Latest news with #MEMS
New Indian Express
4 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
No pricking business: BITS Hyderabad develops smartwatch-based wearable for blood glucose reading
HYDERABAD: With an aim to offer a non-invasive, painless, low-cost alternative to conventional testing methods of glucose levels in the body, a BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus student and his mentor developed a smartwatch-based wearable diagnostic platform that would use sweat to measure the sugar readings. The research for platform which was developed by the co-founders Abhishek Kumar, a PhD scholar and Prof. Sanket Goel-Principal Investigator, is being translated toward commercialisation through Cleome Innovation, a spin-off from the MEMS (Microfluidics and Nanoelectronics Lab) of the BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus. The Startup is working to bring the wearable device to the healthcare market for proactive diabetes management, Abhishek Kumar said. "In my family, even around, I have seen diabetes patients. My father, my grandfather, my grandmother, many people are diabetes patients. So I used to test them using that finger prick method ( to draw blood for glucometer). And I literally sometimes used to feel their pain," Kumar told PTI when asked why he chose to innovate the non-invasive method. One of the most significant features of the platform is its cost-effectiveness and the team deliberately engineered the platform to be scalable, low-cost, and reliable. Each component has been selected to minimize cost while maintaining performance, said Abhishek Kumar. The wearable can detect, not only glucose levels, but also uric acid and lactate which are also important metabolic parameters, the research scholar said. According to him, as per the sample which they tested it has achieved a good accuracy of around 97 to 98 percent currently. Kumar said after clinical validation of the product , it would be submitted for regulatory approvals before going into commercialization. "The first trials may start in six months from now. So altogether it may take one year to get into commercial production," he added. This work is a significant improvisation from a turnkey, fully automated, self-testing diagnostic platform capable of detecting key diabetes-related biomarkers, but from urine and sweat samples, offering a painless, low-cost alternative to conventional testing methods. The study has been recently published in the Lab on a Chip journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC), prof Goel said. Looking forward, the research team is working on translating the system into wearable formats, such as patch-based or flexible skin sensors, to enable continuous and real-time monitoring of multiple analytes, a step toward personalized, on-the-go health tracking, the professor further said. "Diabetes isn't just about glucose; complications can arise silently and early. By monitoring additional markers like lactate and uric acid, we gain a more complete picture of a patient's metabolic condition. Our system does this non-invasively, affordably, and in real time without requiring blood samples. Costing around Rs 2,500, the device continuously delivers results and is designed not just to replace finger-prick tests, but to enable broader metabolic monitoring using simple biofluids like sweat," said Prof. Goel. The team is anticipating working with the industry for technology transfer or enhancing, he added.
UPI
17-07-2025
- Health
- UPI
Watch: Paramedics rescue raccoon with head stuck in soup can
July 17 (UPI) -- Paramedics in Arkansas came to the rescue of a hungry raccoon that ended up with its head stuck inside an empty soup can. Little Rock's Metropolitan Emergency Medical Services, or MEMS, said paramedic Stewart Uzzell and his partner were preparing to leave the parking lot with their ambulance early Sunday morning when they heard an unusual sound and decided to investigate. "I saw this little raccoon running down the side of the road with his head stuck in the can, and we thought, 'Oh, no. We've got to help this thing,'" Uzzell told KARK-TV. The team were able to catch the raccoon, but they soon found the can would not budge. They ended up using specialized shears and a ring cutter from the ambulance to cut through the can. "They split the can down the side enough for us to work it out," Uzzell said. The raccoon fled the scene right after being freed. MEMS said in a Facebook post that the paramedics dubbed the raccoon Campbell, in honor of the Campbell's Chunky Soup can that gave it so much trouble.
Forbes
23-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
The Evolution Of Timekeeping: From Sundials To MEMS
Markus Lutz is CTO and Founder of SiTime Corporation. He is a MEMS expert, a prolific entrepreneur and inventor who holds over 100 patents. If there is one thing that modern society has in common with its ancient ancestors, it is the desire to measure time. Whether it's finding common ground between daylight saving time and standard time or tracking the sun's movement, humans have always looked for ways to develop timekeeping methods and track seasons, whether for agricultural reasons or religious celebrations. Scientists refer to this need to measure time as time consciousness, and humans have been chasing this need to track the hours and seasons for more than 5,000 years. One of the earliest signs of timekeeping was discovered in 2013 when researchers found an ancient sundial in Egypt's Valley of the Kings. Over the millennia, the ability to measure time has become increasingly precise, driven by technological and societal advancements that have shaped the rise of civilizations around the world. If sundials revolutionized time measurement in the 1400s BC, quartz brought timekeeping into the 20th century and silicon brought it into the 21st century. The Role Of Precision Time Measurement Modern time measurement is dependent on oscillators, which work as the heartbeat of the clock. The earliest clocks to use mechanical oscillators were pendulum clocks, based on observations recorded by Galileo. The first successful pendulum clock was built in 1657 and improved precision from minutes to mere seconds per day. For the first time, mechanical clocks became more reliable than the astronomical observations that had been used for centuries and generally lost 15 seconds per day. In the 1880s, brothers Pierre and Jacques Curie discovered that quartz crystals can generate a consistent electrical signal when subjected to mechanical stress. It took until 1927 to see the invention of the quartz crystal oscillator and the ability to apply an electric charge to induce precise vibrations at a stable frequency. Quartz crystal resonators harnessed this effect, and the new quartz clock provided a level of consistency far superior to mechanical timekeepers. By the 1970s, quartz technology dominated electronic timekeeping, powering wristwatches, household clocks, computers and telecommunications systems—where precise synchronization was crucial. In the never-ending search for the most accurate and precise time measurement system, researchers began to explore silicon microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) as a replacement for quartz, given how susceptible it can be to environmental stressors, including temperature, vibration and shock. By the early 21st century, silicon MEMS oscillators began being commercialized, building a new foundation of precision timing solutions offered by companies like Microchip, Texas Instruments, Analog Devices and SiTime, where I am the founder and CTO. Advantages Of Silicon MEMS Technology MEMS starts with the word micro, and this offers an advantage over crystal oscillators. In this case, a silicon MEMS can create oscillators the size of small semiconductor chips. The small size means the ability to be used in more applications, creating more timekeeping devices. Silicon is also more customizable and scalable than crystal and is manufactured to meet very specific demands. Silicon MEMS is also more environmentally resistant. As mentioned, quartz oscillators are susceptible to extreme temperature changes and other factors. More locations are now vulnerable to these extreme shifts—40- or 50-degree swings in temperature in a matter of hours are not uncommon. An increasing number of devices that rely on time measurement also rely on infrastructure like cell towers that are impacted by extreme weather. However, it isn't just the outside environment. Because of the energy consumption required by servers, data centers generate a lot of heat that impacts the performance quality of oscillators. The same scenario applies to industrial plants with high-tech machinery that produce excessive heat. At the other extreme, the aerospace and defense industries need to battle temperatures that plunge hundreds of degrees below zero while ensuring that the time measurement systems in airplanes, satellites and rockets remain accurate. Transitioning To New Applications And Innovations AI and edge computing are the buzz in technology right now because they are changing the way we do everything. Both AI and edge computing require precision timing technologies, and silicon-based MEMS clocks and oscillators can play a pivotal role in the synchronization of systems. Quartz-based device oscillators have played an important role in timekeeping for nearly 100 years, but quartz's limitations and inability to remain accurate outside of stable environmental conditions make it a less desirable choice for a variety of electronic systems. It comes down to this one bit of research: Crystal oscillators have a mean time between failure of approximately 30 million hours, while silicon MEMS is reliable for over 500 million hours. This suggests MEMS-based timing solutions can offer longer operational lifespans in some use cases like AI, edge computing and autonomous systems. Advances in technology to support AI and edge computing will likely drive a shift away from quartz timing and begin the era of silicon MEMS and precision timing. Key Considerations When Selecting Precision Timing Devices While silicon MEMS timing solutions bring notable benefits in areas like reliability, size and environmental robustness, quartz technology continues to play an important role in specific use cases. For example, quartz oscillators may offer lower phase noise at certain frequencies and remain a practical choice for maintaining compatibility with legacy systems. Additionally, their established presence in global supply chains can make them a cost-efficient option for high-volume, less performance-intensive applications. As timing technologies evolve, selecting the right solution depends on the unique demands of each design. Choosing the right precision timing components is critical to system performance and reliability. Key factors to evaluate include frequency stability, phase noise, jitter, power consumption, size, temperature tolerance, cost, underlying technology and supplier support. A highly stable frequency ensures consistent accuracy across varying conditions, while low phase noise and jitter are essential for reliable performance and precise data synchronization. Low power consumption is vital for energy efficiency, especially in portable or thermally constrained designs, and compact form factors are preferred for space-limited applications. Finally, selecting a trusted supplier with strong technical support and long-term availability ensures continuity throughout the product lifecycle. By carefully weighing these parameters, designers can choose timing solutions that deliver long-term accuracy, synchronization and operational reliability. Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify?
The Hindu
19-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
BITS researchers unveil eco-friendly material for future wearable technologies
Researchers at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus here, have announced the development of a metal-decorated 3D graphene composite using an eco-friendly laser-induced method for building low cost flexible electronics. The research team has developed the laser-based in-situ method on lab-fabricated metal-polyimide films which is a flexible, engineered substrate that requires no toxic gases, harsh chemicals, or high temperatures. The method is also compatible with other affordable and bendable materials like paper and fabric, expanding its utility for wearable, disposable, and on-the-go electronic applications, said department of electronics & electrical engineering and principal investigator at the MEMS, Microfluids and Nanoelectronics lab (MMNE), Sanket Goel, who supervised the research, on Thursday. A key innovation in this work is the simultaneous integration of metal nanoparticles such as silver and gold within the polyimide results in a highly porous, conductive, and multifunctional graphene composite. The material has been successfully used to detect Vitamin C, demonstrated antibacterial activity and shows immense potential for use in fuel cells, supercapacitors, and biosensors, he said, in a press release. 'We have developed a fast, clean, and cost-efficient process that produces 1 mg of material in just five minutes, at an estimated cost of ₹0.07–₹0.13 per mg, depending on the metal used,' said research scholar Nishchitha NK. 'Creating this new material enables a future where eco-friendly fabrication methods can meet the growing demands of energy and healthcare systems,' said Dr. Goel. The innovation aligns with global momentum around nanomaterials and flexible electronics, offering a scalable and chemical-free path to next-generation applications, he added. The team's work has earned a granted Indian patent and has been published in the international journal Applied Surface Science.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
UT Tyler engineering professor awarded $500K grant for ‘smart hip' research
TYLER, Texas (KETK) — An assistant mechanical engineering professor from the University of Texas at Tyler received a five-year grant worth over $500,000 on Monday from the National Science Foundation. Firefighters stabilize Longview home hit by vehicle Dr. Alwathiqbellah Ibrahim will use the $525,920 Faculty Development Early Career grant to further research and enhance advanced biosensor hip implants. According to the university, Ibrahim's research focuses on micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) that convert mechanical vibrations into electrical energy, also known as 'smart hips'. 'This project aims to develop a new generation of 'smart' hip implants equipped with tiny sensors that monitor the forces acting on the implant during daily activities, such as walking or running,' Ibrahim said. 'These sensors, which also generate their own power from movement, will send data wirelessly to doctors, allowing for early detection of potential problems like loosening or wear before they become serious.' Nacogdoches traffic signal proposed for removal This technology will be able to power electronic devices with vibrations that come from everyday occurrences including human, vehicle and machine motion. The project also has potential to provide learning opportunities for local students. 'UT Tyler students will gain hands-on experience in designing and testing biomedical devices, while related outreach programs will engage K-12 students and educators, promoting awareness of biomedical innovation and STEM careers,' Ibrahim said. 'By combining technical innovation with impactful education, this work aims to set a new standard for orthopedic implants while fostering a diverse and inclusive pipeline of future engineers.' 57-year-old man arrested for burglary in Longview after alarm activation The university said Ibrahim currently directs the UT Tyler Mechatronics and Energy Harvesting Laboratory, which conducts research that may help many people in the future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
