Innovation

Cholera Rice Vaccine

Scientists at the University of Tokyo have developed a vaccine for Cholera that is delivered using genetically modified rice, which has successfully completed phase 1 human trials. The edible Cholerea vaccine hides in the membranes of fat in protein droplets within the rice cells, protecting it from the digestive system.

Innovation

Science

Read more about Cholera Rice Vaccine

Facemask COVID Detector

#270

Researchers at MIT and Harvard have developed a COVID-19 detection system that is integrated into a facemask which tests the wearer's breath for COVID-19 in ninety minutes. The wFDCF technology uses freeze dried test moelcules that are activated when water is released into the testing unit via release button. The system combines the high accuracy of a PCR test with the speed and low cost of an antigen test.

Innovation

Science

Read more about Facemask COVID Detector

LEGO Bricks From Plastic Bottles

#270

LEGO have developed a prototype material made from recycled PET plastic bottles that can use one recycled PET plastic bottle to produce ten 2 x 4 LEGO bricks.

Environment

Innovation

Read more about LEGO Bricks From Plastic Bottles

Lego High Resolution Microscope

#269

Researchers at the Universities of Göttingen and Münster in Germany have designed a high resolution microscope that can be built using Lego and cheap smartphone lenses. The microscope can be used to view micrometer objects such as individual cells.

Innovation

Science

Tech

Read more about Lego High Resolution Microscope

Passive Solar Still

#269

Engineers at ETH Zurich have developed a passive solar still that can extract 4.6ml of water from the air per day using a 10cm wide surface requiring no power.

Environment

Innovation

Science

Read more about Passive Solar Still

Ocean Microplastic Satellite Detection

#268

Researchers at University of Michigan have discovered a technique to detect the build-up of microplastics in the ocean by measuring ocean surface roughness using the Cyclone Global Navigational Satellite System (CYGNSS).

Read more about Ocean Microplastic Satellite Detection

Night Vision Film

#268

Scientists at the Australian National University (ANU) have developed a nanocrystal ultra-thin film that can be applied to a pair of glasses to convert infrared light light into visible light, allowing the wear to see in the dark.

Innovation

Science

Read more about Night Vision Film

Robotic Third Thumb

#265

Researchers at UCL conducted a study where participants trained themselves to use a robotic third thumb which was desisgned by the Royal College of Art. Users of the thrid thumb control its movement using their toes. The UCL study measured brain activity of participants after time using the thumb and found that the brain's representation of the hand had changed.

Read more about Robotic Third Thumb

Single Piston Hydrogen Engine

#264

Aquarius Engines in Israel have developed a small single piston engine that runs on hydrogen, without the need for a more complicated hydrogen fuel cell. Applications for the clean burning engine with a small 10kg footprint are being explored by Nokia to power remote communicatinos towers.

Environment

Innovation

Tech

Read more about Single Piston Hydrogen Engine

Ireland's First Computer Scientist - Percy Ludgate

#264

The Irish Times published a piece this week about Percy Ludgate who is believed to be Ireland's first computer scientist. In 1914 the accountant and inventor from Skibereen presented designs for the worlds second analytical engine, a mechanical computer of the time.

Read more about Ireland's First Computer Scientist - Percy Ludgate

Innovation

Pages