Pohang University of Science and Technology

After crossing the blood-brain barrier, nanoparticles were able to deliver electrical pulses to the brain, potentially eliminating the need for brain-stimulating implant surgery

Medical

Brain-stimulating particles give electric jolts from ultrasound bursts

A new technique using piezoelectric nanoparticles that are activated via bursts of ultrasound has shown promise as a wire-free way to stimulate the brain. It could be used to treat Parkinson's disease and other brain-based disorders.

A nano-scale metasurface lens splits a single laser beam into 10,000 points across a full 180-degree field of view, allowing an entire hemisphere of vision to be depth-mapped using a novel LiDAR device

Robotics

Tiny solid-state LiDAR device can 3D-map a full 180-degree field of view

Researchers have developed an ultra-small, ultra-thin LiDAR device that splits a single laser beam into 10,000 points covering an unprecedented 180° field of view. It's capable of 3D depth-mapping an entire hemisphere of vision in a single shot.

The LED-equipped contact lens would only be worn during treatment sessions (stock photo shown here)

Medical

LED contact lens treatment may prevent diabetes-related blindness

If diabetes progresses too far, it can result in a potentially blinding condition known as retinopathy. And while existing treatments are invasive and often painful, there may be new hope in the form of an LED-equipped contact lens.

A diagram of Prof. Sangmin Jeon's troponin-measuring device (Image: American Chemical Society)

Medical

Cardiac events could be diagnosed using a "heart attack thermometer"

Scientists from Korea's Pohang University of Science and Technology have created a simple thermometer-like device that can confirm whether or not a patient has actually had a heart attack. It could find use in developing nations or rural locations.