Daily Innovation News

July 12^th 2024

⚡️ Energy

🇰🇷 South Korean researchers unveil world's first hydrogen fuel cell-powered apartment block

The world's first "hydrogen apartment" complex in Ulsan, South Korea, generates all its heat and electricity from hydrogen fuel cells. This innovation is both cost-effective and environmentally friendly, producing 840MWh of power in June alone. The hydrogen fuel cells, located on the rooftop, generate electricity and heat, ensuring efficient energy use. This project aims to promote eco-friendly living and carbon neutrality in urban areas.

🚘 Transport

🇺🇸 US aviation innovators achieve record-breaking 523-mile hydrogen eVTOL flight

Joby Aviation has completed a groundbreaking 523-mile flight with its hydrogen fuel cell eVTOL, tripling the range compared to its battery-powered predecessor. This significant milestone showcases the potential of hydrogen in clean aviation, positioning it as a viable alternative to current battery technology. The retrofitted eVTOL, equipped with a cryogenic liquid hydrogen system, demonstrated the efficiency and environmental benefits by emitting only water vapor. This advancement could pave the way for extended-range regional air travel without emissions.

🇸🇪 Swedish scientists develop a new heat exchanger that they believe will lead to all travel within 750 miles being hydrogen-powered by 2045

A study by Swedish scientists from Chalmers University of Technology claims that hydrogen-powered aircraft could handle most air travel within a 750-mile radius by 2045. The researchers developed new heat exchanger technology, which enhances engine efficiency and reduces fuel consumption. This advancement could see the first commercial hydrogen flights in Sweden by 2028, significantly reducing carbon emissions and transforming regional air travel. The study was published in the International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.

🌎 Environment

🇺🇸 US scientists create banana-based biomaterial for lightweight automotive and bicycle parts

Researchers from the US have developed a renewable, biodegradable biomaterial from banana tree fibers to reinforce composite materials for automotive and bicycle parts. This innovation, involving students from the University of Maine System, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, aims to replace traditional, resource-intensive materials like glass and carbon fibers. The banana-based biomaterial offers strong, lightweight components, promoting sustainable manufacturing practices.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US researchers restore hearing in adult mice using novel genome editing approach

US scientists have successfully restored hearing in adult mice with inherited deafness using a novel in vivo CRISPR genome editing technique targeting microRNA mutations. The study, published in Science Translational Medicine, demonstrates potential applications for human genetic hearing loss, with the CRISPR approach showing minimal off-target effects and no long-term integration. Researchers hope to translate these findings into clinical trials, offering a promising pathway for treating genetic deafness in humans.

🇺🇸 US researchers develop a new diabetes combination treatment that regenerates insulin-producing cells

US scientists have discovered a therapeutic combination that regenerates human insulin-producing beta cells, potentially offering a new treatment for diabetes. This preclinical study combined the natural product harmine with GLP1 receptor agonists, resulting in a 700% increase in beta cell numbers in mice. Published in Science Translational Medicine, this breakthrough suggests a promising pathway for diabetes therapy by enhancing the proliferation, function, and survival of beta cells, moving closer to clinical applications.

🇺🇸 US scientists discover a new hormone that strengthens bones

Researchers from UCSF and UC Davis have identified a hormone, CCN3, that strengthens bones, potentially offering new treatments for osteoporosis and bone fractures. The hormone, found in the brains of breastfeeding women, was shown to significantly increase bone mass and strength in both male and female mice. The study, published in Nature, highlights CCN3’s potential to stimulate bone regeneration and healing, providing a promising avenue for addressing bone health issues in diverse populations.

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!