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The Daily Innovation Newsletter

January 15^th 2025

💻 Technology

🇺🇸 US researchers achieve uninterrupted quantum internet signal over commercial network for 30 hours

A team from the University of Tennessee, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and EPB successfully transmitted quantum-entangled signals continuously for 30 hours over a commercial fiber-optic network for the first time. Using automatic polarization compensation (APC), they stabilized quantum signals against environmental disturbances without periodic shutdowns. This breakthrough marks a critical step toward a secure, high-capacity quantum internet, enhancing future network stability and efficiency.

🚘 Transport

🇫🇷 French researchers achieve first liquid hydrogen-powered turbine engine test for cleaner aviation

French researchers from Turbotech, Safran, and Air Liquide successfully tested the world's first liquid hydrogen-powered turbine engine for light aviation. The test, supported by the French Civil Aviation Authority, demonstrated the TP-R90 turboprop engine's ability to run on cryogenically stored liquid hydrogen, paving the way for sustainable aviation. Liquid hydrogen offers superior energy density and range compared to hydrogen gas and emits only water during combustion, though managing nitrogen oxides remains a challenge. This breakthrough marks a significant milestone in the transition to zero-carbon aviation.

🚀 Space

🇺🇸 NASA designs modular football field-sized radiator for Mars-bound nuclear-powered ships

NASA is developing MARVL, a modular radiator system for nuclear electric propulsion to support faster Mars missions. This heat-dissipation system will be robotically assembled in space, eliminating the need for a single launch of massive components. Using liquid metal coolant, the design addresses long-distance space travel's heat management challenges. A small-scale prototype is expected within two years, advancing nuclear propulsion's role in reducing Mars mission timelines.

🌎 Environment

🇦🇪 UAE researchers create sand-powered device to reduce earthquake damage by up to 75%

Professors at the University of Sharjah developed the "Particle-Based Energy Dissipation Device," using sand or granular materials to absorb seismic energy and protect buildings. The cost-effective device, patented in the U.S., requires no external power and reduces earthquake damage by up to 75%. Its affordability and efficiency make it a transformative solution for low-budget and retrofitted structures globally.

🇩🇪 German researchers design pine cone-inspired shading system for energy-free building climate control

Researchers at the Universities of Stuttgart and Freiburg developed "Solar Gate," a bio-inspired shading system that autonomously adjusts to weather conditions without electricity. Using 4D-printed cellulose fibers mimicking pine cone behavior, the system opens in winter to let sunlight in and closes in summer to keep buildings cool. Tested over a year, it reduces energy use for heating and cooling, offering a sustainable, aesthetic solution for climate-resilient architecture. The findings were published in Nature Communications.

💊 Healthcare

🇨🇦 Canadian researchers develop AI model to detect brain cancer spread without surgery

Researchers from McGill University and collaborators have created an AI model that detects the spread of metastatic brain cancer using MRI scans, achieving 85% accuracy. The system identifies subtle changes in brain tissue to determine cancer spread, reducing reliance on invasive surgeries for diagnosis. Validated with data from 130 patients, this innovation offers a less risky alternative to understand cancer progression and tailor treatments. The team plans to refine the model for broader clinical use. The research was published in Neuro-Oncology Advances.

🇬🇧 UK researchers develop biomarker test that cuts lung cancer deaths by 40%

A study led by the University of St Andrews shows that biomarker testing in smokers and ex-smokers reduces lung cancer deaths by 40%. This “liquid biopsy” identifies cancer earlier by detecting biological changes in blood or urine, enabling timely interventions. Tested on 12,000 participants, the method could enhance lung cancer screening programs, improving survival rates and reducing premature deaths globally. The research was published in PLOS One.

🇺🇸 US researchers develop computer models for precision-targeted antibiotics to combat resistance

Researchers at the University of Virginia have created advanced computer models to design antibiotics that target specific bacteria in specific parts of the body, minimizing exposure to beneficial bacteria. This precision approach could slow antibiotic resistance, a critical global health issue. Initial tests showed success in inhibiting harmful stomach bacteria, highlighting the potential for precise and tailored infection treatments. The innovation, published in PLOS Biology, represents a major advance in precision medicine and antibiotic stewardship.

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