Daily Innovation News

October 17^th 2024

💻 Technology

🇬🇧 UK researchers set wireless data speed record, nearing 1 terabit per second

UK scientists at University College London have achieved a new wireless data transmission speed record of 938 Gbps, nearing the 1-Tbps milestone. By combining radio and light technologies across a frequency range of 5 to 150 GHz, this breakthrough surpasses previous wireless records by 30%. The new method vastly outperforms current 5G and Wi-Fi speeds, potentially allowing downloads of a 4K movie in a tenth of a second, revolutionizing everyday wireless connectivity.

🇺🇸 US engineers create smartphone app for real-time full-body motion capture without expensive equipment

US researchers have developed MobilePoser, a new system for real-time full-body motion capture that only requires a smartphone, smartwatch, or wireless earbuds. Leveraging built-in sensors and a combination of AI and physics-based optimization, the app accurately tracks body movements and poses, achieving state-of-the-art accuracy with only an 8-10 cm tracking error. This innovation could enhance gaming, fitness, and health tracking by making immersive experiences and motion analysis more accessible. MobilePoser will be available soon on iPhones and Apple devices.

🚘 Transport

🇫🇷 🇩🇪 French-German collaboration creates magnet-free motor to boost EV power and reduce CO2 by 40%

French company Valeo and German firm MAHLE are developing a magnet-free electric motor for upper-segment EVs, promising to enhance power efficiency and cut CO2 emissions by 40%. Using Externally Excited Synchronous Motor (EESM) technology, the new system avoids rare earth materials, lowering costs and environmental impact. An innovative cooling system and MAHLE's contactless transmitter technology aim to increase power density by 30%. The first prototypes will be tested by late 2024, marking a significant step toward sustainable electric mobility.

🇹🇼 Taiwanese firm unveils EV battery offering 186 miles from 5-minute charge

Taiwanese company ProLogium has introduced a 100% silicon composite anode battery that promises to revolutionize EV technology with its energy density and charging speed. Showcased at the Paris Motor Show, the battery can deliver 186 miles of range from a mere five-minute charge, with an impressive energy density of 321 Wh/kg—far exceeding current lithium-ion EV batteries. Its fast charging speed, going from 5% to 60% in just five minutes, could address major hurdles like limited public charging infrastructure. ProLogium is partnering with Germany’s FEV to begin mass production.

🦾 Robotics

🇺🇸 US robot maker launches faster, smarter food delivery bots with expanded capacity

Serve Robotics has introduced its third-generation delivery robot, featuring five times more processing power and 67% greater battery capacity than its predecessor. Equipped with advanced AI, faster decision-making, and improved collision avoidance, the robot can now operate for 14 hours per charge and carry more cargo, such as four 16-inch pizzas. The bots, set to be deployed across the US on Uber Eats, represent a significant step toward larger autonomous delivery fleets.

💊 Healthcare

🇺🇸 US study finds mpox vaccine safe and effective in adolescents, with robust antibody response

A clinical trial funded by the NIH has shown that the mpox vaccine (MVA-BN) is safe and generates an antibody response in adolescents aged 12-17, equivalent to that seen in adults. The study, presented at IDWeek2024, also found the vaccine was well tolerated, with dizziness being the most common mild side effect. This research fills a critical gap in knowledge about vaccine use in younger populations affected by the Clade I mpox outbreak, particularly in Central Africa.

🇺🇸 US researchers develop rapid at-home heart attack detection chip, results in minutes

US scientists at Johns Hopkins University have created a tiny chip that can diagnose heart attacks within minutes by detecting key blood biomarkers, such as troponin, even at very low concentrations. Using a unique metasurface and enhanced Raman spectroscopy, the chip offers much faster results than current lab tests, which take hours. This breakthrough, published in Advanced Science, could pave the way for at-home diagnostic tools, improving patient outcomes by enabling quicker medical intervention. The technology could also be adapted for cancer and infectious disease testing.

🇺🇸 US scientists develop personalized bacterial vaccine showing promise as cancer immunotherapy

US researchers have engineered a bacterial vaccine that activates the immune system to target and destroy cancer cells, offering a new personalized approach to cancer treatment. Tested on mice with colorectal cancer and melanoma, the vaccine effectively suppressed tumor growth and even eliminated metastases, all while sparing healthy tissue. This probiotic-based system targets tumor-specific mutations (neoantigens) and could also prevent cancer recurrence. The bacterial vaccines are designed to be personalized for each patient, making cancer immunotherapy more precise and effective. The research was published in Nature.

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