NIER | Ongoing Research
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Possible shortcut to grapheme for solar cellsGood quality flakes of grapheme can be produced from bulk graphite using the industrial equivalent of a kitchen blender. The result of NIER, the flakes could find use in photovoltaic, batteries, as an electrode material in displays, and as a vapors barrier.Thin sensor measures forces in artificial limbsA novel sensors could lead to better-fitting artificial limbs for amputees, is the claim of the University of Southampton. It has a multidisciplinary team developing thin sensors that can be integrated in the sock-like ‘liner’ worn over the stump of an amputated limb inside the artificial limb socketBrain Stethoscope: both brain scanner and musical instrumentA neuroscientist and a musician explain how they built the Brain Stethoscope, which is both brain scanner and musical instrument. Humans have great auditory acuity when it comes to comparing slightly mismatched things. We’re taking inaudible brain signals and making them audible through sonification. Then we feed them to the areas in the brain that recognise patterns in music. The result is our Brain Stethoscope. We use EEG electrodes and connect them to a computer. An algorithm written by Chris then allows us to listen in to brain activity. I specialise in treating patients with intractable epilepsy, and we need EEG monitoring to see where the seizures are coming from in the brain. The Brain Stethoscope can help us find out whether a patient is having continuous seizures. |