A solar-powered desalination method inspired by plants could produce up to twice the amount of clean water as typical solar methods. Developed by a team from Politecnico di Torino, the prototype desalination system relies on a porous membrane that collects seawater as it floats on the water’s surface. The water is then heated by solar energy, with the process facilitated […]
Solar-Powered Desalination
The Only Way Is Up, Building Trends
Each year, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) conducts a review of tall building trends. The influential body offers some fascinating insights in its 2018 Year in Review, including the continued importance of China as the world leader in tall building commissions. 2018 saw a total of 143 buildings measuring at least 200 m (656 ft) completed, […]
This Edible Film Can Help To Kill Bacteria In Seafood
While it’s important to keep food of any type fresh, it’s particularly crucial with seafood, as it can become tainted with toxic bacteria. That’s why an international group of scientists is developing a transparent antibacterial film that gets eaten along with the seafood it’s covering. The research is being conducted by scientists from Pennsylvania State University, along with colleagues from […]
Captured Carbon For Fizz
There is a growing contingent of environmentally minded startups and researchers looking to recycle CO2 into useful products, with the possibilities including everything from foam mattresses, to lightweight carbon fiber to concrete. The soda industry is one place where you can bet there will be a massive demand for the gas, and its about to get a little bit cleaner […]
Headband For Motion Sickness Therapy
Motion sickness can be a debilitating condition for many people, preventing them from traveling and engaging in various activities such as sailing. There are a few drugs available to control motion sickness, but they have side effects such as drowsiness and for many people are simply a choice of choosing one discomfort over another. A new device, developed by Otolith […]
Spit Cake Techniques For Making Ceramic Vases
Design Academy Eindhoven graduate Erika Emeren has turned a traditional cake-making technique into a method for forming unique ceramic vases. Emeren’s Ornament Now: Cake Vases are created by applying slip clay to a rotating cylinder of papier-mâché using a piping bag, similar to those used in pastry making and cake decorating. Each vase is then fired and glazed to create […]
Cuddable Companion Robots
Some robots are built for industry, others are designed to be eerily lifelike, yet more as toys and then there are the companion bots. The Lovot from Groove X is made to be loved. This strange creature out of Japan hosts a bunch of sensors that feed machine learning brains so that it can make its owners happy, as it […]
Oi Bike Bell Back Better
Back in 2016, Australian manufacturer Knog successfully Kickstarted its quirky Oi, a streamlined ring-shaped bicycle bell that encircles the handlebars. Now, the company has introduced the new-and-improved Oi Luxe. Like the original Oi, the Luxe consists of an injection-molded stainless steel inner mounting ring, over top of which is suspended the CNC-machined half-ring-shaped resonator (aka the “ringer”). A spring-loaded thumb-operated […]
Fingerprint Scanners To Replace Car Keys
Hyundai has committed to becoming the world’s first auto manufacturer to ship cars that open and start without any keys or smartphones whatsoever. The 2019 Santa Fe SUV will use fingerprint sensors for its door locks and ignition. The fingerprint sensors will sit in the car’s door handles and in the start button on the dash. Touching either will switch […]
7 Holiday Side Hustles You Can Start Today
The holiday season can mean different things to different folks. For some, it’s about spending time with family opening presents around a Christmas tree. For others, it’s about escaping family and spending a week on a ski slope. Whatever the case may be for you, it’s impossible to deny the absolute “cash cow” the holiday season poses for retailers. The […]