Hydrogen Powered Flight

Daily Upsider on December 28, 2023

In a groundbreaking development for aviation, startup ZeroAvia has successfully completed a test flight of a 19-seat aircraft powered in part by hydrogen fuel cells. This marks the largest plane the company has tested in the air to date.

The test flight took off from Cotswold Airport in the UK and lasted approximately 10 minutes. During the flight, the aircraft’s left engines were powered by a combination of hydrogen fuel cells and batteries, while the right side relied on traditional kerosene.

This achievement has garnered significant attention, being voted the Breakthrough Technology of 2023 in a survey by MIT Technology Review. The successful test flight highlights the scalability of ZeroAvia’s technology and the rapid progress being made in the field of hydrogen aviation.

As the world continues to focus on reducing carbon emissions, the aviation industry has been under increasing pressure to find greener solutions. ZeroAvia’s successful test flight represent one potential solution to reducing emissions from the aviation industry. However, scaling this technology to power larger aircraft will be necessary to make a significant impact on emissions.

ZeroAvia has raised over $140 million in funding from investors such as United Airlines and American Airlines, as well as Breakthrough Energy Ventures. The company has also received over 1500 pre-orders for its hydrogen fuel-cell systems.

These 1920 Inventions Will Shock You!

Daily Upsider on December 21, 2023

It amazes me to no end what we humans can come up with. There are many amazing inventions happening right now, but I think some of the most fascinating come to us out of the early to mid-20th century.

Some of these are seriously ingenious! Let us know if you got a favorite one. I think my favorite is the helicopter boat thing. That looks so fun.

This Smart Roof Can Cut Heating and Cooling Bills

Daily Upsider on December 16, 2023

UC Santa Barbara researchers, Charlie Xiao, Elliot Hawkes, and Bolin Liao, have introduced a solution to address the high energy consumption associated with heating and cooling in buildings. Their creation, outlined in a recent Device journal paper, is an adaptive roof tile designed to autonomously switch between heating and cooling states based on the temperature, without relying on electronics.

The breakthrough came with Xiao’s idea of utilizing a wax motor—a technology found in common appliances. The wax motor responds to temperature changes and adjusts louvers on the tile’s surface. In colder temperatures, the wax solidifies, closing the louvers and absorbing sunlight. As temperatures rise, the wax melts, opening the louvers to reflect sunlight and emit heat.

The researchers’ tests showed a significant reduction in cooling and heating energy consumption—3.1 times and 2.6 times, respectively—compared to non-switching devices with conventional coatings. Remarkably, the device operates without electronics, batteries, or external power sources, relying solely on the wax motor. Its simplicity allows for customization and potential mass production.

While still in the proof-of-concept stage, the researchers anticipate that this technology could positively impact the cost of heating and cooling our houses.

S.F. Startup Boosting Dog Lifespan Gains FDA Support

Daily Upsider on December 13, 2023

San Francisco-based biotech firm, Loyal, has received conditional approval from the FDA for an experimental drug (LOY-001) aimed at extending the lifespan of large-breed dogs by at least one year. This marks the FDA’s first endorsement of a longevity drug, paving the way for further clinical trials. Loyal’s CEO, Celine Halioua, expects the drug to be available by 2026.

Administered via veterinarian injection every three to six months, LOY-001 targets the growth hormone IGF-1, potentially enhancing the well-being of large dogs. Despite the initial nod, Loyal must demonstrate full efficacy in a pivotal study to stay on the market beyond the five-year conditional approval period. The drug is now set for a larger study involving 1,000 older large and giant breed companion dogs.

Loyal’s broader goals include mitigating age-related ailments like cancer, arthritis, muscle atrophy, cognitive decline, and neurodegeneration in dogs. Simultaneously, Loyal is recruiting for clinical trials on LOY-002 and LOY-003. The company aims to maintain an affordable pricing structure for LOY-001, which has received $60 million in venture capital backing. In the context of canine longevity, other research at UC Davis has spotlighted the gene ERBB4 as a potential driver, emphasizing promising developments for dog lovers.

The Future of Water: Cheap Drinkable Seawater

Daily Upsider on December 12, 2023

In a rare collaboration, scientists from the US and China have created a groundbreaking, cost-effective, and efficient method for purifying seawater. The new passive solar-powered desalination tool can produce 4-6 liters of clean water per hour and has the potential to sustain a coastal household in sunny areas year-round when scaled up.

Despite the constant warnings from natural resource managers, city planners, and climate activists about the increasing severity of droughts in the future, the solution may have always been right in front of us. By utilizing the Earth’s vast amount of undrinkable water, the technology can significantly improve global access to clean water.

The tool uses thermohaline circulation, which is the same process that occurs in the ocean, to create swirling eddies that evaporate the water, leaving the salt behind. The water vapor is collected at a rate that can sustain daily household demands. This process, powered by sunlight, makes it possible for water to be even cheaper than tap water!

This breakthrough in solar desalination technology has the potential to address real-world problems in coastal communities with water scarcity issues. The components of the still are designed for a 10-year lifespan, making it a long-lasting and practical solution.