IDTechEx

A robot with a firm yet gentle grasp

Human hands are remarkably skilled at manipulating a range of objects. We can pick up an egg or a strawberry without smashing it. We can hammer a nail. One characteristic that allows us to perform a variety of tasks is the ability to alter the firmness of our grip, and engineers have developed a two-fingered robotic hand that shares this trait.

Funding highlights shift to higher-value long-duration energy storage

Hydrostor expects to use the financing to complete construction of its second commercial reference facility, its Angas Project in Australia, and to advance the company's pipeline of large-scale A-CAES projects. Those projects represent over 2 GW and 16 GWh of deployment potential in the USA, Canada, Chile and Australia, while the company expands opportunities with significant global project potential across many other markets.

Wearable technology for seniors can call the ambulance

The team of researchers are developing a system that monitors the health conditions of the elderly. The system consists of several sensors and a controller - a portable device on a neck strap - that automatically calls for help in the time of need.

Research could help flexible technology last longer, avoid failures

Whether from regular use, overuse or abuse, every device is bound to develop cracks at some point. That's just the nature of things. Cracks can be especially dangerous, though, when working with biomedical devices that can mean life or death to a patient.

Alibaba unveils its own AI chip

Alibaba Group plans to launch its first self-developed AI inference chip, which has potential for use in autonomous driving, smart cities and smart logistics. In addition to this, the Academy will boost its R&D in AI chips for training on the cloud and for IOT applications.

Fastest Growing Electric Vehicle Market is Their Motors

Why are axial flux versions coming in fast in certain applications? Why is reluctance becoming much more of the picture in other applications? Escape routes from dysprosium price hikes? Why the acquisition frenzy? What is its focus? It is all here including a comprehensive directory of suppliers. The new report, "Electric Motors for Electric Vehicles 2020-2030 land, Water, Air", explains and predicts what comes next for 101 categories of EV land, water and air, hybrid and pure electric.

Ships powered by solid oxide fuel cells

Bloom Energy and Samsung Heavy Industries announced a collaboration to design and develop ships powered by Bloom Energy's solid oxide fuel cell technology.

Alzheimer's memory loss reversed with electromagnetic waves

NeuroEM Therapeutics announced findings from an open label clinical trial showing reversal of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's Disease patients after just two months of treatment using the company's wearable head device for in-home treatment.

Volkswagen Group starts battery cell development and production

A pilot line for small-series battery cell production was opened at the Center of Excellence in Salzgitter. Some 300 experts are involved in developing, testing and piloting innovative manufacturing technologies for the production of lithium-ion batteries. In a first step, Volkswagen is investing over €100 million in amassing its own development and production know-how.

Machine learning to find out which wildfires will burn out of control

An interdisciplinary team of scientists has developed a new technique for predicting the final size of a wildfire from the moment of ignition. Built around a machine learning algorithm, the model can help in forecasting whether a blaze is going to be small, medium or large by the time it has run its course -- knowledge useful to those in charge of allocating scarce firefighting resources.

An inexhaustible power supply for wilderness survival

For many of us, the mobile phone has become the most essential tool in an emergency. But when it runs out of power, there's no way to call for help when you most need it. With this handy tool you can recharge your phone - at any time, indoor or out - with a simple, ergonomic motion that even a child can master.

Microscopic biohybrid robots propelled by muscles, nerves

Researchers have developed soft robotic devices driven by neuromuscular tissue that triggers when stimulated by light - bringing mechanical engineering one step closer to developing autonomous biobots.

Graphene is 3D as well as 2D

Graphene is actually a 3D material as well as a 2D material, according to a new study from Queen Mary University of London.

Breakthrough material for direct digital production of plastic parts

A revolutionary production material for additive manufacturing applications that enables manufacturers to directly produce end-use plastic parts without tooling. This results in parts produced the same day versus weeks required with conventional tool-based approaches.

IIT prints 3D embedded sensors in electrical packaging

Nano Dimension Ltd announced that one of its customers, the Center for Biomolecular Nanotechnologies of the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, is using the DragonFly additive manufacturing system to 3D print embedded sensors in electrical packaging.

Rivian

Rivian is an American automaker and automotive technology company with over 1000 staff. Founded in 2009, the company develops vehicles, products and services related to sustainable transportation.

JinkoSolar and others commit to 100% green power target

JinkoSolar has committed to the RE100 and EP100 initiatives. The RE100 initiative brings together the world's most influential companies committed to 100% renewable power. To reach this global climate goal and drive a low carbon economy, each company has committed to source 100% of the electricity used across their global operations from renewable sources.

The UK´s first 3D printed parts trialled on passenger trains

With the ability to quickly produce replacement parts on-demand, 3D printing helps operators to better maintain trains and improve the quality of service for passengers.

A battery that can be bent, stretched and twisted

Researchers have used stretchable materials to develop a battery that can be bent, stretched and twisted. For applications in bendable electronic devices, this is precisely the kind of battery they need.