April 7th 2025

Author

Max Gray
April 07, 2025

The Daily Innovation Newsletter

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April 7th 2025

🚘 Transport

Kawasaki Heavy Industries has unveiled Corleo, a hydrogen-powered, AI-guided ride-on robot horse capable of navigating rough terrain using body-steering controls and autonomous vision. Unveiled ahead of the Osaka Kansai Expo, the two-seater quadruped features a hydrogen combustion engine that emits only water, offering an eco-friendly alternative to traditional transport. Though still largely conceptual, Corleo represents a bold vision for 2050 personal mobility and the potential fusion of robotics and clean energy.

🚀 Space

Honda has unveiled a closed-loop renewable energy system that uses solar energy and lunar water to produce electricity, hydrogen, and oxygen, potentially enabling long-term human habitation on the Moon. The system, which integrates high-pressure water electrolysis and a regenerative fuel cell, will be tested aboard the ISS in partnership with Sierra Space and Tec-Masters. Compact and self-sustaining, it could provide critical life support and power during the Moon’s long nights, advancing both lunar exploration and clean energy tech.

🌎 Sustainability

Researchers at Kennesaw State University have developed a semi-transparent, biodegradable wood material using balsa wood infused with egg whites and rice extract. Inspired by centuries-old building techniques from India, the material insulates better than glass and could be used in windows, electronics, and solar panels. Presented at the American Chemical Society meeting, the innovation offers a sustainable, low-cost alternative to plastic and glass in future devices and buildings.

💊 Healthcare

Scientists from the University of Pennsylvania and Finnish collaborators have created a clinical-grade antiviral chewing gum that reduces transmission of influenza A and herpes simplex viruses by over 95%. The gum, made from Lablab purpureus beans and containing the antiviral protein FRIL, targets viruses in the mouth—where transmission often starts—offering a safe, natural method to curb infections. Published in Molecular Therapy, the study highlights a promising tool for managing widespread viral diseases amid low vaccination rates.

Scientists from Universitat Rovira i Virgili and the University of Porto have created a flexible, battery-free skin patch that detects early signs of infection by tracking small changes in skin temperature. Using printed thermoelectric materials and a network of thermocouples, the patch produces real-time heat maps, reacting to temperature shifts as small as 0.4°C within seconds. Published in Advanced Science, this wearable tool offers a durable, low-cost solution for monitoring wound healing and inflammation without the need for complex equipment.

University of Missouri scientists have created a starfish-shaped wearable that uses AI to monitor heart health with more than 90% accuracy. The device captures both electrical and mechanical heart signals simultaneously and filters out motion-related noise, offering real-time insights through a smartphone app. Designed for comfort and continuous use, it supports wireless charging and remote monitoring, making it a promising tool for at-home heart diagnostics. The research was published in Science Advances.

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Max

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