The petroleum polymers used in construction of flip flops are critical to the durability and comfort of the immensely popular footwear, but are a huge contributor to our plastic pollution problem as they take a long time to break down once discarded. A team at the University of California San Diego has been working on a solution to this problem […]
Algae-Based, Biodegradable Flip Flops
Quench Sea Low Cost Desalination Device
Newly developed QuenchSea is a low-cost, handheld machine with the potential to become a complete life-saver for water-related emergency situations and humanitarian crises. The device has the capacity to turn about one liter of seawater — and up to three liters in ideal conditions — into drinkable freshwater every hour using a manual system. The desalination device comes from London-based […]
Smart Saddle
It’s an understatement to say that many cyclists find traditional saddles uncomfortable. Sore-butted riders who are looking for an alternative already have several to choose from, but now there’s another – the SmartSaddle. Invented by Kansas-based engineer Dennis Bell (apparently a distant cousin of Alexander Graham Bell), the SmartSaddle is actually the descendant of his earlier product, the MoonSaddle. Taking […]
Graphene-Wrapped Particles Kill Drug Resistant Bacteria
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are emerging as a serious public health threat, and part of the reason is that the bugs can pass resistance genes to each other. Now, researchers at Rice University have developed a system using nanoparticles wrapped in graphene oxide to kill both the superbugs and their free-floating resistance genes in wastewater. Bacteria are community-minded organisms, so when some […]
Antarctic Seafloor Is Leaking Methane
For the first time, scientists have confirmed that methane leaking is from Antarctica’s sea bed. They say the methane is likely escaping into the atmosphere. According to the EPA, in 2018, methane accounted for about 10% of U.S. human-driven greenhouse gas emissions. But the Antarctica leak may be beyond human influence or control. Scientists believe that immense quantities of methane are stored […]
MIT’s Degradable Plastic Matches Mechanical Strength of Similar Materials
Driven by the huge burden they place on the environment, scientists are continually looking for new ways to manufacture plastic materials that make them easier to recycle, and MIT researchers are now claiming a significant breakthrough in this area. By modifying the makeup of a common type of plastic, the team has produced a version of equal strength that is […]
World’s Smallest 3D Scanning Device
An Australian/German team has developed the world’s smallest imaging device, at the thickness of a human hair. It’s capable of traveling down the blood vessels of mice, offering unprecedented abilities to 3D-scan the body at microscopic resolutions. To build this miniature endoscope, the team took a fine optical fiber with a diameter of less than half a millimeter (0.02 in), […]
Futuristic Folding Knife
With so many knives on the market these days it takes something a little out there to catch our eye, and the latest from Oregon-based gear-maker CRKT is one that certainly fits the bill. The Hirin is a spear-point blade with a heavy sci-fi flavour, and an ability to fold in and out of its dramatically designed handle with a […]
Apple Iterates 27-in iMac With Faster Brains & SSD
Apple has announced a modest upgrade to the 27-in iMac. The new machines pack up to 10-core Intel processors, solid state drives (SSD) for faster storage, a higher-resolution FaceTime camera and a few other hardware tune-ups under the hood. The new iMacs are powered by 10th generation Intel Core processors, available in several different configurations depending on the speed you […]
3-In-1 Bluetooth Speaker
This portable speaker is not like the rest. With a powerful sound that connects seamlessly via Bluetooth 4.0, this small yet mighty device can accompany you during any adventure. Whether you’re riding your bike, out at the park, camping outdoors, or just in your backyard, you’ll have a compact gadget that has wireless 3-in-1 features. Boasting a length of 8″ […]