Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for detecting silica nanoparticles and/or graphene nanoplatelets in samples of various kinds, which may be solid surfaces, air or gas streams, or liquids suspected of being contaminated. The method is based on the use of a sensor having a photoluminescent substrate for the presence of carbon dots deposited thereon.

Abstract: Underactuated prosthetic hand including base body; first and second prosthetic fingers each hinged to the base body; first control cable; actuator to move the first control cable; and for each pair of fingers second control cable having control ends associated with the first and second fingers; and transmission block to allow first control cable to control second control cable; transmission block includes guide integral with base body and defining sliding axis; movable element sliding along guide; first pulley for sliding first control cable hinged to movable element and second pulley for sliding second control cable hinged to the movable element so actuator, when moving first cable, determines moveable element translational movement to displace second control cable and the fingers; and elastic means opposing moveable element translational movement so the moveable element translational movement opposes elastic means allowing them to facilitate return to moveable element initial position.

Abstract: An artificial sphincter to be implanted in a urethra, for treating patients suffering from urinary incontinence, includes a container configured to be connected to a wall of a urethra, inside or outside it, a valve unit housed within the container and configured to move from a release configuration to a block configuration and vice-versa. An actuation magnet is movably (rotatably or slidably) arranged between a first and a second position in the container, and is connected to the valve unit such that a predetermined (rotation or translation) movement of the actuation magnet from a first towards a second position, or from the second towards the first position, under the effect of an external manoeuvre magnet, brings the valve unit from the release configuration to the block configuration, where the valve is stably maintained, and from the block configuration to the release configuration, where the valve is stably maintained.