In a breakthrough that could make life-saving diagnostics accessible to millions, MIT researchers have developed a disposable, DNA-coated sensor capable of detecting diseases like cancer, HIV, and influenza — all for just 50 cents. The innovation lies in a low-cost electrochemical sensor stabilized with a polymer coating, which allows the device to be stored for months at high temperatures and used far from traditional lab settings.

At the heart of this sensor is a CRISPR-based enzyme system. When the sensor detects a target disease gene, the enzyme — acting like a molecular lawnmower — begins to shred DNA on the electrode, disrupting the electric signal and indicating a positive result.

“Our focus is on diagnostics that many people have limited access to, and our goal is to create a point-of-use sensor,” said Ariel Furst, MIT chemical engineering professor and senior author of the study, in a media statement. “People wouldn’t even need to be in a clinic to use it. You could do it at home.”

Previously, such sensors faced a major hurdle: the DNA coating degraded rapidly, requiring immediate use and refrigerated storage. Furst’s team overcame this by using polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) — a cheap and widely available polymer — to form a protective film over the DNA, significantly extending shelf life.

The sensors were tested to successfully detect PCA3, a prostate cancer biomarker found in urine, even after two months of storage at 150°F. The technology builds on Furst’s earlier work that enabled detection of HIV and HPV genetic material using similar CRISPR-based methods.

“This is the same core technology used in glucose meters, but adapted with programmable DNA,” said lead author Xingcheng Zhou, an MIT graduate student. “It’s inexpensive, portable, and extremely versatile.”

The team now aims to expand testing for other infectious and emerging diseases. They’ve been accepted into MIT’s delta v venture accelerator, signaling commercial interest and real-world application potential. The ability to ship sensors without refrigeration could be transformative for low-resource and remote settings.

“Our limitation before was that we had to make the sensors on site,” added Furst. “Now that we can protect them, we can ship them. That allows us to access a lot more rugged or non-ideal environments for testing.”

With further development, these pocket-sized DNA sensors could redefine early disease detection — from rural clinics to living rooms.

In a significant step toward sustainable photonic technologies, scientists from the Raman Research Institute (RRI), an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, have discovered that teak leaf extract can serve as an effective, natural shield against harmful laser radiation. This breakthrough offers new potential for protecting both sensitive optical sensors and human eyes from high-intensity lasers used in medical, industrial, and defense applications.

The team has found that the otherwise discarded leaves of the teak tree (Tectona grandis L.f) are rich in anthocyanins, natural pigments responsible for their reddish-brown colour. When exposed to light, these pigments exhibit nonlinear optical (NLO) properties, allowing them to absorb intense laser beams—a key feature required for laser safety gear.

The discovery, recently published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry, proposes a non-toxic, biodegradable, and cost-effective alternative to conventional synthetic materials like graphene and metal nanoparticles, which are often expensive and environmentally hazardous.

“Teak leaves are a rich source of natural pigments such as anthocyanin… We explored the potential of teak leaf extract as an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes in the field of nonlinear optics,” said Beryl C, DST Women Scientist at RRI, in a media statement issued by the government.

To extract this natural dye, researchers dried and powdered teak leaves, soaked them in solvents, and processed the mixture using ultrasonication and centrifugation. The resulting reddish-brown liquid was then tested with green laser beams under continuous and pulsed conditions.

Using advanced techniques like Z-scan and Spatial Self-Phase Modulation (SSPM), the dye demonstrated reverse saturable absorption (RSA)—a rare and desirable trait where the material absorbs more light as the intensity increases, effectively acting as a self-regulating shield against laser exposure.

This development is particularly crucial as laser technologies become increasingly prevalent in everyday environments—from surgical devices and industrial cutters to military-grade systems. By offering a natural and renewable solution to a global safety challenge, the RRI team has opened the door to a future of eco-conscious optical safety equipment, such as laser-resistant eyewear, coatings, and sensor shields.

Researchers also indicated that further studies will focus on enhancing the stability and commercial usability of the dye for long-term deployment.

This innovation aligns with the principles of Industry 5.0, emphasizing human-centered and environmentally responsible technology, and showcases how indigenous, sustainable resources can play a pivotal role in global tech solutions.

As America’s population ages faster than ever before, a team of engineers at MIT is turning to robotics to meet the growing eldercare crisis. Their latest invention, the Elderly Bodily Assistance Robot—or E-BAR—aims to provide critical physical support to seniors navigating life at home, potentially reducing the risk of injury and relieving pressure on a strained care system.

The innovation comes at a time when the United States faces a dramatic demographic shift. The nation’s median age has climbed to 38.9, nearly ten years older than in 1980. By 2050, the number of adults over 65 is projected to surge from 58 million to 82 million. As demand for care rises, the country is simultaneously grappling with shortages in care workers, escalating healthcare costs, and evolving family structures that leave many elderly adults without daily support.

“Eldercare is the next great challenge,” said Roberto Bolli, a graduate student in MIT’s Department of Mechanical Engineering and one of E-BAR’s lead designers, in a media statement. “All the demographic trends point to a shortage of caregivers, a surplus of elderly persons, and a strong desire for elderly persons to age in place.”

E-BAR is designed to address exactly that challenge. The mobile robot acts as a robotic support system, following a user from behind and offering both steadying handlebars and rapid intervention in case of a fall. It can support a person’s full weight and includes side airbags that inflate instantly to catch users if they begin to fall—without requiring them to wear any equipment or harnesses.

“Many older adults underestimate the risk of fall and refuse to use physical aids, which are cumbersome, while others overestimate the risk and may not exercise, leading to declining mobility,” said Harry Asada, the Ford Professor of Engineering at MIT, in a media statement. “Our design concept is to provide older adults having balance impairment with robotic handlebars for stabilizing their body. The handlebars go anywhere and provide support anytime, whenever they need.”

The robot consists of a heavy, 220-pound base equipped with omnidirectional wheels, allowing it to maneuver easily through typical home spaces. From its base, articulated bars extend and adjust to assist users in standing or sitting, and the handlebars provide a natural, unrestrictive grip. In testing, E-BAR successfully helped an older adult complete everyday movements such as bending, reaching, and even stepping over the edge of a bathtub.

“Seeing the technology used in real-life scenarios is really exciting,” said Bolli.

The team’s design, which will be presented later this month at the IEEE Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA), aims to eliminate the physical constraints and stigmas often associated with eldercare devices. Their approach prioritizes both independence and safety—key values for aging Americans seeking to remain in their homes longer.

While E-BAR currently operates via remote control, the team plans to add autonomous capabilities and streamline the device’s design for home and facility use. The researchers are also exploring ways to integrate fall-prediction algorithms, developed in a parallel project in Asada’s lab, to adapt robotic responses based on a user’s real-time risk level.

“Eldercare conditions can change every few weeks or months,” Asada noted. “We’d like to provide continuous and seamless support as a person’s disability or mobility changes with age.”

As the nation prepares for the realities of an aging population, MIT’s work offers a glimpse into a future where robotics play a central role in eldercare—enhancing both quality of life and personal dignity for millions of older adults.