While it’s good that there are plastics which biodegrade when they’re thrown away, the glue used to join pieces of those or other materials together isn’t quite so eco-friendly. Scientists have recently set about addressing that problem, however, by developing a biodegradable adhesive. Created by a team at Boston University, the substance has a honey-like consistency. It’s made up of […]
Biodegradable Adhesive Breaks Down When Discarded
3D Dive Maps
Although many scuba divers utilize wearable computers to track dive stats, those devices can’t record an actual map of the underwater route that the user travelled. The newly-developed Brizo, however, is claimed to do exactly that. Named after an ancient Greek goddess who protected mariners, Brizo was created by Italian startup Oengineering. Utilizing mounting-strap slots in its body, the user […]
Electric Snow Kart
Part snowmobile, part sled and part drift kart, the Bobsla gives non-skiers something much more exhilarating to do on ski trips than sip whiskey by the lodge fireplace. The all-electric Tyrolean motor sleigh treads, slides and spins its way around the snow. It’s an easier, less tiring way of enjoying the snow-sprinkled peaks of the Alps and beyond. The rear-driven […]
Smart Glove
Although drones or other robotic devices could certainly help astronauts to explore other planets, controlling the things while wearing spacesuit gloves would be a challenge. It was with this in mind that the sensor-packin’ Astronaut Smart Glove was created. Not only do traditional spacesuit gloves have relatively bulky fingers, but they’re also pressurized and therefore rather stiff, making finger movements […]
Essential Oil Compound May Help Speed Up The Healing Of Wounds
Although essential oils are typically associated with aromatherapy, new research indicates that medicines based on them could also help to heal skin wounds when applied topically. It all comes down to a certain substance in some of the oils, that reduces inflammation. The chemical compound in question is known as beta-carophyllene – it’s found in the oils of lavender, rosemary […]
Cellular Eco-Monitoring
Frog population levels are a key indicator of an area’s ecological health, and one of the best ways of gauging those levels involves estimating the number of frog vocalizations that are being made at one time. The new FrogPhone could make it easier than ever to do so. Typically, biologists have to wait around at frog habitats, monitoring the amphibians’ […]
Mining Waste Turn Into Sustainable House
Brazilian architectural studio Gustavo Penna Arquiteto e Associados (GPA&A) in partnership with steel industry company Gerdau has recently completed a minimalist home built using mining waste. Dubbed Sustentable House, the 45-sq-m (484-sq-ft) dwelling is part of a unique pilot program dedicated to creating sustainable concepts that are linked to the mining industry. “The pilot project is part of the environmental […]
Tooth On Chip
We’re seeing an increasing number of organ-on-a-chip devices, in which small pieces of living biological tissue are used to replicate the functions of actual organs. Now, scientists have created the first-ever tooth-on-a-chip, which mimics a tooth with a cavity. For the most part, organ-on-a-chip devices incorporate a tissue sample from a given organ, which is placed within a small transparent […]
Cellular Eco-Monitoring
Frog population levels are a key indicator of an area’s ecological health, and one of the best ways of gauging those levels involves estimating the number of frog vocalizations that are being made at one time. The new FrogPhone could make it easier than ever to do so. Typically, biologists have to wait around at frog habitats, monitoring the amphibians’ […]
Off-The-Grid Container House
Mexican architectural studios Studioroca and Taller Escape have recently joined forces to create a prefabricated housing model that is move-in ready in just 99 days from ordering. Dubbed VMD, the 30-sq-m (323-sq-ft) tiny home is an eco-conscious dwelling that is built using shipping-containers and offers a complete off-the-grid living package. The inspiration for the simple and cost-effective design of the […]