Daily Innovation News

May 28^th 2024

💻 Technology

🇺🇸 US startup develops responder drone to enhance emergency services

Seattle-based startup Brinc has introduced the Responder drone designed for police, fire departments, and ambulance services. Equipped with lights, siren, HD optical and thermal cameras, and a payload system, it can deliver life-saving items and provide real-time communication with affected individuals. The drone can be dispatched quickly, offering live feeds and remote control capabilities, potentially reducing the need for human responders in some emergencies. This innovation aims to significantly improve response times and efficiency in emergency situations.

🚀 Space

🇬🇧 UK researchers develop nuclear heaters to stop spacecraft freezing using americium-241

Scientists in the UK have created a new type of nuclear heater for spacecraft that uses americium-241. These heaters provide a reliable heat source for space missions, especially in cold environments where solar power is insufficient. This innovation, which ensures consistent thermal energy for spacecraft to stop freezing, is vital for the success of long-duration space missions.

🦾 Robotics

🇺🇸 US researchers develop a lizard-like robot for climbing rough surfaces

Carnegie Mellon University researchers have created LORIS, a robot using bio-inspired passive grippers to climb walls and rocks. The grippers and passive wrist joints ensure secure grasping and minimize detachment risks. Tested on various surfaces, the robot showed improved climbing success using an optimization-based control strategy. This innovation, published on CMU's Robotics Institute website, has significant implications for accessing hard-to-reach areas in scientific and industrial applications.

🌎 Environment

🇨🇭 Swiss scientists develop tech to cut radioactive waste in nuclear plants by 80%

A team at Transmutex, led by former CERN scientist Carlo Rubbia, has created a reactor system that reduces nuclear waste radioactivity by up to 80%. This technology, using a particle accelerator to transmute thorium into a low-waste uranium isotope, cuts the waste's radioactive lifespan to less than 500 years. The innovation, validated by Switzerland's Nagra, could drastically reduce the environmental impact of nuclear energy. This breakthrough was reported by Interesting Engineering.

🇺🇸 US scientists find greener way to make steel using electricity

Researchers have developed a new method to produce steel using electricity instead of fossil fuels, significantly reducing carbon emissions. This innovation involves using electrolysis to convert iron ore into steel, making the process more environmentally friendly. The breakthrough, detailed in the journal Nature, is important for the steel industry as it offers a sustainable alternative to traditional methods, potentially reducing the sector's environmental impact.

🇯🇵 Japanese and Polish researchers develop reactor to convert CO2 into methane fuel

Researchers from Japan and Poland have designed a distributor-type membrane reactor (DMR) that converts CO2 emissions from small boilers into methane. This reactor evenly distributes CO2, minimizing temperature increases and boosting methane production by about 1.5 times compared to traditional reactors. This innovation could significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and is published in the Journal of CO2 Utilization. The technique presents a versatile solution for both industrial and household applications.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US scientists develop implantable multi-sensor device for cardiovascular health monitoring

Researchers in the US have designed an innovative implantable device with multiple sensors to monitor cardiovascular health. This device continuously tracks vital signs and other health indicators, providing real-time data to healthcare providers. The development, published in Nature Biomedical Engineering, is significant as it offers a more comprehensive and less invasive way to manage cardiovascular conditions, potentially improving patient outcomes.

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