A team of engineers at MIT is hoping to fortify coastlines with ‘architected’ reefs – sustainable, offshore structures designed to mimic the wave-buffering effects of natural reefs while also providing pockets for fish and other marine life. Coral reefs serve as both a marine refuge and natural buffer against stormy seas. But as the effects of climate change bleach and break … [Read more...] about Artificial reef design could reduce storm damage
Technology
Motability Operations and CALLUM reveal next-generation electric wheelchair accessible vehicle concept
Motability Operations, the commercial organisation that delivers the Motability Scheme to disabled people across the UK, has revealed eVITA, a next-generation electric wheelchair accessible vehicle (eWAV) concept designed and engineered by CALLUM. The EV concept has been developed using inclusive-design principles with input from Motability Scheme customers. Using eVITA to … [Read more...] about Motability Operations and CALLUM reveal next-generation electric wheelchair accessible vehicle concept
Novel structure promises to bring renewable energy to tropical islands
Construction is underway on an innovative floating structure designed to generate power from warm seawater, a process known as ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC). Developed under the EU-funded project PLOTEC, the platform is expected to be installed in the upcoming months in a testing site in the Canary Islands, Spain. OTEC is a renewable energy technology that uses warm … [Read more...] about Novel structure promises to bring renewable energy to tropical islands
Medical devices review calls for immediate action on biases to prevent patient harm
A recently published report detailing the findings of the Independent Review of Equity in Medical Devices has called for urgent action around the development, testing and deployment of medical devices, including artificial-intelligence-enabled medical devices, to prevent patient harm and the widening of health inequalities. The review recommends that the government begins … [Read more...] about Medical devices review calls for immediate action on biases to prevent patient harm
Dancing droplets could hold key to capturing water from the air
Researchers at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia have taken inspiration from a phenomenon of motion first glimpsed in bowls of breakfast cereal to develop more efficient devices for capturing fresh water from the air. The researchers have observed that when water droplets condense from the air onto a cold surface coated with oil, the droplets … [Read more...] about Dancing droplets could hold key to capturing water from the air