The new work, from Rice University in Texas, US, opens up completely new avenues for putting batteries on nearly any surface in a simple and robust way.

BBC: 'Paint-on' batteries demonstrated

In order to become part of our daily lives, robots will need to be friendly, simple, and robust.

CNN: Why robots are ready for takeoff

Her project aims to establish a simple, robust and reproducible platform for a genome-wide search for new cancer autoantigens and the evaluation of the corresponding circulating autoantibodies as biomarkers.

UNESCO: 2007 UK and Ireland Winners

In 2008 MIT chemist Daniel Nocera concocted a very simple, very cheap, robust, self-healing and non-toxic catalyst made from cobalt and phosphate that can split water into hydrogen and oxygen.

FORBES: Cheap Hydrogen From Dirty Water...Maybe

Hodgson employs a simple but effective 4-5-1 formation featuring an uncompromising defence, a robust but creative central midfield and two wingers who can both track back and push forward to support lone-striker Zamora in attack.

BBC: From the Cottage to the Continent