Even if they’re wearing face shields and masks, healthcare workers can still understandably be quite leery of getting up close and personal with patients who may have COVID-19. That’s where a new robotic system comes in, as it lets clinicians take samples at a distance. Developed by scientists at the Korea Institute of Machinery & Materials (KIMM) and the Dongguk […]
Sampling Robots
Aerogel Fashioned Into World
Containing the electromagnetic radiation generated by electronic components is a key consideration for designers of electronic devices, but today’s metal-based shielding materials have their downsides. Scientists at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA) have developed an new aerogel-based material that blocks a wide range of frequencies, forming what they describe as by far the lightest electromagnetic […]
“Graphene Armor”
Perovskite is emerging as a promising material for solar cells, but it has some durability problems. Now, engineers have developed a new electrode that could make them more stable, using a protective layer of “graphene armor.” In just 10 years or so, perovskite solar cells have advanced so fast that they’ve more or less caught up to silicon’s several-decade head […]
New Hiking Cabins Shaped To Withstand Winds
On December 25, 2011, a cyclone destroyed Norway’s Tungestølen Tourist Cabin, which had served hikers for over a century. Commissioned to create its replacement, Snøhetta did its best to ensure the same thing won’t happen again any time soon and designed a cluster of cabins that are shaped to mitigate the wind’s effects. Snøhetta was hired to design the Tungestølen […]
Deliverator Available For Hire
Last year, mobility company Arcimoto unveiled a new version of its electric three-wheeler aimed at small businesses. The Deliverator is still up for pre-order, though has already been field tested by non-profit Carry It Forward, taking emergency supplies to the unhoused. Now the company is making the vehicle available for rent through the HyreCar platform. Destined to join HyreCar’s carsharing […]
Reusables Perfectly Safe To Use During Covid-19
Dust off your reusable totes, containers, and more — businesses may just resume accepting them soon following bans enacted during the coronavirus pandemic. A group of more than 100 health experts from four countries — including infectious disease doctors, scientists, professors, and epidemiologists — published a joint statement Monday, June 22 ensuring the public that using reusables during the coronavirus is […]
Funky Sandals Upcycles Fabric
The fashion industry deserves a harsh slap on the wrist for how its manufacturing impacts the environment. From the overconsumption of resources to water pollution to material waste, it’s refreshing when companies take corporate responsibility and show concern for nature. Native Shoes is one such company, with a history of making a light footprint in the production of their footwear. The […]
Radar System Allows Car To See Around Corners
While today’s cars are getting increasingly good at detecting other vehicles on the road ahead, they can still be surprised by traffic that shoots out from intersecting streets. A new radar system could help, by letting those cars “see” around blind corners. Developed at Princeton University by a team led by Asst. Prof. Felix Heide, the setup incorporates relatively inexpensive […]
Cool & Heat Seating On Motorcycles
Temperature changes hit motorcycle riders a lot harder than car drivers; for most of us, the best we can do is stick a newspaper down our jackets on cold days and open some zips when it’s hot, assuming we don’t want to squid it around the place with our fleshy parts dangling out. Sure, you can get heated handgrips onto […]
China’s Horizontal Skyscraper Finally Opens
Construction work is still ongoing on China’s massive Raffles City Chongqing project but its most notable feature, the “horizontal skyscraper,” has now opened to visitors. The stunning skybridge boasts a park and a glass-bottomed observation point. The US$4.8 billion Raffles City Chongqing is designed by Moshe Safdie and consists of a cluster of eight skyscrapers. Four of the towers hold […]