Articles
Touch-sensitive robot acts as a real-time avatar
Japanese researchers have developed a robotic arm that serves as a real-time avatar for a remotely located user, to whom it transmits sound, vision and highly sensitive feelings of touch. [ + ]
'Invisible glass' has almost no surface reflections
US scientists have demonstrated a method for reducing the surface reflections from glass surfaces to nearly zero by etching tiny nanoscale features into them. Reflections are reduced so much that the glass essentially becomes invisible. [ + ]
Will fine circuit traces soon become ubiquitous?
In the manufacture of industrial applications, more and more industry sectors are turning to a new technology as an alternative to classic PCBs. [ + ]
'Air-breathing' sulfur battery provides low-cost energy storage
US scientists have created what they describe as an 'air-breathing battery' — powered by sulfur, air, water and salt — that can store twice as much energy as a lead-acid battery. [ + ]
Enabling fastener torque auditing and certification
Take apart any electronic device from the past or present and you'll encounter a myriad of screws and bolts. Consistent torque application is key for these products to meet promised specifications. [ + ]
Transportation innovation — autonomous robots compete for glory
In September this year, two dozen autonomous robots converged on the Great Hall at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) for the 7th Annual National Instruments Autonomous Robotics Competition (NIARC). [ + ]
Turning off the TV with a cup of tea: join the remote control revolution
Lancaster University researchers have developed gesture control technology that allows body movement, or movement of objects, to be used to interact with screens. [ + ]
Three aspirations for long-distance EVs
When it comes to the electric vehicle (EV), all the publicity currently goes towards the race to make regular and premium cars with longer range. [ + ]
Pick the torque sensor for your servo motor in three easy steps
At the heart of many automated assembly platforms and robots is an electric motor. If the motor is the heart, then the brain is the controller and closed loop control system. [ + ]
Managing intelligent electronic devices via automated systems
As part of their recent funding for smart grid initiatives, utilities in the USA have been deploying large numbers of intelligent electronic devices (IEDs) to implement advanced automation systems. [ + ]
Just add water: lithium-ion batteries without explosive risks
US researchers have developed a lithium-ion battery that uses a water-salt solution as its electrolyte, without the fire and explosive risks associated with some commercially available non-aqueous lithium-ion batteries. [ + ]
The week in quantum computing: flip-flop qubits and the hunt for Majorana fermions
Australian researchers have been involved in not one but two breakthroughs in quantum computing, bringing us ever closer to completing what has been referred to as the space race of the 21st century. [ + ]
'Twistron' yarns can generate electricity
An international research team has developed high-tech yarns that generate electricity when they are stretched or twisted. And before you ask: no, we're not spinning you a yarn. [ + ]
Stretchable fuel cells for sweat-powered wearables
US engineers have developed stretchable fuel cells that extract energy from sweat, which they can use to power electronics such as LEDs and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) radios. [ + ]
Smart Industry: four principles powering this industrial revolution
'Smart Industry' isn’t a random label one can just throw around, but the current industrial revolution brought on by a sophisticated and precise set of technologies that are changing man's relation to manufacturing. [ + ]
