Tech talk: Iris recognition, RFID and nanotechnology

Conference participants discussed research presented in a poster session, during a break in the daylong SENSE.nano conference, which marked the launch of a new “center of excellence” for MIT research.

Photo credit: Michael D. Spencer

Center for nanoscience looks to the future of building and structure security

MIT is preparing to open its MIT.nano building, which will support research in nanoscience and nanotechnology. One of the centers of excellence within the building, called Sense.nano, will specialize in sensing technologies.

At a recent forum, researchers involved in the project described some of the projects of interest, such as large-area sensing systems that could benefit security systems by incorporating computation and logic so that only the most relevant data would need to be transmitted, helping to curb a data overload. Another application being explored includes sensors that can continuously monitor buildings, and other structures to detect signs of likely failure long before disaster strikes.

“We can access data on how the world around us really functions and, with that data, we can take the next step of influencing the environment” to improve our health, protect our natural environment, and monitor our buildings, structures and devices to make sure they are working as they should, says MIT Professor Vladimir Bulović. “The opportunity is vast.”

Health system uses iris recognition to protect patient identity

Community Medical Centers (CMC) Fresno, Calif., is going to great lengths to ensure patient safety and reduce patient errors.

The acute care system implemented an iris recognition system for patient identification. With a quick snap of a camera, a patient’s biometric identification is tied to his or her medical records. The system may soon make identification by driver’s license or insurance card a thing of the past within the system. It also assures patients that their medical identities are protected and clinicians will always have the most up-to-date, comprehensive medical records in their possession during treatment and care. It also helps to ensure proper billing and potentially reduce chart corrections.

The health care system began piloting the system at its registration desks three months ago.

Michigan health system tracks thousands of assets using RFID

Michigan Medicine representatives recently spoke at RFID Journal LIVE! 2017 about the deployment of its RFID system used to track thousands of assets throughout its facility.

The system houses 1,000 beds across five buildings and manages 12,000 pieces of equipment in its centralized patient equipment department, according to RFID Journal. The hospital’s materials management department receives requests for equipment by phone or online and items are delivered by personnel within the department. The hospital received 200,000 requests in 2016.

It began implementing its RFID system in 2015 and has since tagged 6,500 pieces of equipment.