News Archives

A tiny sensor detects pesticide residue on individual fruits

Spotted: It is well-known that many pesticides can cause negative health and environmental issues, including dermatological, gastrointestinal, neurological, carcinogenic, respiratory, reproductive, and endocrine effects. In fact, reports show that up to half of all fruits sold in the EU contain pesticides linked to human health problems. But detecting pesticides on produce can be costly and time-consuming. However, thanks to a new sensor, it may soon be possible to change this.

The tiny sensor, developed by researchers at Karolinska Institutet in Sweden, uses a technique called surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). This is a spectroscopy technique that enhances the surface vibration of molecules using nanoscale roughened metal surfaces made of gold or silver. Using laser light matched to the vibrations, the SERS technique makes it possible to detect very low concentrations of substances without the need for more complex and expensive fluorescent labelling.

The researchers deposited small droplets of silver nano-particles onto a surface using flame spray. By fine-tuning the distance between individual nano-particles, the researchers can improve their sensitivity. The sensors were tested by applying a thin layer of tracer dye and using a spectrometer to determine their molecular fingerprints. The sensors were able to reliably detect molecular signals over a period of 2.5 months. The result demonstrates that the sensors can be applied over a large area and have a relatively long shelf life.

Haipeng Li, a postdoctoral researcher and the study’s lead author explained that the sensors, “can detect pesticide residues on apple surfaces in a short time of five minutes without destroying the fruit. While they need to be validated in larger studies, we offer a proof-of-concept practical application for food safety testing at scale before consumption.”

At Springwise, we have seen a number of recent innovations aimed at improving food safety and security. Several of these are designed to help food stay fresh longer, such as smart, antimicrobial food packaging and non-toxic emulsions which can help control the growth of fungi and bacteria on plants.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

17th June 2022

Website: sotirioulab.org

Contact: sotirioulab.org/contact

Reference

Sustainable News

A new genomics programme offers patients a chance to identify risk earlier

By Zarkon Group,16/06/2022

Spotted: There has been a growing interest in the uses of population genomics to innovate healthcare. These programmes combine clinical information with large scale genetic data to deliver information that can help individuals, researchers, and government and industry health programmes. One recent innovation is myGenetics, a population genomics programme developed by HealthPartners health system and genomics company Helix.

The myGenetics programme is a large-scale community health research programme that will integrate patient health records from HealthPartners clients with population genomics data collected by Helix to help identify areas of risk for individual patients. Similar programmes have helped as many as 1 in 75 participants discover and mitigate risks for serious health issues.

Those enrolled in HealthPartners’ health plan can register for the voluntary programme. They will be given genetic screening at no cost, which will include a variety of information. The programme will screen for some common cancers, heart disease, as well as regional ancestry, and other traits. The results will be used to provide patients with a detailed picture of hereditary health risks and to help care teams provide more personalised preventive care recommendations.

The project is explained by Steve Connelly, MD, co-executive medical director at HealthPartners, who says the company sees population genomics “as a critical step in our efforts to improve the health of the communities we serve across Minnesota and surrounding states. By understanding the role genetics play in an individual’s health, we can deliver more personalized care and improve the lives of our patients.”

Programmes like this, combining genetic testing with analysis and personalised treatment, are increasingly looking like the future of medical care. Other personalised health programmes we have recently seen include an AI-powered mental health app, a health-tracking platform powered by genomics and any number of wearable for home health tracking.

Written By: Lisa Magloff

16th June 2022

Website: healthpartners.com

Contact: healthpartners.com/contact/

Reference

Sustainable News

The Peak – Boutique Hotel // studio symbiosis

By Zarkon Group,15/06/2022

Text description provided by the architects.

The Peak Resort and Spa, is located in the untouched serene landscape of Udaipur, Rajasthan, the desert kingdom of India. Designed as a destination to unwind and rejuvenate the property hosts, 8 pool villas, event space, Restaurant, Spa, Gym, star gazing platform and an outdoor pool.Cocoon villas nested in natureThe design concept amalgamates the untouched beauty of nature that engulfs the site, along with regional architecture of Rajasthan.

The idea of built and landscape is seen as an amalgamation in the design. The original contours of the site have been used as an interface to create architecture. Each villa is nested as a cocoon space in the landscape. These cocoon villas have been designed by excavating earth, to create minimum disruption to the natural beauty of the site.

Local patterns were studied from the architecture of Rajasthan, and a “Hexagonal” pattern that is a common denominator in nature as well as the regional architecture has been used as a unifying element for the design. This hexagonal base pattern has been grafted on the site to create a system driven approach to design the landscape, entrance buildings, scooping of the villas, water bodies, etc.

to create a sense of harmony and symbiosis in the design.Design EvolutionHalf of the site terrain is almost flat and then it slopes drastically from the south towards the north. The dominant views from the site are mountains towards the south. This natural terrain of the site has been used as a design driver.

The flat part of the site that is adjacent to the approach road has been used for Drop-off, Reception, All day dining, and Spa and then further on an open event space. The design idea was to create a form nested in nature. The sloping part of the site has been used as an opportunity to excavate earth and nest villas within the topography.

This helps us in capturing the beautiful views of the south facing mountains. The natural topography of the site creates a height difference between the various villas, thereby giving them all complete privacy.Window to LandscapeArchitecture of Rajasthan boasts of intricate carving and Jharokha’s (Semi covered balconies with perorated windows all around).

The concept of a Jharokha has been translated in the design as the villas are scooped out from the terrain to create these “Jharokha’s” with outdoor pool, star gazing deck and sit-out space. Each villa is conceptually a window (Jharokha) to experience nature. Resource ConservationVillas have been nested in landscape, by excavating the earth of the site.

This excavation of 1427 cubic units gave us 142.7 cubic units of rocks and 90% is mud. As a part of the design process, we are using the excavated earth and rocks, by mixing natural fibres in them to strengthen and create compressed mud blocks. The retaining walls around the villas are being constructed from these mud blocks, where the raw material is coming from the site itself.

It’s an idea of a closed loop civil construction, where we take from mother earth and put it back on the site in a new form, in this case we take mud and rocks and graft back rammed earth walls. Rest of the materials are being locally sourced within 5 kms of the project site.

Given that Rajasthan is the stone hub of India, locally available stone has been used for the outdoor landscape as well as indoor finishes.Villas & earth breamingThe villas are designed for “leisure travellers” as well as for “work from destination”. The design brief looks at creating a home away from home with villas cocooned in nature.

Each villa is 140 sqm indoor and 130 sqm outdoor area. The villas are equipped with the outlook of a long stay traveller, with a master bedroom, living, dining, pantry, outdoor pool, star gazing platform and an outdoor deck.
Using regional patterns, a stone carved pergola has been designed for shading the outdoor decks of the villas.

This helps in shading from the direct sunlight and creates playful patterns of light and shadow on the deck. The villas are nested within earth, to create a heat sink and keep the villas naturally cooled in the scorching dessert heat during daytime, and keeps the villas warm during the night in the winters.

Since each villa is surrounded by earth, the heat gain and heat dissipation happens at a controlled rate. The outdoor terraces and the depth of the villa has been designed to ensure ample light inside the villa, without exposing the surface area of the built to the sun directly. Outdoor space and Shallow water bodiesThe wind direction on the site is from South which is the entrance of the site and travels along the depth of the site up towards north.

This wind movement has been channelized by creating two building flanking either side of the entrance that create a wind tunnel effect and compress and accelerates the wind. Further shallow water bodies have been designed along the path of the wind which cools it down. Given the villas are scooped out of an inclined surface, the wind coming in contact with the water bodies is cooled down and travels seamlessly along the sloped site and creates a cool breeze reaching the villas which is further pushed in the villas with the help of a pergola.
Using cfd, the inclination of the pergolas has been optimized, to direct the wind inside the villas.

Porosity of the pergola has been calculated to retain the wind pressure. The central plaza has been designed as a multifunctional space. This can have regional folk dance, puppet shows (regional to Rajasthan), breakout space for high tea, archery, pool deck, as well as event space.Sustainability Sustainable design solutions have been integrated in the design in various stages of design and construction.

The temperature in this region of Rajasthan can go up to 45-47 degrees. Design strategies have been introduced to reduce the cooling loads in the building and create a sustainable resort.
Natural topography of the site has been used to nest the villas by using earth berming to cool the villas and the outdoor spaces are shaded with pergolas to reduce direct heat from the sun.

The wind blowing on the site from the south has been accelerated by creating a wind tunnel by flanking buildings on either side of the entrance. This accelerated wind passes over shallow water bodies designed in the central plaza, thereby cooling the wind. The cooled wind moves up the inclination of the site and is pushed in the villas using pergolas, optimized by cfd.

Excavated earth from the site is transformed into mud blocks being used as retaining walls of the villas, with rest of the construction materials sourced from within 5 kms of the site.This project is driven by design moves to create a model of sustainable design in scorching heat of Rajasthan..

Reference

Sustainable News

A safer, greener, and cheaper battery

By Zarkon Group,15/06/2022

Spotted: Electrification of day-to-day activities, such as transport and heating, is essential if the world is to transition away from its reliance on fossil fuels. But as new electrified technologies come online, the overall demand for electricity is set to sky-rocket. According to German startup So-Cer, electrification of mobility will triple the demand for electricity, while electrification of heating will triple it. And as variable renewables are added to the energy mix, there is an increasing need for smart energy storage solutions that balance supply and demand.

So-Cer has developed a reliable and affordable battery that can help to address both the rapidly growing demand for electricity and the addition of renewables – a situation the company refers to as the ‘energy balance challenge’.

Using only locally sourceable raw materials and base components, the brand aims to reach a lifetime storage cost of less than one cent per kilowatt-hour of storage. This would make the So-Cer Battery the most cost-effective option on the market, and the go-to choice for homeowners and businesses alike.

One of the key issues with many current battery solutions is their reliance on materials—notably lithium and cobalt—that are extracted using environmentally harmful processes and are only available in certain regions of the world. By contrast, the So-Cer cell leverages cutting-edge battery technology that does not require lithium or cobalt. Instead, it uses salt, water, carbon, nickel, stainless steel, and alumina – all of which are globally abundant resources. This makes the So-Cer cell an attractive option for reducing international procurement dependencies.

In addition, the company claims that it is the safest of its kind on the market, being non-combustible and non-explosive with no degassing, no thermal runaway, and no conduction.

The cell’s power rating is comparable to that of current lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries and is being marketed for stationary applications because of its chemical properties.

Other recent battery-related innovations spotted by Springwise include a modular lithium extraction plant, sodium-ion batteries for remote communities, and a company turning used electric vehicle batteries into home energy storage systems.

Written By: Katrina Lane

15th June 2022

Email: info@so-cer.com

Website: so-cer.com

Reference

Sustainable News

Zero-emission, high-performance ammonia fuel powers heavy machinery

By Zarkon Group,14/06/2022

Spotted: With just a handful of countries dominating agricultural machinery sales use, replacing polluting diesel engines with a zero emissions alternative could be done relatively quickly. The result would make a significant dent in global greenhouse gases. New York-based Amogy has created a fuel and power system to do just that by using the world’s second most-produced chemical – ammonia. Use of the clean, high-power fuel system is part of Amogy’s plans to reduce around five gigatonnes of air pollution from transport by 2040.

Focused on the heavy machinery industries of shipping, truck transport, and agriculture, Amogy’s clean fuel provides the power and longevity needed by heavy-duty vehicles. And now, a retrofitted John Deere tractor has successfully showcased the new fuel.

Made by combining hydrogen with atmospheric nitrogen, ammonia is usually used as the basis of nitrogen fertilisers. Readily available as a material and easy to produce, it is a fuel source that can be integrated into current heavy industry structures such as storage, pipelines, and terminals. And with its high energy density, new vehicles using the fuel can be built smaller and lighter, and retrofitted machines won’t become restrictively heavy.

Ammonia has been more frequently spotted by Springwise as something to be removed. For example, Springwise has spotted a probiotic soap that removes ammonia from river water, as well as a portable industrial air quality monitor that detects pollutants, including ammonia. Amogy is instead seeing it as a more sustainable alternative to fossil fuels in transport.

Written by: Keely Khoury

14th June 2022

Website: amogy.co

Contact: amogy.co/contact

Reference

Sustainable News

Non-recyclable plastics added to asphalt for stronger, more sustainable roads

By Zarkon Group,13/06/2022

Spotted: Through the improvement of road construction materials, startup Ecopals has set an annual goal to take 1.5 million tonnes of plastic out of circulation and reduce carbon emissions by 1.8 million tonnes in Europe alone. Using non-recyclable plastics that would otherwise be burned, Ecopals created EcoFlakes, an asphalt additive made from a mix of waste materials and streams. Using EcoFlakes in asphalt improves road longevity and reduces the need for virgin materials and petroleum-based products such as bitumen.

A pilot site at Fraunhofer ICT has been in-situ since 2011, providing the partnership of Ecopals, Fraunhofer ICT, and the University of Kassel with 10 years of performance data. The team has found that adding EcoFlakes to roads improves overall resistance to cracking and increases strength at high temperatures, while also maintaining the expected flexibility of the road at cold temperatures.

And for each tonne of asphalt with EcoFlakes added, 6.6 kilogrammes of carbon dioxide emissions are prevented. Ecopals currently seeks feedback from users on the optimum time for mixing materials in the dry and wet stages, and the company is working with local partners in the global south to spread the use of the technology.

From a carbon-negative road repair process to the addition of plastic milk bottles to repaving materials, communities worldwide are seeking to improve the sustainability of millions of kilometres of road.

Written by: Keely Khoury

13th June 2022

Email: info@ecopals.de

Website: ecopals.de

Reference

Sustainable News

Technology enables messaging and app access without data or wifi

By Zarkon Group,12/06/2022

Spotted: The internet has become so ingrained in our daily lives that most of us can’t envision life without it. However, there are still many parts of the world where internet access is unavailable or unreliable. Mexican startup Bridgefy is on a mission to connect users even without internet access.

Bridgefy leverages other nearby smartphones’ Bluetooth and Wi-Fi antennas to create a mesh network that connects devices within a 330-foot range. The company has developed a free offline messaging app but this is not the only use of its technology, which also allows apps to function without an Internet connection.

Only those apps within the Bridgefy network can provide services to users without internet access. But the startup has developed a software development kit (SDK) that helps app developers easily incorporate the mesh network technology into their iOS or Android code.

Bridgefy created the SDK to get their product out to a wider audience faster and with less hassle. Thanks to Bridgefy, developers can now provide their users with offline capabilities in a variety of situations, whether it be for messaging, payments, or even social networking.

Bridgefy charges companies depending on how many users they attract while using the app offline. The company expects to be able to support ride-hailing apps, cruise ship apps, educational apps, social media, and gaming.

One of the most successful uses of the technology is a collaboration between Bridgefy and SkyAlert that helps citizens connected in times of natural disaster. SkyAlert, which is also based in Mexico, issues earthquake warnings shortly before they happen.

Other innovations, spotted by Springwise, that look to extend connectivity include smaller satellites for faster internet, a satellite communication network for remote communities, and a startup that brings Wi-Fi to remote farm communities.

Written By: Katrina Lane

10th June 2022

Website: bridgefy.me

Reference

Sustainable News

Global innovation spotlight: Mexico – Springwise

By Zarkon Group,11/06/2022

Global innovation spotlight: Mexico

Global Innovation Spotlight

Reflecting our global Springwise readership, we explore the innovation landscape and freshest thinking from a new country each week. This week, we’ve headed to Central America…

Mexico Innovation Facts

Global Innovation Index ranking: 55th

Climate targets: by 2030, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 22 percent and black carbon emissions by 51 percent over a business-as-usual scenario.

Sustainability challenges:

Air pollution – Air pollution kills almost 33,000 people per year in Mexico according to the World Bank. And poor air quality is exacerbated by the country’s high rate of urbanisation. Seventy-eight per cent of Mexico’s population live in the country’s highly motorised cities. Forecasts suggest there could be 6.5 million vehicles in Mexico City alone by 2030.

Water scarcity – Parts of Mexico are highly susceptible to water shortages and climate change is believed to be worsening the threat of drought. In 2021 a fifth of the country experienced extreme drought conditions compared to an average of just 5 per cent for each year between 2012 and 2020.

Avocado production – The world has seen a boom in demand for avocados in recent years. And five out of ten avocados produced globally come from Mexico’s Michoacán region. Avocado cultivation is extremely water-intensive and is responsible for 30-40 per cent of recent deforestation in Michoacán.

Sector specialisms:

Fintech
Logistics
Mobility

Source: Startup Universal

Three exciting innovations from Mexico

Photo source Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS MESSAGING AND CONNECTIVITY WITHOUT DATA OR WIFI

The internet has become so ingrained in our daily lives that most of us can’t envision life without it. However, there are still many parts of the world where internet access is unavailable or unreliable. Mexican startup Bridgefy is on a mission to connect users even without internet access. It does this by leveraging other nearby smartphones’ Bluetooth and Wi-Fi antennas to create a mesh network that connects devices within a 330-foot range. Read more.

FOOD ADDITIVES MADE FROM AQUATIC PLANTS COULD REDUCE THE NEED FOR FERTILISER

According to the UN’s Food and Agricultural Organization, agriculture is the biggest source of water pollution. This is largely due to the excess nutrients from fertilisers that run off from fields into rivers, lakes, oceans, and groundwater sources. One solution is to use less fertiliser or to grow food that does not require fertiliser. The latter is the direction being taken by microTERRA, a startup that grows the aquatic plant lemna, or duckweed, for use as an ingredient in plant-based foods. Read more.

CIRCULAR PRODUCTION PROCESS USES INDUSTRIAL FRUIT WASTE FOR VEGAN LEATHER

The development of vegan leather that looks and feels like the most luxurious animal leather, is a major goal for designers. Startup Polybion specialises in organic, vegan leather made in a closed-loop production process. The company uses local sources of industrial fruit waste as the basis for its material and has already identified additional waste streams should demand grow. Read more.

Words: Matthew Hempstead

To keep up with the latest innovations, sign up to our free newsletters or email info@springwise.com to get in touch.

10th June 2022

Reference

Sustainable News

Mu Spring Resort // IDMatrix

By Zarkon Group,10/06/2022

Text description provided by the architects.

Project name: Mu Spring ResortOwner: Chengdu Blue Town Urban and Rural Construction Development Co., Ltd.Address: Blue Town Group · Mu Spring Resort, Boer Village, Xingyi Town, Xinjin District, Chengdu city, Sichuan ProvinceInterior Finish: IDMatrix (http://www.matrixdesign.cn/)Furnishing: MIXPhotography: Shi Xiang Wan HeFurniture and decoration: M-CASA/MATRIX originalFloral design: M·FLORALMaterial R&D: decorative material studio / Fautaetic PleaeantFloor area: 1825 square metersMain materials: textured latex paint, rammed earth, granite, rustic brick, walnut wood veneer, hand-painted wallpaper, paper rattan, bamboo, oak wood flooringCompletion time: 2021See the mountains and water, and remember homesickness.

The hometown returns to people in a familiar but refreshingly warm way.The project is located in the core area of Agricultural Expo Park, Xinjin County, Chengdu City, far away from the downtown and thus providing a tranquil lifestyle. In this idyllic environment with beautiful natural scenery, it appears to have all the elements that an ideal life should have.

Based on the “geography”, “blood” and “emotion” of the place where the project is located, the project made the architecture, landscape and custom as a whole to connect the ecological landscape of country life with the modern concept of urban life, showing the infinite potential and possibilities of future country life.

It is committed to building an artistic resort of modern Oriental style with rich cultural memory.The bamboo and wood structure utensils used in ancient times to serve food have several layers. Whether it was a gold-plated box with carved flowers or a bamboo box, they all were made of natural materials, plain but durable.

The wall lamps in wooden structure in the reception hall is an excellent modern interpretation of “food box”, a traditional wooden food box from ancient times, and this design demonstrates one’s proper search in the dim lights. The vaulted housing structure also represents cultural inheritance and continuation.The long table with the trace of time avoids any carving and decoration.

Under the double presentation by touch and vision, it holds the art installation displaying dead wood sprouting next spring. The intrinsic beauty is fully displayed.The vault structure of “Paddy Fields” restaurant is derived from the green tiled slope roof of Linpan in western Sichuan, making the space spacious. Under the plain base, the direct contact between furniture and people gives rise to tradition.

MATRIX Original showcased the modern evolution of different Sichuan’s Chinese style furniture, adding traditional undertones to the design feast.

As the center of the courtyard, “Tea time in paddy fields” pub has two entrances, one front and the other back, completely creating an open space. In warm light, one can enjoy tranquil Zen atmosphere at the end of the bar.While relying on nature, the space also can offer lush bamboo and splendid orchestra with interior running water, which are of great interest.Light and shadow from the garden wander in the interior space.

Chinese garden borrowing techniques are perfectly used to let one experience the vast world and feel the vitality from inside to outside via the growth of grass and trees.The rough but clean wall presents the purest scene to express the true spiritual appeal.Open a window and let in the sunlight so as to fill the room with warmth and coziness.

Take a stroll at the end of the story, and hometown rests in the peace of mind. .

Mu Spring Resort by IDMatrix Gallery

Reference

Sustainable News

Circular production process uses industrial fruit waste for vegan leather

By Zarkon Group,10/06/2022

Spotted: The development of vegan leather that looks and feels like the most luxurious animal leather, is a major goal for designers. Startup Polybion specialises in organic, vegan leather made in a closed-loop production process. The company uses local sources of industrial fruit waste as the basis for its material and has already identified additional waste streams should demand grow.

Called Celium, Polybion’s leather is grown to a variety of thicknesses. Fungi and bacteria feed on the fruit waste, producing cellulose as a byproduct of that process. The Polybion team then stabilises the growing material at the desired size and depth before treating it to be ready for dying and other bespoke processes. Customisable and strong, Celium can be produced with an infinite variety of grains and embossments, along with varying levels of water resistance.

Already, Polybion has identified enough biowaste nearby to create up to 168 million square feet of the vegan leather each year. From vehicle interiors and footwear to homewares and fashion, large-scale organic leather production could make significant inroads in multiple industries seeking more sustainable resources.

The scope of new leather options is widening by the day, with creators and innovators in many industries finding new ways of working with surprising ingredients. Springwise has spotted a number of leather alternatives, with two recent innovations being lab-grown leather and a leather bag made from grape skin.

Written by: Keely Khoury

10th June 2022

Email: contact@polybion.bio

Website: polybion.bio

Reference

News

A tiny sensor detects pesticide residue on individual fruits

A new genomics programme offers patients a chance to identify risk earlier

The Peak – Boutique Hotel // studio symbiosis

A safer, greener, and cheaper battery

Zero-emission, high-performance ammonia fuel powers heavy machinery

Non-recyclable plastics added to asphalt for stronger, more sustainable roads

Technology enables messaging and app access without data or wifi

Global innovation spotlight: Mexico – Springwise

Global innovation spotlight: Mexico

Mexico Innovation Facts

Three exciting innovations from Mexico

Mu Spring Resort // IDMatrix

Mu Spring Resort by IDMatrix Gallery

Circular production process uses industrial fruit waste for vegan leather

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