“Solar steaming” is an eco-friendly form of water purification in which sunlight is used to heat tainted water, turning it to steam which condenses back into liquid. That clean liquid is then collected as drinking water. A new system offers improved performance, and it copies the structure of the rose flower. Led by Assoc. Prof. Donglei (Emma) Fan, a team […]

Irresponsibly-piloted drones can cause a lot of problems, such as when they’re illegally flown into restricted airspaces. And while anti-drone measures do exist, many cause the aircraft to fall to the ground, potentially harming bystanders. A new system, however, takes remote control of rogue drones. Developed by Dr. Houbing Song at Florida’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, the setup initially utilizes an […]

Imagine if you were working with a robot that could leave you written messages, or draw diagrams to explain concepts. Such a scenario has come a step closer to reality, as a university student has taught a robot how to copy what we write, and what we draw. Atsunobu Kotani, an undergrad at Rhode Island’s Brown University, started by creating […]

In a bid to help those with limited mobility get to the gate, Tokyo Narita International Airport is set to welcome a number of self-driving wheelchairs to its floors. With the ability to navigate the airport all on their own, the new wheelchairs are hoped to streamline foot traffic in one of Japan’s busiest airports and form part of a […]

Charging almost instantly and offering massive power density, Nawa’s innovative ultracapacitors are ready to make a mark across industries from automotive to power tools and aviation. And after raising more than US$10 million, this French company is going into mass production. Nawa’s ultracapacitors offer an interesting alternative (or augmentation) to lithium battery systems. When it comes to fast charging or […]

It’s no secret that there are a lot of loud noises on battlefields. That’s why soldiers now often wear in-ear earphones that electronically protect their hearing. Determining where enemy shots are coming from, however, can be a challenge with such systems. New smartphone-based technology is designed to help. Known as Tactical Communication and Protective Systems (TCAPS), conventional earphones typically incorporate […]

If you worked as a taste-tester of spicy foods, you’d only be able to try a few samples at a time – after that, your taste buds would become desensitized and need a rest. A newly-developed “electronic tongue,” however, can accurately measure the spiciness of multiple foods for hours at a time. Developed by scientists at Washington State University, the […]

As work on self-driving cars continues, Ford is making use of a new self-driving factory robot that can deliver parts quickly and efficiently, modify its routes based on obstacles in its path, and free up about 40 hours of time per day for employees to get on with other tasks. This particular self-driving robot – the first of its kind […]

Having teased its arrival last month, Valve has now revealed all the key details for its new Index VR headset, and is opening up pre-orders today. The high-end headset can be yours for US$999 with all the trimmings, but if you already own some HTC Vive gear, you won’t need to spend that much. Valve has previously worked with HTC […]

Wood is an established and versatile construction material, used to build everything from high-rises and airports to apartment buildings. It also, however, is not immune to catching fire. A new coating could help keep that from happening, and it’s actually made from wood. Developed by scientists at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the solution incorporates nanocellulose – this […]