March 20th 2025

Author

Max Gray
March 20, 2025

The Daily Innovation Newsletter

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March 20th 2025

🦾 Robotics

In an industry first, a customized Boston Dynamics Spot robot was remotely operated from outside the Sellafield nuclear site in the UK. Conducted by AtkinsRéalis and Sellafield Ltd, the trial used a secure virtual access network to control the robot and live-stream data, reducing human exposure to hazardous environments. This breakthrough demonstrates the potential for advanced robotics in nuclear decommissioning, improving safety and efficiency. The project is part of the UK’s RAICo initiative, which aims to cut human activity in dangerous areas by 50% before 2030.

Scientists at Beihang University have created a miniature robot that can swim, crawl, and glide in the deep sea, reaching depths of 10,600 meters in the Mariana Trench. Using a snap-through actuator system, the robot adapts to extreme pressures and harsh environments. The same technology was used in a soft gripper, which successfully collected live sea urchins and starfish from 3,400 meters in the South China Sea. Published in Science Robotics, this innovation paves the way for advanced, low-impact exploration of fragile deep-sea ecosystems.

🌎 Sustainability

Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a method to create carbon-negative building materials using seawater, electricity, and CO2. Inspired by how marine organisms form shells, the process converts CO2 into solid minerals like calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide, which can replace sand and gravel in concrete. The material can store over half its weight in CO2, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional cement while also producing clean hydrogen gas. The study, published in Advanced Sustainable Systems, presents a potential breakthrough in reducing carbon emissions from the construction industry.

Researchers in South Korea have modified E. coli bacteria to synthesize polyester amides (PEAs), a biodegradable plastic combining the strength of polyamides with the eco-friendliness of polyesters. By introducing enzymes from Clostridium and Pseudomonas, the bacteria can convert simple sugars into bioplastics, offering a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. Published in Nature Chemical Biology, this breakthrough brings bioengineered plastics closer to industrial use, though challenges in production efficiency and purification remain.

💊 Healthcare

Scientists at Moffitt Cancer Center have developed a dendritic cell vaccine that enhances chemotherapy effectiveness in HER2-positive, ER-negative breast cancer. In a pilot study published in npj Breast Cancer, patients who received the vaccine before chemotherapy showed strong immune responses, with some experiencing complete tumor disappearance. The vaccine, injected directly into tumors, boosted immune activity, potentially leading to more effective and lasting cancer treatments. This breakthrough could pave the way for improved immunotherapy strategies in breast cancer care.

Scientists at UCLA Health have developed a drug that replicates the effects of physical rehabilitation in stroke recovery, a first in the field. The drug, DDL-920, restored lost brain connections and improved movement control in mice by stimulating parvalbumin neurons, which help coordinate brain activity. Published in Nature Communications, the study could lead to a breakthrough treatment for stroke patients who struggle with intensive rehabilitation. Further research is needed before human trials can begin.

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