A nanometer-scale generator produces continuous direct-current electricity by harvesting mechanical energy from such environmental sources as ultrasonic waves, mechanical vibration or blood flow. It take advantage of the unique coupled piezoelectric and semiconducting properties of zinc oxide nanostructures, which produce small electrical charges when they are flexed.

Prof. Zhong Lin Wang and his group members Xudong Wang, Jinhui Song and Jin Liu expect that with optimization, their nanogenerator could produce as much as 4 watts per cubic centimeter – based on a calculation for a single nanowire. Enough to power a broad range of nanometer-scale defense, environmental and biomedical applications, including biosensors implanted in the body, environmental monitors and even nanoscale robots.

Details of the nanogenerator are reported in the April 6 issue of the journal Science.

A longer story here

ACM HealthNet07 is the 1st International Workshop on Systems and Networking Support for Healthcare and Assisted Living Environments. It is co-located with ACM MobiSys 2007, along with other workshops, to be held in San Juan, Puerto Rico. June 11-14, 2007.
The specific focus of ACM HealthNet is about understanding what it takes to provide effective systems and communication support for healthcare and assisted living environments. Although the systems and networking communities are already providing solutions that meet the requirements of applications and users in their own areas, cross-area interaction is sought after for designing systems and communication solutions for healthcare and assisted living environments.

More details here

Video from the European research project RUNES http://www.ist-runes.org/ showing a road fire incident in 2012 where embedded wireless sensor network technology assists the rescue mission.

A “grid” of smart river sensors that monitor water depth and flow and can predict impending flooding is to be installed in a UK river.

By producing more accurate and concise data than existing monitoring systems, the network could give locals and government decision-makers earlier warning of rising trouble.

Two of thirteen sensor nodes have so far been installed along a kilometre stretch of the River Ribble, in the Yorkshire Dales, and the rest of the network should be in place by the end of the year. “The river floods regularly after Christmas every year,” says Danny Hughes, a computer and environmental scientist at Lancaster University, UK, who is working on the project.

The complete story here.

Australia is working toward the “Smart Farm” of the future with research focusing on Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and their potential to transform the Australian agriculture industry.

Dr. Tim Wark, project leader of the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’s (CSIRO) ICT center, said as water and labor get scarcer and more costly, the viability and sustainability of Australia’s agricultural industry hinges on better utilization of resources.

The complete story here.