Daily Innovation News

August 15^th 2024

💻 Technology

🇺🇸 US researchers develop brain tech that converts paralyzed patient’s thoughts into speech with record 97% accuracy

US researchers at UC Davis Health have created a brain-computer interface (BCI) that translates brain signals into speech with up to 97% accuracy, the highest ever achieved, a significant breakthrough for individuals with severe speech impairments like those caused by ALS. The system captures brain activity when a person attempts to speak, converting it into text that is then vocalized by a computer. This innovation, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, offers new hope for communication in patients who are unable to speak due to paralysis or neurological disorders.

🇭🇰 Hong Kong researchers create smart clothing that adapts to extreme heat for worker safety

Hong Kong researchers have developed innovative soft robotic clothing that adapts to extreme heat, providing better protection and comfort for workers in high-temperature environments. This smart fabric expands when temperatures rise, increasing thermal resistance and reducing the inner surface temperature by at least 10°C. Inspired by natural heat regulation, the clothing offers a lightweight, energy-free solution to prevent heat stress, making it ideal for workers like firefighters and construction crews. This breakthrough, published in Advanced Science, could also have applications in activewear, healthcare, and building insulation.

🚘 Transport

🇨🇳 Chinese automaker launches EV with 10-minute ultra-fast charging

Chinese automaker Zeekr has introduced the updated 2025 Zeekr 007, featuring a new 800-V lithium-iron-phosphate battery that can charge from 10% to 80% in just 10.5 minutes. This battery, developed in-house, offers an impressive 480 km (298 miles) of range in that brief charging time, bringing EV charging closer to the convenience of refueling a gasoline vehicle. The advancement highlights China's leading role in rapid EV battery development and could significantly improve the practicality of electric vehicles.

🇰🇷 South Korean researchers develop shape-shifting wheel inspired by water droplets for all-terrain vehicles

South Korean researchers have created an innovative wheel that changes shape in real time, inspired by the adaptive nature of water droplets. This wheel, capable of transitioning between circular and flexible forms, allows vehicles and robots to navigate challenging terrains like stairs and rocks with ease. The technology, published in Science Robotics, adjusts the wheel's shape by varying the tension in its spokes and could revolutionize off-road transportation and robotic exploration in rugged environments.

🦾 Robotics

🇺🇸 Los Angeles begins autonomous food delivery with 2,000 robots planned by 2025

Los Angeles residents can now receive Shake Shack orders via autonomous delivery robots, thanks to a new partnership between Serve Robotics and Uber Eats. This initiative marks a significant move towards automated food delivery, with plans to deploy up to 2,000 AI-powered robots on the Uber platform by 2025. The robots are designed to navigate urban environments efficiently and safely, offering a contactless delivery option that reduces costs, noise, and carbon emissions. This advancement could revolutionize food delivery in major cities.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence

🇺🇸 US researchers develop AI-driven brain mapping tool, advancing Alzheimer's treatment

MIT researchers have developed NeuroTrALE, an AI-powered platform that significantly accelerates the processing of large brain imaging datasets, potentially improving understanding and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The software combines machine learning with manual corrections to map brain structures accurately, reducing data processing time by 90%. This advancement could lead to better insights into neurological disorders by making it easier to build detailed brain atlases, crucial for identifying differences between healthy and diseased brains.

🌎 Environment

🇦🇺 Australian researchers convert microplastic waste into graphene, 200x stronger than steel

Australian researchers have developed a method to transform microplastic waste into graphene, a material 200 times stronger than steel and lighter than aluminum. By using Atmospheric Pressure Microwave Plasma (APMP) synthesis, they converted plastic bottles into graphene, which can be used in industries such as water purification, sensor manufacturing, and PFAS absorption. This breakthrough, published in Small Science, not only offers a high-demand, environmentally friendly solution to plastic waste but also paves the way for new applications in various fields.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US researchers develop implantable device to reverse opioid overdoses instantly

US researchers have created an implantable sensor that can detect opioid overdoses and automatically release naloxone, a life-saving drug, within seconds. The device, which monitors vital signs like heart rate and breathing, is designed to prevent deaths by administering naloxone before a bystander or first responder can arrive. Initial animal studies have shown the device to be highly effective, reversing overdoses 96% of the time. This innovation, published in Device, could be a critical tool in combating the opioid crisis, especially for those at high risk of repeated overdoses.

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