Laser used to spot and identify bacteria in a matter of minutes

Currently, in order to see what type of bacteria (if any) are present in a liquid sample, bacterial cultures have to be grown in a lab over the course of several hours – or even a few days. A new laser technique, however, works in just minutes.Continue… Continue reading Laser used to spot and identify bacteria in a matter of minutes

V2M tech is designed to catch car problems – by listening for them

While there are some mechanical problems that can easily be detected by a car’s onboard sensors, there are others which are a bit trickier. The V2M system is designed to catch those other ones, by listening for them using onboard modules.Continue Readi… Continue reading V2M tech is designed to catch car problems – by listening for them

Simple process converts fruit waste into water-purifying material

Solar stills provide a clever and simple means of purifying dirty or salty water, but they work at a rather slow rate. A new material has been shown to boost their performance, and it’s made from fruit waste which would otherwise be discarded.Continue … Continue reading Simple process converts fruit waste into water-purifying material

Fairy-tale-inspired rovers could use “breadcrumbs” to map caves on Mars

Exploring the depths of an unmapped cave system is a daunting enough prospect on its own, but think how risky it would be to do so on another planet such as Mars. That’s why a new system is in the works, which would use “breadcrumb”-dropping rovers to … Continue reading Fairy-tale-inspired rovers could use “breadcrumbs” to map caves on Mars

Device uses a BAT signal to show where sharks are giving birth

The majority of shark species are threatened with extinction, so it’s crucial to protect the “pupping” areas where females give birth to live young. A new satellite-linked device, known as the BAT, lets scientists know the locations of those areas.Cont… Continue reading Device uses a BAT signal to show where sharks are giving birth

Earthworm-inspired robot moves by doing the wave

Earthworms move through the soil not just by wriggling around, but by sending peristaltic waves down their bodies. A new bio-inspired robot, which employs that same strategy, could one day be used in underground exploration or even search-and-rescue mi… Continue reading Earthworm-inspired robot moves by doing the wave

MyCanoe Solo 2 puts origami canoe tech in a smaller, lighter package

Six years ago we first heard about the MyCanoe, a two-person canoe that folds up like origami for transit and storage. Its makers are now back on Kickstarter with the smaller, lighter MyCanoe Solo 2.Continue ReadingCategory: Outdoors, LifestyleTags: Ki… Continue reading MyCanoe Solo 2 puts origami canoe tech in a smaller, lighter package

Liquid nitrogen may do the trick for getting moon dust off spacesuits

If you’ve ever been to the Moon (and who hasn’t?), then you’ll know that the clingy dust which covers its surface can damage spacesuits. According to a new study, a spray of liquid nitrogen may offer the best method of getting the stuff off – while lea… Continue reading Liquid nitrogen may do the trick for getting moon dust off spacesuits

World-first aquaculture operation will raise salmon and kelp together

Although salmon farms help take pressure off wild stocks, the penned fish do produce a lot of waste which is concentrated at one location. A new farm is exploring a solution to that problem, by raising salmon and kelp in adjacent pens.Continue ReadingC… Continue reading World-first aquaculture operation will raise salmon and kelp together