Fresh From the Field, May 17, 2019

Self-Powered  Wearable Technology

For emerging wearable tech to advance, it needs improved power sources. Researchers from Michigan State University (MSU) have provided a potential solution via crumpled carbon nanotube (CNT) forests.

Changyong Cao, director of MSU’s Soft Machines and Electronics Laboratory, led a team of scientists that created highly stretchable supercapacitors for powering wearable electronics. The newly technology has demonstrated solid performance and stability, even when it is stretched to 800 percent of its original size over thousands of stretching/relaxing cycles.

The team’s creation may spur the development of new stretchable energy electronic systems and implantable biomedical devices, as well as smart packaging systems.

Many people will recognize wearable tech in its basic form as iWatches that communicate with smartphones. In that example, two pieces of technology need batteries. Now imagine burn victims wearing patches of “smart skin” that can monitor healing while powering themselves – that’s the future that Cao’s invention foresees.

NIFA supports the nanotechnology research through the Hatch Act Funds.

Read the article at MSU Today.

Beneficial Insects and Pollinators in Nebraska

In 2018, Nebraska Extension reached 1,475 people at five pollinator and bee-focused community events, including Lincoln Bee Fun Day, Apple Jack Festival in Nebraska City, Pollinator Palooza, Brews & Bees, and Wild Adventure at Pioneer Park.

Last year, approximately 1,300 stakeholders learned about beneficial insects at 19 events in the West Central and Panhandle Nebraska Extension districts and northeastern Colorado. Key groups included over 300 pulse crops growers, over 150 progressive farmers at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service “Farming Evolution” event, and youth audiences through Nebraska 4-H and the Young Nebraska Scientists Camp.

NIFA supports this effort with the Cooperative Extension Service.

Learn more about the impacts at Nebraska Extension Insect Ecosystems 2018 Impact Report.

Agriculture Thrives in Virginia

The network Agricultural Research and Extension Centers around Virginia help the Commonwealth’s number one industry — agriculture — thrive.

Watch the video to learn more about agriculture in Virginia.

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