The European Patent Office (EPO) has published the list of finalists for the European Inventor Award 2017 in five categories: industries, research, non-EPO countries, SMEs and lifelong pursuits. Finalists include drugs to treat lupus, cancer, a rapid test for malaria, audio file compression technology, plant-based plastic bottles, and more.
industries
Digital Audio Compression Technology, Dolby Laboratories
Convenient storage, transmission and playback of sound is impossible to imagine without the Swedish sound engineer Lars Lillierida - he developed one of the most popular digital audio compression codecs in the world.
SBR is a digital audio file compression method that allows millions of people around the world to enjoy high quality sound. This technology proved to be convenient and inexpensive, and revolutionized the industry. It has raised the bar in digital audio technology to a level previously thought unattainable.
ACE inhibitors for chronic kidney disease, Merck Sharp Dohme, Sanofi-Aventis, Cyclacel Limited
Researchers Giuseppe Remuzzi and colleagues Carlamaria Zoya and Ariel Benigni have developed drugs that use angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors to treat chronic kidney disease and complications associated with organ transplants.
More than 200 million people suffer from chronic kidney disease. Many patients seek help when it is almost impossible to stop a chronic disease, and they have to resort to methods such as dialysis. Using the researchers' development can help such patients get rid of the disease.
Rapid blood test for malaria, Siemens Healthineers
Dutch hematologist Jan van den Boogaart and Austrian biochemist Oliver Heiden developed the first automated computerized blood test for malaria. Instead of looking for the presence of malaria pathogens in the blood, the researchers used information technology to detect the negative effects of the disease on the body, as evidenced by key blood parameters such as reduced platelet counts. The test detects the disease with an unprecedented 97% accuracy.
Research
Growing human organs in the laboratory, Hubrecht Institute and University of Utrecht
Dutch molecular geneticist Hans Klevers and his colleagues first created the so-called "organelles". Researchers have grown mini-organs in the lab from patient stem cells, including the liver, lungs and intestines. This achievement will allow doctors to safely test the specific effects of drugs without risks to the patients themselves, and also paves the way for the cultivation of other organs - the human brain, liver, kidneys.
Radio signals for satellite navigation, Center National d'Etudes Spatiales
Space radar positioning has made significant advances in recent decades. And now it can go even further thanks to Galileo, Europe's Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS). The technology, developed by a team of European engineers led by French engineer Laurent Lestarquite, not only helps Galileo improve accuracy and eliminate signal interference, it takes satellite navigation to the next level. By 2020, Galileo will be the most advanced and accurate global navigation satellite system in the world.
Treatment of lupus by influencing T-cells, ImmuPharma/National Research Center
A new drug invented by French immunologist Sylvian Müller and her team not only eases the symptoms of lupus, but is also the first drug that can stop the progression of the disease.
Lupus is an incurable disease in which the immune system - whose task is to protect the body from external threats - attacks healthy tissues and organs. Until now, treatment has consisted of steroids, which cause significant side effects, and so-called immunosuppressants, which suppress the entire immune system and leave the body vulnerable to infections.
The new drug Lupuzor only blocks the so-called T cells that cause lupus, leaving a person's immune system intact. The new drug is expected to become available in 2018.
Non-EPO countries
Medical Imaging Based on Optical Coherence Tomography, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Thanks to the American engineers James G. Fujimoto and Eric A. Swanson, as well as the German physicist Robert Huber, doctors have the opportunity to obtain images of human tissues in real time for the early detection of cancer, glaucoma and other diseases. Thanks to scientists, optical coherence tomography is now a standard procedure for eye examinations. This technology makes it possible to study tissues without violating their integrity.
Storage of organs for transplantation, TransMedics
Hundreds of thousands of people around the world are waiting for vital donor organs. But many organs do not reach the addressees, because their lifetime outside the body is limited. The system, developed by American cardiac surgeon Walid Hassanein, keeps the organ functioning for a longer time and provides higher transplant success rates. The device created by the scientist, the size of a small household refrigerator, supplies the donor organ with warm oxygen-containing blood, thanks to which its life is extended. Such donor organs have already been used in 800 successful operations worldwide.
Antibiotics with essential oils, Advanced scientific developments
The growth of bacteria resistant to antibiotics is one of the problems of our time. Using the medicinal properties of plants, biology professor Adrian Remmal has developed a way to increase the effectiveness of antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections. He decided to combine the strengths of both antibiotics and natural essential oils to increase the effectiveness of the drug. The drug is expected to enter the market at the end of 2017.
Medium and small enterprises
Plant based plastic bottles, Furanix Technologies BV
Thanks to an invention by an experienced Dutch chemist named Geert-Jan Grauter, the negative environmental impact of using plastic bottles can be greatly reduced. For many years, bottles and other plastic food and drink containers have been made from a petroleum-based polyester known as polyethylene terephthalate.
Grauter was able to synthesize a sufficient amount of furandicarboxylic acid to obtain from it a new polyester - polyethylene furanoate. It has many of the characteristics of polyethylene terephthalate: it is strong, flexible and recyclable, but it requires 70% less energy. Also, the new polyester is made from plants, not petroleum.
Oil Spill Cleanup Sponge, Deurex
Thanks to an accidental discovery, a new superweapon has appeared in the world in the fight against oil and chemical spills. This is a synthetic wax developed by Günther Hafschmied and his team at the German company Deurex. It can adsorb up to seven times its own weight, making it the perfect tool to deal with accidents like this.
Energy saving rotary compressed air compressor, Lontra
Steve Lindsey has invented a compressor that could revolutionize the compressed air compressor market. Its development is more environmentally friendly than analogues, and provides energy savings of approximately 20%.
Life's work
Swatch, ultrasonic welding and more, Creaholic, ETA, The Swatch Group
Swiss inventor and entrepreneur Elmar Mock developed the ultrasonic welding technology that helped create the Swatch wristwatch. In addition, the researcher founded the consulting company Mok's Creaholic, which has generated many creative ideas - from methods of ultrasonic "welding" of bones to tiny piezo motors.
New generation vaccines against meningitis, whooping cough and other infections, Sclavo SPA, Chiron SPA, Novartis Vaccines and Diagnostics S.r.l.
Thanks to Rino Rappuoli, infectious diseases such as diphtheria, bacterial meningitis and whooping cough have been virtually eradicated in developed countries. Previously, vaccines contained “weakened” versions of pathogens that stimulated the body to build up immunity. But this approach did not offer protection against aggressive infections such as meningococcus, the bacteria that causes infectious meningitis. Rappuoli has bioengineered vaccines that elicit a strong immune response and offer unprecedented levels of protection against infections. Rappuoli is also considered one of the founders of cellular microbiology.
New cancer therapies and breakthroughs in laboratory genetics, Genentech Inc., Roche Diagnostics GmbH, Max-Planck-Gesellschaft
German molecular biologist Axel Ulrich has made major contributions to understanding the genetic and cellular causes of cancer and other diseases. He pioneered new types of treatment - including drugs to slow the development of breast, colon and kidney cancers. Ulrich has developed drugs that stop cancer at its base by disrupting the cellular communication processes in it.
In 2016, the leaders in the number of innovations were the United States, Japan and France. The U.S. ranked first with 39 innovators, including Amazon, Apple, Boeing, Google, Microsoft, and Nike. Second place was taken by Japan with 34 organizations, including Toyota, Panasonic, Sony, NEC and Fujitsu. Samsung became the leader in the number of patents in 2016, IBM was in second place, LG was in third, followed by Canon and Google.
The American edition of TIME published a rating of the best, according to journalists, technical innovations presented in 2017. When compiling the list, the publication evaluated hundreds of inventions from developers around the world and chose 25 of the most interesting products and gadgets.
Jibo is a robot that is close to you
Over the past few years, personal robots such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home have evolved significantly, but have remained essentially stationary speakers, whose self-expression is limited to just a light indicator that activates when the user begins to speak.
The Jibo Home Robot Assistant is something completely different. The home assistant looks like a Pixar cartoon character. His round, spinning "face" features animated icons to convey emotions, and when he speaks, his torso moves in a way that appears to be a robot waving non-existent arms. Jibo can giggle, dance and turn to face you as soon as you say "Hey Jibo". Some may find the technology amusing, some may find it creepy, but it could completely change the way we interact with machines.
Jibo is still a developing project. While it can be useful for basic tasks like taking photos or summarizing news articles, the robot doesn't yet know how to fulfill music playback requests and doesn't support third-party apps like Domino's and Uber. With modest capabilities at an impressive price tag of $ 899, the robot may not find demand among consumers, but Matt Revis, vice president of the development company, is confident in the further development of Jibo. “We needed to reach a certain bar for the release of . Now it's part of the journey,” he says.
eSight 3 - glasses that will give sight to the blind
For millions of blind people, orientation in space is a daily challenge. While walking sticks and guide dogs are a great help, they cannot completely replace vision. Complete restoration of vision is still an inaccessible task for medicine, but it is already possible to partially solve this problem now with the help of eSight 3 glasses for people with poor vision.
The device transforms incoming information into images, giving its owner the opportunity to engage in previously inaccessible activities, such as sports, etc. Priced at $9,995, the gadget isn't available to everyone who needs it (although the manufacturer offers various funding programs for potential customers), however, its cost has decreased compared to previous versions of the eSight. According to the manufacturer, more than 1,000 visually impaired people already use the glasses.
Halo Top - low-calorie "healthy" ice cream
Delicious "healthy" ice cream with low sugar content and only 240-360 calories per package - you must admit, it sounds almost unbelievable. However, this is exactly how Halo Top positions its product. low calorie and high content proteins make Halo Top ice cream popular with consumers who want to watch their weight but can't give up sweets. It is difficult to call the product really healthy, as it contains stevia, cane sugar and sugar alcohols. On the other hand, the goal of Halo Top is not to replace vegetables and fruits, but to provide those who care about the figure, the opportunity to "painlessly" eat ice cream. Over the past year, Halo Top sales in the US have increased by 2,500%, outpacing Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry's.
Fenty Beauty - cosmetics for all skin types
“Makeup is like a secret weapon. It can be almost imperceptible or completely change a person,” says pop diva Rihanna. However, for many women, this secret weapon is too secret - most manufacturing companies produce cosmetics only for consumers with light or medium skin tones, ignoring dark-skinned women. However, Rihanna took care of this problem by presenting her own line of decorative cosmetics Fenty Beauty in September of this year.
The line includes various products, including a tonal foundation, presented in as many as 40 shades. “It's important that every woman feels like they belong,” says Rihanna, noting her full involvement in the process of creating the line along with the manufacturing company Kendo. Almost immediately after the release, cosmetics for black women began to receive attention from other brands, such as L'Oréal and Make Up For Ever. Now Rihanna is focused on launching a new Fenty Beauty collection. “I love challenges and will continue to have fun and push the boundaries in this industry,” she says.
Ember Mug - a mug that warms up drinks to the optimum temperature
Coffee lovers know how the temperature of a drink affects its taste: too hot coffee burns the receptors, and too cold coffee is not even worth drinking. According to some estimates, the ideal temperature of the drink lasts only 37 seconds. The founder of the Los Angeles-based startup Ember Technologies, Clay Alexander, came up with his own solution to the problem - Ember thermo mug with a ceramic coating, which keeps the temperature of tea or coffee at 50-60 degrees Celsius.
The temperature is set using a special application. The mug can work for an hour offline and an unlimited amount of time when using the charger "saucer". The release of the “smart” Ember mug took place only on November 9 this year, but the device has already replenished the range of more than 4.5 thousand stores in the United States.
Thyssenkrupp MULTI - a unique lift
What if elevators could move not only up and down, but also sideways? This is a question straight out of the movie Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but oddly enough, the German engineering company Thyssenkrupp has its own answer - the MULTI system, which can move not only vertically, but also horizontally, without using a cable. For movement, the new MULTI elevator uses linear motors located in rails on the walls of the shaft. In other words, it is an elevator like a high-speed train on a magnetic cushion or a vacuum movement system. This year, the Thyssenkrupp MULTI system passed its first successful tests, and its launch is scheduled for 2021 in Berlin.
iPhone X
For Apple Senior Vice President of Hardware Engineering Dan Riccio, the iPhone X is a dream come true. “I see design as something we wanted to do from the beginning,” he says. And it’s clear why: the “ten” without any doubt can be called the most complex smartphone in the world with an “edge-to-edge” screen, an augmented reality-optimized processor, and a system that allows you to unlock your smartphone with just a glance (to be fair, it should be noted that These features originally appeared on Samsung and LG smartphones).
However, to ensure the functionality of Apple had to get rid of the hardware home button. Just like the removal of the iPhone 7's 3.5mm headphone jack, the move is "forward-looking," says Apple design chief Jonny Ive. “I do think that feature binding, however effective, is a recipe for failure,” Ive points out. Currently, the iPhone X is the most expensive model in the iPhone line (its cost in Russia starts from 79,990 thousand rubles). Looking at the iPhone X, it's pretty easy to imagine future generations of the Apple smartphone, for example, they may have a screen that covers the entire body of the device, or a camera that recognizes gestures, but Ive and Riccio are in no hurry to share future plans. Apple has a clear vision for a new generation of iPhones, in a way the X is the end of a chapter, Ive said.
Nike Pro Hijab - Workout Hijab
It is rather difficult to go in for sports in a hijab (a headdress for Muslim women): if the material is dense, the body sweats excessively, if it is too light, it can fly off during the competition, and if it is not buttoned up correctly, the athlete will feel discomfort. Sportswear brand Nike has unveiled its first sports hijab for Muslim female athletes, the Nike Pro Hijab, which was developed with the participation of Muslim female athletes. Unlike a traditional hijab, the Pro model is made from lightweight polyester that provides ventilation and prevents overheating, and its special shape prevents falling off.
Forward - clinics that take prevention to a new level
As a rule, many people visit doctors only after they are ill. But what if the two sides join forces to prevent medical problems? That's the idea behind Forward, a new clinic in San Francisco founded by ex-Google exec Adrian Eun that works like a high-end gym. For $149 per month, clinic patients get an unlimited number of genetic tests, blood tests, visits to specialized specialists, and much more.
Many critics argue that most Americans cannot afford to visit clinics, given that they do not accept health insurance. Nevertheless, the niche experiment turned out to be successful - Forward raised $100 million in investments and opened a second clinic in Los Angeles. The company does not intend to stop there and plans to expand its network of institutions.
Adidas Futurecraft 4D - sneakers made using 3D printing
Imagine a shoe that allows you to run faster, jump higher and get better agility. It is this idea that underlies the new model of Adidas Futurecraft 4D sports sneakers. The Futurecraft 4D midsole is made using 3D resin printing technology, which allows you to adjust the size, shape, flexibility, elasticity, and more.
Unlike the traditional manufacturing process, which can take several weeks, 3D printed shoes offer greater flexibility and speed – Futurecraft 4D sneakers can be printed in as little as two hours. This means that Adidas will be able to produce them directly in their stores, at least this possibility is not excluded. In the meantime, the company will release a standard version of the sneaker. The novelty will appear on the shelves in mid-December this year.
Tesla Model 3 is the car that could take electric cars to the mainstream
As a rule, electric cars have one or two drawbacks - they are either too expensive or have a short range without additional recharging. Tesla Model 3 solves both problems: firstly, it is included in the price category from $35 thousand and above, so it can be safely called a budget electric car, and secondly, the Model 3 range on a single charge is up to 300 km. Acceleration time from 0 to 100 km / h - 6 seconds. The novelty is in great demand among consumers. Every day Tesla receives more than 1.8 thousand orders and can hardly cope with them. “We are in deep manufacturing hell,” Tesla CEO and co-founder Elon Musk tweeted. However, the company is confident that it will cope with the load.
ON THIS TOPIC: Tesla Semi - Tesla truck: photo, video, specifications and price.
Willow Pump - portable smart breast pumps
Breastfeeding is not an easy process, especially for active mothers. Most electric breast pumps come with bottles and loud, whirring motor units, which are pretty inconvenient. The American company Willow offered its solution to the problem - the Willow Wearable Breast Pump, a smart breast pump that provides comfortable pumping anywhere. Silent gadget fits easily in a bra. “Instead of building your life around a breast pump, you can play with your oldest child or take a conference call,” says Willow CEO Naomi Kelman. True, the price for such convenience is quite high - $480. According to Kelman, the company is making modifications to the device based on feedback from new moms participating in beta testing. If Willow can deliver on all its promises, the new gadget will revolutionize the industry.
Nest Secure - simple home security system
Most home security systems are designed to keep strangers out of your home. However, the Nest Secure system from Google's parent company Alphabet works differently. Nest Secure includes several devices - the Nest Guard module, which also acts as a password keypad, two Nest Tag key fobs and a pair of Nest Detect sensors. To turn off the system, it is not necessary to enter a password, just wave the key fob.
This key fob can also be programmed to work within certain time frames - for example, the nanny will be able to access the house only during their working hours. The system can be controlled remotely using a mobile application. Nest Secure is also quite suitable for home security, when an attempt is made to penetrate or disable the module, the system will give an alarm, and the accompanying motion sensors will notify the user if a door or window is opened.
NASA Mars Insight is a device that will reveal the secrets under the surface of Mars
Sending a spacecraft to Mars comes with a lot of hassle. Transportation costs add up to hundreds of millions of dollars, even if launched during the "launch window" - when the orbits of Mars and Earth are optimally aligned every 26 months, offering the most economical trajectory for flights to Mars. The next such “window” will be in 2018, it is for this year that NASA has planned the launch of the Mars Insight apparatus (Interior Exploration using Seismic Investigations, Geodesy and Heat Transport - “Study of the structure of Mars based on seismography, geodesy and thermal exploration data”), designed for sounding internal structure of the Red Planet.
Initially, the space agency planned to send the mission in 2016, but due to a seismometer malfunction, the flight had to be postponed. Unlike Curiosity and other devices, Insight will stay in one place. Its task will include probing the "insides" of Mars. Based on this information, scientists will draw a conclusion about how the planet was formed and evolved. Insight will stay on Mars for 728 Earth days or until a new mission is ready to launch in 2020.
Oculus Go is a standalone VR headset
Virtual reality technology can hardly be called perfect yet - even the best VR helmets require additional gadgets, such as computers or smartphones, to function properly. Facebook has unveiled its $199 Oculus Go standalone VR headset (HTC and Lenovo are working on similar devices). Oculus Go doesn't need to be connected to a computer, game console, or powerful smartphone.
The device is able to work by itself. The downside is that it's somewhat limited compared to more expensive competitors, but there are "always trade-offs" in every case, according to Max Cohen, head of Oculus mobile products. Facebook's goal is to offer users an accessible virtual reality, not a more realistic one. "We want people to be able to easily say, 'Oh, I don't have to make sacrifices to immerse myself in VR,'" Cohen said.
Tasty One Top - smart hob
The food channel BuzzFeed Tasty has a total of over 100 million followers on Instagram and Facebook, but its owners believe that watching food is cooked and cooking something yourself are two different things. So the BuzzFeed Product Labs team decided to fill this gap with the introduction of Tasty One Top, an induction cooktop and accompanying mobile app to help novice chefs. The induction cooker monitors the surface temperature of the pan or pot, as well as the internal temperature of the food being cooked, and tells you when, for example, you need to turn the meat. Over the past few years, a number of companies have introduced similar gadgets, including FirstBuild, Hestan and Pantelligent. The advantage of Tasty One Top lies in the sheer number of recipes available, from how to make a cheeseburger to ice cream and churos.
DJI Spark drones that put selfie sticks to shame
In the past few years, the popularity of unmanned aerial vehicles has increased significantly. Drones are used in a variety of applications, from cartography to rescue operations. However, the DJI Spark is designed for more mundane purposes. With it, users can take better photos and videos. The drone is able to recognize gestures and can be controlled with a simple wave of the hand. Due to the presence of various sensors, DJI Spark can avoid collisions in the air, and its price is quite democratic - $499. True, the maximum flight time of the drone is only 16 minutes.
Molekule - an air filter that will clean the house
Most air filters are made of fine porous material designed to hold dust particles larger than the mesh diameter. Molekule air filter developers have surpassed traditional HEPA technology. The Molekule air purifier uses photoelectrochemical oxidation (PECO) technology to remove not only impurities and allergens, but also viruses and bacteria from the air. The device simultaneously cleans and disinfects the air. The cost of the device is quite high - almost $ 800 + $ 99 annually will have to pay extra for new filters, but supporters of the idea are sure that clean air is worth that kind of money. Investors also agree with their opinion: to date, the developer company has attracted about $15 million in investments.
Michelin Vision Concept - conceptual "smart" tires
In the future, our cars will be smart, and their tires will be even smarter. This point of view is shared by the French company Michelin. This year, the manufacturer introduced the Michelin Vision "tire of the future" prototype. Not only does the 3D-printed airless tire need no rims, it is made entirely from recycled materials. Now Vision remains only at the concept stage. Michelin estimates that such "advanced" tires won't be available until 20 years from now, but some features, such as airless design or sensors that warn the driver of wear, could be a reality in a few years.
Norton Core - Wi-Fi router for smart home security
Internet-connected gadgets offer a lot of advantages to their owners, but almost every "smart" device - from toasters to washing machines - can be hacked. Symantec, best known for its popular antivirus solution Norton AntiVirus, has unveiled a mobile-enabled router called Norton Core designed to protect the smart home from cyberthreats. If one of the gadgets is infected, Norton Core disconnects it from the home network. In addition, it receives regular software updates to be ready for new threats.
Bempu - a bracelet for the little ones that allows you to monitor the baby's temperature
Premature babies often suffer from heat loss, which can lead to health problems. The $28 Bempu bracelet attaches to a child's wrist and monitors their temperature. In the event of a critical drop in temperature, the bracelet emits an alarm signal and an orange indicator light lights up on it. The device has already helped approximately 10,000 newborns in India and 25 other countries around the world.
Nintendo Switch is a gaming console to play anywhere
Hardcore gamers know the frustration of putting off a great game, but the Nintendo Switch will help them solve the problem. Switch is a hybrid console that gamers can use both at home and on the go, including through removable controllers that connect to the device. The game console can be used by one or more players. Since its release in March this year, Nintendo has sold 7.63 million new consoles, and the company estimates that Switch sales will surpass the Wii U by the end of the fiscal year.
VICIS Zero1 American Football Helmet
For decades, only one form of protection was available to American football players: a hard plastic helmet. About four years ago, pediatric neurosurgeon Sam Broad asked himself: what if the outer side of the helmet were made of a flexible polymer? Thus, the helmet would work like the technology used on the bumpers of modern cars - distorting under the influence of the force of impact. Deformation allows you to absorb most impact energy, that is, the head suffers to a lesser extent and, accordingly, there is less chance of getting a concussion. Broad drew the prototype on a napkin and showed it to scientists at the University of Washington. This is how the VICIS startup was born, turning the idea into reality. The Zero1 helmet is now worn by 18 NFL players and a number of college teams.
GreenWave is the world's first multi-view 3D ocean farm
The future of farming is growing oysters, clams and algae growing on floating ropes, says Bren Smith, a former fisherman and now head of GreenWave, a non-profit organization that developed the 3D multi-species ocean farm of the same name. This concept is not as incredible as it might seem at first glance. The population of the Earth has halved marine populations mainly due to overfishing, so humanity needs alternative food sources. One of them is GreenWave.
The farm offers many benefits: high-protein produce, self-sufficiency (growing crops does not require fertilizer), and algae even help fight climate change by absorbing carbon dioxide. Of course, the transition to the consumption of shellfish and algae is a difficult task, but the organizers of GreenWave see the potential in their project. Since 2013, with the help of the organization, 14 farms have been created on the coast of New England (region of the northeastern United States) and in the future GreenWave plans to expand to other regions of the United States and Europe.
Spinners
Fidget spinners can be both a harmless distraction and a cause of chaos in the classroom, but there's no denying their wild popularity. Since the release of a similar toy last year, manufacturers have noticed a surge in search queries containing the word "fidget", and flooded the market with this fashionable entertainment. Toys R Us has even hired an aircraft to ensure a smooth supply of toys. Exploiting the popularity of spinners, some manufacturers even claimed that the gadgets have a therapeutic effect, positioning them as “a great toy for children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety disorders and autism,” however, such statements have not found scientific confirmation.
According to yablyk
Technology
Each year, Time magazine selects the best inventions that have made the world a better, smarter, and sometimes more fun place.
This year's list includes self-lacing sneakers, an all-purpose shelter, a space lab, and more.
Much of what was presented is already available for purchase, while other devices exist only in concept form.
New Inventions 2016
1. Flyte Hovering Bulb
The Swedish scientist Simon Morris has been fond of levitation since childhood. He even managed to turn a skateboard into a hoverboard for flying above the ground.
Now he set out to create a levitating light bulb, Flyte, that floats and rotates thanks to electromagnetism and glows thanks to a resonant inductive coupling. The light bulb has been a success since it was released in January of this year, and Morris plans to create a whole series of floating objects.
2. Foldable bike helmet Morpher
British inventor Jeff Woolf, like many cyclists, also did not escape the accident and the only thing that saved him was a helmet. However, many of his compatriots do not wear a helmet due to the fact that it is too bulky and does not fit in a bag or backpack.
Wolfe solved this problem and created the Morpher Folding Helmet in a woven plastic that is as strong as traditional helmets but flexible enough to fold almost flat and be easy to carry.
3 Tesla Solar Roof
Many buyers of home solar panels are faced with the dilemma of how to help the environment while saving money. Tesla answered this question and created the Solar Roof - a series of tiles that cover the roof of a house, looking little different from ordinary tiles, that use the energy of the Sun.
4. Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 Auto-lacing Trainers
Everyone who has watched the movie Back to the Future wishes they had three things: a time-traveling DeLorean, a hoverboard, and self-lacing sneakers.
Now, thanks to Nike, self-lacing sneakers are a reality. When you press the button near the tongue, the laces on the HyperAdapt 1.0 will automatically tighten or unclip around your foot. Simplified lacing can be useful for athletes and people with limited motor function.
5. Football field that fits anywhere
The Klong Toei area in downtown Bangkok is densely populated and filled with buildings, leaving no room for new parks, not to mention a rectangular football field for children.
AP Thailand decided to approach this problem in its own way. Using aerial photography, they found uninhabited areas or unusually shaped unused areas of land and covered them with concrete, paint and anti-slip materials and everything a sports facility has. New football fields are immediately filled with children after school.
6. PlayStation VR Virtual Reality Headset
Today, in order to gain access to advanced virtual reality technologies, sometimes you have to spend several thousand dollars not only for a headset, but also for a computer that can support it.
Sony has decided to release a more affordable PlayStation VR headset that works with the PlayStation 4 that many people already have.
7. Marijuana to replace pills
Many people rely on over-the-counter remedies to treat common ailments such as insomnia and headaches. A growing body of research shows that medical marijuana has certain benefits.
In this regard, Hmbldt decided to launch a series of vaporizers that spray medical marijuana oil to help a person calm down, fall asleep or relieve pain, without putting him into a drugged state.
Latest Inventions of 2016
8. Best Hello Sense Alarm
It's hard to believe that an alarm clock that ruthlessly gets us out of bed every morning can improve your sleep.
The new Hello Sense is not just an alarm clock, but a gadget that measures temperature, humidity, light and air quality in the bedroom to create the perfect sleep environment. It also monitors your sleep cycles and wakes you up when you're most ready with simple voice commands.
9. Eagle 360 tires that rotate in all directions
As more companies develop self-driving cars, Goodyear has decided to reinvent the wheel.
The spherical tire concept allows the car to move in many directions, such as sideways into parallel parking or at an angle and at a certain speed to counteract slippery surfaces.
The concept is based on magnetic levitation. While conventional tires are screwed to the car, the Eagle 360 wheels float. Such wheels are designed for unmanned vehicles and will appear no earlier than in 5 years.
10 Quip Smart Toothbrush
According to the latest study, every second person does not brush their teeth twice a day, and 3 out of 4 people do not replace their toothbrush every 3 months.
Inventor Simon Enever and his partner Bill May created the Quip, a simple, affordable battery powered toothbrush with a timer that vibrates every 30 seconds for 2 minutes, reminding the user to change brush positions.
11. Dishes for people with cognitive decline
Inventor Shao Yao knows firsthand about Alzheimer's disease. She often had to watch her grandmother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, struggle with simple tasks like using utensils.
Yao has created special dishes for people with Alzheimer's and other diseases that affect the brain and body. So, the dishes use bright colors to help a person distinguish a plate from food, and a rubber base on the cups to prevent liquid from spilling.
12. Better Shelter
The Ikea Foundation has created Better Shelters, makeshift homes equipped with door locks and solar panels that can be folded and assembled in less than 4 hours, like Ikea's famous furniture.
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has helped send more than 16,000 of these shelters around the world, and humanitarian and refugee agencies have turned them into hospitals, receptions, child development centers and other facilities.
13. More powerful and softer Dyson Supersonic hair dryer
James Dyson has created a hair dryer that, unlike the traditional noisy, heavy and not-so-fast models, gets the job done efficiently, yet is quiet thanks to its tiny motor and reaches 110,000 rpm.
It's also fast with a design that increases airflow, and gentle on hair with a sensor mechanism that monitors temperature.
14. Potato that saves lives
In African countries, more than 43 million children under the age of 6 suffer from vitamin A deficiency, which makes them more susceptible to diseases such as blindness, malaria and others.
Scientists from HarvestPlus and CIP decided to help these countries by developing vitamin A-fortified sweet potatoes that are also resistant to drought and viruses.
15. Small drone DJI Mavic Pro
Recently, drones have become smarter, faster and better at taking photos. But for the most part, they are still too bulky for you to freely carry around.
Launched in September, the DJI Mavic Pro drone is equipped with obstacle avoidance technology, a 4K resolution camera and the ability to follow objects in flight. Plus, it folds down to the size of a loaf of bread and fits easily into a backpack or bag.
16. Non-contact thermometer Arc InstaTemp
Everyone who has a small child knows how difficult it can sometimes be to take his temperature in the traditional way and make him sit still for at least a minute. Therefore, recently many companies have begun to produce non-contact thermometers that quickly and accurately measure body temperature using infrared technology.
The latest of these models, Arc InstaTemp, measures body temperature from a distance of 2.5 cm from the patient's forehead and provides measurements after 2.5 seconds using red, yellow or green.
17. Artificial pancreas Minimed 670g
People with diabetes need to constantly check their blood sugar levels and adjust them with insulin and food.
Medtronic decided to make this process much easier with the Minimed 670g artificial pancreas. The iPod-sized device is attached to the body and measures the sugar level every 5 minutes, supplying the right amount of insulin as needed.
18. Tiangong-2 space laboratory
The Tiangong-2 (or Sky Palace 2) space laboratory, 10.4 meters long and 4.2 meters wide, includes a compartment for physical activity and medical experiments.
Compared to the ISS, it's a fairly modest lab, but China has built it itself and plans to launch the core module for the larger space station by 2018.
19. Prosthesis for games Iko
The Iko prosthesis, designed by Carlos Arturo Torres, allows a child to replace a lost limb and comes with a variety of accessories that are compatible with Lego products.
20. Chevrolet Bolt electric car
Most electric vehicles fall into two categories: either too expensive or limited edition.
The Chevrolet Bolt electric car from General Motors is designed to solve these problems and satisfy consumer needs. It can travel more than 320 km on a single charge at a relatively low cost.
21. UNICEF Kid Power Band
The UNICEF Kid Power Band motivates kids to become more physically active with a mobile app. Children earn points that turn into food parcels that UNICEF sends to needy children around the world. Thus, it allows children to feel that they can change the world.
22. Apple AirPods
Apple AirPods wireless headphones automatically connect to your iPhone, have a microphone (which allows you to control your smartphone via Siri), and detect the position in your ears, allowing you to automatically pause if you take one of the headphones out to talk to someone.
23. Amazon Echo wireless speaker
The Amazon Echo wireless speaker looks like a standard Bluetooth speaker, but with this speaker you can talk. The idea itself is not new, since there are already similar systems, such as Apple's Siri or Microsoft's Cortana.
The Amazon Echo speaker comes with dozens of apps, allowing you to call a cab, turn off the lights, and order a pizza.
24. Wynd Personal Air Purifier
No matter where we live, we almost always breathe in a lot of chemicals and pollutants. Wynd Personal Air Purifier - A water bottle-sized portable air filter creates a cleaner climate by absorbing pollutants, including those that contribute to cancer and heart disease, in your immediate area.
25. Barbies that look like real girls
For 57 years, the famous doll has set unrealistic standards for female beauty. However, Mattel decided to change the situation and release Barbies that will look more like real girls.
While the original dolls are still produced, there are now three body types (thin, tall, and curvaceous), skin color, and hair texture to choose from.
Today you will learn about new and unusual inventions that are relevant for the beginning of 2017. Throw away all the problems, everyday affairs and fasten your seat belts, because now you are waiting for an amazing portion of the amazing inventions of our time. Go…
Conditioner Zarrow Breeze. A great invention that can save on a hike or in a small room. The cooling system is built in such a way that the entire structure is completely closed and does not require constant addition or renewal of the working refrigerant.
skateboard motor. With this device, he will be able to reach speeds of over 35 kilometers per hour. One battery charge is enough for a distance of 25 kilometers. Such a gadget will be to the taste of any skateboarder.
Backpack with electric skateboard. It is an individual folding vehicle that can be easily carried over the shoulders. And if necessary, it can drive up to 6 kilometers at a speed of 25 kilometers per hour.
Water filter bottle. He poured water into it, shook it and the smart device displays one of three signals on a small display, indicating that the quality of the water is disgusting, moderate or good. If the water is “not very good”, with a finger movement we draw a strip on the bottle and the built-in filter will start purifying the water.
Smart sneakers. Their appearance can be changed on the go. They are lit by flexible thin displays that constantly display the desired picture. You can change the look of sneakers using a special mobile application.
Safe passenger plane. Ukrainian engineer Volodymyr Tatarenkov invented the main body of an aircraft that separates in an emergency. After the separation of the capsule, a special mechanism slows down the speed of the fall and opens the parachutes. As a result, passengers land safely.
Oil sprayer. Butter is a popular and useful, but not very convenient product to use. American engineers invented a device for the rapid melting and spraying of this product.
Device for recycling waste paper into clean paper. This is a kind of mini-factory for paper processing. It can recycle waste paper into A4 and A3 clean paper.
Standalone digital panoramic camera. It allows you to shoot in advanced 4k vertically and horizontally at an angle of 160 degrees. And also edit the frame in real time.
High-tech quadcopter bracelet, which easily transforms from a bracelet into a miniature drone with a camera. The main idea of the novelty is to take pictures without the help of hands and make them from such an angle that previously seemed impossible.
smart frying pan. She herself will tell you the required temperature, remind you that it's time to turn the steak, and that the dish is ready. To do this, you just need to select an application for your smartphone with bluetooth, which contains a huge database of recipes in the cloud.
A sensor that detects the presence of gluten. Mothers of babies and children with allergies would say special thanks for this invention. This little thing is able to determine the amount of gluten in foods or liquids in two minutes.
Electricity from the body. Fujitsu announced the development of a hybrid generator. It generates electricity in two ways: using the energy of light or heat.
5 G the Internet. Cellular operator Megafon offered access to the Internet at the speed of light. It should be noted that the speed of 700 - 900 megabits / second will appear for Megafon subscribers in Moscow and St. Petersburg already in 2017.
Digital lightoscope. He can easily identify all sorts of anomalies in the human body. This device can be taken to a smartphone. Information about the state of your health will immediately appear on the screen.
Desktop dna in the laboratory. In the recent past, the result of a DNA analysis had to wait a week, but now it really takes 3 hours. This can save thousands of human lives.
As another year draws to a close, it's time once again to sit down, put our hands together, take a deep breath, and look at some of the science headlines we may not have paid attention to before. Scientists are constantly creating some new developments in various fields, such as nanotechnology, gene therapy or quantum physics, and this always opens up new horizons.
The titles of scientific articles are increasingly reminiscent of the titles of short stories from science fiction magazines. Considering what 2017 has brought us, we can only look forward to what the new 2018 will bring.
Post sponsor: http://www.esmedia.ru/plazma.php : Rent of plasma panels. Inexpensive.
Source: muz4in.net
Scientists have created temporal crystals, for which the laws of time symmetry do not apply
According to the first law of thermodynamics, it is impossible to create a perpetual motion machine that will work without an additional source of energy. However, at the beginning of this year, physicists managed to create structures called temporal crystals, which cast doubt on this thesis.
Temporal crystals act as the first real examples of a new state of matter called "non-equilibrium", in which atoms have a variable temperature and are never in thermal equilibrium with each other. Time Crystals have an atomic structure that repeats not only in space but also in time, allowing them to maintain constant vibrations without gaining energy. This happens even in a stationary state, which is the lowest energy state, when movement is theoretically impossible, since it requires energy.
So do time crystals break the laws of physics? Strictly speaking, no. The law of conservation of energy only works in systems with symmetry in time, which implies that the laws of physics are the same everywhere and always. However, temporal crystals violate the laws of symmetry of time and space. And not only them. Magnets are also sometimes considered natural asymmetric objects because they have north and south poles.
Another reason Time Crystals do not violate the laws of thermodynamics is that they are not completely isolated. Sometimes they need to be "pushed" - that is, to give an external impulse, after which they will already begin to change their states again and again. It is possible that in the future these crystals will find wide application in the field of transmission and storage of information in quantum systems. They can play a crucial role in quantum computing.
"Live" dragonfly wings
The Merriam-Webster Encyclopedia states that a wing is a movable feather or membrane appendage used by birds, insects, and bats for flight. It shouldn't be alive, but entomologists at the University of Kiel in Germany have made some startling discoveries that suggest otherwise - at least for some dragonflies.
Insects breathe through the tracheal system. Air enters the body through openings called spiracles. It then passes through a complex network of windpipes that deliver air to all the cells in the body. However, the wings themselves are composed almost entirely of dead tissue, which dries out and becomes translucent or covered with colored patterns. Areas of dead tissue run through the veins and are the only components of the wing that are part of the respiratory system.
However, when entomologist Reiner Guillermo Ferreira looked at the wing of a male Zenithoptera dragonfly through an electron microscope, he saw tiny branched tracheal tubes. This was the first time something like this had been seen in an insect wing. Much research will be required to determine whether this physiological feature is unique to this species, or perhaps occurs in other dragonflies or even other insects. It is even possible that this is a single mutation. The presence of an abundant supply of oxygen may explain the bright, complex blue patterns found on the wings of the dragonfly Zenithoptera, which do not contain blue pigment.
Ancient tick with dinosaur blood inside
Of course, this made people immediately think of the Jurassic Park scenario and the possibility of using blood to recreate dinosaurs. Unfortunately, this will not happen in the near future, because it is impossible to extract DNA samples from the found pieces of amber. The debate about how long a DNA molecule can last is still ongoing, but even according to the most optimistic estimates and under the most optimal conditions, their lifespan is no more than a few million years.
But while the tick, named Deinocrotondraculi ("Terrible Dracula"), didn't help restore the dinosaurs, it still remains a highly unusual find. We now know not only that feathered dinosaurs had ancient mites, but that they even infested dinosaur nests.
Modification of adult human genes
Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, or CRISPR, are the pinnacle of gene therapy today. The family of DNA sequences that currently form the basis of CRISPR-Cas9 technology could theoretically change human DNA forever.
In 2017, genetic engineering took a decisive leap forward after a team at the Proteomics Research Center in Beijing announced that it had successfully used CRISPR-Cas9 to eliminate disease-causing mutations in viable human embryos. Another team, from the Francis Crick Institute in London, went the opposite way and used the technology for the first time to intentionally create mutations in human embryos. In particular, they "turned off" a gene that promotes the development of embryos into blastocysts.
Studies have shown that CRISPR-Cas9 technology works - and quite successfully. However, this has sparked an active ethical debate about how far one can go in using this technology. Theoretically, this could lead to "designer children" who may have the intellectual, athletic, and physical characteristics in line with those given by the parents.
Ethics aside, research went even further this November when CRISPR-Cas9 was first tested on an adult. Brad Maddu, 44, from California, suffers from Hunter syndrome, an incurable disease that could eventually lead him to a wheelchair. He was injected with billions of copies of the corrective gene. It will be several months before it can be determined whether the procedure has been successful.
What came first - sponge or ctenophores?
A new scientific report, which was published in 2017, should put an end to the long-standing debate about the origin of animals once and for all. According to the study, sponges are the "sisters" of all animals in the world. This is due to the fact that sponges were the first group that separated in the process of evolution from the primitive common ancestor of all animals. This happened about 750 million years ago.
There has been a heated debate in the past, which boiled down to two main candidates: the aforementioned sponges and marine invertebrates called ctenophores. While sponges are the simplest creatures that sit at the bottom of the ocean and feed by passing and filtering water through their bodies, ctenophores are more complex. They resemble a jellyfish, are able to move in water, can create patterns of light, and have a simple nervous system. The question of which of them was first is the question of what our common ancestor looked like. This is considered the most important moment in tracing the history of our evolution.
While the results of the study boldly proclaim that the issue is settled, just a few months earlier, another study was published that said that our evolutionary "sisters" are ctenophores. Therefore, it is still too early to say that the latest results can be considered reliable enough to quell any doubts.
Raccoons pass ancient intelligence test
In the sixth century BC, the ancient Greek writer Aesop wrote or collected many fables, which in our time are known as "Aesop's Fables". Among them was a fable called "The Crow and the Jug", which describes how a thirsty crow threw stones into a jug to raise the water level and finally get drunk.
Several thousand years later, scientists realized that this fable describes a good way to test the intelligence of animals. Experiments showed that the experimental animals understood cause and effect. Ravens, like their relatives, rooks and jays, confirmed the truth of the fable. Monkeys also passed this test, and raccoons have also been added to the list this year.
During an Aesop's fable test, eight raccoons were given containers of water with marshmallows floating on top. The water level was too low to reach. Two of the subjects successfully threw rocks into the tank to raise the water level and get what they wanted.
Other test subjects found their own creative solutions, which the researchers did not expect. One of the raccoons, instead of throwing stones into the container, climbed onto the container and began to swing on it from side to side until it overturned. In another test, using floating and sinking balls instead of stones, the experts hoped the raccoons would use sinking balls and discard the floating ones. Instead, some animals began to repeatedly dip the floating ball into the water until the rising wave nailed the pieces of marshmallow to the board, which facilitated their extraction.
Physicists have created the first topological laser
Physicists at the University of California San Diego claim to have created a new type of laser - a "topological" laser whose beam can take on any complex shape without light scattering. The device is based on the concept of topological insulators (materials that are insulators inside their volume, but conduct current on the surface), which received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2016.
Typically, lasers use ring resonators to amplify light. They are more efficient than sharp-angled resonators. However, this time the research team has created a topological cavity using a photonic crystal as a mirror. In particular, two photonic crystals with different topologies were used, one of which was a star-shaped cell in a square lattice, and the other was a triangular lattice with cylindrical air holes. Team member Boubacar Kante compared them to a bagel and a pretzel: although they are both breads with holes, the different number of holes make them different.
As soon as the crystals hit the right place, the beam takes on the desired shape. This system is controlled by a magnetic field. It allows you to change the direction in which the light is emitted, thereby creating a luminous flux. The direct practical application of this is able to increase the speed of optical communication. However, in the future, this is seen as a step forward in the creation of optical computers.
Scientists discover excitonium
Physicists around the world were very enthusiastic about the discovery of a new form of matter called excitonium. This form is a condensate of quasiparticles, excitons, which are the bound state of a free electron and an electron hole, which is formed as a result of the molecule losing an electron. Moreover, Harvard theoretical physicist Bert Halperin predicted the existence of excitonium back in the 1960s, and scientists have been trying to prove him right (or wrong) ever since.
Like many major scientific discoveries, there was a fair amount of chance in this discovery. The team of researchers at the University of Illinois that discovered excitonium was actually mastering a new technology called electron beam energy loss spectroscopy (M-EELS) - designed specifically to identify excitons. However, the discovery took place when the researchers were only doing calibration tests. One team member entered the room while everyone else was watching the screens. They said they had detected a "light plasmon", a precursor to exciton condensation.
Study leader Professor Peter Abbamont compared the discovery to the Higgs boson - it won't be of immediate use in real life, but shows that our current understanding of quantum mechanics is on the right track.
Scientists have created nanorobots that kill cancer
Researchers at the University of Durham claim to have created nanorobots that can detect cancer cells and kill them in just 60 seconds. In a successful university trial, it took the tiny robots one to three minutes to penetrate the outer membrane into a prostate cancer cell and immediately destroy it.
Nanorobots are 50,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair. They are activated by light and rotate at a speed of two to three million revolutions per second in order to be able to penetrate the cell membrane. When they reach their target, they can either destroy it or inject it with a useful therapeutic agent.
Until now, nanorobots have only been tested on individual cells, but the encouraging results have prompted scientists to move on to experiments on microorganisms and small fish. The next goal is to move on to rodents, and then to humans.
Interstellar asteroid could be alien spacecraft
It's only been a couple of months since astronomers gleefully announced the discovery of the first interstellar object to fly through the solar system, an asteroid called 'Oumuamua. Since then, they have observed many strange things happening with this celestial body. Sometimes it behaved so unusually that scientists believe that the object may be an alien spacecraft.
First of all, its form is alarming. 'Oumuamua is shaped like a cigar with a length to diameter ratio of ten to one, something that has never been seen in any of the observed asteroids. At first, scientists thought it was a comet, but then realized it wasn't because the object didn't leave a tail as it approached the Sun. Moreover, some experts argue that the speed of rotation of the object should have broken up any normal asteroid. One gets the impression that it was specially created for interstellar travel.
But if it is created artificially, then what could it be? Some say it's an alien probe, others think it could be a spacecraft whose engines have failed and are now floating through space. In any case, participants in programs such as SETI and BreakthroughListen believe that 'Oumuamua requires further study, so they aim their telescopes at it and listen for any radio signals.
While the hypothesis of aliens has not been confirmed in any way, the initial observations of SETI have led nowhere. Many researchers are still pessimistic about the chances that the object could be created by aliens, but in any case, research will continue.
