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Researchers at Waterloo Engineering have developed a tiny, battery-free, self-powering sensor that could dramatically reduce the cost of protecting buildings from damaging water leaks.

The new device, housed in a box just three centimetres square, is the product of a collaboration between professors Norman Zhou and George Shaker.

A new, battery-free sensor can detect water leaks in buildings at a fraction of the cost of existing systems.

The tiny device, developed by researchers at the University of Waterloo, uses nanotechnology to power itself and send an alert to smartphones when exposed to moisture.

By eliminating a battery and related circuitry, researchers estimate their sensor could be commercially produced for $1 each, about a tenth of the cost of current leak detection devices on the market.

Advancing healthcare through innovative technology

Medical devices can be used to diagnose or prevent disease, they can improve a patient’s quality of life and they often save lives. Devices such as pacemakers have been around since the late 1950s, but advancements in med-tech have come a long way since then. As research expands and technology advances, a multitude of medical devices are being developed and prepared for market.