While the film that forms on hot milk is generally unpleasant, some researchers have managed to gather inspiration from this material to create 2D ionogels that could help create future wearables. What challenges do hydrogels face, what did the researchers dev...

By Robin Mitchell | 26-05-2023

Recently, a collaboration between MIT researchers and Hack Club developed a new toolset that helps to virtualise projects by adding microcontrollers to most system components, thereby allowing for the development of complex projects. What challenges do monolit...

By Robin Mitchell | 25-05-2023

When is a car more like a mobile phone or laptop computer? The answer is when it’s a software-defined vehicle. In simple terms, this means a vehicle that can upload software upgrades just like a smartphone. All of us are used to the idea that the best our cars...

By Paul Whytock | 25-05-2023

The idea of being able to smell in VR has been around for ages, but it has only been a recent development by researchers that may actually make this practical. Researchers recently published a paper in Nature by researchers from Beihang University and the City...

By Robin Mitchell | 24-05-2023

Recently, researchers from multiple institutions around the world have worked together to create the world’s smallest LED that was then used to turn existing CMOS image sensors into holographic microscopes. What challenges does common microscopy face, what did...

By Robin Mitchell | 23-05-2023

Recently, engineers from a Finnish company have developed an underwater surveillance system designed to protect infrastructure such as power cables and internet connections. What challenges does underwater infrastructure face, what did the engineers develop, a...

By Robin Mitchell | 18-05-2023

The 2.4GHz band has been a staple for tech devices ever since the first Wi-Fi networks were established back in 1997. While this frequency has been extremely helpful, thanks to its lack of licensing, the mass use of this band also comes with numerous drawbacks...

By Robin Mitchell | 17-05-2023

Recently, researchers have been developing a virus detector that could work alongside other safety systems, such as smoke and flame detectors. What challenges does pandemic control present, what have the researchers developed, and how could it be used to help...

By Robin Mitchell | 16-05-2023

Recently, a start-up in the US has gained FDA approval for its smart toilet seat that can be used to monitor users’ health and hopes to start shipping units shortly. What challenges does health monitoring face, what does the new device do, and how could it hel...

By Robin Mitchell | 16-05-2023

The rise in tracking devices such as the Apple AirTag has helped thousands around the world to track lost luggage, figure out where car keys have been placed, and even identify if airport staff have stolen gifts from abroad. However, the rise in Bluetooth stal...

By Robin Mitchell | 11-05-2023

Recently, researchers from MIT demonstrated a new technology that allows atomically thin transistors to be fabricated on top of pre-existing silicon dies, paving the way for future devices with multiple transistor layers.  However, as the size of transistors c...

By Robin Mitchell | 09-05-2023

For the past thirty years, chipmakers that have consistently supported automotive companies with supplies of semiconductor devices were considered somewhat unfairly as the pedestrians of the global chip-making community. During that time, it was fair to say th...

By Paul Whytock | 09-05-2023

Recently, new side-channel attacks have been identified in multiple Intel processors where data can be leaked through the EFLAGS register. What is a side-channel attack, how does the vulnerability work, and what challenges does this pose to engineers? What are...

By Robin Mitchell | 05-05-2023

In a more unusual direction, researchers recently demonstrated a functioning transistor made from balsa wood that they hope will allow for future sensors to be integrated inside living plants. What challenges does sensor integration into living plants present,...

By Robin Mitchell | 04-05-2023