Engineers develop 3D-printed metamaterials that change mechanical properties under magnetic fields

December 8, 2018

A team of researchers have developed an entirely new class of metamaterials that can nearly instantly respond and stiffen 3D printed structures when exposed to a magnetic field, a development that could be applied to next-generation helmets, wearable armor and a host of other innovations. Full Story

Center for Wearable Sensors Fall 2018 Research Summit

November 7, 2018

The Center for Wearable Sensors hosted its Fall 2018 Research Summit on Nov. 7. UC San Diego faculty gave talks on their CWS projects, ranging from wearable ultrasound patches to microelectrodes for monitoring brain activity. Full Story

Wearable ultrasound patch monitors blood pressure deep inside body

September 12, 2018

A new wearable ultrasound patch that non-invasively monitors blood pressure in arteries deep beneath the skin could help people detect cardiovascular problems earlier on and with greater precision. In tests, the patch performed as well as some clinical methods to measure blood pressure. Applications include real-time, continuous monitoring of blood pressure changes in patients with heart or lung disease, as well as patients who are critically ill or undergoing surgery. The patch uses ultrasound, so it could potentially be used to non-invasively track other vital signs and physiological signals from places deep inside the body. Full Story

'Building up' stretchable electronics to be as multipurpose as your smartphone

August 13, 2018

By connecting layers of stretchable circuits on top of one another, engineers have developed an approach to build soft “3D stretchable electronics” that can pack more functions while staying thin and small. As a proof of concept, the team built a multifunctional "smart bandage" that can be worn on the skin and used to wirelessly monitor an array of signals, from respiration, to body motion, to brain activity, and even remotely control a robotic arm. Full Story

UC San Diego nanoengineer named among MIT Technology Review's top innovators under 35

June 29, 2018

MIT Technology Review has named Sheng Xu, a professor of nanoengineering at the University of California San Diego, as one of this year’s top innovators under 35. Xu is being recognized for inventing a clever way to make off-the-shelf electronics stretchable. Full Story