Gene-based circuits are about to get decidedly more sophisticated. MIT scientists have developed a method for integrating both analog and digital computing into those circuits, turning living cells into complex computers. The centerpiece is a thres...
The quest for wearable devices and embedded electronics might be completed with the help of a centuries-old handicraft. Ohio State University researchers John Volakis and Asimina Kiourti have been working on circuits that can be embroidered at 0.1mm precision, which they say is “the perfect size to integrate electronic components such as sensors and computer memory devices into clothing.”
Volakis and Kiourti have been experimenting with embroidery because it lets them create any shape, which is important for certain applications. The materials and their patented method is also cheap, and with their latest breakthrough the researchers can create a circuit in as little as 15 minutes. Embroidered circuits can also be hidden or placed alongside decorative designs.
Previously, Volakis and Kiourti were using silver-coated polymer threads with a 0.5mm diameter to create their circuits. But recently they’ve switched to silver-coated copper threads that have a diameter of only 0.1mm. Compared to their previous approach, their new process uses fewer threads, saving them both money and time.
The researchers say the 6″ spiral antenna they embroidered “transmitted signals at frequencies of 1 to 5 GHz with near-perfect efficiency.” They’ve also used their method to create flexible circuits embedded in rubber instead of fabric. They hope to acquire a bigger sewing machine to further the development of smart clothing as well as advanced sports and medical equipment.
[via Ohio State University via Gizmodo]
Biological circuits have been a reality for years. However, making them is no mean feat: you typically have to create everything from scratch, which is impractical for everyone but a specialized genetic engineer. MIT has a better way, though. It d...
Plants and electronics frequently get along, but you don't see electronics in plants -- not surprisingly, it's hard to insert circuitry without killing the host. Swedish scientists just overcame one of the biggest hurdles to creating these strange...
Robots are awesome, and if I had the time and hardware, I would definitely build some cool ‘bots to amble around the house and scare the crap out of my kids. That would be awesome. If you like to build robots, a new device has landed on Kickstarter that you might want to add to your parts collection.
The gizmo is called the ZeroPi, and is aimed at controlling robotic motion structure systems. ZeroPi has an Atmel SAMD21J18 32-bit ARM Cortex M0+ MCU inside, and it’s compatible with Arduino Zero and Raspberry Pi processors.
It is capable of controlling up to 11 micro servos and 8 DC motors at the same time. Those eight DC motors can be replaced with four stepper motors. ZeroPi is also compatible with a number of open source sensors.
The project is on Kickstarter and has blown its goal out of the water, raising over $24,000 to date, with almost a month left on its fundraiser. You can order a ZeroPi for $24(USD) or more with shipping set for December 2015.
Japanese shop Breadboard Maniac has come up with a custom breadboard that you can use for work and play. The CakeBoard is a solderless breadboard that you can stack and connect like LEGO. In fact you can connect it to LEGO. Because.
The CakeBoard’s versatility comes from the holes on its corners. Each CakeBoard comes with four small pegs that you can place on the holes to connect multiple units. You can connect them side-by-side or stack them up. You can also use the pegs or screws to prop up the breadboard, in case you need some clearance. As a bonus, the holes happen to fit on LEGO studs. Finally, unlike most breadboards, there is no gap between the points at the center of the CakeBoard, giving you more connection options.
The only downside to CakeBoard is that it’s expensive, especially when you consider that you have to buy multiple units to maximize its potential. Pledge at least $30 (USD) on Kickstarter to get a CakeBoard as a reward.
When dreaming up that world-changing invention, wouldn't it be great if you could just sketch out the circuits and have them magically work? That's the idea behind Circuit Scribe, a ballpoint pen that's full of quick-drying ink that'll help you doodle your circuits on notebook paper. Emerging out of research from the University of Illinois, the team is now accepting your cash through Kickstarter to help bring it into the real world. $20 will get you a pen and an LED component, while $30 will buy you a basic kit, complete with plenty of accessories to help you test the systems to their fullest. We imagine it'll be a big hit with STEM educators as well as hobbyists, but if you're not yet convinced, check out the video to watch it in action.
Filed under: Misc
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Kickstarter
When dreaming up that world-changing invention, wouldn't it be great if you could just sketch out the circuits and have them magically work? That's the idea behind Circuit Scribe, a ballpoint pen that's full of quick-drying ink that'll help you doodle your circuits on notebook paper. Emerging out of research from the University of Illinois, the team is now accepting your cash through Kickstarter to help bring it into the real world. $20 will get you a pen and an LED component, while $30 will buy you a basic kit, complete with plenty of accessories to help you test the systems to their fullest. We imagine it'll be a big hit with STEM educators as well as hobbyists, but if you're not yet convinced, check out the video to watch it in action.
Filed under: Misc
Via: TechCrunch
Source: Kickstarter
There are plenty of kits out there designed to help kids learn the ins and outs of electronics, but LightUp hopes to stand out from the crowd with not just easy-to-use building blocks but an accompanying augmented reality app as well. From resistors and LED modules to light sensors, each block represents a real component that can be attached to each other via magnetic connectors, hopefully creating a circuit in the process. LightUp even offers an Arduino-compatible microcontroller block to help kids start coding -- clip the programming wand to the block, hook it up to your computer, and away you go.
What really sets LightUp apart is the aforementioned AR app. Simply snap a picture of your circuit, and the software will let you know what's wrong with it if there's a mistake. If everything's working, it'll display an electrical flow animation atop the picture, showing kids the magic of electricity. We had a go at creating a circuit ourselves, and were delighted at how easy it was. The connectors fit in either direction, and can be attached and reattached with ease. We also saw a brief demo of the prototype application, and sure enough, it showed us when an LED block was placed backwards with an error message -- you can see it in action in the video below.
Filed under: Science
Source: LightUp, Kickstarter
