Daily Innovation News

September 19^th 2024

🚘 Transport

🇺🇸 US to build world’s largest ethanol-to-jet fuel plant, producing 250 million gallons annually

Summit Next Gen, a subsidiary of Summit Agricultural Group, will construct the world’s largest ethanol-to-jet (ETJ) sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) facility in Texas. The 60-acre plant aims to produce 250 million gallons of SAF per year, addressing the aviation industry's demand for low-carbon jet fuel. Using Honeywell's ETJ technology, the facility will convert ethanol into SAF, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%. Operations are expected to begin in 2027, supporting global aviation decarbonization efforts.

🪖 Military

🇺🇸 US enlists Harvard tech to fight deadly blood infections in military field

DARPA has partnered with Harvard’s Wyss Institute to develop pathogen-agnostic treatments for bloodstream infections in combat. Combining cellular "backpacks" with pathogen-binding technology, the innovative system targets immune cells to help them fight infections without needing to identify the pathogen. These backpacks release anti-inflammatory molecules, enabling macrophages to patrol the body and eliminate threats for up to seven days, offering critical defense against sepsis.

🤖 Artificial Intelligence

🇺🇸 US researchers integrate ChatGPT into autonomous vehicles for smarter passenger interaction

Engineers at Purdue University have tested how autonomous vehicles (AVs) can better understand passenger commands using ChatGPT's AI language models. The system allows passengers to give indirect instructions like "I'm in a hurry," prompting the AV to choose faster routes. During experiments, ChatGPT-enabled AVs outperformed standard models in comfort and safety. Though improvements in response speed are needed, this technology could enhance future AVs by integrating personalized driving preferences.

🌎 Environment

🇺🇸 US researchers develop an efficient artificial photosynthesis system that produces hydrocarbons using solar energy

Scientists at the University of Michigan have developed an artificial photosynthesis system that efficiently converts CO2 into ethylene, a key ingredient in plastics, using solar energy. The system achieves five to six times better efficiency, yield, and longevity than competing methods. This breakthrough could help reduce CO2 emissions by turning waste gas into useful hydrocarbons, with future plans to produce sustainable liquid fuels. The research was published in Nature Synthesis.

💊 Healthcare

🇬🇧 UK hospital debuts robotic tool to accelerate lung cancer diagnosis by months

A new robotic tool at Wythenshawe Hospital in Manchester allows clinicians to diagnose lung cancer months earlier by reaching hard-to-access lung nodules. The Ion Endoluminal System uses a flexible catheter to navigate the lungs precisely, providing earlier biopsy results. This breakthrough could significantly reduce the wait for diagnosis and treatment, improving survival rates for patients with early-stage lung cancer.

🇬🇧 UK scientists develop bioactive glass that kills 99% of bone cancer cells while sparing healthy tissue

Researchers at Aston University have created a bioactive glass infused with gallium that can kill up to 99% of osteosarcoma (bone cancer) cells without harming healthy bone cells. The gallium targets cancer cells, which absorb it more readily, leaving healthy tissue unaffected. While the glass also shows potential for promoting bone regeneration, higher gallium concentrations currently hinder this process. Future work will focus on optimizing bone regeneration and testing the treatment in animal models. The research was published in Biomedical Materials.

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