Tag: Startups

The future of salmon could lie in cell cultures. Meanwhile, a California-based startup is betting on a similar process for cacao in a bid to avoid further deforestation. A reduction in rainforests not only causes drought, but increases the likelihood of flooding - both harming cacao yields. In a bioreactor, cell cultures from the cacao plant are naturally fermented...

Analogue speakers have joined the digital world. Now, a startup in Chicago has developed a sensor which allows analogue watches to be converted into smartwatches. The 3mm thin disc is placed on the underside of the watch, attaching through special magnet-free micro-suction technology. Next, the sensor is connected to wearers’ smartphones via an app. Once in place, wearers can...

Onions protect solar modules, securing their long-term output. Hemispherical solar cells could deliver even more electricity. Now a Norwegian startup’s system is enabling homeowners to harness their solar energy more efficiently and make provisions for the winter months. First, a fuel cell converts the solar energy into hydrogen. Then, using the firm’s patented technology, it is processed into a...

In the Netherlands, corn is a source of sustainable tiles. In California, however, a startup is using corn waste to create a super-absorbent and biodegradable material to replace the petrochemical liners in products like nappies and hygiene pads. The team developed special microorganisms to convert the corn’s sugar into a polymer, which can absorb as much liquid as materials...

Self-driving containers on the railway network should reduce street traffic. Staff shortages in fruit and vegetable farming are creating logistical issues within the industry. An area a New Zealand-based startup is addressing with its automated mini-tractor designed for narrow alleys. Weighing just 120kg, the sleek EV can tow an additional 600kg of weight, while a hitch system allows different...

Bone breaks can be treated with biodegradable glue. Badly damaged cartilage often means joints need to be replaced. Now, a US-based startup is focusing on the ‘pre-replacement’ stage and has developed a round implant with a multi-layered lattice structure to heal smaller injuries. It is available in three sizes and is 3D-printed from a nylon composite base material. Using...

Even jellyfish have culinary potential. But those undergoing radio- or chemotherapy often lose their sense of taste and smell. Enter a Swiss startup aiming to support those affected, in the process reducing the risk of malnutrition and helping cancer patients rediscover their love of food. An olfactory kit first establishes which aromas and scents patients can still perceive and...

Glasses help minimise epileptic fits or relieve the symptoms of depression with light. For motorcyclists, however, too much light can be a serious hazard. Enter an Italian startup and its new visor which automatically adjusts to light conditions using a layer of liquid crystals. Their arrangement is determined by a small solar panel in the helmet, and changes depending...