Introduction I am continuing my series on insulation testers by looking at some of the options at the lower end of the price scale. On this occasion, it is the PM5203 from Peakmeter. Previous insulation testers reviewed are; Keysight Insula...
- 26 May 2021
AI and nanotechnology could make cancer treatment more affordable

Catwell

(Image Credit: Louis Reed/Unsplash) To treat her leukemia, six-year-old Emily Whitehead underwent chemotherapy for 16 months, showing no signs of improvement while exhausting alternative treatments. The University of Pennsylvania ended up enrolling E...
- 20 May 2021
Tec-Innovative’s shoes for the blind to be upgraded with cameras

Catwell

Tec-Innovation’s intelligent shoes have sensors to let the wearer know if there are obstacles in their path. (Image Credit: Lunghammer/TU Graz) Tec-Innovation, an Austrian startup, developed an intelligent shoe called InnoMake, suitable for blind and...
- 17 May 2021
Researchers develop a new system capable of reading and manipulating brain circuits

Catwell

Schematic diagram showing where the MTA device is implemented in a rat. (Image Credit: Zifang Zhao and Claudia Cea/Columbia Engineering) Responsive neurostimulation is becoming effective at studying neural circuit function and treating epilepsy ...
- 13 May 2021
Decode Manchester codes with Digital Discovery

alexwonglik1

This project shows you how to decode Manchester codes using the Logic Analyzer instrument Digilent Digital Discovery. Digilent Digital DiscoveryDigilent Digital Discovery™︎ is a combined logic analyzer, protocol analyzer, and pattern generator in...
- 12 May 2021
Muon measurement could lead to new physics and particle discovery

Catwell

The International team used the Muon g-2 ring at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory to measure muon’s wobble as they move through an intense magnetic field. It operates at -450°F. (Image Credit: Fermilab) Mark Hamill tweeted that scientis...
- 3 May 2021
Sensor technology and plants collide in new "roboplant" development

Catwell

Researchers use new technology to communicate with plants electronically. Scientists were able to open a Venus flytrap's leaves using electrical signals. (Photo from NTU) Thanks to Singapore's Nanyang Technological University's new d...
- 15 Apr 2021
Building an RF Switching Unit

shabaz

Introduction What does it do? How does the RF Switching internally work? Circuit Walkthrough: RF Switching Switch Selection Controlling the RF Switches Regulated Supply (3.3V) Power On/Off Circuitry Printed Circuit Board Building I...
- 14 Apr 2021
NASA develops new technology that sees through walls to rescue firefighters

Catwell

POINTER is a new tracking system to help locate firefighters inside smoky buildings. The system is made up of a receiver, base station, and transmitter. (Photo from NASA/JPL) Firefighters put their lives on the line every day. The fire itself is...
- 14 Apr 2021
Scientists produce new cancer therapy without animal experimentation

Catwell

Professor Yaakov Nahmias seen holding the biological chip. (Image Credit: Hebrew University) I've always had a problem with testing on animals (see my cartoon about it). I know it has been helpful in the past, but I've been hoping to see anothe...
- 9 Apr 2021
Neuralink uploaded a video of a monkey playing a video game with its mind

Catwell

Elon Musk's monkey, Pager, used a joystick connected to a machine to move the cursor on a color square. Afterward, he was able to control the video game with his brain. (Image Credit: Neuralink) Elon Musk's monkey played a video game using its brain!...
- 9 Apr 2021
Sensors attached to mussels can determine if the water is contaminated

Catwell

The NSCU team developed a new mussel-monitoring system to determine if there are toxins in the water. (Image Credit: NSCU) This seems like an April Fools joke, but it isn't. Or is it? It's not…. Or is it? No. Or is it? J/K...
- 1 Apr 2021
Neutrobots permeate a mouse’s brain to treat tumors

Catwell

The team used a rotating magnetic field to move the microbots through the bloodstream. (Image Credit: Zhang et al., Sci Robot. 6, eaaz9519 (2021)) Researchers at the Harbin Institute of Technology in China have developed microbots, called neutro...
- 31 Mar 2021
Create a cloud based noise pollution monitor using Digital Discovery

alexwonglik1

Noise pollution directly affects the quality of life and health. With Digilent Pmod MIC3 and Digital Discovery, you can create a cloud-based noise pollution monitor to assess the noise impact. The Pmod MIC3 is a MEMS Microphone powered by ...
- 23 Mar 2021