Stair-climbing vacuum bot bags over $2m in crowdfunding
US-based Migo Robotics has so far raised $2,299,075 from 2,616 backers on Kickstarter for their stair-climbing bot Ascender, currently priced at $849 each.
BESSY II: How pulsed charging enhances the service time of batteries
Researchers at Humboldt University in Germany have discovered a high-frequency pulsed current charging protocol that significantly extends the lifespan of lithium-ion batteries.
Breakthrough for next-generation digital displays
Researchers at Linköping University, Sweden, have developed a digital display screen where the LEDs themselves react to touch, light, fingerprints and the user’s pulse, among other things.
What’s quieter than a fish? A school of them
Johns Hopkins University in the USA has discovered that fish swimming in schools significantly reduce their noise underwater, promising quieter submarine technology.
WaterCar EV: Amphibious electric/hybrid boat and car in one
US-based WaterCar EV launched their latest amphibious vehicle late last year with a 25 mph top speed and extendable 15 mile range on land, and a 115 hp engine for water.
Sandia studies subterranean storage of hydrogen
Sandia National Laboratories, USA, and the University of Oklahoma are examining depleted oil and gas reservoirs for hydrogen storage, aiming to decarbonise energy.
Beating back bitter taste in medicine
A team at the Monell Chemical Senses Center has discovered that the diabetes drug rosiglitazone can reduce the bitterness of some medications.
New method for detecting unusual air turbulence holds promise for aviation safety
Researchers at the Civil Aviation University of China have developed a new method using genetic programming to improve turbulence detection from aircraft’s Quick Access Recorders.
South Korean robotics company unveil wheeled humanoid
South Korea’s Rainbow Robotics just revealed RB-Y1, a humanoid with wheels instead of legs, a top speed of 2.5m/s and the ability to perform many complex tasks in various work environments.
This 3D printer can figure out how to print with an unknown material
Researchers have developed a 3D printer that autonomously sets printing parameters for sustainable materials, potentially revolutionising additive manufacturing’s environmental impact.