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challenge like mood change and dwindle away born resources and can make the future seem unsettled and even scary . But our circumstances is n’t sealed so long as scientists around the mankind have a say . They ’re engaged dreaming up technology , from the hard-nosed to the zany , that could make the future a little brighter .
Prototypes for Humanity , a Dubai - based organization that runs a contest to spur invention , has foreground 100 projects in 2023 that they believe could change the world — from electrical hide to devices that predictair pollutionwithout any air sensing element . Here are some of our favorites .
Electric Skin — Converting air humidity to electricity with innovative biomaterials
Real-time monitoring to predict natural disasters
NatCat aims to use planet mental imagery , remote sensing and auto encyclopaedism to assess the danger of natural hazards in different locations , which could aid to reduce the risk of harm for those living there . The instrument bring forth jeopardy assessments for any location in the world , irrespective of the availability of local datum . It can also practice climate change data to project the frequency and strength of some natural luck in the futurity .
Converting air humidity to electricity
This projection , called Electric Skin , create a ego - power biomaterial for electronic devices that harnesses the electrically conductive dimension of the mud - dwelling bacteria known asGeobacter sulfurrenducens . Specifically , the bacterium ’s protein nanowires can generate electricity from the air ’s ambient humidness . The scientist have extracted the bacteria ’s desoxyribonucleic acid and embedded this intoE. colifor product . To make the king informant , the squad placed the nanowires reap fromE. coliinto compostable biomaterials to create a pliable and textured membrane that can power electronic devices from the tune and weewee .
Recycled tiles that regulate heat and humidity
Spurred by the extravagant production of non - reusable plastic alongside the effects of climate change in south India , Wastly Roof Tiles aims to replace formal roof tiles with tile made of a recycled stuff that can reduce indoor temperature .
These tiles , which are created by shredding and melting multi - layered charge plate , are lightweight and waterproof and can reflect heat . This task is inspired by the cryosphere — icy parts of Earth that regulate the satellite ’s temperature — and the finished production incorporates a blend of the naughty and snowy that many might associate with these area .
Phytoplankton-based carbon capture
Phytoplankton transfers 40 % of the C dioxide in the standard pressure to the ocean usingphotosynthesis . With PhytoMat , scientists now need to harness this instinctive appendage on an industrial scale .
PhytoMat is a flexible , rug - like engineering that is instal horizontally and vertically on Earth’s surface and contain recycled material embedded with live phytoplankton . As they grow , they absorb carbon dioxide from their surroundings and convert that into biomass — constitutional material that can be repurposed — before it ’s harvested and extradite to recycling plants . This fabric can then be transmute into new product , like bioplastics .
Electricity-free medical injection in disaster recovery
Using only air insistence and the snap of balloon , Golden Capsule is a gadget that can administrate intravenous drugs without the indigence for another human to guard a medicative pack .
This task stands apart from other devices because no electricity is needed — making it idealistic for use in tragedy retrieval scenarios . Golden Capsule use elastic force and strain air pressure differences to deliver medicine , rather than gravity , which is used in other non - powered or low-toned - powered systems .
The biodegradable polystyrene replacement
Carbon Cell is a biodegradable expand froth made from biochar — a secret combination of biological constituent derived from food for thought waste — that ’s motley and blow up using a patent manufacturing physical process .
The process is similar to injection moulding and enable many different Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and sizes to be take shape apace when , say , packaging token . The scientists behind this technology at last need to put back polystyrene , which they said is toxic and harmful to the environment .
A graphics card that can slash AI’s carbon emissions
Generative AI models necessitate to be trained in massive data midpoint , ordinarily using the power of specialised graphics cards ( GPUs ) . This mean reproductive AI has a immense carbon copy footprint . But Tasawwur D310 is a GPU that its creators say is vastly more Department of Energy effective than today ’s top GPUs . The chip is super dense — with electronic components fitted much closer together and stack on 10 layers ( versus two level in one of the leading rival , Nvidia ’s , chips ) — intend data point is exchanged much quicker , keep open energy and accelerate up the preparation process .
Programmable soft robotics
FlowIO Platform claims to be the world ’s first universal - use way to make prototypes of easygoing robotic parts . This tiny equipment include integrated pumps and battery , and it have five programmable port , which exploiter can manipulate through a vane browser app via a Bluetooth connection . Each port can inflate , vacuum , release , cargo area , signified air pressure and alter flow rates . This gimmick also have onboard bombardment and 10 different detector . Its creators say it ’ll enable robotics expert to get their ideas from construct to reality much faster than before .
Mixed-reality building inspection with drones
FlyVision conflate miscellaneous world with monotone flying to help drone on users inspect buildings and other space more efficaciously . Using Microsoft ’s HoloLens 2 augmented world ( AR ) headset , the organization give drone pilots the tools to scan immediate surroundings and create a 3D digital twin within the system . They could then design a path inside the blank and use the planned path to lead a laggard through its environment .
AI-augmented renewable energy
This software program , called " Renescout " , uses data excavation , distant detection and AI to better assess whether renewable vigour projects are deserving prosecute — a operation that normally takes 18 months . " Go " or " no " decisions can effectively be made without enthrone extra time and resource into explore the viability of unearth prospective renewable vim sources , the company claims .
Detecting microplastics with high-tech imagery
splashing is a arrangement that uses an advanced form of imaging to detect microplastics in water and the line . The imaging , called intelligent polarization holographic probing , work using light - base scanning and 3D modelling to base the front of microplastics that ca n’t be regard by the nude eye .
Sustainable solid-state batteries
These batteries are made from copper , atomic number 13 and a sodium - ground substantial - United States Department of State electrolyte . These novel materials work as both current collector and electrodes . The battery ’s coaxial computer architecture and beam - similar structure enable it to retain vigor while reducing wasted space and fabric . The makers of the batteries , dubbed Ferroelectric Electrolyte battery , say they are non - inflammable and sustainable alternatives to today ’s atomic number 3 - ion shelling . The researchers envisage they could serve in a form of U.S. in the automotive and aerospace industries .
AI feedback to improve surgery outcomes
This AI system , call Surgical AI Trainer , evaluate the performance of surgeons and offers feedback on how they can improve their proficiency . When count at video recording of procedures , the scheme take apart various components of the operation , such as the intricate movements the surgeon perform . It offer up accurate and quantified feedback — citing particular segments of the video alongside a rationale for picking it out — on how a surgeon performs in the operating theatre . This reduces the need for immanent feedback from an expert peer , which can be laborious .
3D scanning with advanced laser-based radar
The MindPalace-360 is a machine that use forward-looking algorithms and 3D reconstruction tools to yield a photorealistic digital render of a tangible - world environment . Built primarily for those in architecture , construction or engineering , this system essentially create digital Gemini the Twins that are incredibly near to the real matter . It allow users captivate , unconscious process and visualise spatial data much more accurately , which feed into better design and planning .
Extending lithium-ion battery life
Lithium - ion battery in products like laptop or even electrical cable car be given to have charge terminal point to extend the battery ' longevity . But many e - mobility system , like tocopherol - ice yacht , lack these controls , which could lead to more e - dissipation coevals as stamp battery degrade speedily and need to be thrown out much preferably than they should have been . BetterE implements charge limits on the AC side of a charger for electric vehicle Li - ion barrage . For drivers , this would reduce the operating cost of their electric vehicles while also reducing e - waste on a broader degree .
Real-time air pollution monitoring
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Electric Skin — Converting air humidity to electricity with innovative biomaterials
Data2Action uses AI algorithms to supervise air pollution in real time — even if the arena has no tune sensors . The system takes monitoring data from area that have sensors installed , and then uses this to extrapolate information and determine prognosticate aura pollution reading in places that do n’t have detector installed . The political machine learning mannequin also predict potential health resultant based on strain pollution exposure level , its makers say .
Wastly Roof Tiles
PhytoMat — Nature-based solution for carbon capture using phytoplankton
Golden Capsule — Medicine-injection device optimised for emergency disaster scenarios
Carbon Cell — Replacing harmful polystyrene with a new biodegradable foam
Tasawwur D310 — A new GPU to drastically reduce carbon emissions for AI training
FlowIO Platform — Advanced platform for soft robotics, streamlining prototyping with integrated tools.
FlyVision — Drone-based inspection systems for monitoring building safety
Streamlining renewable energy evaluation using AI, saving time and money.
Imaging technology for accurate microplastic detection
Ferroelectric Electrolyte Batteries — Solid-state batteries maximizing safety and sustainability in energy storage
Surgical AI Trainer — AI feedback system to improve outcomes in surgery
Manifold Tech — Advanced laser radar technology for 3D scanning
BetterE — A system to extend lithium battery life and reduce e-waste
Data2Action — IoT solution to monitor and predict air pollution-related diseases
