Important Innovations

  Revolutionary New Battery                                             Source:  Prototype e-VTOL Energy Dense, Rapid Recharge, Burst of Power Engineers at Penn State University have designed a battery prototype that they say is capable of powering flying cars.  The battery is specifically designed for e-VTOLs which take off and land vertically like a helicopter.  The battery has to deliver a lot of power very quickly to get a flying car off the ground.  The vehicles also require high energy density to keep flying.  And, the recharge needs to be quick because the main use of e-VTOLs is expected to be as flying taxis for commuters with frequent takeoffs and landings.  The Penn State team says their breakthrough battery can accomplish all of those requirements. Prototype Successfully Tested The Penn State team has successfully tested the performance of a pair of energy dense lithium ion batteries capable of delivering the power needed for a 50 mile, 5 to 10 minute e-VTOL flight. To preve

  Revolutionary New Battery                                             Source:  Prototype e-VTOL Energy Dense, Rapid Recharge, Burst of Power Engineers at Penn State University have designed a battery prototype that they say is capable of powering flying cars.  The battery is specifically designed for e-VTOLs which take off and land vertically like a helicopter.  The battery has to deliver a lot of power very quickly to get a flying car off the ground.  The vehicles also require high energy density to keep flying.  And, the recharge needs to be quick because the main use of e-VTOLs is expected to be as flying taxis for commuters with frequent takeoffs and landings.  The Penn State team says their breakthrough battery can accomplish all of those requirements. Prototype Successfully Tested The Penn State team has successfully tested the performance of a pair of energy dense lithium ion batteries capable of delivering the power needed for a 50 mile, 5 to 10 minute e-VTOL flight. To preve

No Heavy Metals, Plus Rapid Charging, Cheaper, More Efficient, Good For Environment Source:  IBM IBM and Mercedes Partner to  Commercialize IBM has created a revolutionary battery that replaces the heavy metals in the cathode with 3 elements extracted from seawater.  They are also utilizing a  new type of liquid electrolyte.  It's a safer, more "ethically sourced" and highly efficient new type of battery.  The standard heavy metals used like nickel and cobalt are very harmful to the environment and pose humanitarian risks in mining.  IBM says this new seawater battery outperforms lithium-ion batteries in major respects. Already Going Commercial This battery invention has the potential to be a blockbuster and is worthy of being tracked by investors.  IBM says the battery can be optimized to surpass the capability of lithium-ion batteries in terms of lower costs, faster charging time, higher power and energy density, stronger energy efficiency and lo

Unique Power System:  Inflight Battery Swaps for Drones Source:  UC Berkeley New Drone/Battery System UC Berkeley HiPeRLab Innovation Can you imagine a drone with almost unlimited flying time?  Well, it's just been created by engineers and roboticists at the University of California Berkeley's HiPeRLab, their High Performance Robotics Lab.  It's a prototype drone system with unique, inflight battery switching technology.  The potential is to keep drones in the air for almost unlimited flight times. Quadcopter Drone with a Docking Deck The team has invented a quadcopter drone with a docking tray that's able to accept a smaller, fresh battery delivering drone.  The battery drone lands on the dock, recharges the larger drone and flies away.  This allows the next battery drone to fly in and take its place to do a recharge. Sustainable Drone Flights This is a fascinating approach to one way of powering sustainable drone flights.  In the future, othe

New Nonflammable, Ultra-Strong Battery for Electronics From Washington University Researchers A team at Washington University have created a supercapacitor battery that appears to be way beyond lithium-ion batteries. It's nonflammable and shatterproof. That would be much more effective and safe for your cellphone, laptop and electronics. For more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: Super Strong Supercapacitor : New Battery that's Shatterproof and Nonflammable Source:  Washington University at St. Louis Energy Inspired by Rust Researchers...

New Fun Tech - Powered, Standup Water Board Source:  Yanmar's on-water gadget Wheeebo From Japan, for Calm Waters It's called Wheebo and it's new, fun tech from Japan.  Wheeebo is a battery powered, standup water board that can glide you across the water up to 3&1/2 mph. Invented by the marine engine manufacturer Yanmar, it's designed for relatively calm waters, controlled by shifting your weight on the board, has a hand held remote control for acceleration and is said to be easy for anyone to enjoy.  For more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: New Water Sport - Wheeebo : Powered Board "Water Gadget" Source:  Yanmar's Wheeebo From Japan at  Speeds Up To 3&1/2 MPH This looks like a fun...

Genesis Concept Car: Luxurious, Small, Electric Source:  Genesis The Genesis Mint Korean luxury automaker Genesis unveiled its newest concept car at the New York International Auto Show that opened today.  It's called the Genesis Mint.  It's a 2 door electric car, that's getting rave reviews from attendees and the press.  It's a small, luxurious, 2-seater that is battery electric powered.  It's designed for city driving. Sporty and Futuristic The Mint is the size of a Fiat with a range of 200 miles and has a quick recharge.  It's futuristic looking, sporty with a minimalist interior.  The driver and passenger share a leather bench between the two front seats.  No word on price or plans for production.  But in this case, a picture is worth a thousand words.  Genesis was spun off from Hyundai three years ago.  It currently has three luxury sedans available for sale in the US that are targeted at customers interested in Mercedes, BMW and Audi.