New Active Cooling Fabric

Researchers at Donghua University in China have developed a new type of fabric they claim can keep the wearer much cooler. The material is made from several different polymers in a relatively simple way, and can efficiently transfer heat and wick away sweat, while remaining water repellent from the outside. The material is composed of three main components: polyurethane, which […]

Mecanoo’s Brick Tower Uses Rain & Sunlight 

The 2019 World Building of the Year winner Mecanoo is leading a team that’s creating a new mixed-use tower in Amsterdam. Featuring an interesting stepped form and finished in brick, the project will also incorporate greenery, solar panels and rainwater collection. The high-rise is named Brink Tower and will reach a height of 90 m (295 ft). It’ll consist of […]

Lego-Inspired Bioscaffolding 

More and more, we’re hearing about scaffolding-like materials that are used to help heal bone injuries. A new one is claimed to be particularly versatile, as it’s inspired by Lego building blocks. Typically made of biocompatible polymers, so-called bioscaffolding is usually either 3D-printed in one solid piece, or injected in the form of a gel that sets into a solid. […]

“Filler” Ingredients In Drugs More 

New research has systematically screened thousands of “filler” ingredients previously thought to be inert that are added to common drugs. The findings reveal several dozen of these compounds may actually be biologically active and cause unintended physiological effects. Most pharmaceutical drugs contain a number of other ingredients serving various purposes, from simply bulking up the tiny active molecule so it […]

World’s Smallest 3D Scanning Device 

An Australian/German team has developed the world’s smallest imaging device, at the thickness of a human hair. It’s capable of traveling down the blood vessels of mice, offering unprecedented abilities to 3D-scan the body at microscopic resolutions. To build this miniature endoscope, the team took a fine optical fiber with a diameter of less than half a millimeter (0.02 in), […]

New Reusable 95 Masks

N95 face masks are a necessity for healthcare workers treating COVID-19 patients. Even though the masks are designed to be single-use, N95 shortages throughout the coronavirus pandemic have meant many medical professionals have had to wear the disposable masks over and over again. So to help combat the PPE shortage and reduce waste, a team of researchers has invented a […]

Liteboxer Trainer

Looking to replicate the experience of a boxing class in the comfort of the home, startup Liteboxer has launched a fitness platform that recreates the punching bag for the connected era. The system uses a combination of lights, music and force sensors to offer tailored boxing programs for users of all levels, along with the ability to challenge friends and […]

Sustainable Learning Hub

With several of its staff having graduated from the University of Western Australia (UWA), Hassell was well-suited to design its new Faculty of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences building. The project is defined by a shading screen of metal “petals.” It also boasts sustainable technology like solar power and an advanced monitoring system. The EZONE UWA Student Hub’s facade is carefully […]

Thermal Camera Bracelet

Capturing the complexities of the human hand is a difficult task – just ask any artist or animator. Now, engineers at Cornell University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison have developed a new wearable system that uses thermal sensors to accurately predict hand positions, with potential applications in VR, robotics and translating sign language. The device is dubbed FingerTrak, and it’s […]