Miscellaneous
Apple plans two data centers in EU powered by green energy
Recently Apple announced plans to build a giant solar farm that will offset all emissions caused by their California operations. Apple has also announced plans to build two giant data centers in Ireland and Denmark that will be powered by renewable sources and create hundreds of new jobs. Apple Read More...
System creates freshwater from waste with less energy
Current systems that make drinking water from wastewater devote most of their energy to oxygenating the refuse water. Now researchers have created a new system that uses almost 30 percent less energy, produces 10 percent more water, and puts out biogas as a byproduct. The system achieves such Read More...
Scientists create sustainable palm oil alternative
Palm oil is in more than half of the products found in your grocery store and has been the driving force behind countless acres of clear-cut rainforests. The reason palm oil is so sought after is because of two properties: Its extremely high melting point, and its equally high saturation levels. Read More...
ASU makes biomimicry degree programs
Biomimicry is the practice of using nature to inspire design. It’s more common than you think but hasn’t been widely taught at universities like other forms of design. Now Arizona State University (ASU) has announced plans to create degree programs for biomimicry for both undergraduate and Read More...
Solar panels made from shrimp shells
Chitin and chitosan are valuable chemicals found in the shells of crustaceans and have been used as a component of fertilizer for many years. Scientists have discovered a way to make solar panels out of shrimp shells and the process is cheaper, and more environmentally friendly than current Read More...
Positive attitudes minimize cavities for your kids
It might not seem related, but the way in which you interact with your children could factor into their oral health. A recent study found that parents who were characterized as lenient and let their children make their own decisions had kids 13 percent less likely to have cavities than parents who Read More...
Mobile platforms bring banking to developing countries
The financial system is changing at a rapid pace, yet in many developing countries there are few banking options and people are forced to hide their money in secret places where it deteriorates because of inflation. However, mobile phones are very common in developing countries and new businesses Read More...
Making biofuel from trash could create thousands of jobs
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure—or in this case his job. A recent report by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT) found that making biofuels from trash could create 36,000 jobs across Europe and save 37 million tons of oil. The ICCT also says that biofuels have Read More...
Device gives deaf children gift of hearing
Cochlear implants have provided thousands of deaf people with the ability to hear. Cochlear implants work by using electrodes to send pulses to the auditory nerve, which the brain then recognizes by sound. But for those born without an auditory nerve cochlear implants and hearing has not been an Read More...
Suit gives paralyzed the gift of walking
A diagnosis of paralysis almost always means you will never walk again. But that’s changing. Watch this short video. Two companies in the US have created a bionic suit that basically walks for the person who is wearing it. The suits are strong and the person wearing them only feels the weight of Read More...