Showing 20 articles starting at article 181
Categories: Energy: Fossil Fuels, Engineering: Biometric
Published Residues in fingerprints hold clues to their age


Police have long relied on the unique whorls, loops or arches encoded in fingerprints to identify suspects. However, they have no way to tell how long ago those prints were left behind -- information that could be crucial to a case. A preliminary new study suggests that could change. Researchers report that they could link compounds contained in fingerprints with their age.
Published Low power metal detector senses magnetic fingerprints


Recent studies have shown metallic objects have their own magnetic fingerprints based on size, shape and physical composition. Scientists look to leverage these observations to potentially create a smaller and cheaper system that is just as effective as their larger counterparts.
Published Improving efficiency, effectiveness of security X-ray technology


The smuggling of contraband is a threat in airport security and risks have increased in modern times with the uptick in parcel delivery, but security inspection methods have not seen any significant improvements. Researchers propose a technique for efficient detection of contraband items. Typically, airport security uses X-ray imaging to quickly scan baggage, but this suffers limitations. To address this, luggage with suspicious X-ray results undergoes supplementary screening using energy-dispersive X-ray diffraction.
Published Scientists identify harmful bacteria based on its DNA at a very low cost


Currently, the detection of food poison outbreaks caused by bacteria takes a long time and is expensive, but this does not have to be the case in the future. Researchers have found a method for the precise identification of bacteria in just a few hours on a mobile-phone-sized device that costs about 200 times less than alternative approaches.
Published Tiny devices made of DNA detect cancer with fewer false alarms


A new cancer-detecting tool uses tiny circuits made of DNA to identify cancer cells by the molecular signature on their surface. The circuits work by attaching to the outside of a cell and analyzing it for proteins that are more abundant on some cell types than others. The devices distinguish cell types with higher specificity than previous methods, giving researchers hope their work could improve diagnosis, or give cancer therapies better aim.
Published Fingerprint test can distinguish between those who have taken or handled heroin


A state-of-the-art fingerprint detection technology can identify traces of heroin on human skin, even after someone has washed their hands -- and it is also smart enough to tell whether an individual has used the drug or shaken hands with someone who has handled it.
Published Quantum chip 1,000 times smaller than current setups


Researchers have developed a quantum communication chip that is 1,000 times smaller than current quantum setups, but offers the same superior security quantum technology is known for.
Published Unlock your smartphone with earbuds


A research team is developing EarEcho, a biometric tool that uses modified wireless earbuds to authenticate smartphone users via the unique geometry of their ear canal. A prototype of the system proved roughly 95% effective.
Published Nanowires replace Newton's famous glass prism


Scientists have designed an ultra-miniaturized device that could directly image single cells without the need for a microscope or make chemical fingerprint analysis possible from a smartphone.
Published Optofluidic chip with nanopore 'smart gate' developed for single molecule analysis


A new chip-based platform integrates nanopores and optofluidic technology with a feedback-control circuit to enable an unprecedented level of control over individual molecules and particles on a chip for high-throughput analysis.
Published New test to snare those lying about a person's identity


A new test could help police to determine when criminals or witnesses are lying about their knowledge of a person's identity.
Published Simple 'smart' glass reveals the future of artificial vision


Engineers have devised a method to create pieces of 'smart' glass that can recognize images without requiring any sensors or circuits or power sources.
Published Tiny light-up barcodes identify molecules by their twinkling


An imaging technique could make it possible to peer inside cells and watch dozens of different molecules at once -- by labeling them with short strands of light-up DNA that blink on and off with their own unique rhythm. Though they're all the same color, the technique makes it possible to distinguish as many as 56 types by their twinkling, more cheaply than traditional methods and without fading over time.
Published Pin-sized sensor could bring chemical ID to smartphone-sized devices


Engineers have developed a spectrometer so small and simple that it could integrate with the camera of a typical cellphone without sacrificing accuracy.
Published CRISPR-chip enables digital detection of DNA without amplification


Researchers have found multiple applications for the CRISPR gene editing technology since it came into use by the scientific community.
Published Machines whisper our secrets


Scientists showed they could reconstruct what a researcher was doing by recording the sounds of the lab instrument used. The method accurately detects what type of DNA a DNA synthesizer is making. That means academic, industrial, and government labs are potentially wide open to espionage that could destabilize research, jeopardize product development, and even put national security at risk.
Published New weapon to combat counterfeit goods: use your smartphone to check for fake merchandise


Researchers have invented a chemical fingerprint that, when used with a phone app, reveals whether a product is genuine or a fake; the fingerprints have been tested and earned a 100 percent success rate.
Published Researchers unveil Internet of Things security feature



Integrated circuit designers have developed a new approach for creating secure keys and IDs on Internet of Things (IoT).
Published Sensitive sensor detects Down syndrome DNA with blood test during pregnancy



According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Down syndrome is the most common birth defect, occurring once in every 700 births. However, traditional noninvasive prenatal tests for the condition are unreliable or carry risks for the mother and fetus. Now, researchers have developed a sensitive new biosensor that could someday be used to detect fetal Down syndrome DNA in pregnant women's blood.