Important Innovations

  University of Cambridge, Artificial Leaves, Clean Fuel                                    Source:  University of Cambridge New Clean Fuel Source From Sun, Water & Artificial Leaves Scientists at the UK's University of Cambridge have invented a new, innovative way to create clean fuel with lots of potential.  They've invented innovative, artificial leaves that convert sunlight and water, that the leaves are immersed in, into clean fuel.  The prestigious University is calling this a major scientific milestone.  They say it is the first time that clean fuel has been generated on water.   Nature's Way This intriguing concept was inspired by nature.  The artificial leaves work by photosynthesis, just the way real plants do when they convert sunlight into food.  Scientific testing of the devices on the River Cam shows the artificial leaves work as efficiently as real leaves except they are creating clean fuel. How Does It Work? The scientists use two different types of fuel

  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

  Mi Air Charge Wirelessly Charges Devices Over Several Meters                                             Source:  Xiaomi Breakthrough Charging Device Beijing based, multinational electronics company Xiaomi has invented  a breakthrough remote, wireless charging system.  The company says it can charge multiple devices simultaneously over "several meters", according to Xiaomi.  The radical new technology is called Mi Air Charge.  It's a wireless charging system that can charge devices at 5W.  The company says physical barriers like furniture don't reduce the charging capability. Wireless Living Rooms Xiaomi says their goal with this new technology is to create truly wireless living rooms with lamps, smart devices, speakers, smartwatches and other electronic devices being powered by the same wireless, remote system.  How It Works Xiaomi's system has five phase interference antennas built-in to locate, for instance, a smartphone.  A phase control array composed of 14

Secret Battery Breakthrough Teased by Elon Musk Source:  Tesla manufacturing line Tesla's Expected, New Low Cost, Long Lasting EV Battery Tesla has a secret battery, that is low cost, long life and will power Tesla's Model 3 electric sedans in China later this year.  The battery is so revolutionary it's expected to bring down the cost of electric vehicles to that of gas powered cars.  It's a breakthrough piece of e-battery technology that essentially reconfigures the math of pricing EVs.  It's also said to allow EV batteries to have second and third lives. Elon Musk's Electric Agenda CEO Elon Musk has been teasing investors and his rivals about the battery, promising to hold a "Battery Day" to detail it in late May.  There are many parts to Musk's electric agenda. He wants low-cost batteries that go for a million miles.  He also is positioning Tesla as a global electric utility. It is already the global leader in electric v

Amazing Scientific Breakthrough in Spain Source:  Stock Eye Image Source:  Patient Bernadetta Gomez Blind Woman Sees Again In Spain, a 57 year old blind woman, Bernadetta Gomez who lost her sight 16 years ago, can see again.  This miraculous outcome is thanks to a breakthrough technology system developed by Dr. Eduardo Fernandez, the director of neuro-engineering at the University of Miguel Hernandez.  Ms. Gomez is able to see light, letters, people, objects and even play basic video games.  The images are sent directly to her brain via a brain implant.  It's a world first and the images are generated in the brain.  The innovative system has nothing to do with the eyes. How It Works Doctors placed a tiny implant directly in Ms. Gomez' brain.  The implant sends signals directly to her brain's visual cortex.  As part of the system, the team embedded a camera into a pair of glasses. The camera records the patient's field of vision and sends

Revolutionary New Electric, Self-Heating Battery Source:  Penn State University Recharges in 10 Minutes with Up to 300 Mile Range The future of driving green and emissions free is electric.  Now a team of engineers at Penn State University has invented a new battery to make that future a lot closer and more doable.  Their new lithium-ion battery can be charged in ten minutes, self-heats and provides a driving range up to 300 miles.  They envision this being done at local service stations with electric charges for EV's. Revolutionary New Tech This new battery is revolutionary.  It can be recharged over and over again for up to 500,000 miles of travel.  That's a big deal.  Some lithium-ion batteries rapidly degrade based on ambient temperatures.  This battery overcomes current limitations.  The Penn State team has installed nickel foil on the batteries, eliminating lithium plating. The nickel warms quickly through resistance to 140F. That triggers rapid charging bu

3D Printed Adult Human Hearts Source:  Carnegie Mellon University's Add caption Big Bioprinting Step Forward to Make that Happen Engineers and scientists at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh have just invented a new bioprinting technique using hydrogel that brings the world steps closer to printing fully functional human hearts.  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: 3D Printing Human Hearts : Breakthrough  Bioprinting Method Source:  Carnegie Mellon University Big Step Toward Printing Functioning, Adult Human Heart A break...

World First:  Noninvasive Brain Computer Interface that Mind Controls Robotic Arm Source:  Carnegie Mellon and University of Minnesota Breakthrough Technological Innovation A team of engineers from Carnegie Mellon and University of Minnesota have invented a breakthrough piece of technology.  A non-invasive, brain-computer interface that works to the level that human thoughts control sophisticated robotic arm functions on the computer. The system is an EEG external cap on the person's head and doesn't require any surgery to place a brain implant in the human.  This is a first.  For a great news blog with more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: Noninvasive Brain Computer Interface : World 1st:  Mind-Controlled Robotic Arm Continuously Tracks & Follows Computer Cursor Source:  Carnegie Mellon & University of  M...