Research Bits: Mar. 4


Fiber computer Researchers from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Rhode Island School of Design, and Brown University developed a programmable elastic fiber computer that could be woven into clothing to monitor health conditions and physical activity. Clothing created using the fiber computer was reported as comfortable and machine washable. The single elastic fiber computer cont... » read more

Research Bits: April 13


Washable battery Researchers from the University of British Columbia developed a washable, flexible, and stretchable battery. “Wearable electronics are a big market and stretchable batteries are essential to their development,” said Dr. Ngoc Tan Nguyen, a postdoctoral fellow at UBC’s faculty of applied science. “However, up until now, stretchable batteries have not been washable. Th... » read more

Research Bits: March 15


Interferometer on chip Researchers at the University of Rochester developed an optical interferometer on a 2mm by 2mm integrated photonic chip that is capable of amplifying interferometric signals without a corresponding increase in extraneous noise. Interferometers merge two or more sources of light to create interference patterns that provide information able what they illuminate. “If y... » read more

Power/Performance Bits: Aug. 17


Digital fiber Researchers at MIT, Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, and Rhode Island School of Design developed a digital fiber that can sense, store, analyze, and infer activity after being sewn into a shirt. "This work presents the first realization of a fabric with the ability to store and process data digitally, adding a new information content dimension to textiles and a... » read more