Daily Innovation News

September 26^th 2024

💻 Technology

🇺🇸 Meta introduce Orion: Brain-powered AR glasses with seamless design

Meta has revealed the Orion augmented reality glasses, a prototype designed to blend digital content into the user's field of vision without bulky accessories. These glasses utilize nerve-detecting wristbands and eye-tracking cameras, enabling users to interact with displays through simple hand gestures. Featuring lightweight silicon carbide lenses, Orion aims to make AR technology more accessible and practical. Although still in development, Meta envisions these glasses as a future alternative to smartphones.

🇰🇷 South Korean firm unveils world's first 5,800-mile-range hydrogen-powered drone

Hogreen Air has introduced a hydrogen-powered drone capable of flying up to 14 hours and covering distances of 5,800 miles. The drone uses hydrogen fuel cells, providing longer flight times compared to lithium battery-powered drones. Equipped with radio frequency and LTE/5G communication systems, it can be remotely operated worldwide, enhancing surveillance and search-and-rescue missions. The drone's PEM fuel cell platform ensures reliable, eco-friendly operation, emitting only water vapor. This innovation marks a significant advancement in long-range UAV technology.

⚡️ Energy

🇰🇷 South Korean engineers unveil the world's largest waste-to-hydrogen plant with 30,000-ton annual output

Hyundai Engineering has introduced the world’s largest waste-to-hydrogen facility, capable of producing over 30,000 tons of hydrogen annually by converting organic and plastic waste. The plant transforms food waste, sewage sludge, and livestock manure into hydrogen, reducing methane emissions and global warming. Non-recyclable plastics are also processed into hydrogen using advanced melting and gasification technologies, tackling plastic pollution and promoting circular energy. This initiative aims to establish regional hydrogen hubs, cutting transportation costs and boosting hydrogen resource independence.

🚘 Transport

🇨🇳 Chinese researchers develop ultra-fast EV battery charging 80% in 9 minutes, lasting 300+ cycles

Researchers have introduced a breakthrough in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) using a sulfur-doped black phosphorus anode, paired with a lithium cobalt oxide cathode, enabling 80% charging in just 9 minutes. This innovative solid-state electrocatalysis method overcomes the limitations of traditional anode materials by enhancing reaction kinetics and increasing active sites. The new battery maintains its rapid charging performance over 300 cycles, promising significant advancements for electric vehicle (EV) technology. The research findings are published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.

🦾 Robotics

🇺🇸 US researchers develop biohybrid robot with wireless 'brain' for precise swimming control

Researchers have created a biohybrid robot equipped with an artificial "brain," enabling it to swim with precise, wireless control. By using motor neurons and cardiomyocytes from human-induced stem cells, the robot achieves independent control of its fins, allowing for directional movement and speed adjustments. The wireless system employs electrical synapses for faster signal transmission, overcoming challenges of previous biohybrid robots. This innovation could lead to autonomous biohybrid systems capable of adaptive motor control and real-time responsiveness. The research is published in Science Robotics.

🌎 Environment

🇺🇸 International scientists launch first indoor vertical berry farm to boost sustainable food production

The world's first large-scale indoor vertical farm for berries has opened in Richmond, Virginia, producing over four million pounds of strawberries annually. This innovative approach to agriculture minimizes land and water use, reducing the need for pesticides and allowing year-round production. The controlled environment of the farm optimizes growth, enhancing crop yield and uniformity. This development represents a significant step towards future-proofing the global food system and meeting rising food demands sustainably. The research appears in Frontiers in Science.

🇺🇸 US researchers develop eco-friendly method for recycling valuable metals from e-waste

A research team has created a new method to efficiently recycle valuable metals from electronic waste while minimizing environmental damage. This process, using flash Joule heating, recovers metals like gallium, indium, and tantalum without harmful chemicals or excessive energy use, achieving over 95% purity. The technique offers a more cost-effective and greener alternative to traditional recycling methods, potentially addressing global metal shortages and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The research is published in Nature Chemical Engineering.

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