5 Ws

5 Ws of Compostable Plastic

A new enzyme-activated compostable material could diminish microplastics pollution.

5 Ws of the Sunlight-Powered Water Filter

The invention could help solve the problem of providing clean water off the grid or where low-cost, non-powered water purification is needed.

5 Ws of Robot Healthcare Helpers

A research team programmed two robots — a humanoid figure and a robotic arm — to measure human physiological signals.

5 Ws of the Internal Injury-Sealing Patch

A medical patch can be folded around minimally invasive surgical tools and delivered through airways, intestines, and other narrow spaces.

5 Ws of the Smartphone Camera COVID-19 Test

With a smartphone camera, a new diagnostic test provides a positive or negative COVID-19 result in 15 to 30 minutes.

5 Ws of the Screen-Printed Battery

The battery can be used in flexible, stretchable electronics for wearables as well as soft robotics.

5 Ws of the SoundWatch

The smartwatch app identifies sounds that a user is interested in and sends a friendly buzz and information about the sound.

5 Ws of the SARS-CoV-2 RapidPlex Sensor

A low-cost sensor enables at-home diagnosis of a COVID infection.

5 Ws of the Paper-Based Keypad

Users can take paper sheets from a notebook and turn them into a music player interface or make food packaging interactive.

5 Ws of Algae-Based Flip-Flops

Would you take a walk in biodegradable flip-flops?

5 Ws of the Sign-to-Speech Translation Glove

People who use sign language could communicate directly with non-signers, without needing someone else to translate for them.

5 Ws of Slip-Resistant Shoe Coatings

MIT researchers are developing a shoe coating that provides a stronger grip on ice and other slippery surfaces.

5 Ws Of LEDs for 3D Metal Printing

In the operating room, you can produce bioresorbable metal implants, such as screws for bone fractures.

5 Ws of Bacteria-Killing Metal Surfaces

Bacterial pathogens can live on surfaces for days. What if frequently touched surfaces, such as doorknobs, could instantly kill them off?

5 Ws of the Infant Smart Jumpsuit

A smart jumpsuit accurately measures the spontaneous and voluntary movement of infants

5 Ws of the 3D Skin Printer

The handheld 3D skin printer can deposit sheets of skin to cover large burn wounds

5 Ws of PAWS Smart Headphones

Learn about the Pedestrian Audio Wearable System (PAWS), a low-cost, headset-based, wearable platform.

5 Ws of Microlattice Pads for Improved Helmets

With the new microlattice pads, players will have greater protection from both single hits and a series of impacts.

5 Ws of 3D Modeling for the Visually Impaired

A touch-based display mimics the geometry of 3D objects designed on a computer.

5 Ws of EarEcho

The biometric tool uses modified wireless earbuds to authenticate smartphone users

5 Ws of the E-Tattoo for Heart Monitoring

A new wearable could make heart health monitoring easier and more accurate than existing electrocardiograph machines.

5 Ws of Paper Unprinting

Who

Anyone using standard, coated paper in conventional printers.

5Ws of the Ear Infection Smartphone App

Who

Ear infections are the most common reason that parents bring their children to a pediatrician, according to the National Institutes of Health.

5 Ws of the Wearable Cooling and Heating Patch

Who

The patch — which serves as a personal thermostat — provides personalized cooling and heating at home, work, or on the go by cooling or warming the user's skin to a comfortable...

5 Ws of PDK Recyclable Plastic

Who

Anyone who uses products made of plastic. The new recyclable plastic could be a good alternative to many nonrecyclable plastics in use today.

5 Ws of the Insulin-Delivery Pill

Who

Millions of people worldwide with type 1 diabetes.

5 Ws of Foldable Mechanical Devices

Who

Manufacturers across medical, space, aviation, military, and automotive industries could use the technology to build complex machines that integrate with surfaces to be very compact, but can deploy...

5 Ws of the Heart Energy Harvester

Who

Millions of people who rely on pacemakers, defibrillators, and other livesaving implantable devices powered by batteries that need to be replaced every five to 10 years.

5 Ws of 3D-Printing Piezoelectric Materials

Who

Piezoelectric materials are used in everything from cellphones and wearables, to robotics, energy harvesting, and tactile sensors.