Important Innovations

Nature Leading in Innovation Research Bees are Intelligent, Clever Counters This new research from scientists in the UK is astounding.  Bees have brains that can count. In fact, the scientific research, published in the journal Science, concludes bees have significant cognitive abilities with little brain power.  An insect with the power to count.  The potential science and innovation is significant for other animals, artificial intelligence and robotics.  For more on this news, go to Important Innovations Collection: Bees Can Count : Busy Intelligent Bees Source: Queen Mary University of London: Bees Counting New UK Research This is an amazing discovery.  Research...

Revolutionary VTOL Aircraft that Google's Larry Page is Backing Is It a UFO?  No, It's a New Personal Flying Machine The idea for the Blackfly was developed by Canadian entrepreneur Marcus Leng.  He innovated,  built it and flew it in his own backyard in Ontario nearly 10 years ago.  Today, his company Opener is located in Palo Alto, CA and has a major investor in Alphabet/Google's Larry Page.  Some commentators think it looks like a UFO but it's a lot more for your personal commute than that. Unique Electric VTOL The Blackfly is a revolutionary personal flying vehicle.  It's electric, a one-seater, with vertical liftoffs and landings and a lot of safety redundancies. It can take off from and land in both water and land. 8 small rotors across 2, fixed wings power its flight.  My journalist colleague Ed Kane has a great news blog with more detail on this incredible piece of aviation innovation at  https://importantinnovationscollection.b...

Happy New Year Greetings from Outer Space NASA's New Horizons  Ultima Thule - Cosmic Rock The cosmic rock is called Ultima Thule, which means "beyond what is human to see."  It is 4 billion miles above the earth.  On New Years Day 2019, NASA's spacecraft New Horizons will do a fly by around it and start transmitting data to earth.  It is the farthest any spacecraft has travelled into outer space. For a news blog on this remarkable achievement, go to my journalist colleague Ed Kane's blog at Important Innovations Collection: Cosmic Rockin New Years - NASA Spacecraft : NASA Mission on New Years Reaches Cosmic Rock Beyond Pluto Source:  NASA's New Horizons Historic Mission, Science and Innovation...

French Adventurer Crossing Atlantic in a Barrel Jean-Jacques Savin Atop His Barrel Oceanic Entrepreneur Barreling by Currents He's being called The French Barrel Man.  71 year old Jean-Jacques Savin is a retired military parachutist and French innovator-adventurer.  He is making his way across the Atlantic Ocean in a big orange barrel that's actually a sophisticated barrel-shaped capsule.   Savin is taking a very innovative approach.  The craft is being transported and guided solely by ocean currents.  He is literally barreling across the Atlantic Destination - Caribbean Savin left the Canary Islands off the west coast of Africa on December 26.  He hopes to reach the Caribbean by the end of March.  The craft is travelling at 1 to 2 miles per hour.  There's a porthole that allows him to observe fish swimming underneath the barrel.  And, he's dropping markers along the way to allow the international marine observatory organization JC...

Environmental Innovation - Ink & Paint Made from Exhaust System Pollution Source: Grafiky's  KAALINK System Retrofitted to a Diesel Generator MIT Spinoff Company's Tech has Cleaned Nearly 2 Trillion Liters of Air This is remarkable innovation, ingenuity and engineering.  MIT spinoff company Graviky Labs is rolling out a patent-pending device called Air-Ink.  The technology attaches to the exhaust system of cars, diesel generators, vehicles and machines and converts the captured pollution into ink and paints.  The bedrock technology underlying the system is called KAALINK.  It's extraordinary innovation, beneficial to the environment, in the advanced prototype stage.  For a detailed news blog by my journalist colleague Ed Kane on this, go to  https://importantinnovationscollection.blogspot.com/2018/12/air-ink-pollution-to-ink.html

Important Innovations Collection: Air Ink: Pollution to Ink : Ink Made From Captured Pollution Source:  Graviky Labs Capturing Innovation 1.6 Trillion litres of air cleaned so far.  That's w...

New Morphing Material Source:  Rice University Taking Complex Shapes Scientists at Rice University have created shape changing, morphing material.  The face in the photo takes shape when cooled and goes flat when heat is applied to it. The unique material they've innovated is a rubbery polymer. Nanoscale Tug of War At the nanoscale level there's a battle for control between liquid crystals and the elastomer in which they're embedded.  When cooled, the shape programmed into the crystal dominates.  When heated, the crystals relax and the material goes flat.  This innovation was just published in the Royal Society of Chemistry journal Soft Matter. Significant Applications This unique material is expected to have significant application for soft robots that morph into different shapes.  Also for medical devices that take preprogrammed shape at body temperature.  For more news stories on innovation go to  amazon.com/author/ekane

Cooling Hypersonic Vehicles Source:  DARPA Hypersonic Concept Vehicle DARPA's MACH Program The big challenge with hypersonic jets is to keep them cool as they reach a speed of Mach 5 and above.  The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA - has declared 2019 the year of hypersonics.  DARPA is pursuing new materials and designs for cooling the hot, leading edges of hypersonic vehicles as they accelerate to hypersonic speeds. New Architecture, Materials and Design for Heat Management The new program is called MACH - Materials, Architecture and Characterization for Hypersonics (MACH) program.  DARPA wants totally new, breakthrough technology, not evolutionary improvements on existing technology. Decades of Trying Effective cool down of the hypersonic vehicles at Mach 5 and above is the key factor between success and disaster.  The DARPA MACH programs kicks off in late January 2019.  According to DARPA Program Manager Bi...

Israeli Innovation New Plastic with No Toxic Waste Scientists at Tel Aviv University have developed a green, biodegradable plastic derived from microorganisms that feed on seaweed.  There is no toxic waste and it can be recycled into organic waste.  This is a marine resource converted into green bioplastic.  Unlike plant based bioplastics, it doesn't require arable land and fresh water.  Israel, China and India have a shortage of both.  For a news blog on this innovation breakthrough, go to Important Innovations Collection: Green, Biodegradable Plastic : Israeli Innovation - New Plastic with Zero Toxic Waste Source:  Tel Aviv University's Non-toxic Plastic Plastic that's Good fo...

Sir Richard Branson's High Speed Rails Source:  Brightline Accelerating and Expanding in US in 2019 Sir Richard Branson is filling a big gap in high speed rail travel in the US. The US is way behind China, Japan and Europe with their Maglevs and other high speed trains.  That's about to change.  Branson is rolling out high speed travel between Orlando and Tampa, Florida in 2019 and tackling LA to Vegas next. It's called Virgin Train USA and for details here's a great news link to my colleague and fellow journalist Ed Kane at  https://importantinnovationscollection.blogspot.com/2018/12/virgins-high-speed-rails.html

Parts of DNA, the Basis of Life, Can Form in Space European Space Agency Photo of Eagle Nebula - Frigid & Rich in Radiation Breakthrough NASA Research NASA scientists have made a remarkable discovery through highly innovative research.  They've discovered that parts of DNA, which is the stuff of life, can form in space.  Specifically deoxyribose, sugar that's the backbone of DNA, can form in space.  They replicated space conditions in their lab by blasting ice with radiation and found deoxyribose in it.  This is breakthrough science and innovation.  For details and a news story on it by my journalist colleague Ed Kane, go to  https://importantinnovationscollection.blogspot.com/2018/12/nasa-discovery-on-dna.html

NeptoMoon Exoplanet & Exomoon Artist Rendering Out of this World There is evidence of the first known moon outside of the solar system. The Kepler space telescope has observed a dip in starlight which suggested the existence of a Neptune sized moon orbiting around a Jupiter sized, gas exoplanet about 8000 light years away. Hubble & Kepler The Hubble Space Telescope recently spotted the same dip and saw the planet passing in front of its star earlier than expected, suggesting gravitational pull from a new moon.  The evidence of a new moon is not yet conclusive but it is building.  For more new blogs and news stories on important innovations, go to  amazon.com/author/ekane

Volume 5:  Important Innovations Impacting Environment, Climate Change, Global Warming Important Innovations:  Collection - Environment by Edward Kane We're pleased to announce that Important Innovations:  Collection, Vol. 5 Important Innovations Impacting the Environment, Climate Change and Global Warming Across Industries was published by Amazon on Christmas Eve.  The book is published both as a paperback and a Kindle e-book. The focus is the latest and most impactful innovations addressing global warming and the latest science tracking Climate Change.  It contains need-to-know news briefs on developments ranging from Harvard's solar geoengineering, China's floating solar farms, Africa's electronic waste recycling programs, Asia's Melting Glaciers, global high precision satellites tracking ice melt, a plant that clears indoor pollution and much more. To check it out go to  amazon.com/author/ekane

Harvard's Robot Climber with Sticky Feet Source:  Wyss Institute's Microrobot HAMR-E HAMR-E on Duty for Jet Engine Safety Inspections It's a tiny but mighty micro-robot named HAMR-E (Harvard Ambulatory Micro-Robot Electroadhesion).  It's been developed by researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering. They've created a micro-robot with incredible climbing ability.  It has electroadhesive foot pads, origami ankle joints and an optimized gait to explore spaces in 3-D, vertically and upside down. Gecko Inspired Rolls Royce challenged the Wyss Institute to develop an army of micro-robots to inspect their Rolls Royce engines for commercial aircraft.  Commercial jet engines have 25,000 parts, many of which aren't accessible until you pull fully dismantle the engine.  That is very expensive and time-consuming.  Enter HAMR-E from Harvard. Future for this Innovation The potential is that an army of HAMR-E micro-robots ...

New Electric Bandage that Dramatically Accelerates Healing Source:  American Chemical Society Chinese & US Scientists Team Up and Deliver This is medical care innovation on the cutting edge.  Scientists and engineers from China's University of Electronic Science and Technology and the University of Wisconsin have developed a wearable, self-powered electric bandage that significantly cuts injury healing time.  Essentially down from 12 days to 3 days. Non-healing Wounds This is an important development. Non-healing wounds are a big global health problem.  They range from diabetic foot ulcers to non-healing surgical incisions.  Non-healing wounds put people at risk for infection, scarring and chronic pain.  For a news blog with details go to my journalist colleague Ed Kane's blog at Important Innovations Collection: eBandage Accelerates Healing : Innovation from a Global Team of Scientists   Source:  American Chemical Society N...

Robotic Hand with Rhythm Source:  University of Cambridge Piano:  Very Challenging & Complex Test for Robotic Passive Movement Systems Engineers at the University of Cambridge in the UK have developed a robotic hand that can play the piano by just moving its wrist.  This is a passive movement robotic system.  The fingers don't move independently.  Because of the complexity of playing the piano, the roboticists believe it was the ideal test for their new innovation system. PianoHand The hand is 3D printed.  It replicates all the bones and joints in a human hand.  It doesn't include replications of the tendons and muscles.  Because the fingers don't move independently of the wrist (passive movement), the robot is able to achieve different styles of piano playing without changing the material or mechanical properties of the hand.  That's important new robotics. More Natural Moving Robots Experts believe this passive movement co...

Big Step toward General Artificial Intelligence for Computers Photo Source:  MIT Important Invention by UCLA Engineer s UCLA scientists have significantly advanced what's called computer vision.  They have developed an AI computer system that can discover and identify real world objects in the same way that humans do. General AI Experts are hailing this as a step toward what's called General AI.  General AI enables computers to learn and make decisions on their own.  For a news blog on this fascinating innovation, check out my journalist colleague Ed Kane at  Important Innovations Collection: AI System Mimics Human Reasoning : Computers with Ability to Visualize and Identify Objects Source:  MIT Next Generation of Artificial  Intelligence Engineers at the ...

Important Innovations Collection: China's New Communications Sat Launch for Global B... : China Launches Space Based Communications Network China Satellite Launch Race to Space,  Broadband Space China's Hongyun  satell...

China's Space Based Communications Network Source:  China's  Satellite Launch  China Goes Broadband in Space It's called the Hongyun project.  It's space based, broadband communications innovation from China.  And, it's a first for them.  China's broadband delivering satellite is designed to provide broadband connectivity to users globally, especially in underserved regions. Bottom-line:  Global Competition on Breakthrough New Communications Innovation This is a concept of running a low-cost, high performance satellite network to provide space-based communications and internet services.  There are many innovation companies going for this opportunity including Google, SpaceX and Telesat. Space X CEO Elon Musk wants to put 12,000 satellites into orbit by 2020 to provide broadband and internet services globally.  It's his Starlink project. China's Launch China is a big competitor in this tech innovation race.  The Chinese A...

The Plimp - Combo Plane, Blimp, Helicopter Source:  Egan Aircraft's Plimp May Be New Innovation Way to Fly New aviation innovation just arrived in the form of The Plimp.  It's a combo plane, blimp and helicopter technology that is fascinating and may be game-changing travel for people and goods.  My journalist colleague Ed Kane has just posted a news story on this  https://importantinnovationscollection.blogspot.com/2018/12/aviation-innovation-plimp.html  

Important Innovations Collection: Aviation Innovation - The Plimp : Engineers Combined Plane, Blimp, Helicopter Aircraft Source:  Egan Aircraft 5 Prototype Plimps Plimp Hybrid Airship This is a brand...

Nuclear Powered Robots for the Moon Europa Source:  NASA photo of Europa Proposed to Explore One of Jupiter's Moons for Signs of Life A group of scientists who advise and solve problems for NASA have come up with a unique proposal.  They want to deploy a tunnelbot that would use nuclear power to melt a path through one of Jupiter's frozen moons.  The moon is called Europa and it's the 4th largest of Jupiter's 53 moons.  It's considered a great place in the solar system to host life. Powered by Nuclear Reactor or NASA's Radioactive Heat Bricks The scientists unveiled their proposal to the American Geophysical Union.  They said the tunnelbot could use an advanced nuclear reactor or some of NASA's radioactive heat bricks to generate heat and power.  The robot would carry a payload to search for evidence of life, extant or extinct.  The researchers believe Europa's ice hides open oceans and that life may exist there.  The robot would go d...

Great Environmental Science from the University of Washington Source:  Stock image of  Devil's Ivy Common Household Plant with Rabbit DNA to the Rescue on Indoor Air Pollution This is breakthrough scientific research from the University of Washington.  Cleaning up indoor household air pollution by common house plants - Devil's Ivy, embedded with a rabbit gene.  It works and their results are dramatic.  For a great news read on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: House Plant with Rabbit DNA Cuts Air Pollution : Common Devil's Ivy Household Plant, with a Dash of Rabbit DNA, Cleans Indoor Air Source:  Stock Image of Devil's Ivy Cuts Be...

Methane Hydrate in Ocean Floor Source:   US Dept. of Energy - Methane Hydrate Fuel  Ice Energy Innovation from Flammable Ice Japan has extracted an untapped fuel from the ocean floor.  It's methane hydrate.  It's called flammable ice.  Methane trapped in ice is buried in the waters around Japan.  In some cases, what looks like dirty ice leaks to the surface.  If you strike a match to it, it ignites.  It exists in many places including Alaska. Fiery Ice Big global research organizations, Japanese and global companies are racing to tap into this huge source of new energy - methane seabed ice for fuel.   They hope to start extracting it as a new energy source by the end of the next decade of 2020.  US and Japanese researchers are just starting new research on this. Big Challenge The challenge is to extract it from the seabed.  The methane incased in ice is so sensitive and delicate, it can't be dug and hauled up.  It...

Robot Gourmet Chefs Source:  Creator Robo Chef Robots are gaining importance across global industries.  An example is the restaurant business, where 2 robots, each the size of a car, are capable of churning out gourmet burgers every 30 seconds at a restaurant in San Francisco.  My journalist colleague Ed Kane has written a fascinating news blog on this latest robotic innovation.  I've provided the link Important Innovations Collection: Burger Robot : My Chef, The Robot Source:  Creator's Robo Chef Robo-Chef Makes Gourmet Burger Every 30 Seconds At Creator Restaurant in San Franc...

Musk's Test Tunnel to Move Cars Underground Source:  Boring Company's Loop Lift tunnel Plans for LA, Chicago, NYC and DC Elon Musk's Boring Company just opened his Loop Lift tunnel in Hawthorne, California.  It's 1.14 miles long.  This is his innovative loop lift system designed to bypass what he calls "soul destroying" traffic jams.  Cars are elevated down to the tunnel.  They're put on the tracks and glide along.  This is a prototype test tunnel on the grounds of his Boring Company.  Musk foresees loop lift, underground tunnel systems throughout the US. 150 MPH Speeds Musk says the vehicles can travel at speeds up to 150 miles per hour.  The system is designed to let people get off at various stops.  They and their cars are elevated back up to the ground.  Musk wants to dig a tunnel in Los Angeles to Dodgers Stadium; in Chicago to O'Hare Airport and from New York City to Washington, DC.  He says he'd like to charge $1 ...

Lovot - Fun Robotic Innovation with a Trust Building Mission Source:  Groove X's Lovot Adorable Competitor for Sony's Aibo Japanese robotic inventors are calling it an affectionate companion robot.  It's named Lovot, an amalgam for love and robot.  It just was launched today in Tokyo.  Japanese startup Groove X created the little robot.  Founder and CEO Kaname Hayashi is a former roboticist with Softbank Robotics of Japan.  The little robot is as cute and AI-smart as it gets. It also has a big purpose:  to build trust between humans and machines. Incredible Robotic Tech Lovot has a thermographic camera on its head to track motion around it.  It pays close attention to detailed facial expressions, hand gestures and posture.  It contains a high powered computer system. And besides it role as a pet/companion, it can also serve as a surveillance camera or baby monitor.  A pair of 2 are priced at 598,000 yen or $5212 with delivery ...

Important Innovations Collection: Important Innovations: Collection Update : Innovation News You Can Use Source:  NASA Sunrise from Earth Orbit I wanted to take a moment to thank you for reading, IDing a...

Important Innovations:  Collection Robotic Innovation:  Robot Band Thank you for reading our news blogs on Important Innovations and Important Innovations:  Collection.  We are journalists dedicated to providing the latest news on innovations changing our lives. My colleague Ed Kane and I have authored 4 and soon to be 5 books Important Innovations:  Collection on innovations in Travel, Robotics, AI-AR-VR and Energy.  We are about to publish book 5 on the environment on Amazon's Kindle e-books, paperbacks and audiobooks. If you have a moment to take a read and if you enjoy it, please provide a good review. We would greatly appreciate it. Having some good reviews on Kindle is vital to visibility on Amazon where millions of books are available 24/7. Important Innovations:  Collection books are fun, fast news stories we've written to provide you need- to- know information on the world's latest and greatest innovations.  You can access th...

Incredible Space Tracking by Hubble Source:  NASA photo of  planet GJ 34706 vaporizing First View of Real Star Wars The Hubble Space Telescope has pinpointed a distant planet that's being vaporized out of existence by its accompanying star. The photo provided by NASA tells the story of a planet morphing out of existence. Exoplanet and Host Star Power This is an exoplanet called GJ 34706.  And, it's what astronomers call a hot Neptune. The planet is so close to its star that it's evaporating right before our eyes. Scientists call the planet's location as in the "Hot Neptune Desert" around its host star. The phenomenon and the technological innovation to enable us to see this at the outer reaches of space is amazing  It enlightens us about the dynamics of our ever active universe, even to the point of distant stars and planets. Lead Research Perspectives One of the lead researchers on this finding Vincent Bourrier of the University of Vienna says ...

Neuromorphic Computing - Self-Learning Chips Source:  Imec Chips that Could Revolutionize Computing Belgium nanoelectronics company Imec has innovated a breakthrough, self-learning computer chip embedded with AI.  Some experts believe this type of neuromorphic chip, which mimics the electrical circuitry of the human brain, could upend and revolutionize computing and technology.  My colleague and fellow journalist Ed Kane has just posted a news story on his blog  https://importantinnovationscollection.blogspot.com/2018/12/neuromorphic-computing-innovation.html

Intergalactic Innovation & Discovery Source:  University of Leeds Artist Rendering of Star Birth Massive New Star Either Morphing into a Planet or Has a Companion New Star Rising Astronomers at the University of Leeds in the UK have some of the most detailed images ever taken of a young star forming.  The views show an unexpected companion in orbit around the massive young star.  This may be the birth of not one but two new stars in our galaxy.  The original, new massive star, a proto-star they are tracking, is MM1a and the smaller star in orbit is MM1b forming in the outer region..   Disc Around a New Star This is one of the first examples of a fragmented disc detailed around a massive young star.  The scientists say it is in these discs that planets can form.  They believe in this case we're witnessing the birth of 2 new stars. Twice the Mass of the Sun The central star MM1a is massive.  It weighs 40 times the mass of the sun....

Little Ripper, the Lifesaver Drone from Australia Source:  The Ripper Group "Little Ripper" Flying Drone for Search, Rescue and First Alert Missions This is important drone innovation developed by the University of Technology-Sydney and the Ripper Group of Australia.  Little Ripper is a remotely piloted, flying drone being deployed in Australia for search, rescue and first alert mission.  It even provides shark sighting alerts for swimmers. For a news blog on this remarkable, new innovation, go to journalist Ed Kane's blog at Important Innovations Collection: Little Ripper - Drone Lifesaver : Multi Tasking Flying Drone - Alert, Search and Rescue Source:  The Little Ripper Award Winning Drone Innovation from Down Under It&#3...

Wireless, Ingestible E-Pill Controlled by Smart Phone Source:  MIT Electronic Capsule Delivers Drug Therapies and Monitors Body Environment with Sensors MIT researchers, along with scientists from Brigham & Women's Hospital and Draper Labs, have just invented an ingestible, wireless electronic pill that's controlled by smart phone.  This breakthrough device can deliver drug therapies, monitor body conditions and provide the information to both patient and doctors on their smart phones.  Journalist Ed Kane has just posted a fascinating blog on this breakthrough innovation  https://importantinnovationscollection.blogspot.com/2018/12/ingestible-electronic-pill-smartphone.html

Important Innovations Collection: Ingestible Electronic Pill Smartphone Controlled : Wireless e-Pill Delivers Drug Therapies & Monitors Real-Time Source:  MIT Medical Innovation on the Cutting Edge MIT scientists, ...

Flying Innovation with Greater Fuel Efficiency - Aviation Futures Source:  NASA Prototype BWB plane Blended Wing Body Aircraft This is aviation innovation being developed globally.  The plane architecture is called BWB or Blended Wing Bodies.  It's also being developed as Hybrid Wing Bodies.  No doubt it is potentially revolutionary innovation.  It's a fixed winged aircraft with no distinction between the wing and body and it can have a tail or not.  Bottom-line: it can save significant fuel usage. Prototype Concepts Under Development The potential advantages of this type of new aircraft include efficient high lift wings and could include a wide airfoil shaped body.  The blended wing body can have a lift to drag ratio much greater than conventional planes.  That would result in much greater fuel efficiency. Global Competition and Interest There are a lot of defense contractors, governments and global universities working to bring th...

Artificial Intelligence on the World's Roads By 2040, 2 billion cars will be on the world's roads.  That's almost double the number of cars in 2015.  The world is riddled with traffic jams.  And with road traffic growing that's only going to get worse. Source:  India Traffic Jam   AI Traffic Mobility Systems Mobility systems with artificial intelligence are being developed to remedy the traffic jams.  Siemens Mobility has recently deployed an AI system for the traffic jammed streets of Bengaluru, India.  For story details on this emerging, innovative use of artificial intelligence, go  to my colleague Ed Kane's blog for a fascinating read   https://importantinnovationscollection.blogspot.com/2018/12/ai-to-keep-traffic-moving.html

Important Innovations Collection: AI to Keep Traffic Moving : Global Traffic Jams Source:  India Traffic Jam Siemens Mobility System in India Globally the number of cars on the roads are expect...

Important Innovations Collection: Solar Powered Hearts : Heart Pacemaker Powered by Ligh t Stock Photo: Sunrise Over Mountain  Solar Energy Heart Beats This is a tiny, solar cell that keeps...

Important Innovations Collection: Solar Powered Hearts : Heart Pacemaker Powered by Ligh t Stock Photo: Sunrise Over Mountain  Solar Energy Heart Beats This is a tiny, solar cell that keeps...

Preventing "Insect Apocalypse" Critical to World Food Supplies Source:  Stock Image of Bee  Medical Innovation Breakthrough from Finland Bees are vital to the production of global food supplies.  They help fertilize 3 out of 4 crops globally.  They do so by transferring pollen from male to female flowers.  Bees are being wiped out by disease.  Scientists in Finland have innovated the world's first vaccine to protect bees against disease. Drastic Bee Population Decline There has been a drastic decline in bee numbers that could cause a global food crisis.  The bees have been dying from what's called "colony collapse disorder", a mysterious bee epidemic worldwide.  A United Nations study indicates that 40% of the world's bees and butterflies face extinction.  Scientists warn that will result in higher food prices and food shortages. Medical Innovation Breakthrough The new vaccine was developed by scientists at Helsinki...

Big Ice Loss in Asian High Mountain Glaciers Source:  Stock photo of Siachen Glacier, Pakistan NASA-lead International Study High mountain glaciers in Asia are flowing much more slowly because of the widespread ice loss.  This is affecting the availability of freshwater downstream in China, Pakistan and India. University scientists from France, Scotland and California Institute of Technology joined NASA in this climate change study. Millions of Satellite Images Documenting Ice Loss The scientists analyzed more than 2 million images of the Asian glaciers taken by satellite from 1985 through 2017.  They found that 94% of the slowing water flow rates from the glaciers is caused by reductions in the thickness of the ice.  What they found surprising is the consistent relationship between the thinning glacier ice and the reduction in the water flow rate going downstream. Dramatic Satellite Evidence For more than 2 decades the scientists have been tracking by...

Foldable, Very Agile Drones for Search and Rescue New Drone Innovation from University of Zurich This is important new flying drone innovation, that just has been invented by scientists at the University of Zurich in Switzerland.  The quadrotor drones morph in shape to fly through holes and crevices. The innovation, say the scientists, was inspired by the flight of birds, which fold their wings to fly through narrow spaces.  They've duplicated those mechanics in their drone. My colleague Ed Kane has posted a news blog on this just announced innovation Important Innovations Collection: Morphing Flying Drones to the Rescue : Drone Innovation Source:  UZH Foldable, Highly Agile Drones for Search and Rescue Researchers at the University of Zurich have inve...

Sensor Backpack that Rides on Bumblebees Source:  University of Washington Small, Sensing Biosystem for Farms & The Environment This is extraordinary innovation at the cutting edge to monitor the environment and farms.  It's from computer scientists and engineers at the University of Washington.   They've invented a sensor system small enough to ride on the back of a bumblebee to gather data on the health and quality of farm plants. Better Than Drones Farmers are using drones to monitor temperature, humidity and crop health over their fields.  There are big limits caused by power needs of drones.  The drones can't go very far without a recharge every 10 to 20 minutes. Bees on Patrol with Backpacks Bees fly on their own, so the system needs only a tiny rechargeable battery.  It lasts 7 hours for data collection and can be recharged wirelessly when the bees return to their hives.  The scientists download the data when the bees return t...

Space Tourism on the Horizon Source:  Virgin Galactic - Unity Launch Sir Richard Branson and his Virgin Galactic space tourism company just successfully launched their spaceship Unity into space and it has successfully landed back in California.  Can tourist trips be far behind? For details on this amazing accomplishment by innovator Sir Richard Branson, go to  https://importantinnovationscollection.blogspot.com/2018/12/virgin-galactic-reaches-space.html

Important Innovations Collection: Virgin Galactic Reaches Space : Milestone for Sir Richard Branson Source:  Virgin Galactic - Unity Branson's Space Tourism Company Takes Off Virgin Galactic ...

Important Innovations Collection: Vertical Forrests - China's Greener World : Urban Forest Buildings:  China is Leading the Way Source:  Stefano Boeri's Vertical Forest Award Winning Architect & Innovator ...

Record Winter Ice Loss in Bering Sea Courtesy NOAA Innovation Technology Detailing Melt from Space and on the Surface Declining Arctic sea ice and rapidly changing climate.  These are the key findings of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration  Annual report on the impact of climate change on the Arctic.  NOAA is using highly innovative and advanced technology to track, measure and provide perspective on the melt.  The technology includes NOAA polar-orbiting satellites flying over and documenting the polar region 28 times a day. And unmanned tech collecting data on the surface and monitoring conditions 24/7 over long periods of time. Key Findings This report contains the research and analysis of 81 scientists from 12 nations working for governments and universities.  The key findings include: Lowest recorded winter ice in the Bering Sea Second lowest overall sea ice in the Arctic on record Second warmest air temperatures ever re...

Lift Aircraft's Manned Drone Multicopter Just Flew Over Texas.  It's all electric and is being called a world first.   https://importantinnovationscollection.blogspot.com/2018/12/manned-multicopter-takes-off.html Source:  Lift Aircraft Photo of Hexa Readying for Takeoff Maryanne Kane

Important Innovations Collection: Manned Multicopter Takes Off : Drone Innovation Took Flight Today in Texas Source:  Lift Aircraft Photo of Hexa Hexa - the Personal Flight Experience Lift Aircraft,...

Important Innovations Collection: Genetics Behind Active & Sedentary Lifestyles : Oxford University Large Population Study Source: Photo of Boston Marathon Causes & Consequences of Physical Inactivity New rese...

New Findings:  Less Bleaching in 2017 But Uncertain Fate for Great Barrier Reef Source:  Australia - Great Barrier Reef Experts Call for Urgent Action on Greenhouse Gas Emissions to Save Global Coral Reefs Global warming continues to escalate and the future of the world's coral reefs remain uncertain.  In fact, experts in Australia and at NOAA are urging immediate action to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to save coral reefs, including the world's largest, the Great Barrier Reef.  Their request for urgent action is a result of their scientific research findings, released today. ARC & NOAA Scientists The new research findings have just been released by the ARC Centre of Excellence in Coral Reef Studies in Australia and NOAA scientists.  They found that the Great Barrier Reef endured extreme temperatures a little better in 2017 than it did during the two previous years of coral bleaching.  Their findings were published today in Nature C...

Important Innovations Collection: Jumping Robots - Nature Inspired : Learning from Jumping Spiders Source:  University of Manchester - Kim Robotic Innovation This research is being conducted at the Un...

Biggest Global Sound Map of Sounds from Nature A World Without Noise Pollution, Just the Sound of Nature It's called the Global Collaborative Sound Project.  It's the creation of innovator and composer Stuart Fowkes.  Fowkes has been creating sound maps since 2014 including those of sacred places and protests. Sounding Nature His latest sound map is Sounding Nature. It is the biggest global collection of sounds from nature.  It features 500 nature sounds from 55 countries.  It allows you to hear what the world sounds like without humans and without noise pollution.  Fowkes says he's remixing sounds from the natural world with artistic reactions including music the natural sounds have inspired.  For more stories on innovations, go to  amazon.com/author/ekane

Important Innovations Collection: DARPA's Breakthrough for Depression Treatment : Triple Discoveries Including Innovative Treatment  Source:  DARPA Brain Mapping of Neural Activity Could "Radically Improve Trea...

Lunar Mission Chang 4 Source:  China National Space Administration Historic Lunar Exploration This is a global first in space.  China has blasted off a rocket, carrying a rover probe, headed for a soft landing on the far side of the moon.  Other spacecraft have examined the far side of the moon from afar.  But this will be the first soft landing for detailed study of the other side of the moon. January Touchdown The mission - Chang 4 - is expected to land on the moon in early January.  There are some big challenges.  For instance, the moon blocks direct communication between the probe and Chinese researchers on earth.  To get around that, China launched a satellite in May that keeps the probe in contact with the China National Space Administration. Goals Chang 4' rover is going to survey the lunar terrain, determine mineral composition and study the lunar environment.  If the mission is a success, China plans to launch Chang 5 to col...

Laser Innovation for the US Military Source:  Raytheon HELWS MRZR Raytheon's Laser Shooting ATV It's a powerful laser on a dune buggy for the US Military.  Raytheon's HELWS MRZR laser-shooting dune buggy, all terrain vehicle. Once the human operator confirms the target, a fiber optic electric laser fires a controlled beam that instantly destroys the target. Battery or Electric Powered A simple battery charge enables 30 blasts.  If there's an electrical hookup, the magazine can last indefinitely.  This laser weapon developed by Raytheon for the US military has been cited as one of the most important innovations of 2018.  Raytheon has mounted the laser on a Polaris ATV.  For more laser and other energy news, go to my colleague Ed Kane's Amazon Author Page  amazon.com/author/ekane

New, Low Altitude Radar Innovation Capable of Tracking Widespread Drone Use Source:  Raytheon Skylar Rollout of Widespread Drone Deliveries Enabled Raytheon Corporation, the US defense contractor, has developed a low altitude, radar system capable of tracking flying vehicles below 3200 feet. It's an innovation breakthrough for the drone aviation industry.  For drones to be able to deliver on their potential, we have to be able to track the small, low flying vehicles, 24/7. Enter Raytheon's Skylar Raytheon's new, low power radar is known as Skylar.  It's a compact unit that's less than one meter square.  It scans for objects using a radar system similar to that in modern fighter jets. Top Innovation - Potential Use This system has been cited as a top innovation in 2018.  Here's Raytheon vision of how it could be deployed.  Networks of these units on cell towers, hills and on buildings.  They say that would be far cheaper and far more effe...

Record Breaking, Solar Powered Plane with First Launch Base in Australia Source:  Airbus Zephyr   Ready for Takeoff:  Is It a Plane or Satellite? Airbus's Zephyr S HAPS (Solar High Altitude Pseudo Satellite) is a solar plane worth watching.  It has set an all time record by staying aloft for more than 25 days.  The flight was over Arizona in late summer 2018.  It soared to 70,000 feet, which is well above most clouds and aircraft. It now has a site in Wyndham, Western Australia as a flight base to launch into the stratosphere. It will fill a gap to provide persistent, local satellite services. Specs The wing span is 82 feet.  It's a solar powered UAV and weighs only 165 pounds.  The low weight along with a unique power management system help it consume a lot less energy.  Despite the fact that it's solar powered, it keeps its elevation all night.  No other solar-powered plane can do that.  For more stories on new aviation...

Creates Highly Realistic 3D Images Source:  Google showing 2D & 3D images Google & MIT Research Team Researchers at MIT's Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab and Google have created a next generation AI system capable of creating 3D shapes with realistic texture, lighting and reflections. VON It's called VON or Visual Objects Network.  It not only generates images more realistic than most state of the art systems.  It also enables texture and shape editing, viewpoint shifts and other 3 dimensional tweaking. 3D & 2D Most systems focus on generating 2D images, which limits their practical use in many fields.  VON synthesizes 3D shapes and 2D images.  The researchers next step is fine modeling for producing shapes and images at a higher resolution, disentangling texture into lighting and appearance and synthesizing natural scenes.  Their research was just presented and accepted at NeurlPS 2018 in Montreal.