IDTechEx

Cyborgs are coming: Improved integration of living muscles into robots

The new field of biohybrid robotics involves the use of living tissue within robots, rather than just metal and plastic. Muscle is one potential key component of such robots, providing the driving force for movement and function. However, in efforts to integrate living muscle into these machines, there have been problems with the force these muscles can exert and the amount of time before they start to shrink and lose their function.

A report from the Battery Show Europe 2018 - Part 1 of 2

The Battery Show is one of the largest events around the world on energy storage for electric vehicles, which is held annually in Novi, MI.

Stretchable hydrogels for high resolution multimaterial 3D printing

Hydrogels, hydrophilic networks of polymeric chains capable of retaining a large amount of water, have been widely used in a variety of applications. Recent advances in highly stretchable hydrogels have extended their applications into the fields of soft robotics, transparent touch panels and other applications requiring large deformation.

New Nissan Leaf sold every 10 mins, total Europe sales reach 100,000

Nissan is celebrating the 100,000th delivery of the LEAF car this month in Europe, in a move hailed as a victory for electric mobility. Globally, over 320,000 Nissan LEAF have been sold, making it the most sold EV in the world.

Wave energy technology for the Canary Islands

The project will begin with a pilot 5 MW installation to provide energy for a desalination plant, but could expand to address multiple energy needs, from automobile recharging stations to supplying the grid.

View Inc.

View Inc. manufactures and commercialises electrochromic smart glass. It has its HQ in Milpitas, California. It is one of the two main contenders with electrochromic technology, the other one being Sage Electrochromics. The struggle between the two companies for the smart glass building market has already begun since the companies have filled patent infringement lawsuits against each other. In 2013, Corning invested $60 million in View Inc. as a way to enter to the architectural glass market with its new glass fusion manufactured thin glass.

EV Materials (Pt 1 of 2): Thermal Management

This two-part series will look at some of the materials opportunities emerging in electric vehicle for both batteries and other componentry. This information will be taking highlights from two recent trade shows: Foam Expo (Novi, USA) and The Battery Show co-located with Electric and hybrid vehicle technology expo.

Cell-like nanorobots clear bacteria and toxins from blood

Engineers have developed tiny ultrasound-powered robots that can swim through blood, removing harmful bacteria along with the toxins they produce. These proof-of-concept nanorobots could one day offer a safe and efficient way to detoxify and decontaminate biological fluids.

DHYBRID, QOS Energy to monitor PV hybrid and off-grid plants

DHYBRID, the leading German solution provider for PV hybrid, energy storage and smart-grid projects, has announced its partnership with QOS Energy, the data intelligence cloud specialist, to monitor PV hybrid and energy storage plants.

Manufacturing complex molecules

PCAS is a global fine chemical group manufacturing high value-added molecules. Since 1962, PCAS has cultivated an expertise in R&D collaboration, process development, and custom synthesis of complex molecules for life sciences and specialty chemicals markets such as electronics and lubricant additives.

The British milkman is going electric

What do the British milkman and the German mail carrier have in common? Answer: Both are an institution in their respective countries, and both travel by StreetScooter. The U.K. home delivery business Milk & More has now placed an initial order for 200 of these electric vehicles, which are produced by the Deutsche Post subsidiary StreetScooter and will be put to use in the UK immediately.

Flexible organic electronics mimic biological mechanosensory nerves

Researchers have developed artificial mechanosensory nerves using flexible organic devices to emulate biological sensory afferent nerves. They used the artificial mechanosensory nerves to control a disabled insect leg and distinguish braille characters.

3D-concrete printing housing project

In the city of Eindhoven the realization of the first of five planned 3D-printed concrete houses will start this year. The project, called Project Milestone, is a world's first, as the houses will all be occupied.

Waymo orders 62,000 Chrysler Pacificas

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Waymo announced they will expand their partnership with an agreement to add up to 62,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to Waymo's self-driving fleet.

Canada set to become member of IRENA

Canada is set to become a Member of the International Renewable Energy Agency after confirming its intention to begin the membership applications process.

Making driverless cars change lanes more like human drivers do

In the field of self-driving cars, algorithms for controlling lane changes are an important topic of study. But most existing lane-change algorithms have one of two drawbacks: Either they rely on detailed statistical models of the driving environment, which are difficult to assemble and too complex to analyze on the fly; or they're so simple that they can lead to impractically conservative decisions, such as never changing lanes at all.

Successful completion of Paradise Park PV farm financing in Jamaica

Proparco and FMO will provide the senior debt for the 51 MWp solar PV park. The project, majority-owned by Neoen alongside Rekamniar Frontier Ventures and MPC Caribbean Clean Energy Fund, will be commissioned in the first half of 2019.

CAP-XX develops industry's first 3 Volt thin prismatic supercapacitors

Provides peak power support to 3V coin cell batteries and eliminates need for 2.7V LDO regulator for less expensive, smaller, more energy-efficient designs with extended battery life.

Smart material enables novel applications

Research led by scientists has shown the potential of liquid crystal shells as enabling material for a vast array of future applications, ranging from autonomous driving to anti-counterfeiting technology and a new class of sensors.

Wearable technology can reduce risk of back injury among nurses

An interdisciplinary study explores how wearable technologies can be used to help reduce the risk of back injuries among nurses.