Important Innovations Collection

New Device Generates Electricity from Moisture in the Air Source:  UMASS Amherst Potential Green Energy Gamechanger Scientists at UMASS Amherst have invented a device that uses a natural protein to create electricity from the moisture in the air.  They call it the "Air-Gen" for air powered generator.  The device doesn't need sunlight or wind and creates clean energy 24/7.  It's a renewable process that works off the moisture in the air, both outdoors and indoors.  The inventors say it is low-cost, renewable and nonpolluting. Big Energy Possibilities The system now can power small electronic devices.  The team wants to take it to the commercial level to power electronics wearables and smartwatches.  They foresee the day when this system could eliminate the need to plug in your smartphone for energy.  Their system eliminates the need for batteries. How It Works The UMASS system connects electrodes to unique protein nano...

New Search and Rescue Technology  -  WideSee System Drone Invention of UK, US and China-based Universities A team of engineers from the University of Leeds in the UK, University of Massachusetts in the US and Northwestern University in Xi'an China have developed new flying and imaging drone technology that can spot people trapped inside of buildings behind concrete walls 1/2 meter thick.  The WideSee drone mounted scanner can fly around the outside of a high rise building engulfed in fire or in a state of collapse and see if there are any people trapped inside.  It's new technology for search and rescue and it overcomes existing limitations to spot people entrapped in a disastrous situation. New Technology The new WideSee system doesn't use traditional heat seeking cameras that can be compromised by flames.  In order to overcome that limitation, the team used an adaptation of LoRa wireless radio systems that are commercially available.  The radio s...