Tag Archives: Innovation

Home Innovations: A 54th-Floor Micro Apartment

Kirsten Dirksen Films (April 30, 2023) – When we planned a visit to NYC, our friend Hasier Larrea, who makes “furniture with superpowers” offered us a tiny studio filled with his robotic furniture to see how it could expand to fit our family of 5.

On the 54th floor of a skyscraper overlooking downtown Manhattan, the space starts small, but the moving walls expand into an office pod and a walk-in closet and the bed drops from the ceiling to convert the living room into a bedroom. Setting up for the night in an apartment made for two was an experiment. We had single air mattresses and expanding rooms.

Hasier’s colleague at Ori suggested opening the Pocket Closet and Pocket Office to create bedrooms. The closet was a few inches too small, but the office was just the right size. Our 10-year-old claimed the window seat for his bed, with the best view in the house. Hasier told us to test the furniture. He said it wouldn’t break and would stop when it sensed an obstacle. Our 10-year-old spent a lot of time sitting on the bed while his sisters tried to raise it (it wouldn’t) and getting in and underneath moving parts that left him without a scratch.

All the transforming took a few extra minutes, but being able to tuck away the bed without having to make it was a bonus. The whole experience felt a bit nautical with adapt-as-you-need-it furniture and panoramic views.

Ori Studio Design in Brooklyn, NY: https://www.oriliving.com/

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Research: New Scientist Magazine – January 7, 2023

ISSUE 3420 | MAGAZINE COVER DATE: 7 January 2023 | New Scientist

New Scientist Magazine – January 7, 2023 issue:

The 12 innovations we need to save humanity and the planet

Which inventions should we prioritize to safeguard the environment and human health and happiness? From better batteries and photovoltaic paint to a universal vaccine precursor

The crystal growers behind the graphene revolution

Takashi Taniguchi and Kenji Watanabe create high-quality crystals that offer the perfect substrate on which to tailor-make two-dimensional materials with amazing electronic properties. They tell New Scientist how they grow their world-renowned crystals

Mysterious symbols in cave paintings may be earliest form of writing

Stone Age people in Europe appear to have recorded the reproductive habits of animals with markings on cave paintings, hinting at the early origins of writing

Cover: American Scientist Magazine – Jan/Feb 2023

Current Issue
(Cover illustration by Sean Murtha.)

American Scientist – January/February 2023

In “A New Picture of Dinosaur Nesting Ecology” (Perspective), paleontologist Daniel T. Ksepka offers an overview of these sweeping advances in his field, showcasing the spectrum of reproductive traits among the dinosaurs, often with surprising mixes of reptilian and avian traits. 

A Deep Dive into Innovation

Groundbreaking innovations may appear to be strokes of genius, but they are most often the product of context, consequence, and coincidence.

Is Garlic Mustard an Invader or an Opportunist?

Originally thought of as simply harmful to native plants, this invasive herb has been spreading for far more complex reasons.

World Economic Forum: Top Stories Of The Week

World Economic Forum – November 18, 2022 stories:

  1. 0:15 Global Population Reaches 8 Billion – That’s 8 times more humans than existed in 1800. Even so, the world’s population is growing at its slowest rate since 1950 due to a declining global fertility rate. Today there are an average of 2.3 births per woman. In 1950 it was 5. The world’s population is projected to peak at 10.4 billion by 2080.
  2. 1:49 The Economic Case for Climate Adaption – Climate adaptation means preparing our ecological, social and economic systems so they can cope with the future impacts of climate change. Heatwaves, storms, wildfires: the costs of climate change are already mounting but so far only 20% of climate finance has gone towards adaptation.
  3. 3:44 French Start Up Blends Wind and Solar Energy – Unéole’s energy system combines a photovoltaic rooftop panel with 2 compact wind turbines, generating 40% more energy than an ordinary rooftop panel. Solar panels work best in strong sunlight but Unéole’s units generate power when it’s overcast or during winter and can turn through the night to ensure a steady flow of power. The turbines are silent, so they don’t disturb building occupants and they’re built from mostly recycled aluminium and steel.
  4. 4:54 Lab Grown Blood Used in World First – UK scientists have transfused lab-grown blood into humans for the first time. It could revolutionize treatment for people with rare blood types, especially those who need regular transfusions. Two people were injected with 1-2 teaspoons of the synthetic blood to see how how their bodies respond. So far, so good – the trial participants are fit and healthy with no reported side effects.

World Economic Forum: Top Stories – Oct 21, 2022

World Economic Forum – Top Stories of the Week:

00:16 Why more people than ever are short-sighted – The trend is worst in children and young adults, and half the world’s population could be short sighted by 2050.

01:37 Six species saved from extinction – Recent ecosystem restorations have rescued some species from the brink of extinction.

03:30 You could soon 3D-print furniture at home – Scientists from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have developed a new wood-based ink that can be used for making 3d printed furniture

04:48 How Dark Data Affects Your Carbon Footprint -Companies generate 3.5 trillion gigabytes of dark data every day. But what is dark data?

The World Economic Forum is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation. The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas. We believe that progress happens by bringing together people from all walks of life who have the drive and the influence to make positive change.

World Economic Forum: Top Stories (Oct 7, 2022)

World Economic Forum top stories of the week: 0:15 – The World’s First flying 3D printer 01:32 – Your outer circle of friends is more important for your career than you think 02:47 – How high interest rates lower inflation 04:47 – This Swedish start up has developed an electric passenger plane

Plant-Based Meat: Why It Hasn’t Gone Mainstream

As people’s eating habits change and environmental concerns grow, plant-based protein used as a meat substitute has gained popularity. However, some barriers are preventing it from becoming truly mainstream. Watch what needs to be done to truly realize a future with less meat.

Technology: The Rise Of Touchscreens In Cars

Most cars now have touch screens in the middle of the dashboard. Some tech heavy cars – such as those by companies like Tesla and Rivian – rely nearly entirely on them. They’re also cheaper to make and maintain. But some people hate them. They say they are less safe, confusing, unnecessary, and take longer than a simple button or switch.

But touch screens in cars aren’t going away. Some innovations, such as those by suppliers such as Harman and Continental, may blend some of the best of the old with entirely new possibilities, while managing risks.

Innovation: Top Vehicles In Development (2022)

Top innovative vehicles in development in 2022.

Video timeline: 00:00 Intro; 00:49 Arcimoto D1 Arcimoto trials driverless delivery pod based on three-wheeled electric FUV Design; 02:21 DolaGon UTV Autonomous Ski Lift Vehicle dolaGon UTV serves as an autonomous ski lift; 03:28 Lifestyle Vehicle “A LOFT ON WHEELS” Design: Canoo Electric Vehicles; 05:20 Zuri 2.0 VTOL Electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft; 06:35 SCG Boot “Cryogenic hydrogen SCG Boot off-roader aims to recast fuel cell tech”; 08:02 Arosa Electric Sports Hovercraft “VonMercier’s electric sports hovercraft promises exceptional agility”.

Technology: How AI Can Improve Health Care

AI has the power to transform health care. From more efficient diagnoses to safer treatments, it could remedy some of the ills suffered by patients. Film supported by @Maersk

Timeline: 00:00 – Can AI help heal the world? 00:45 – How can AI spot blindness? 04:01 – Protecting patients’ privacy 05:10 – How to share medical data safely 06:11 – Medical AI is rapidly expanding 08:02 – What do the sceptics say? 08.36 – Using AI for new medical devices 11:08 – What does the future hold for medical AI?