Tech & Engineering
Updates every hour. Last Updated: 2-Apr-2026 07:15 ET (2-Apr-2026 11:15 GMT/UTC)
Coffee as a staining agent substitute in electron microscopy
Graz University of TechnologyPeer-Reviewed Publication
To ensure that the tissue structures of biological samples are easily recognisable under the electron microscope, they are treated with a staining agent. The standard staining agent for this is uranyl acetate. However, some laboratories are not allowed to use this highly toxic and radioactive substance for safety reasons. A research team at the Institute of Electron Microscopy and Nanoanalysis (FELMI-ZFE) at Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) has now found an environmentally friendly alternative: ordinary espresso. Images of the samples treated with it were of equally good quality as images of comparative samples, which were prepared with uranyl acetate. The researchers have published their findings in the journal Methods.
- Journal
- Methods
Handheld ‘pocket microscope’ sees molecules directly -- no staining required
Light Publishing Center, Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics And Physics, CASPeer-Reviewed Publication
Scientists at the University of Connecticut have developed a handheld ‘pocket microscope’ that directly visualizes DNA and proteins in living cells without stains or labels. The system uses deep-ultraviolet light to map molecules with femtogram sensitivity, achieving 308-nanometer resolution across centimeter-wide areas. The device enables instant pathology diagnosis, identifies cancer cells, and maps brain neurons -- all while preserving samples’ natural state. This technology could transform medical diagnostics, from operating rooms to space missions.
- Journal
- eLight
- Funder
- National Institute of Health, UConn SPARK grant, Department of Energy, National Institute of Health, National Science Foundation CAREER Award
Wearable hydrogel that tracks your body anywhere and anytime
International Journal of Extreme ManufacturingPeer-Reviewed Publication
In International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, researchers have created a new class of ultrathin hydrogel electrodes that could finally make long-term wearable health monitoring practical, bringing the promise of 24/7 and high-fidelity health monitoring closer to reality.
- Journal
- International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing
Nagoya University ISEE Award recognizes typhoon research that transformed storm intensity forecasting worldwide
Nagoya UniversityGrant and Award Announcement
Breaking performance barriers of all solid state batteries
The Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)Peer-Reviewed Publication
- Journal
- Nature Communications
- Funder
- Samsung Electronics Future Technology Promotion Center, National Research Foundation of Korea, National Supercomputing Center
Seedcoat-inspired metal lets wings change shape on their own
International Journal of Extreme ManufacturingPeer-Reviewed Publication
In the International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing, researchers use a nickel–titanium shape memory alloy shaped through laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) to create tiny and wavy structural features only 0.3 millimeters across, much smaller and more controlled than what is typically possible in metal metamaterials.
- Journal
- International Journal of Extreme Manufacturing