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.
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.
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.
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.
Are you ready to live under the ocean? DEEP Research Labs, an international research and development organization, is driven by the goal to “make humans aquatic.” They believe that becoming part of the oceanic world is crucial for understanding and preserving Earth’s most diverse biosphere. Their website explains, “We create tools and practices for scientists, academics, and others who seek to do good through their interaction with our oceans.”
DEEP seeks to accomplish this amazing feat using their Sentinel System, a high-tech subsea habitat likened to an underwater International Space Station. It will allow researchers to live and work on the ocean floor, at depths up to 200 meters (656 feet), for up to 28 days at a time. The system is designed for a 20-year service life, and its modular design allows it to be reconfigured and relocated as needed.
Rick Goddard, DEEP’s product director, told Oceanographic Magazine, “We’re doing something new here at a scale never previously imagined outside of science fiction. I fully expect the equipment and technology we’re developing to be pivotal in enabling some game-changing discoveries and radically change the way we access and think about the ocean.”
I am not sure if I am quite ready to live 200 meters under the ocean, but still a fascinating endeavor.
