Category: Engineering

Impact Lab > Engineering
3D Printer, Architecture, Engineering, Latest Trend

The world’s first 3D-printed steel bridge looks like it came from another planet

IMG_6251

Dutch technology company MX3D just officially unveiled the world’s first 3D-printed stainless steel bridge. It took four robots, nearly 10,000 pounds of stainless steel, about 684 miles of wire, and six months of printing to build the sinuous, undulating structure, which looks like it’s straight out of a science-fiction movie.

The MX3D Bridge, designed by Joris Laarman Lab, is around 41 feet by 20 feet, and it’s made from a new kind of steel. 3D-printing created a ribbed surface as robots added layers upon layers; Gizmodo said it could be buffed out, but MX3D plans to keep the unique, rough look.

Continue reading… “The world’s first 3D-printed steel bridge looks like it came from another planet”

Ecological Products, Engineering

Breathtaking bamboo building withstands earthquakes and boasts a zero-carbon footprint

IMG_6241

Thailand’s eco-friendly Panyaden International School has added a stunning new sports hall to its campus that’s built entirely of bamboo and stays naturally cool year-round in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Designed by Chiangmai Life Construction, the Bamboo Sports Hall features a modern organic design that draws inspiration from the lotus flower. The large multipurpose facility was built to withstand local natural forces including high-speed winds and earthquakes, and it boasts a zero-carbon footprint.

Continue reading… “Breathtaking bamboo building withstands earthquakes and boasts a zero-carbon footprint”

Breakthrough Thinking, Ecological Products, Engineering

Researchers are developing a sustainable concrete alternative made of desert sand

IMG_6222

The strength of bricks and concrete with half the carbon footprint

Sand is the hidden ingredient of design. It’s used to make glass and computer chips, and to bulk and strengthen the concrete used in many of the buildings around us. Though it seems like an abundant resource, sand miners are depleting the gritty, building-grade sand faster than it can be replenished, which has led to a shortage that puts both the environment and industry at risk.

Continue reading… “Researchers are developing a sustainable concrete alternative made of desert sand”

Agriculture, Energy, Engineering, Environment, Farming

Incredible Sahara Forest Project to generate fresh water, solar power and crops in African desert

IMG_6095

Can you imagine being able to produce enough water in the Sahara to grow crops there? Can you imagine harnessing sufficient quantities of solar power to supply electricity to cities in Africa and cities in Europe? Can you imagine producing a sustainable bio-fuel that doesn’t impact on world food supplies? Charlie Paton, Michael Pawlyn and Bill Watts can and what’s more they can imagine all these happening in the same place at the same time.

This week this trio of visionaries launched the Sahara Forest Project: their proposal to combine two innovative technologies, Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and Seawater Greenhouses, to produce renewable energy, water and food in an area of desert known to be one of the hottest places on earth.

Continue reading… “Incredible Sahara Forest Project to generate fresh water, solar power and crops in African desert”

cutting edge, Engineering, IBM, Science & Technology News

IBM unveils ‘world’s smallest computer’ with blockchain at Think 2018

IMG_6059

If there’s one downside to powerful computers, it’s that they’re too damn big.

Luckily, that’s about to change. At least, if IBM has anything to say about it.

March 19 is the first day of IBM Think 2018, the company’s flagship conference, where the company will unveil what it claims is the world’s smallest computer. They’re not kidding: It’s literally smaller than a grain of salt.

Continue reading… “IBM unveils ‘world’s smallest computer’ with blockchain at Think 2018”

Breakthrough Thinking, cutting edge, Engineering, Future, New Inventions, People Making a Difference

XPRIZE Founder Peter Diamandis: ‘We’re Living at a Time When Individual Entrepreneurs Are More Powerful Than Governments’

The Venture Final Pitch Sponsored By Chivas

Peter Diamandis is the founder and executive chairman of the XPRIZE Foundation, which designs and operates large-scale incentive competitions to, in essence, change the world.

In the words of its own criteria, an Xprize must be bold, audacious, and achievable. It must target market failure, drive investment, and give birth to a new industry. And, of course, it must give other innovators hope.

Continue reading… “XPRIZE Founder Peter Diamandis: ‘We’re Living at a Time When Individual Entrepreneurs Are More Powerful Than Governments’”

Energy, Engineering, Solar Energy, Solar Power

Hybrid solar cell captures energy from the sun and raindrops

IMG_5837
A new hybrid solar cell device can capture energy from the sun and from the movement of raindrops.As useful and ubiquitous as solar energy is becoming, it still has one major Kryptonite: gloomy weather. Now, a team of Chinese engineers has developed a hybrid solar cell that can produce electricity come rain or shine, using the triboelectric effect to harvest energy from the movement of raindrops on its surface.

Continue reading… “Hybrid solar cell captures energy from the sun and raindrops”

Biotech, Engineering, Inventions, Medical Breakthrough

Stanford researchers develop stretchable, touch-sensitive electronics

IMG_5810

Stanford researchers have set the stage for an evolution in electronics by taking the concept of ‘artificial skin’ to the next level, demonstrating not only a stretchable circuitry that can feel the touch of a ladybug, but a manufacturing process to mass produce this circuitry.

Continue reading… “Stanford researchers develop stretchable, touch-sensitive electronics”

Discover the Hidden Patterns of Tomorrow with Futurist Thomas Frey
Unlock Your Potential, Ignite Your Success.

By delving into the futuring techniques of Futurist Thomas Frey, you’ll embark on an enlightening journey.

Learn More about this exciting program.