Important Innovations

  3D Printed Alternative to Needles                                                                 Source:  UNC-Chapel Hill New Tech That's a Breakthru for Vaccines Researchers at Stanford University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill have developed a 3D printed plastic patch as an alternative to COVID-19 vaccinations by needles.  The patch contains an array of microneedles that directly deliver the vaccine into the skin.  The researchers say the microneedle patch is ten times more effective in producing an immune response than a needle and it is painless. Microneedle patches have been under development for decades.  But the breakthrough on this revolutionary new patch came from 3D printing the microneedles on a polymer patch just long enough to reach the skin and deliver the vaccine. Customization Through 3D Printing The key to the new patch is 3D printing which enables customization of the microneedles for various vaccine patches. The researchers anticipate making

Very Smart Glasses Source:  Stanford University New Invention from Stanford University that Restores Focus and Vision Engineers at Stanford University have invented a prototype for autofocals that restores focus and repairs vision.   It's a remedy for age-related farsightedness which affects more than a billion people.  The system has been tested on patients and it works.  The engineers are now focused on downsizing the system so it is light and wearable.  For more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: Very Smart Glasses : Autofocal Lenses That Track Your Eyes to Bring What You're Looking at into Focus Source:  Stanford University  New Innovation Fro...

Stanford University's Rooftop Renewable Energy Device Source:  Stanford University Provides Electricity and Cooling from Sun and Space Scientists from Stanford University have created a first.  A single device that collects heat from the sun and coldness from outer space.  It simultaneously collects space and solar energy, generates electricity and coolness and functions with great efficiency.  Their research results have been published in the journal Joule. Double Layer Panel Their invention is a double layered rooftop panel.  The top layer is composed of standard semiconductor materials that go into solar cells.  The bottom layer is revolutionary and the combination of the 2 layers is being hailed as a potential gamechanger.  The bottom layer is composed of novel materials that collects the space energy and does the cooling. Dual Functions:  Electricity and Cooling The device combines radiative cooling with solar absorption technology.  On the roof the device would

Early Cancer Detection and Precision Treatment Magnetic Wire Stanford University researchers have developed a new magnetic method for early cancer detection.  The method involves a tiny magnetic wire which is used to capture cancer cells from blood vessels.  The wire is threaded into the vein and can attract special magnetic nanoparticles, which are engineered to glom onto tumor cells.  Tumor cells roam the blood stream if you have a tumor somewhere in the body. Early Treatment The magnetized wire can loosen tumor cells out of the blood stream because the cells are essentially magnetized.  It enables early detection of tumor cells which allows early treatment.  The earlier cancer is treated, the better the results. Precision Therapies Another very exciting aspect of this new tech tool.  The technique helps doctors evaluate a patient's response to cancer treatments.  If the cancer therapy is working, the tumor cell level should rise as the cells die and breakaway. Treatm