Daily Innovation News

May 16^th 2024

💻 Technology

🇩🇪 Germany is developing electric commuter pods to utilize disused railways as a new public transport form

The Monocab system offers a potential public transport solution for rural areas by using on-demand, self-balancing electric pods that travel on existing unused railways. These autonomous 4-6 passenger pods can be hailed through an app and are designed to integrate with urban public transit networks. This European-Union-backed project aims to provide flexible and efficient transportation, addressing the independence and convenience rural residents desire from private car use. The technology, which includes gyroscopic systems for balance, is currently under trial with plans for full implementation by 2028.

⚡️ Energy

🇨🇭 Swiss researchers develop a method to generate temperatures over 1000°C using solar energy aiming to replace fossil fuel in high-temperature processes

Researchers in Switzerland have developed a novel method to generate high temperatures using solar energy for industrial applications. Their proof-of-concept utilizes synthetic quartz to trap solar energy, achieving temperatures over 1,000°C, which is crucial for manufacturing materials like steel and cement. This technology aims to replace fossil fuels in these processes, potentially reducing carbon emissions significantly. The study, showcasing this breakthrough, was published in the journal Device.

🪖 Military

🇨🇳 China is building the world’s first large-scale drone carrier

China is reportedly building the world's first large-scale drone carrier, signaling a major shift in naval warfare. Unlike traditional aircraft carriers, this new vessel is tailored for drone operations, featuring a smaller and uniquely designed deck that accommodates drones but not fixed-wing aircraft like fighter jets. This development reflects a broader trend towards integrating drones into military capabilities, potentially replacing traditional aircraft carriers which are vulnerable to modern missile technologies. The presence of this drone carrier at a shipyard known for creating naval targets suggests significant strategic innovations by the Chinese Navy.

🇬🇧 The UK develops a new energy weapon to neutralize drones at a fraction of the cost of missiles

The UK is deploying a new Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) as a cost-effective defense solution, costing only 13 cents per shot. This energy weapon can neutralize targets like drones more economically compared to using expensive missiles, supporting a shift in military strategy that includes increasing defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2030. The RFDEW, which can be operated by a single person, can engage multiple threats from up to a kilometer away and is versatile enough to be mounted on various platforms, from warships to trucks.

🦾 Robotics

🇳🇱 Dutch researchers create a neuromorphic, insect-sized drone powered by 28,800 neurons

Researchers at Delft University of Technology have developed a neuromorphic drone equipped with a vision-to-control system powered by a spiking neural network of 28,800 neurons. This network uses raw data from an event-based camera to estimate 3D motion, enabling autonomous drone flight. This system, which consumes minimal power, represents a significant advancement in efficient, compact AI technologies for autonomous applications. The technology, published in Science Robotics, demonstrates potential for further innovation in drone and robotic navigation systems.

🇭🇰 Hong Kong researchers create a robotic insect-inspired eye with 220° vision

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have created a robotic compound eye inspired by insects. This advanced system integrates a 3D-printed pinhole array with a hemispherical perovskite nanowire array for exceptional motion tracking and wide-field vision. The device, capable of panoramic views up to 220°, was tested on a drone for tracking a ground robot, highlighting its potential for future robotic collaboration and swarm technology. More details on the development and applications of this technology were published in Science Robotics.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence

🇨🇦 Canadian researchers develop an AI model to enhance energy efficiency in multi-unit residential buildings by pinpointing major heat loss areas

Researchers at the University of Waterloo have developed an AI-driven method for improving building energy efficiency. By identifying 28 key areas where heat loss occurs in a multi-unit residential building, they've highlighted potential energy savings of 25% if 70% of these areas are addressed. Their method uses AI, infrared technology, and mathematical modeling to pinpoint heat loss, achieving 81% accuracy. This approach, published in Energy Conversion and Management, not only enhances comfort but also reduces energy costs, promising faster and more accurate assessments compared to traditional methods. Future plans include drone inspections for high-rise buildings.

💊 Healthcare

🇩🇰 Danish researchers develop a next-generation weight-loss drug that rewires the brain for long-term effects

Danish researchers are developing a next-generation weight-loss drug that not only mimics the natural hormonal responses signaling fullness but also exploits the brain's plasticity to potentially cement new appetite pathways long after treatment ends. Using GLP-1 peptides to transport molecules that block the NMDA receptor directly into the brain's appetite control centers, this innovative approach could drastically reduce side effects and dosage requirements compared to current treatments. Pre-clinical trials in mice have shown promising results, with potential applications extending beyond obesity to other neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders. The study was published in Nature.

🔋 Electronics

🇸🇪 Swedish researchers develop a new cost-effective, long-lasting zinc-lignin battery

Researchers at Linköping University in Sweden have developed a zinc-lignin battery designed to provide a sustainable energy storage solution. This eco-friendly battery boasts a lifespan of over 8,000 cycles with around 80% retention of its capacity, making it ideal for regions where solar power is unreliable after dark. Unlike traditional zinc batteries, this rechargeable model is cost-effective, maintains a charge for about a week, and uses a water-in-polymer salt electrolyte to enhance durability and safety. This innovation, published in Energy & Environmental Materials, holds potential for scaling up to larger systems to support sustainable development in low-income countries.

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!