In order to keep running at peak efficiency, solar panels regularly have to be cleaned of accumulated dust and other debris. Such panels can often be difficult to reach, though, which is why the Helios system uses not one but two drones to get the job done. First of all, we have already heard of proposed setups that utilize aerial drones to spray soapy […]
Automated Solar Panel Cleaning Drones
Cylindrical Wireless Charger
Ordinarily, wireless chargers emit an electromagnetic field in just one direction, limiting the number of devices they can charge at once. An experimental new charger, however, produces a donut-shaped field, for the simultaneous charging of multiple gadgets. First of all, there have been previous attempts at creating omnidirectional wireless chargers. One approach has involved incorporating several transmitter coils, each one connected to […]
Glass Walled Apple Store
Apple and Foster + Partners continue their longstanding collaboration with a new Apple Store recently completed in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The retail space features a bold design that takes the form of a glass-walled box that’s situated on top of a large stepped pyramid-like water feature. The Apple Store is located in Abu Dhabi’s financial district. It was […]
Folding Outdoor Fins
If you’ve ever tried packing snorkelling gear into a suitcase, you’ll know that traditional fins take up an awful lot of space. That’s why Folding Fins were created, as they fold down to less than half their regular width when not in use. Currently the subject of a Kickstarter campaign, Folding Fins were developed by Polish startup Exotech Innovations. Each […]
Smart Mosquito System
Thermacell has updated its mosquito-repelling technology for the smart home age. The new Liv system ties together multiple repeller units with a smart hub and mobile app, putting up an intelligent mosquito barrier around entire decks and outdoor spaces. So instead of having to stay within the finite range of one of the company’s standalone repellers, homeowners and their families can play, […]
Injectable Hydrogel For Injured Joints
Where much of the osteoarthritis experienced by more than 32 million Americans is brought on by gradual wear and tear on the joints, some is triggered by injuries to the articular cartilage that covers the ends of the bones. Scientists have developed an injectable gel that can prevent this form of osteoarthritis taking hold, by allowing for sustained delivery of […]
LED Lamp Changes Colours According to Noise Levels
It can get tiresome, continually having to tell groups of children – or even adults – to be quiet. That’s where a new sound-sensitive lamp comes in, as it does the job for you by changing color in response to rising noise levels. The prototype device was designed by Markus Kraetzig and Sophie Kupke, both of whom are trainees at […]
Spring Loaded Screw
Nobody likes hearing their neighbors’ music, TV shows or loud conversations. Soundproof wall materials, however, can be quite thick and expensive. Swedish scientists have developed a thinner, less costly alternative, in the form of a spring-loaded sound-damping screw. Known as the Revolutionary Sound Absorbing Screw (or the Sound Screw for short), the device was created by a team at Malmö […]
4D Printing
It wasn’t so long ago that 3D printing was the new kid on the block. Now the term 4D printing is making headlines, stretching our ability to conceptualize once again. To understand 4D printing, it helps to have a better familiarity with 3D printing. 3D printing was originally developed in 1984 by Charles Hull. However, it was 2007 before anyone other than businesses and the […]
3 Second Daily Dumbbell
Finding time to go the gym or even complete workouts at home can be a tricky task for busy folk, but a new study suggests even lifting a dumbbell once or twice a day can be worth your while, particularly when it comes to combating the effects of aging. The research examined the effects of different forms of bicep curls […]