May 15th 2025

Author

Max Gray
May 15, 2025

The Daily Innovation Newsletter

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May 15th 2025

💻 Technology

Apple has teamed up with US brain-computer interface startup Synchron to develop technology that allows users to control devices using only their thoughts. Synchron’s implantable Stentrode device reads brain signals and integrates with Apple’s accessibility tools, enabling hands-free navigation for users with severe mobility impairments. Though still in early testing, the innovation could redefine human-device interaction and expand digital access for millions.

🚘 Transport

General Motors and LG Energy Solution have unveiled a new lithium manganese-rich (LMR) prismatic battery that delivers 33% more energy density than current lithium iron phosphate cells. Designed for electric trucks and SUVs, the battery extends range beyond 400 miles while cutting costs by using abundant manganese instead of expensive nickel or cobalt. Set for U.S. production by 2028, the innovation advances domestic battery tech and could accelerate EV adoption.

🦾 Robotics

Engineering students at Monash University have unveiled “Ari,” a self-driving robot that keeps food at optimal temperatures during delivery using separate hot and cold compartments. Capable of navigating sidewalks safely at 6 km/h, Ari offers scalable, low-cost delivery for food, tools, and medicine across urban settings. This innovation could eliminate common issues like cold meals or melted desserts, transforming on-demand delivery in Australia.

🌎 Sustainability

Researchers at the University of California San Diego have developed a transparent bio-ink called SNAP-X that mimics chemical signals from coral-friendly algae to encourage coral larvae settlement, increasing it by over 20 times in field tests. The ink slowly releases metabolites into seawater, creating ideal microhabitats for natural coral recruitment while enhancing genetic diversity and reef resilience. Published in Trends in Biotechnology, this innovation offers a scalable, non-living solution to help restore degraded coral ecosystems globally.

Scientists at Empa in Switzerland have developed a novel biodegradable material using live fungal mycelium and its extracellular matrix, creating a fiber composite that is strong, water-repellent, edible, and versatile. By using a strain of the edible split-gill mushroom that naturally produces functional proteins and nanofibers, the team crafted materials that can serve as plastic-like films or even self-strengthening emulsifiers for food and cosmetics. Published in Advanced Materials, the work opens the door to eco-friendly innovations from composting bags to moisture-responsive electronics.

💊 Healthcare

Scientists from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro and the University of São Paulo have discovered that increasing levels of a brain protein called hevin, secreted by astrocytes, reverses age- and Alzheimer’s-related cognitive decline in mice. The study, published in Aging Cell, found that enhanced hevin improved synaptic quality without affecting beta-amyloid plaques, suggesting cognitive decline may occur independently of these hallmark features. This breakthrough highlights astrocytes as a new therapeutic target for dementia and healthy brain aging.

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See you soon,

Max