Daily Innovation News

October 22^nd 2024

💻 Technology

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland trials electric wallpaper to heat homes and cut emissions

Researchers in Scotland are testing an innovative electric wallpaper that emits infrared heat to warm homes without burning fossil fuels. Installed in older, poorly insulated homes, the wallpaper aims to reduce carbon emissions, which are largely driven by gas heating. Powered by clean electricity from wind farms, this solution offers a sustainable alternative to traditional boilers and could play a key role in Scotland's efforts to reach net zero by 2045.

⚡️ Energy

🇨🇳 Chinese firm unveils world’s largest alkaline electrolyzer to produce 990 pounds of hydrogen per hour

China’s Shuangliang Group has launched the world’s largest alkaline water electrolyzer, capable of generating 990 pounds of hydrogen per hour with high energy efficiency. This electrolyzer uses renewable energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen, offering a clean solution for industrial hydrogen production in sectors like steel, chemicals, and fuel cells. The new technology marks a major step forward in large-scale hydrogen generation with minimal carbon emissions.

🚀 Space

🇨🇭 Swiss students achieve Europe’s first rocket vertical landing in reusable rocket test

A student team from Switzerland successfully completed Europe's first vertical landing test of a reusable rocket, beating private companies and space agencies. Their Colibri rocket, developed by the Gruyère Space Program, executed a 105-meter hop test and returned to the launchpad. This achievement marks a significant milestone in Europe's reusable rocket development, echoing SpaceX's early success with Falcon 9. The test even included a Swiss touch—a slice of cheese strapped to the rocket’s landing leg.

🌎 Environment

🇩🇪 Mercedes-Benz opens plant to recycle 96% of battery materials for EV production

Mercedes-Benz has launched Europe's first in-house battery recycling plant in Germany, capable of recovering over 96% of critical materials like lithium, nickel, and cobalt. Using an energy-efficient mechanical-hydrometallurgical process, the facility aims to recycle battery components for reuse in new electric vehicles, reducing waste and carbon emissions. This innovative approach marks a significant step towards sustainable EV production and closing the battery recycling loop.

🇸🇪 🇫🇮 Swedish and Finnish firms to build world’s first fossil-free steel building by 2025

Swedish steelmaker SSAB and Finnish smart building firm Parmaco are partnering to create the world’s first building made entirely from fossil-free steel. Using SSAB's HYBRIT technology, which eliminates carbon emissions by using green hydrogen, this project marks a significant step toward reducing CO2 emissions in the construction industry. The building, set to begin in 2025, will showcase sustainable design using Parmaco's Fixcel technology.

💊 Healthcare

🇨🇦 Canadian scientists discover protein that could slow aging and fight neurodegenerative diseases

Researchers in Canada have discovered that the protein MANF plays a crucial role in protecting cells by breaking down harmful protein accumulations linked to diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Their experiments on C. elegans worms showed that increasing MANF levels activated the cells' natural clean-up process, improving function and extending lifespan. This discovery offers potential for new treatments that target aging and neurodegenerative conditions by enhancing cellular health. The study was published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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