LEGO have developed a prototype material made from recycled PET plastic bottles that can use one recycled PET plastic bottle to produce ten 2 x 4 LEGO bricks.
Researchers at the Universities of Göttingen and Münster in Germany have designed a high resolution microscope that can be built using Lego and cheap smartphone lenses. The microscope can be used to view micrometer objects such as individual cells.
Engineers at ETH Zurich have developed a passive solar still that can extract 4.6ml of water from the air per day using a 10cm wide surface requiring no power.
Researchers at University of Michigan have discovered a technique to detect the build-up of microplastics in the ocean by measuring ocean surface roughness using the Cyclone Global Navigational Satellite System (CYGNSS).
Scientists at the Australian National University (ANU) have developed a nanocrystal ultra-thin film that can be applied to a pair of glasses to convert infrared light light into visible light, allowing the wear to see in the dark.
Researchers at UCL conducted a study where participants trained themselves to use a robotic third thumb which was desisgned by the Royal College of Art. Users of the thrid thumb control its movement using their toes. The UCL study measured brain activity of participants after time using the thumb and found that the brain's representation of the hand had changed.
Aquarius Engines in Israel have developed a small single piston engine that runs on hydrogen, without the need for a more complicated hydrogen fuel cell. Applications for the clean burning engine with a small 10kg footprint are being explored by Nokia to power remote communicatinos towers.
The Irish Times published a piece this week about Percy Ludgate who is believed to be Ireland's first computer scientist. In 1914 the accountant and inventor from Skibereen presented designs for the worlds second analytical engine, a mechanical computer of the time.
Swiss company ABB has developed a drone that uses a laser to detect methane leaks while flying at 55 mph at an altitude of 130ft. The system is 1,000 more sensitive than standard methane detection tools.
YouTuber Integza used a 3D printer to build a working turobo jet engine in his attic! Check out his journey of multiple attempts in his video, before reaching a working prototype at the end.
