February 6th 2025

Author

Max Gray
February 06, 2025

The Daily Innovation Newsletter

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February 6th 2025

⚡️ Energy

The Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA) is developing the world’s first hydrogen production facility powered by a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor (HTGR). Using helium cooling, the HTGR can reach 870°C (1598°F), enabling a thermochemical process called the sulphur-iodine cycle to split water into hydrogen and oxygen without carbon emissions. The facility, linked to the High Temperature Engineering Test Reactor in Ibaraki, aims to begin hydrogen production by 2030, accelerating Japan’s decarbonisation efforts.

🚘 Transport

Researchers at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) have developed a Dynamic Wireless Power Transfer (DWPT) system that allows electric vehicles to charge while driving. By embedding transmitter pads into road surfaces, this technology could remove the need for stationary charging. UTEP’s new load demand model, published in IEEE Access, helps predict energy consumption for large-scale DWPT networks, ensuring efficient integration into infrastructure. This breakthrough could revolutionise EV adoption by making charging seamless and eliminating range anxiety.

🌎 Environment

Scientists at Northwestern University have created a specialised cellulose sponge that captures pollutants like phosphate, copper, and zinc from stormwater and later releases them for reuse. Coated with nanoparticles, the sponge can be used multiple times without losing effectiveness, making it a cost-efficient and sustainable alternative to existing single-use treatments. The sponge’s ability to recover valuable minerals could help reduce reliance on mining and mitigate environmental pollution. The research is published in Environmental Science & Technology Water.

💊 Healthcare

The FDA has approved clinical trials to test genetically modified pig kidneys in human transplant patients, marking a major step in addressing the US organ shortage. United Therapeutics and eGenesis will lead separate trials, with initial patients receiving transplants by mid-2025. The trials will assess long-term viability, immune response, and potential risks, building on previous experiments in brain-dead patients. If successful, this breakthrough in xenotransplantation could provide a new source of life-saving organs.

The FDA has approved Onapgo, a wearable subcutaneous infusion device that continuously delivers apomorphine hydrochloride to reduce Parkinson’s disease "off" episodes. Developed by Supernus Pharmaceuticals, Onapgo bypasses the digestive system, offering more consistent symptom relief without the need for surgery. Clinical trials showed it significantly decreased daily "off" episodes by an average of 2.47 hours. This marks a major advancement for Parkinson’s patients, providing an alternative to traditional oral and injection-based treatments. The device will be available in the US by late 2025.

Scientists at the University of Florida have created an experimental vaccine that could protect against severe Salmonella infections. Using extracellular vesicles (sEVs) from infected immune cells, the vaccine triggered a strong immune response in mice, showing potential for broad protection against multiple Salmonella strains. Unlike traditional vaccines, it contains no live pathogens, reducing risks of adverse reactions. Meanwhile, Moderna’s mRNA-based norovirus vaccine has entered Phase 3 trials, aiming to lessen symptoms of another major cause of stomach flu. The findings on Salmonella were published in Infection and Immunity.

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