Impact Lab – Page 131 – A Laboratory of the Future Human Experience

Drone

Vampire Drone: The Drone That Never Lands

May 17, 2024

Engineers at the University of Southern Denmark have developed an innovative “vampire drone” capable of indefinite flight. This drone can fly for extended periods without landing by pausing to leech power from nearby power lines to recharge its onboard batteries.

The drone’s ability to recharge mid-flight is made possible by a sophisticated docking mechanism, multiple sensors, and an onboard AI system. These technologies enable the drone to recognize and attach to power lines whenever it needs to recharge. “The vampire drone can essentially live on the grid and operate completely autonomously for extended periods, without needing human supervision,” the team explained to Fast Company.

Brain

A Nanoscale Revolution: Unveiling the Human Brain’s Intricacies

May 17, 2024

A groundbreaking nanoscale project has catapulted our understanding of the human brain forward, with a team of scientists reconstructing a cubic millimeter of brain tissue in unprecedented detail. This minuscule segment, just a millimeter on each side, contains an astonishing 57,000 cells, 150 million synapses, and 230 millimeters of ultrafine blood vessels, packed within its microscopic space.

The project, nearly a decade in the making, stands as the most detailed and extensive reproduction of the human brain to date. The data generated amounts to over 1.4 petabytes, showcasing the resolution of synapses—structures that facilitate neuron communication. “The word ‘fragment’ is ironic,” remarks neuroscientist Jeff Lichtman of Harvard University. “A terabyte is, for most people, gigantic, yet a fragment of a human brain – just a miniscule, teeny-weeny little bit of human brain – is still thousands of terabytes.”

Electric Vehicles

EHang Takes First Passenger on eVTOL Demo Flight in Abu Dhabi

May 17, 2024

Chinese eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle manufacturer EHang successfully conducted its first passenger demonstration flight in Abu Dhabi. The EH216-S pilotless vehicle launched from the Emirates Falcons Aviation Club with Mohamed Al Dhaheri, a board member of Multi Level Group (MLG) and EHang strategic partner, as the sole passenger.

This milestone passenger flight followed earlier demonstrations of the electric aerial vehicle (EAV) without passengers at the DriftX mobility expo in Abu Dhabi. Huazhi Hu, founder, CEO, and chairman of EHang, emphasized the significance of this event: “After securing approval for passenger-carrying demo flights and conducting the debut flight, we will actively foster collaboration and communication between the GCAA and the Civil Aviation Administration of China to expedite the progress towards commercial flights of our pilotless aircraft in the UAE. This will become a milestone in the advancement of Abu Dhabi and the global air mobility sector.”

Medicine

Enable Injections Expands Partnership with Roche to Revolutionize Drug Delivery

May 16, 2024

Enable Injections, Inc. (“Enable”), a leader in wearable drug delivery technology, has announced an expanded partnership with Roche. This collaboration aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of innovative treatment options by leveraging Enable’s enFuse® platform.

The enFuse platform is a cutting-edge wearable device designed to deliver large volumes of medication subcutaneously, eliminating the need for traditional intravenous (IV) administration. Key features of the enFuse technology include:

Science & Technology News

DoD Awards $22 Million Contract for Hypersonic Manufacturing Program

May 16, 2024

The Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded a $22 million contract through the Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane to advance the Growing Additive Manufacturing Maturity for Airbreathing Hypersonics (GAMMA-H) program. This initiative aims to develop a prototype solution for manufacturing hypersonic weapon components.

The GAMMA-H program is a key part of the DoD’s strategy to enhance additive manufacturing processes, ensuring they can meet the stringent propulsion performance and environmental requirements of modern hypersonic airbreathing systems. Traditional manufacturing methods have struggled to achieve the complex geometries needed for advanced hypersonic weapons, making additive manufacturing a promising, cost-effective alternative.

NASA

NASA’s Breakthrough Superalloy GRX-810 Set to Transform Aerospace Industry

May 16, 2024

NASA’s investment in a groundbreaking superalloy, GRX-810, designed to withstand the extreme temperatures and harsh conditions of air and spaceflight, is poised to yield significant commercial benefits. The agency is licensing this innovative material to four American companies, promising to boost the U.S. economy as a return on taxpayer investment.

GRX-810 is a 3D-printable high-temperature alloy that enhances the strength and durability of airplane and spacecraft components, enabling them to endure greater stress before failure. The co-exclusive licensing agreements will enable these companies to produce and market GRX-810 to manufacturers of aircraft and rocket equipment, as well as throughout the supply chain.

Robotics

Inside China’s Futuristic Humanoid Robot Factory: A Glimpse at the Future

May 15, 2024

A short video clip circulating on social media has sparked both amusement and concern, unveiling the inner workings of a Chinese humanoid robot factory. The video provides a fascinating glimpse into the rapid advancements in robotics technology, showcasing numerous humanoid robots at various stages of development.

Uploaded on TikTok from the manufacturing floor of Chinese robotics firm Ex Robots, the video highlights the company’s impressive progress. At the 2023 World Robot Conference, Ex Robots showcased an array of humanoid robots, surprising attendees with their hyper-realistic appearances and movements, which closely mimic human behavior.

Science & Technology News

Dive into Adventure: Seabike’s Innovative Underwater Mobility Device

May 15, 2024

French company Seabike has developed a unique swimming device that harnesses your leg power to propel you through water at remarkable speeds. This crank-driven pusher prop, resembling an underwater unicycle, promises an exhilarating aquatic experience.

The concept behind this “underwater mobility device” is straightforward. You adjust the Seabike’s pole to the desired length and secure it to your waist with a belt. Then, you place your feet on the pedals and start cranking, using the waist strap for support. This action drives a propeller, roughly 15 inches (38 cm) in diameter, propelling you through the water with the smooth grace of a cruising dugong.

Genetics

CRISPR Gene Therapy Shows Potential for Treating Inherited Vision Loss

May 15, 2024

“This research demonstrates that CRISPR gene therapy for inherited vision loss is worth continued pursuit in research and clinical trials,” said Pierce, director of the Ocular Genomics Institute and Berman-Gund Laboratory for the Study of Retinal Degenerations at Mass Eye and Ear and Harvard Medical School. “While more research is needed to determine who may benefit most, we consider the early results promising. Hearing from several participants about their excitement at finally being able to see the food on their plates is a significant milestone.”

The clinical trial involved 14 participants, including 12 adults (ages 17 to 63) and two children (ages 10 and 14), all born with a form of Leber Congenital Amaurosis (LCA) caused by mutations in the centrosomal protein 290 (CEP290) gene. They received a single injection of a CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing medicine, EDIT-101, in one eye through a specialized surgical procedure. This trial, which marked the first time a CRISPR-based investigational medicine was administered directly inside the body, primarily assessed safety while also evaluating efficacy.

Japan Faces Record High of Nine Million Vacant Homes Amid Population Decline

May 14, 2024

The number of vacant houses in Japan has surged to a record high of nine million, surpassing the population of New York City, as the country grapples with a declining population. Known as “akiya,” these abandoned homes are typically found in rural areas but are increasingly appearing in major cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. This trend poses significant challenges for a government already struggling with an aging population and a falling birth rate.

Traditionally, akiya refers to derelict residential homes in rural regions. However, the phenomenon is becoming more prevalent in urban centers, complicating efforts to address Japan’s demographic issues. “This is a symptom of Japan’s population decline,” said Jeffrey Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies in Chiba. “It’s not really a problem of building too many houses but a problem of not having enough people.”

Medicine

Pioneering Tooth Regrowth Medicine: Japanese Scientists Launch Clinical Trials

May 14, 2024

Japanese scientists are set to commence the world’s first clinical trials for a groundbreaking “tooth regrowth medicine” at Kyoto University Hospital, according to The Mainichi.

In September, the startup Toregem Biopharma will begin testing what is believed to be the first treatment capable of regrowing teeth. This innovative therapy aims to address congenital anodontia, a condition where individuals are born without some or all of their teeth. Toregem Biopharma, affiliated with Kyoto University, announced the clinical trials on Thursday and aims to bring the antibody drug to market by 2030. The company also hopes to eventually offer this treatment to individuals who lose teeth later in life.

3D Printer

Revolutionizing Construction: University of Maine’s Giant 3D Printer

May 13, 2024

In a warehouse at the University of Maine, a groundbreaking additive manufacturing machine named Factory of the Future 1.0 stands ready to transform the construction industry. This gigantic 3D printer, touted as the largest thermoplastic-polymer printer in the world, has the potential to change the way many things are built.

Ostensibly a 3D printer, Factory of the Future 1.0 features a complex nozzle attached to a maze of wires hanging from a long steel chassis near the warehouse ceiling. This supersized version of additive manufacturing robots can print objects as large as 96 feet long, 32 feet wide, and 18 feet high, producing up to 500 pounds of material per hour. That’s enough to construct a 600-square-foot house in less than four days.