Important Innovations Collection

High Speed Plane With "Bladeless Fans on Steroids"                                             Source:  Jetoptera New Aviation Tech From USA Edmonds, Washington based aviation startup Jetoptera is developing a unique, bladeless, high speed vertical takeoff and landing vehicle (HSVTOL). The applications will be for civilian passenger travel including flying cars, military and special operations uses. The aircraft relies on a unique aerodynamic system called "bladeless fans on steroids". The "Fluid Dynamics System" of bladeless fans uses a small amount of compressed air to pull in huge quantities of ambient air at high speed.  The system directs the air flow over the flight surfaces in a controlled way to enable lift and flight.  Highly Efficient Fleet According to Jetoptera, the system reduces fuel consumption by 50% and saves 30% in w...

China's High Speed Maglev Source:  China's Maglev Test Vehicle Source:  China's Maglev Prototype Breakthrough Technology China has a big win with its Maglev, high speed train technology.  Its prototype test vehicle hit speeds of 600 km/h (373 mph) on a test run at Tongji University in Shanghai today.  Maglev, which stands for magnetic levitation, uses two sets of magnets as the core of the technology.  One set levitates the train off the tracks and the other set accelerates it, taking advantage of the lack of friction.  The vehicle was developed by CRCC Qingdao Sifang Company. Production Schedule Production of the prototype system is expected to start at the end of 2020.  China says it will provide high speed transportation bridging the gap between high speed rail and air travel for diverse travel needs. Collaborative Effort for Industrialization of the Tech The project is run by the China Railway Stock Corporation in collaborati...

New Fast Acting Soft Robots Expandable with High Speeds Source:  Purdue University Bioinspired by Chameleons, Salamanders and Toads Researchers at Purdue University have invented a new class of high speed, soft robots and actuators. They are bio-inspired by the high speed, elastic motions of salamanders, chameleons and toads that launch their tongues in a tenth of a second to catch an insect.  Purdue's new soft robot can catch a live, flying beetle in the same way, in a blink of an eye.  This robotic innovation is big for potential use in accelerated automation. New Class of Soft Robots The Purdue scientists' new innovation is a new class of entirely soft robots and actuators.  They are capable of recreating bioinspired high powered, high speed motion using stored elastic energy.  They're composed of stretchable polymers like a rubber band with channels that expand with pressurization. Amazing Robotics This robot expands five times in length and c...