Researchers from the University of California, Davis, are working to develop compostable, ecologically sound wind-turbine blades from bamboo and mycelium, the fungal root-like system that bears mushrooms. Wind is one of the fastest growing sources of renewable energy around the globe and the expanding role of wind is largely good news. However, an environmentally sound … [Read more...] about Making wind power greener with compostable turbine blades
Sustainability
Termite mounds offer tips for creating living, breathing buildings that use less energy
Scientists studying termite mounds in Namibia have suggested that elements of the mounds’ design could be copied by architects to create a comfortable climate in human buildings with little energy. The scientists investigated the ‘egress complex’ of Macrotermes michaelseni termites, which appears to promote moisture regulation and gas exchange. They showed that the layout of … [Read more...] about Termite mounds offer tips for creating living, breathing buildings that use less energy
Engineers designing safer, more effective hydrogen injector for gas turbines
Engineers at the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) in Texas are designing innovative hydrogen-combustion systems for the gas turbines used in power generation. Hydrogen fuel produces no carbon emissions during combustion, but the gas is highly reactive, which makes it more difficult to work with than natural gas or the liquid fuels that gas turbines typically run … [Read more...] about Engineers designing safer, more effective hydrogen injector for gas turbines
Earthquake testing underway on ten-storey mass timber building
Practical testing is underway at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) on a ten-storey building made of cross-laminated timber, the tallest full-scale building ever to be constructed and tested on an earthquake simulator, or shake table. The shake table will simulate earthquake motions recorded during prior earthquakes covering a range of earthquake magnitudes from … [Read more...] about Earthquake testing underway on ten-storey mass timber building
Formula 1 specialist launches cargo drones
Formula One specialist MGI Engineering has unveiled two cargo-drone technology demonstrators. The engineering consultancy is applying the Formula 1 development philosophies and mindset gained through the decades of motor sport experience of its senior staff and its founder and CEO, Mike Gascoyne, who have worked at McLaren, Tyrrell, Sauber, Renault and Toyota, before … [Read more...] about Formula 1 specialist launches cargo drones
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