World’s first water-free system dyes fabrics with CO2
DyeCoo uses a machine that dyes fabrics with pressurized CO2, which allows dyes to quickly dissolve and penetrate the textile — all without the use of water or chemicals.
Technology & innovation
This archive covers technology and innovation breakthroughs that improve lives, protect the environment, and expand human possibility. From medical devices to clean energy tools, the stories here focus on what’s working and who’s making it happen.
Biotech firm treats first patient in Western world with CRISPR technique for blood disease
A Switzerland-based startup called CRISPR Therapeutics just used gene-editing name to treat someone with the blood disease beta thalassemia. It marks the first time CRISPR gene editing has been used in a Western clinic.
24-year old Kazakhstani man becomes first to use wirelessly-charged bionic heart
Tursunov’s bionic heart (or VAD) doesn’t need a power cord thanks to a charging system created by Israeli tech company Leviticus Cardio, eliminating one of the biggest points of failure in a device that cannot afford to fail.
Scientists are using AI to find hotel rooms being used for child sex trafficking
Washington University engineers developed AI that recognizes features of a hotel room from a photo and identify where it may have been taken, offering new leads to fight child trafficking.
Drax begins capturing carbon in ‘world first’ pilot
The Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering have estimated that Drax could capture 50 million tonnes of carbon per year by 2050 – about half the nation’s emissions target.
Researchers use healthy stem cells for future Type 1 diabetes cure for the first time
For the first time ever, researchers have successfully transformed human stem cells into mature insulin-producing cells, a major breakthrough in the effort to develop a cure for type 1 (T1) diabetes.
Scientists invent new carbon capture technology that generates electricity by sucking up CO2
Researchers in South Korea and Georgia say they’ve devised a system that captures atmospheric carbon in water and uses the reaction to generate electricity and hydrogen.
United States’ FDA approves world’s first device that could save thousands of premature infants from common heart condition
The Amplatzer Piccolo, a device even smaller than a small pea, now offers hope to premature infants and newborns who need corrective treatment, and who may be non-responsive to medical management and high risk to undergo corrective surgery.
U.K. trains will run on hydrogen power within three years and produce zero emissions
For the first time ever, hydrogen-fueled trains will soon be running on U.K. railways.
Bulgarian doctors implant world’s first 3D-printed rib
The physicians say that the 35-year-old patient is in “perfect health” after the procedure, and they are already planning on performing additional surgeries with the 3D-printed ‘bones,’ including three ribs along with a sternum.