Important Innovations Collection

Busy Intelligent Bees Source: Queen Mary University of London: Bees Counting New UK Research This is an amazing discovery.  Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered bees can count.  They do so by using just 4 nerve cells in their brains.  The team made the discovery using computer simulations of the bee brain. Insect Inspired Miniature "Brain" Simulated on Computer Turns out bees can solve clever counting tasks.  This research was just published in the journal Science.  They can count small numbers of items when checking out one object, then inspecting the next object and doing the count, and so on.  This is very different from how humans count.  We glance at all the items and count them together. Bees Are Intelligent The researchers have concluded that bees have impressive cognitive abilities with minimal brain power.  Their findings demonstrate the intelligence of bees.  This innovative research approach will potentially prove the same le

VTOL That Google's Larry Page Is Investing In Source:  Opener's Blackfly in Flight with the CEO Piloting Vertical Take Offs and Landings in Your Personal Flying Machine The Blackfly is a single seat, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.  The startup company developing it is Opener, headquartered in Palo Alto.  And none other than Alphabet and Google's Larry Page is a major financial backer behind it. Opener hopes to put it on the market in 2019 with a price-tag of an SUV. Revolutionary Travel Tech This is clearly a revolutionary form of personal transportation. It's not a flying car but aims to compete with cars as the primary mode of transportation.  In the picture above founder/CEO Marcus Leng is flying it. They have flown the aircraft more than 22,000 miles and completed 1600 flights.  The company says the aircraft can go 25 miles at a speed of 62 mph.  Like Larry Page's other personal flying vehicle investment Kitty Hawk and its airc

NASA Mission on New Years Reaches Cosmic Rock Beyond Pluto Source:  NASA's New Horizons Historic Mission, Science and Innovation A NASA unmanned spacecraft will help the world celebrate the New Year 2019 by doing a fly by around a small, cosmic rock at a distance in outer space that no spacecraft has ever reached before. It is 4 billion miles from earth. NASA spacecraft New Horizons will fly by a space rock known as Ultima Thule, meaning "beyond the known world". Beyond Pluto New Horizons is zooming into outer space beyond Pluto to do its cosmic rock fly by that will be transmitting back data over a year and a half into 2020. First signals are hoped for at 10AM New Years Day and into January 2, 2019.  Ultima Thule is an ancient frozen object in deep outer space.  New Horizons is mapping the surface, color, composition and geology of the cosmic rock.  It's also looking for any atmosphere around it and to see if there are any moons.  This is the deepest and

Ink Made From Captured Pollution Source:  Graviky Labs Capturing Innovation 1.6 Trillion litres of air cleaned so far.  That's what a new piece of technological innovation called Air-Ink has accomplished so far.  A proprietary device called KAALINK developed at the MIT Media Lab is the basis of this innovation. Air-Ink is the patent pending technology at the advanced prototype stage of Graviky Labs, an MIT spinoff. Turning Pollution into Art KAALINK is attached to the exhaust pipe of a car, vehicle or machine to capture the particulates.  45 minutes of exhaust produces 1 fluid ounce of ink.  The captured pollution is processed to a purified, carbon-rich pigment that is used to create ink or paint.  This is unique innovation that can turn pollution into ink and paint perhaps used to create art.  For more news stories on innovation, go to  amazon.com/author/ekane

 Hypersonic Vehicle Cool Down Essential For Mach 5 ++ Source:  DARPA DARPA's New MACH Program For successful hypersonic vehicle flight acceleration to Mach 5 and beyond, new hypersonic architecture, materials and designs need to be innovated.  Quite simply, there's a big challenge with hypersonic aircraft that scientists have been working on for decades.  It's how to keep them cooler in their hot, leading edges in order to withstand Mach 5 plus speeds. Hypersonic Flights Takeoff The US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA - has declared 2019 the year of the hypersonics.  DARPA is pursuing new materials, architecture and designs for cooling the hot, leading edges of hypersonic vehicles as they accelerate to Mach 5 and beyond. The program kicks off in late January 2019.  It's a great example of US innovation leadership.  For a news blog on it, go to my journalist colleague Maryanne Kane at https://www.importantinnovations.com/2018/

Israeli Innovation - New Plastic with Zero Toxic Waste Source:  Tel Aviv University's Non-toxic Plastic Plastic that's Good for the Environment According to the United Nations, 90% of pollutants in the ocean are plastic.  Until now, no comparable, environmentally friendly substitute has come into widespread use.  But, in Israel, scientists have just come up with an innovation breakthrough. Marine, Green Plastic Scientists at Tel Aviv University have developed biodegradable plastic derived from microorganisms that feed on seaweed.  There is no toxic waste from the new bioplastic and it can be recycled into organic waste. Unique Bioplastic Unlike other bioplastics derived from plants, this new innovation does not require arable land or fresh water.  That's important in nations like Israel, India and China where there are fresh water shortages. Plastics Legacy Traditional plastic takes a heavy toll on the global environment.  It takes hundreds of years for pla

Coming to the US with Acceleration Courtesy:  Brightline Travelling Sir Richard Branson's Rails High speed rail service is accelerating globally in China, Japan, and Europe.  It's now on track for the United States.  One of Sir Richard Branson's many travel/investment companies - Virgin Trains USA and Brightline - are leading the way. 2019 All Aboard Virgin Trains USA hopes to launch routes connecting Orlando to Tampa, Florida in 2019.  It will then turn to an ambitious project to link Los Angeles to Las Vegas by high speed rail.  That happens to be Virgin's most popular airplane route in the US. Partnership with Brightline Trains Virgin is partnering with Brightline Trains on this US rollout.  Virgin has taken a minority financial stake in Brightline.  Brightline will rebrand in January 2019 as Virgin Trains USA.  Brightline provides high speed passenger trains in the South Florida corridor between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Branson:

Parts of DNA Can Form in Space Source:  European Space Agency Shot of Eagle Nebula - Frigid & Radiation Rich Stuff of Life Parts of DNA, the stuff of life, can form in space.  NASA scientists have made deoxyribose, the sugar that is the backbone of DNA, under space-like conditions.  In a lab, they blasted ice with radiation and discovered 2-deoxyribose.  Their innovation and findings are published in the journal Nature Communications. NASA Research NASA astrochemist Michael Nuevo says their research shows that the process of DNA formation can happen anywhere in our galaxy.  It suggests that the stuff of life could have been delivered to earth from elsewhere. Process The scientists cooled frozen water and frozen methane to -260 degrees.  Inside a vacuum, they blasted it with ultraviolet light mimicking conditions in interstellar clouds.  Warming the irradiated ice simulated what occurs when a young star is born.  The scientists identified 2-deoxyribose in the ice. A

Important Innovations Impacting the Environment, Climate Change & Global Warming On Amazon and Kindle Wanted to let you know that the fifth volume of Important Innovations: Collection has just been published as an e-book and paperback by Amazon and Kindle. The book focuses on the latest innovations impacting the environment, global warming and climate change.  It also includes the latest in climate science.  The book is comprised of fascinating news briefs with need to know information about the global environment.  If you'd like to take a look, go to my Amazon Author Page at  amazon.com/author/ekane

Innovation from a Global Team of Scientists   Source:  American Chemical Society New Electric Bandage Heals It's a self-powered, electric bandage that generates an electric field over an injury.  It dramatically reduces the healing time.  The innovation comes from a global team of scientists - China's University of Electronic Science & Technology and the University of Wisconsin. Healing Electric Field They've created a flexible, self-powered bandage that converts normal skin movements into a therapeutic electric field. Dramatic Results The power comes from a wearable nanogenerator.  It converts normal movements into small electrical pulses.  The current flows to two electrodes placed on either side of a wound. That creates a small electric field over the wound.  The results are dramatic.  Wounds covered by the eBandage closed in 3 days.  Those without the eBandage averaged 12 days.

Big Robotic Challenge - Robotics Overcome Complexity of Playing Piano Source:  University of Cambridge UK Cambridge Roboticists Have Created a Robotic Hand that's a Pianist University of Cambridge roboticists have created a passive movement robotic hand that can play the piano.  That was quite a challenge.  Playing the piano is one of the most complex human activities with complex physical, mental and emotional behavior.  The robotic arm that the team has created may lead to more natural moving robots with minimal energy use.  For a news blog on this fascinating development, go to my journalist colleague Maryanne Kane at  https://www.importantinnovations.com/2018/12/robot-piano-player.html   And for more new stories on innovation including robotics go to  amazon.com/author/ekane

Computers with Ability to Visualize and Identify Objects Source:  MIT Next Generation of Artificial  Intelligence Engineers at the University of California Los Angeles have developed a computer system that can discover and identify objects in the real world the way humans do.  The computer is instilled with human abilities to visualize and identify objects.  An example:  knowing your looking at a dog even though only the paw is visible. Computer Vision The UCLA team have significantly advanced what's called computer vision.  It enables computers to read and identify visual objects.  Current systems are task specific and cannot read and identify objects in a general sense. General AI This new research is an important step toward general artificial intelligence.  That enables computers to learn on their own and make decisions on their own.  Additionally, the computers are intuitive and interact with humans in a more human-like way.  For more news stories on artificial

China Launches Space Based Communications Network China Satellite Launch Race to Space,  Broadband Space China's Hongyun  satellite project is ambitious and was just launched.  It's a space based, broadband network to deliver internet services globally, and particularly to underserved regions. It just launched from a Long March 11 carrier rocket in northwestern China.  It's the first in the Hongyun project planned by the Chinese Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation.  Experts say this venture by China is to provide global internet services. The purpose is to compete with Google and other international firms to deliver broadband and internet services more cheaply, professionally and efficiently from space.  Ed Kane  amazon.com/author/ekane

Engineers Combined Plane, Blimp, Helicopter Aircraft Source:  Egan Aircraft 5 Prototype Plimps Plimp Hybrid Airship This is a brand new form of aircraft.  The engineering formula is combining a blimp, plane and a few helicopter features.  The innovation is the lighter than air Plimp flying hybrid.  It's the creation of Egan Aircraft of Seattle, Washington. Specs This is a 169 foot aircraft that can carry 2 pilots and 8 other passengers.  Flight dynamics are thanks to a helium filled blimp like body, gas-electric hybrid engines and rotational wings with propellers. It can be used to fly passengers and goods.  When filled to capacity, it can go 86 mph for 3 hours.  When empty of goods or passengers, it can go 1300 miles or from Dallas to LA nonstop. Fascinating but Expensive Aviation Innovation What's particularly fascinating is Egan Aircraft CEO Jim Egan says this is safer than other aircraft.  The Plimp's helium decreases any unpowered descent rate of the ai

Common Devil's Ivy Household Plant, with a Dash of Rabbit DNA, Cleans Indoor Air Source:  Stock Image of Devil's Ivy Cuts Benzene and Chloroform Levels University of Washington scientists inserted a rabbit gene in the Devil's Ivy household plant and the result is somewhat miraculous.  The plants clean the surrounding air by breaking down chemicals like chloroform and benzene.  At certain levels, those chemicals can harm your health. Unhealthy A ir The chemicals enter the house from everyday activities like opening a window, smoking and using chlorinated water.  The rabbit gene breaks down a range of chemicals.  The scientists' results are dramatic.  They put the altered plants in vials with benzene and chloroform.  The chloroform was barely detectable after 6 days.  The benzene was 75% gone in 8 days. New Technology The University of Washington team foresee a new piece of technology for the home.  A "biofilter" loaded with the plants to clean a

My Chef, The Robot Source:  Creator's Robo Chef Robo-Chef Makes Gourmet Burger Every 30 Seconds At Creator Restaurant in San Francisco, 2 robo-chefs make the gourmet burgers.  They are huge - the size of a car.  And they give new meaning to Fast Food.  They can churn out 120 burgers per hour. Doing It All The robo chefs grind the meat and shape the patties.  Sensors monitor the burger as it's being precision grilled.  The robots slice the tomatoes, grind the cheese, add the mustard.  And each burger is customized to the customer's selection with different cheeses, sauces and toppings. Algorithms The robots are controlled by machine learning algorithms.  They have 350 sensors, 50 actuators and 20 computers.  11 thermal sensors in the cooking compartment make sure the burger is just what the customer ordered.  These are robots making quality food to order.  The burgers cost just $6 because minimal human labor is involved.  They're making fast food even faster

Companion Robot Lovot that's a Lot More Joyful,  Knee High Robot Loaded with Tech on a Trust Mission My colleague Maryanne Kane has just posted a news story on this important innovation in robotics.  Check out another advance in breakthrough robotic innovation  https://www.importantinnovations.com/2018/12/japans-new-companion-robot.html And for more innovation news stores, go to  amazon.com/author/ekane Thanks and best, Ed Kane

Planet Being Vaporized by Host Sta r Source:  NASA - Exoplanet Vaporizing Incredible Technological Innovation Captures a Distant Space Event This is real Star Wars.  It has been captured by the Hubble Space Satellite and shows an exoplanet vaporizing because of the heat of its close, host star. My journalistic colleague has captured it in a news blog   https://www.importantinnovations.com/2018/12/planet-thats-being-vaporized.html Ed Kane

Self-Learning Chip with Potential to Revolutionize Computing Source:  Imec Self-Learning Neuromorphic Chip Belgium nano-electronics company Imec has developed a revolutionary chip that acts like the human brain.  It sends information in bursts of energy like the brain fires currents between neurons. Composer It's more energy efficient than traditional chips.  It can also have artificial intelligence, providing the ability to learn, built into it.  For instance, the chip can compose music.  It did so after analyzing old French and Belgium compositions. Revolutionary Innovation Some experts believe this chip has the potential to revolutionize computing.  Imec believes a primary application will be for healthcare.  For instance, placing the self-learning chip in a heart monitor to precisely identify heart abnormalities.  For more stories on important innovation, go to amazon.com/author/ekane

Multi Tasking Flying Drone - Alert, Search and Rescue Source:  The Little Ripper Award Winning Drone Innovation from Down Under It's called the Little Ripper.  It's a 3.2 foot, remotely piloted, flying drone invented by The Ripper Group of Australia and co-developed by the University of Technology-Sydney.  It's been cited as one of the top 100 security innovations of 2018.  They are currently being deployed in Australia, including for water rescues. Shark Alert System The drones come in single and multi rotor versions and are customized for search, rescue and lifesaving operations.  They use multiple strategies including deploying rescue devices and communicating with those in need of assistance.  Its HD cameras use artificial intelligence.  Little Ripper is being used off Sydney to sight sharks (distinguishing them from other marine animals) and alert swimmers. Successful Rescues The drone also flies on search and rescue missions.  Recently it rescued two teen

Wireless e-Pill Delivers Drug Therapies & Monitors Real-Time Source:  MIT Medical Innovation on the Cutting Edge MIT scientists, along with Draper Lab and Brigham & Women's Hospital researchers, have done it again.  They've created an ingestible electronic pill that's controlled by Bluetooth wireless technology.  The device can be customized to deliver drugs, include sensors to monitor gastric conditions or do both.  It's cutting edge ingestible technology that the team produces by 3D printing. Smart Phone Controlled It can reside in the stomach for a month.  All the while responding to instructions from a user's smartphone and transmitting information  The scientists say it can be used to treat a variety of diseases by delivering drugs particularly over a long time period.  It can also be customized to spot infections, allergic reaction and specifically target and calibrate therapy deliveries.  And it can provide the information it's collecti

Global Traffic Jams Source:  India Traffic Jam Siemens Mobility System in India Globally the number of cars on the roads are expected to double in upcoming decades.  By 2040, there will be 2 billion cars.  By comparison there were 1.3 billion in 2015. New innovations to keep traffic flowing and crash responses are sorely needed. There's an important innovation being tested in India. AI Directing Traffic Siemens Mobility has built a prototype monitoring system that uses artificial intelligence through traffic cameras in Bengaluru, India - a city notorious for traffic jams.  At a control center, algorithms use the information to estimate the traffic density.  The system changes the traffic lights based on real time road conditions.  Another example is in Hagen, Germany.  AI is being used to optimize traffic light control and reduce wait time.  They say it's working and cuts the wait time up to 47%.  Experts forecast that a combination of new communications technology

Heart Pacemaker Powered by Ligh t Stock Photo: Sunrise Over Mountain  Solar Energy Heart Beats This is a tiny, solar cell that keeps the heart beating.  In fact, it seems to teach the heart how to beat.  It's an innovation that may lead to heart pacemakers powered by light. It's breaking new innovation invented by scientists at the University of Chicago.  It's totally new and quite exciting. Specs They've created a flexible mesh from silicon that wraps around the heart. They threaded nanowires across it to connect with cardiac cells.  When activated by light, it creates a tiny electrochemical effect that stimulates the heart muscles in a unique way.  A small optical beam scans the heart area with a laser.  Each flash activates the cells, causing the heart to beat at the rate of the light. Breakthrough Medical Innovation This  research has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.  The researchers used a device they deve

Drone Innovation Source:  UZH Foldable, Highly Agile Drones for Search and Rescue Researchers at the University of Zurich have invented a new drone that can retract its propeller arms in flight.  That makes it small enough to pass through holes and small gaps in disaster areas and engulfed buildings to spot people in need of rescue. Typical existing drones are too large to have this kind of access. Inspired by Birds This innovation was inspired by the flight of birds.  Birds fold their wings to fly through narrow spaces.  The Swiss drone does the same and then returns to its previous shape. There's a camera mounted to the main frame,  It has a 'T' shape to bring it as close as possible to objects it needs to inspect. Morphing Drone This is a morphing drone that's very versatile and autonomous with onboard perception and control systems.  It's a quadrotor with 4 propellers that rotate independently.  Their mounted on mobile arms that can fold around t

Milestone for Sir Richard Branson Source:  Virgin Galactic - Unity Branson's Space Tourism Company Takes Off Virgin Galactic says its tourism spaceship just climbed more than 50 miles in altitude. The company considers that the boundary of space. Unity Virgin space ship Unity was released from a carrier aircraft over California's Mojave Desert early this morning and fired off its rocket engines for the journey into space. Two pilots were at the controls of Unity for the flight. Successful Landing After crossing into space at an altitude of 51 miles, Unity then began gliding down in its descent back to earth.  It landed successfully. Mission accomplished.  Virgin Galactic plans to take paying tourists on short trips to space, possibly within  a year. For more about Virgin Galactic and other travel innovation, check out my Amazon Author Page at  amazon.com/author/ekane   Ed Kane.

Urban Forest Buildings:  China is Leading the Way Source:  Stefano Boeri's Vertical Forest Award Winning Architect & Innovator Stephano Boeri's Tree Towers A vertical forest is being built in Nanjing, China.  Two towers that will be loaded with trees, shrubs and plants are underway.  This is the invention of  award winning Italian architect Stefano Boeri. Nanjing Towers 1 is 656 feet tall with offices, a museum and green architectural school.  Tower 2 is a 354 foot tall Hyatt Hotel. The towers are seated on a 66 foot structure with shops and restaurants  The towers will be loaded with 1,000 trees and 250 shrubs and plants.  The greenery is selected for optimizing oxygen production to clean the air.  The promise is they will absorb 18 tons of carbon dioxide and contribute 16 tons of oxygen to the air per year. Green, Environmentally Friendly Growing Trend - Green Architecture There is growing international interest in the urban forest architectural concept.  Today,

Drone Innovation Took Flight Today in Texas Source:  Lift Aircraft Photo of Hexa Hexa - the Personal Flight Experience Lift Aircraft, out of Austin Texas, just debuted an exciting piece of aviation innovation.  It's called the Hexa and is an 18-prop electric VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft.  In March 2019, you can have your own personal flight experience onboard the drone with a seat in it for an estimated $150 - $250. Renting Hexa Interestingly, Lift doesn't plan on selling the aircraft.  They plan on renting them out for personal flight experiences throughout the United States. Specifications This is an 18 rotor multirotor.  It has a carbon fiber cabin with one seat.  There are 4 landing floats that work on land and water.  It has 18 small batteries, each one placed under a rotor.  Maximum speed is 63 mph.  It's limited to flying under 700 feet in most locations.  It has a simple control system based on a joystick and iPadPro.  Batteries las

Oxford University Large Population Study Source: Photo of Boston Marathon Causes & Consequences of Physical Inactivity New research shows there's a complex genetic basis to even some of the most fundamental human functions like moving, resting and sleeping.  Scientists in the UK have discovered the amount of time individuals sleep, move and rest is determined in part by our genes. They're exploring the causes and consequences of physical inactivity.  For example, they hope to determine if inactivity is a cause or a consequence of obesity. One of the Most Detailed Studies on Lifestyle 91,105 UK Biobank participants were actively monitored.  Machine learning models identified active and sedentary lifestyles. Important Outcomes Their analysis revealed 14 genetic regions related to activity - 7 totally new to science.  The research was published in Nature Communication.  It shows that physical activity casually lowers your blood pressure.   It provides a better

Learning from Jumping Spiders Source:  University of Manchester - Kim Robotic Innovation This research is being conducted at the University of Manchester UK.  The research team taught a regal jumping spider named Kim to do some fancy jumping.  The spider jumped across various distances while the team videotaped the leaps.  Their purpose is to teach robots to do the same strong jumps and leaps as the regal jumping spider can do. Physics of Jumping The purpose of the research is to duplicate the physics of jumping spiders in a flying or jumping robot to overcome the many biomechanical constraints that keep most robots on the ground.  It's a delicate balancing act keeping a robot light but also giving it enough power to make big distance leaps.  The research could lead to a new generation of microrobots and other robots.  For more robotic innovation, check out  amazon.com/author/ekane

Triple Discoveries Including Innovative Treatment  Source:  DARPA Brain Mapping of Neural Activity Could "Radically Improve Treatment" A team of researchers working for the US Defense Department's Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA say they've made a series of breakthrough discoveries that may radically improve the treatment of depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. The researchers are from the University of California San Francisco, Massachusetts General Hospital and the University of Southern California.  From their research, they have Detailed a new technology that analyzes and decodes recorded neural signals to predict changes in mood Identified a sub-network of the brain that contributes to low moods Detailed how they used an open-loop neural stimulator to relieve symptoms of moderate to severe depression. This DARPA program is called SUBNETS.  It's focused on improving understanding of the subnetworks of the brain.  

Faster than a Helicopter, More Nimble than a Plane Courtesy:  Bell Bell's V-280 Valor The V-280 Valor is a new, tiltrotor aircraft.  It reaches top speeds of more than 320 mph.  It flies 2 times faster and 2 times farther than a helicopter.  And, its far more nimble than an airplane.  It's cited as one of 2018's top 100 innovations.  It's being developed for the US military. Tiltrotor Its propellers can pivot from horizontal to vertical.  That allows it takeoff and land vertically. This innovative aircraft promises to be a smaller, more nimble and lighter version of the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor.  It is being developed by Bell and has tested successfully. For more news on transportation innovation, check out my Amazon Authors Page  amazon.com/author/ekane Ed Kane

Gravity's Jet Pack Suit Source:  Gravity Industries Are You Ready for the Next Frontier in Human Flight? This is fascinating personal flight innovation.  Gravity Industries has designed an advanced jet pack suit.  It uses 3 microturbines.  The engines are the size of a loaf of bread.  They are attached to each hand and on the back.  The company says the engines are precisely controlled and powered by kerosene. Tested, Works, Patent Pending The suit carries enough fuel for 8 minutes of flight.  The engines generate a stable tripod of thrust totaling 1000 horsepower.  It's been tested and works.  The technology is patent pending.  The price is $440,000.  This Gravity suit has been cited as one of the top 100 innovations of 2018.  The company Gravity was founded in 2017. Ed Kane . For more travel and other breakthrough innovations go to my Amazon page          amazon.com/author/ekane

Breakthrough:  Australian Researchers Develop 10 Minute Cancer Test Source:  Cancer Cells Noninvasive, Inexpensive, Universal Cancer Test The 10 minute test can detect cancer anyplace in the body.  The test was developed after scientists at the University of Queensland discovered that cancer forms a unique DNA structure when placed in water. The test works by identifying the presence of that structure. DNA Cancerous DNA molecules form entirely different 3D nanostructures than normal DNA molecules do.  That discovery enabled the scientists to innovate a new, noninvasive approach to detect cancer in any tissue including blood. Easy Test They say their test is inexpensive, portable and possibly may be performed with a mobile phone.  It's believed the test could detect cancer much earlier, which is a key to successful outcomes.  Their work was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Being Called Safest Helicopter on the Market Source:  Airbus H160 Unique Innovation The Airbus H160 is designed to keep pilots out of danger.  It has a unique, 2 level rear horizontal  stabilizer.  It minimizes downdraft vibration from the main rotor.  That allow for more stability at low speeds. On Autopilot The autopilot is always on to ensure that any airborne surprises don't turn into disasters.  And if the helicopter gets tossed onto its side, the pilot can double tap a red button on the stick and it will automatically return to a safe and level flight. Versatile This aircraft is versatile.  It can carry up to 12 passengers, do VIP transit and is even configurable for search and rescue missions. It's been cited as one of 2018's top innovations.  For more aviation and other transportation breakthrough innovation, go to my Amazon page at  amazon.com/author/ekane

Cimon - Crew Interactive Mobile Companion Robot Assistant in Orbit Source:  Cimon onboard ISS New Collaboration Among Astronauts, Robots and Artificial Intelligence The $6 million robot is called Cimon, the Crew Interactive Mobile Companion.  It just went on duty aboard the International Space Station (ISS).  It's equipped with IBM Watson's natural language artificial intelligence.  It's designed to serve as a personal assistant to astronauts.  It's now being tested onboard ISS as a new collaborative partnership of astronauts, robots and AI in space. One of 2018's Top Innovations The robot is cited at one of the most important innovations of 2018.  It can help astronauts repair the ISS, run experiments and even walk the crew through medical procedures.  Cimon is a bit larger than a basketball and on earth weights 11 pounds.  The mission is to determine if an AI bot can increase crew efficiency and boost morale during long duration space missions. Ed Kan

Adding Calcium Carbonate to the Skies to Fight Global Warming Source:  1991 US Govt. Photo of Mt. Pinatubo Erupting Harvard University Research Harvard researchers have a unique& innovative remedy to stall Global Warming.  Add calcium carbonate to the atmosphere. Calcium carbonate is used in antacids. They believe it could cool the planet and help to slow Climate Change.  The concept is based on the impact of volcanic eruptions on the atmosphere. Modeled on Volcanos Erupting The idea is to block sunlight or deflect it from the earth's surface.  It's based on what happens from volcanic eruptions.  The volcanos spew sulfur particles into the atmosphere and the particles cause sudden, though temporary, changes to the global climate.  An example cited by the Harvard researchers is the 1991 eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in the Philippines.  That event caused temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere to drop 0.6 degrees Celsius. In-Atmosphere Testing The four Harvard scie

New Iron Molecule Provides Cheaper Solar Energy Source:  Lund University's Iron Molecule Renewable Energy Innovation from Sweden's Lund University Researchers at Lund University have created an iron molecule that works in a dual capacity: a photocatalyst to produce fuel and in solar cells to produce electricity. The results indicate that the iron molecule could replace the more expensive rare metals used today that considerably increase the cost of solar cells. The research shows that by using advanced molecule design they can replace the expensive metals with iron which is common and cheap. Their research has demonstrated that the iron molecule captures and utilizes the energy from the sun.  It glows long enough for the scientists to see the light at room temperature with the naked eye. This research study was just published in the journal Science.  It has the potential of significant positive impact on the solar energy industry.  For more on energy innovation