In partnership with

Daily Innovation News

August 29^th 2024

💻 Technology

🇺🇸 Starlink to provide free global emergency alerts via satellite to all mobile users

Elon Musk's Starlink will offer free emergency services to mobile users worldwide, enabling alerts even in remote areas without cellular coverage. The service, subject to government approval, uses SpaceX’s direct-to-cellular satellites to enhance public safety and ensure connectivity during emergencies. SpaceX and T-Mobile are testing the system, with plans to launch it commercially soon. However, the initiative faces opposition from rivals like AT&T and Verizon, who argue it could cause radio interference.

⚡️ Energy

🇺🇸 US Navy develops coating that keeps underwater solar cells 100% efficient

US Navy-funded researchers have created a new coating that prevents biofouling on underwater solar cells without reducing their light transmission, ensuring they remain 100% efficient. The innovative coating uses nano-sized pigments and a biocide to form a porous layer that allows seawater to diffuse, enabling continuous self-polishing and high solar power generation. This breakthrough could significantly enhance the performance of solar-powered underwater vehicles. The research was published in Progress in Organic Coatings.

🦾 Robotics

🇮🇹 Italian engineers develop a jet-powered humanoid robot for rapid disaster response

Italian engineers are creating the iRonCub3, a jet-powered humanoid robot designed for fast disaster response. Equipped with four turbo-jet engines, including jets in its hands and a jetpack, this robot is intended to perform aerial inspections, reach remote locations, and provide critical data during emergencies. The iRonCub3 can also navigate challenging terrain, making it versatile for various disaster scenarios. While the robot has not yet achieved flight, researchers are optimistic about its potential.

🌎 Environment

🇨🇦 Canadian researchers create a device for easy microplastics detection in drinking water

Canadian scientists have developed a portable device that allows everyday users to detect microplastics in water within minutes. The small 3D-printed box, which uses a wireless digital microscope and machine-learning software, can identify and count plastic particles as small as 50 nanometers. This innovation could make it easier for people to monitor water quality and take action if contamination is detected. The study was published in ACS Sensors.

🇺🇸 US chef-turned-chemist uses fungi to transform food waste into sustainable, high-protein dishes

A US chef-turned-chemist has developed a method to convert food waste into nutritious, flavorful dishes using the versatile fungus Neurospora. This fungus, traditionally used in Indonesian cuisine, can ferment various agricultural wastes, like soy pulp and peanut husks, into protein-rich foods. The process not only enhances nutritional value but also eliminates off-flavors and adds new ones, creating exciting culinary possibilities. This innovation could help tackle global food waste while introducing sustainable, gourmet food options. The study was published in Nature Microbiology.

💉 Biotechnology

🇺🇸 US researchers create DNA "computer" that stores data for millennia and solves puzzles

US scientists have developed a DNA-based system capable of storing petabytes of data in a tiny space for thousands of years. The technology also processes data, demonstrated by solving sudoku puzzles, and uses a new polymer scaffold to enhance DNA stability and retrieval. This breakthrough could revolutionize long-term data storage and computation, potentially leading to fully functional DNA computers in the future. The study was published in Nature Nanotechnology.

 💊 Healthcare

🇸🇪 Swedish scientists create injectable pacemaker that dissolves after 5 days

Swedish researchers have developed a temporary, injectable pacemaker that can regulate heartbeats for up to five days, providing critical time for arrhythmia patients to reach a hospital for permanent treatment. The pacemaker consists of a nanoparticle gel that forms an electrically conductive polymer around the heart and is excreted naturally after use. Initial tests on zebrafish and chicken embryos showed effective heart regulation without toxicity. The study was published in Nature Communications.

The Daily Newsletter for Intellectually Curious Readers

• We scour 100+ sources daily

• Read by CEOs, scientists, business owners and more

• 3.5 million subscribers

Sign up today!

That’s all for today, please reply to this email if you have any comments or feedback, we’d love to hear from you about what we can do better!

Have you enjoyed this email? Make sure to share it with your friends and colleagues.

Thanks for reading!