Daily Innovation News

May 24^th 2024

⚡️ Energy

🇺🇸 US launches first hydrogen-powered passenger ferry in Bay Area

Switch Maritime's Sea Change, the first hydrogen fuel cell passenger ferry in the US, has received approval from the US Coast Guard to begin commercial service in the Bay Area. The 70-foot catamaran, capable of carrying 75 passengers and traveling up to 300 nautical miles, will start a six-month pilot program in June before establishing a permanent route. This zero-emission vessel, equipped with 360-kW Cummins fuel cells and 600-kW electric propulsion, marks a significant step towards sustainable maritime transport.

🇺🇸 US researchers develop iron-based cathode for cheaper, greener lithium-ion batteries

Researchers from Oregon State University and collaborators have developed an iron-based cathode that could revolutionize lithium-ion battery technology by reducing costs and enhancing sustainability. Utilizing a chemical environment of fluorine and phosphate anions, this new cathode offers higher energy density and is not limited by resource shortages. Iron, being abundant and inexpensive, replaces the costly and less sustainable cobalt and nickel typically used in current batteries. This innovation promises safer, greener, and more cost-effective batteries for electric vehicles and other applications. The study was published in Science Advances.

🦾 Robotics

🇺🇸 US company unveils world’s first concept for head transplant surgery using autonomous robots

Biomedical engineering startup BrainBridge has announced plans to perform the world's first human head transplant using autonomous medical robots and AI within the next eight years. This revolutionary procedure aims to transplant a patient's head onto a brain-dead donor body, preserving cognitive functions and consciousness. The integrated robotic platform will conduct simultaneous surgeries on two patients, with advanced AI ensuring precise reconnection of nerves and blood vessels. BrainBridge aims to address spinal cord damage and organ rejection, potentially transforming healthcare.

🌎 Environment

🇺🇸 US scientists develop catalyst to recycle carbon dioxide into household chemicals

Researchers at Argonne National Laboratory, Northern Illinois University, and Valparaiso University have created a tin-based catalyst that efficiently converts carbon dioxide (CO₂) from industrial emissions into ethanol, acetic acid, and formic acid. This electrocatalytic conversion process, which uses electricity, achieves over 90% selectivity for these chemicals and can potentially transform CO₂ into valuable products using renewable energy. This breakthrough offers a promising solution for reducing CO₂ emissions while producing essential household chemicals. The study was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

🇦🇺 Australia trials world's first footpath made with coffee concrete

Researchers from RMIT University and the Macedon Ranges Shire Council in Australia have trialed the world’s first footpath made from coffee concrete. By converting ground coffee waste into biochar and replacing river sand in concrete, they aim to reduce landfill waste and greenhouse emissions. The footpath in Gisborne demonstrates an eco-friendly alternative to traditional concrete, potentially replacing 15% of sand and enhancing strength by 30%. This innovation could lead to greener construction practices globally.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US researchers develop promising non-hormonal male birth control pill

Researchers at Baylor College of Medicine have demonstrated a novel, non-hormonal approach to male contraception using a small molecule inhibitor, CDD-2807, that targets the serine/threonine kinase 33 (STK33) protein. In animal models, this inhibitor effectively reduced sperm motility and fertility without causing toxicity or altering testis size. Importantly, the contraceptive effect was reversible. This breakthrough offers a potential new option for reversible male contraception, addressing the need for safe and effective male birth control pills. The study was published in Science.

🇰🇷 South Korean researchers develop biodegradable 'bio-paper' for wireless Parkinson’s treatment

Researchers at UNIST in South Korea have created a biodegradable 'bio-paper' implant capable of delivering wireless electrical stimulation to the brain, potentially revolutionizing treatments for neurological diseases like Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Made from magnetoelectric nanoparticles embedded in a nanofiber sheet, the flexible, porous material adheres to the brain's surface and degrades after two months. This innovation simplifies treatment processes and offers personalized, minimally invasive options for neuroelectronic therapies. The study was published in Advanced Materials.

🇺🇸 US researchers develop ultrasound patch to monitor brain blood flow of hospital patients

Scientists at the University of California San Diego have created a stamp-sized, wearable ultrasound patch that continuously monitors cerebral blood flow, providing real-time data on major brain arteries. Unlike traditional handheld ultrasound probes, this flexible silicone patch adheres to the patient's temple and uses multiple layers of stretchable electronics to produce 3D models of blood flow. This innovation aims to improve the monitoring of patients recovering from strokes and other neurological conditions. The technology is being commercialized by Softsonics and detailed in Nature.

🔋 Electronics

🇨🇳 Chinese researchers develop flexible film for noncontact sensing in smart devices, allowing communication via blinking

Researchers at East China University of Science and Technology have created a soft, flexible film that senses nearby objects without physical contact, featured in blink-tracking glasses. This sensor, using fluorinated ethylene propylene, detects objects from 2 to 20 millimeters away and holds its charge for over 3,000 cycles. This technology has potential applications in smart devices, such as enhancing phone screens and enabling communication for people unable to speak. The study was published in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.

🇰🇷 South Korean researchers develop skin-like electronic material to improve wearable devices

A team from Hanyang University and Rice University has developed a stretchable material that mimics human skin, enhancing the performance of wireless wearable devices. The material, composed of dielectric ceramic nanoparticles embedded in an elastic polymer, maintains stable radio-frequency communication even when deformed. This innovation supports consistent signal strength and can be used in health monitoring, soft robotics, and high-performance antennas, offering significant advancements in medical and assistive technologies. The study was published in Nature.

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