DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF by Maryanne Kane, Journalist

 DAILY INNOVATION BRIEF 

By Journalists Edward Kane & Maryanne Kane

IS YOUR DOG A GENIUS?  HERE'S HOW TO TELL

                                    Source:  Brewster Kane

• A study conducted by scientists at Eotvos Lorand University in Hungary shows the difference between gifted and not-so-gifted dogs. Here's what we know:
• At the heart of the study is how well a dog can identify a toy by name
• Specifically how many toys it can return by name and on command
• Though rare, some dogs can identify a large number of toys by name
• On average, genius dogs know 29 toy names
• 50% of Gifted Word Learners (GWL) dogs (an extremely rare group - i.e 41 found in 9 countries) in the study knew the names of 100 toys before the study was over
• In any event, my little genius knows all of his toys by name, can retrieve them, but refuses to hand them over.

DIRT POWERED FUEL CELL RUNS FOREVER

                                                                Source:  Northwestern

• Scientists at Northwestern University have developed a unique power source:  a new fuel cell that runs on dirt.  Here's what we know:
• This new technology harvests energy from the microbes living in dirt
• The scientists say given the fact that it's powered by dirt it can run forever
• It can power sensors and communications equipment
• Completely soil powered
• Scientists say it can fuel underground sensors for agriculture and green infrastructure
• It's an alternative to batteries that contain toxic, flammable chemicals
• Size of a paperback book
• All of the components of the new fuel cell can be purchased in a hardware store
• Sustainable, renewable alternative to batteries
• Tested and works in dry and wet conditions and the power outlasted similar tech by 120%
• Can provide low amounts of energy to power decentralized networks of devices
• New, clean, sustainable, non-toxic energy source now being developed at Northwestern.

 "Daily Innovation Brief"© By Edward Kane