Innovation

Supervolcano Generator

#286
NASA have a backup plan to cool Yellowstone's supervolcano in case it gets close to erupting, by drilling holes in the sides and pumping super-cooled water through the volcano chamber. The exiting water would be heated to around 350°C on the way out from cooling the volcano and on the way into a geo-thermal plant to generate electricity. A win-win, at the cost of $3.46B.
Environment
Innovation

Flying Microchip

#282
Researchers at Northwestern University have developed a flying microchip sensor device. The microfliers are modelled on how maple trees spread their seed and fly in a slow stable rotation when moving through the air. The tiny devices include sensors, a power source, data storage and antennae for wireless communication. The goal is to be able to use the microfliers to sense the environment for contamination monitoring, population surveillance, or disease tracking.
Innovation
Tech

Glow In The Dark Plants

#282
Scientists at MIT have successfully injected nanoparticles into plants to give them glow in the dark properties, for the second time. The strontium aluminate nanoparticles are coated in silica so as not to damage the plant. Just 10 seconds of exposure to LED or sunlight cause the plants to glow green for up to an hour, at a brightness ten times more than the previous experiment. The plan is to be able to use these glowing plants as passive lighting in outdoor areas, thus reducing the need for street lighting.
Environment
Innovation
Science

Faster Than Wind Travel

#274
A former aerospace engineer turned YouTuber Rick Cavellero designed a land yacht that harnesses the power of the wind to propel itself faster than said wind. After online disagreements with physics professors, one who bet him $10,000 that it wasn't possible according to the laws of perpetual motion, he built the real thing and won the bet!
Innovation
Science

Pages

Life Changing Smart Thinking Books

Subscribe to RSS - Innovation