Researchers develop plants that can trap more carbon dioxide
Spotted: Researchers at the Salk Institute have developed a way to improve the ability of plants to remove carbon dioxide from the air. Plants already remove CO2 from the air, using photosynthesis to convert it into oxygen, sugars, polymers, cellulose – and carbon, which is stored in the plants’ roots. The researchers plan to use…
A better way to turn heat into electricity
Researchers at UK-based Swansea University have developed a potentially more efficient way to turn heat produced during manufacturing into electricity. The 3D-printed device could help reduce carbon emissions and increase electricity efficiency, according to the research team. There is nothing new about thermoelectric materials, which use heat to generate electricity – or the other way…
Super-efficient lamp is powered by cooking oil
Spotted: Lumir, the company that developed an LED lamp (the Lumir C) powered by a single candle, has created a new portable light. This one is powered by a small amount of cooking oil. The Lumir K can provide an hour of light using just 5ml of oil, and can use almost any type of…
Cisco Live: 5 things businesses need to know
Cisco announced software upgrades using AI and machine learning to help IT teams gain more insights from network data. Cisco Live 2019: CEO Chuck Robbins pushes multi-cloud connectivity Karen Roby interviewed Teena Maddox, who was reporting from Cisco Live 2019. During the opening keynote, Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins discussed multi-cloud connectivity, security, and how tech…
5G will reach half of the world's population by 2024
There are now 1 billion cellular IoT connections globally, and 5G operators are ramping up deployments, according to Ericsson. How businesses are setting the tone for 5G Tonya Hall sits down with Mohit Lad, CEO of ThousandEyes, to talk about how businesses are setting the expectations for 5G in the enterprise. 5G deployment and adoption is…
A music label in an app for independent artists
Beatchain is an app helping independent artists reclaim power back from the giant corporations. Fuelled by proprietary AI, automation and data science, the platform provides the functionality of a major label, distributor, promoter and manager in one place, empowering creators to build a career and a brand on their own terms. The company is keen…
Smart locker speeds up medication collection for chronically ill patients
A South African engineer has developed a digital platform that manages internet-enabled smart lockers for chronically ill patients to collect their medication. It eliminates pharmacy queuing by providing patients with a one-time PIN, which opens a locker that contains their medicine. Neo Hutiri was inspired to create the Pelebox after he was diagnosed with TB…
Autonomous robots build erosion-minimising walls
Researchers at Harvard University’s Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering have developed a wheeled, autonomous robot capable of installing erosion-minimising walls into the ground. The robot, dubbed Romu, could eliminate what has been strenuous installation process for engineers. The walls are created by inserting interlocking metal plates, called sheet piles, into the ground. Once in…
What I learned at the Boston Pride March 2019
The other day, I went with my Jacqueline and her mother to the 2019 Boston Pride Parade. We marched on behalf of the Upham’s Corner Health Center, who delivers community health care services in Boston. I marched because my son, Vince, is trans and gay(the parade marked his 17th birthday), and because I feel that…
Cisco Live 2019: CEO Chuck Robbins pushes multi-cloud connectivity
Security, multi-cloud, 5G, Wi-Fi 6, IoT and compliance were just a few of the topics at the opening keynote at Cisco Live 2019. Salesforce’s Parker Harris on managing complex IT integrations and handing the inevitable crisis At Salesforce TrailheaDX 2019, Parker Harris shared his advice for tech leaders on everything from multiplatform integration to managing…