Important Innovations

World First:  Noninvasive Brain Computer Interface that Mind Controls Robotic Arm Source:  Carnegie Mellon and University of Minnesota Breakthrough Technological Innovation A team of engineers from Carnegie Mellon and University of Minnesota have invented a breakthrough piece of technology.  A non-invasive, brain-computer interface that works to the level that human thoughts control sophisticated robotic arm functions on the computer. The system is an EEG external cap on the person's head and doesn't require any surgery to place a brain implant in the human.  This is a first.  For a great news blog with more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: Noninvasive Brain Computer Interface : World 1st:  Mind-Controlled Robotic Arm Continuously Tracks & Follows Computer Cursor Source:  Carnegie Mellon & University of  M...

Israeli Advanced Nanosatellite Launched Aboard Russian Rocket Source:  NSLComm Boosting Connectivity from Space NSLComm, an Israel based aerospace startup, just launched into space its expandable nanosatellite. The satellite expands to greatly boost its connectivity capacity 100-times.  The nanosatellite was part of the payload aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket and launched this weekend from eastern Russia. Commercial and educational satellites from the US, Germany, France and the UK were also onboard. Unique Technology There are flexible dish antennas that expand in space when the nanosatellites are in position.  That enables greater bandwidth and internet speeds 100 times faster than current top nanosatellites, according to NSLComm.  Ground crews are able to control the antennas to turn the supply to specific locations on the ground that are in need of increased bandwidth.  The Israeli company says their technology is a unique answer to meeting the growing global connectivity

United Arab Emirates Turns on Largest, Single Solar Farm in the World Source:  Noor Abu Dhabi Solar Farm Renewable Energy for 90,000 People & More, Big, New Solar Projects Underway The United Arab Emirates just turned on the largest, single, solar farm in the world - its Noor Abu Dhabi.  This is ironic but also very promising in the global epicenter of oil production.  Noor generates 1.18 GW of electricity.  Other UAE and Saudi investment projects promise 2 GW and 2.6 GW of solar powered electricity in the Gulf Region.  For a great news blog, on this big renewable energy news development, go to  Important Innovations Collection: UAE's Largest Solar Farm in World : Oil Production Center of World Going Solar Source:  Noor Abu Dhabi Big Solar Projects Underway and More Planned The United Arab Emir...

NASA's Moon Pit Robots: Mission Check out Moon Pits Source:  Carnegie Mellon Moon Rover Andy Potential Shelter for Astronauts & Valuable Resources NASA has provided a $2 million grant to roboticists at Carnegie Mellon University to invent specialized, agile robots to investigate pits similar to sink holes on the Moon.  The purpose is twofold:  determine if they contain valuable resources such as minerals and evaluate if they could be used as shelter for astronauts.  This is part of NASA's Artemis mission to return humans to the Moon by 2024. Craters vs. Pits Craters are formed by impacts such as asteroids smashing into the lunar surface.  Pits are formed when the Moon's surface collapses.  Some experts believe there could be huge caverns under the pits, which could potentially shield astronauts from radiation. Highly Dangerous Mission NASA believes the pit exploration is too dangerous for humans to perform because NASA doesn't know what the pits contai

First European Spaceports for Space Tourists Source:  Cornwall, UK image UK in Cornwall and Scotland The UK has signed on to launch destinations for  tourist space vacations.  They're developing spaceports for tourists to take off and land from their vacations in space. The spaceports will be in Cornwall and in the Scottish Highlands. The UK is also working on the regulations.  For more details, go to Important Innovations Collection: UK Providing SpacePorts for Space Vacations : Britain Joins Space Tourism Race Source:  Virgin Galactic Readies for Blast-Off Britain will provide Europe's first spaceports...

NASA's Next Mission & New Destination Source:  NASA - Titan Saturn's Largest Moon - Titan NASA has announced that its next mission to a new destination is to Titan, which is Saturn's largest moon.  It is also the only moon in the solar system with an atmosphere.  NASA calls it the Dragonfly Mission.  The Dragonfly rotorcraft lander will be launched in 2025 and will land on Titan to explore its terrain and fly its atmosphere for any signs of life and for clues to the origin of life on Earth.  It's an exciting and bold mission.  For a great news blog on it, go to  Important Innovations Collection: NASA's Dragonfly Mission : Dragonfly Rotorcraft-Lander Goes to Saturn's Largest Moon - Titan Source:  NASA's Dragonfly Artist Rendering NASA Searchi...

Partnering to Develop Self-Driving Cars Source:  BMW Autonomous Concept Car Accelerating Delivery BMW and Daimler have teamed up to deliver autonomous, self driving cars.  They plan to deliver autonomous cars first to Germany's Autobahn in 2024.  The two automotive giants have signed a long term agreement and will combine 1200 experts from both companies to develop the vehicles.  Their goals are to speed up development and share the very high expense of developing self-driving vehicles. Source:  Mercedes Autonomous Concept Car Level 4 The two companies plan to sell cars equipped with Level 4 self-driving technology.  That means the vehicle can drive on highways and park without any intervention from a human who will sit behind the wheel. Robo Taxis Daimler and BMW are also engaged in discussions to develop robo taxis for urban areas.  A partnership trend is developing in the automotive industry because of the high money investment needed to develop electric and a

Electric Blue Clouds Spotted by NASA AIM Spacecraft Source:  NASA Noctilucent Clouds Noctilucent Clouds At Extremely High Altitudes The image just released by NASA is spectacular.  They show Noctilucent clouds, which are clouds that appear in the very high atmosphere during twilight in the hour after sunset.  The clouds continue to reflect light even though the sun is below the horizon for those of us on the ground, Climate Change NASA says this rare phenomena has been increasing in the past ten years.  They add the likely cause is Climate Change which has increased the amount of water vapor in the atmosphere.  The new image, obtained by several satellite passes, shows reflectivity measurements gathered by NASA's Aeronomy on Ice in the Mesophere (AIM) spacecraft mission, as light from the clouds bounce back into space. Light Show From Space The season for Noctilucent clouds lasts from late May until August.  NASA explains that as the earth's lower atmosphere warm

Canada to Launch Quantum Satellite in 2022 Source:  Canadian Space Agency Canada plans to launch in 2022 a new Quantum Satellite that is designed to provide greatly enhanced security to national and commercial communications networks.  The Canadian government believes the new satellite is necessary because in the age of quantum computing, it will be increasingly easy to break through security barriers like passwords, etc. In fact, they think that within the decade current security methods will be totally obsolete.  For a great news blog on this, go to Important Innovations Collection: Canada's Quantum Tech to Space : New Satellite Launch 2022 Source:  Canadian Space Agency Goal:  Protect Communications Networks Canada will launch a new satellite i...

Satellites in Space in Danger of Hacking New Research by The Royal Institute of International Affairs New research by Chatham House or The Royal Institute of International Affairs warns that satellites in space are in danger of cyberattack.  They're calling for an immediate investment by NATO and NATO member nations to harden and protect their satellites as the military is dependent on them for data and communications particularly in conflict conditions.  For a detailed news blog, go to Important Innovations Collection: Space Cybersecurity at Risk : Satellites are Vulnerable to Hacking Source:  European Space Agency New Report from The Royal Institute of International Affairs UK...

New 3D Printing Technology with Wood Ink - Alternative to Forrest Based Products Revolutionizing the Manufacture of Green Products A breakthrough 3D printing technology just unveiled in Sweden could revolutionize the manufacture of green products including furniture, packaging and clothing.  Engineers at Chalmers University of Technology have invented a 3D printing process that uses a wood based ink.  The process could serve as a sustainable and renewable alternative to forest based products. 3D Printed Substance that Mimics Wood The wood based ink is composed of a nanocellulose gel combined with hemicellulose, which binds the fibers in the gel and strengthens it.  The gel is used with a 3D printer that has a digitized form of the genetic code of wood.  The result is a substance that mimics the cellular architecture of wood.  It has the promise of saving trees, creating green furniture, packaging, paper products and enabling a more sustainable environment.  For a free Ki

Moonscape Visions from Top International Space Scientists Source:  European Space Agency's Image of Future Human Life on the Moon Out of This World Adventures Top space scientists from the US, Europe, China and Russia have just shared their forecasts and visions for human life on the Moon in 2069. They believe we humans will be living there.  It's an out of this world lunar adventure. Here are their forecasts just made in Switzerland at the World Conference of Science Journalists: Human settlements that include habitats shielded by moon dust The Moon will be a tourist destination for space vacations Hotel staffs will be based & work there and call it home It will provide permanent human habitability The human population will come from many nations Everyone will have a universal translator attached to their ear to instantly understand each other. This is the latest look from space experts at your future and it's an intergalactic adventure.  In the next

Using Astronomers' Tools to Understand Space to Fight Cancer Source:  NASA - Cloud of Gas & Dust Detection and Analysis By Light Techniques used by astronomers to understand the formation of planets and stars can help in the early detection of skin and breast cancers in humans here on earth.  This is new research on the cross-disciplinary use of space technology to fight cancer just published by the University of Exeter, UK. Shedding Light From Space The specific technique is the detection and analysis by light.  Astronomers study the light that is scattered, pulled in and discharged by clouds of gas and dust in space.  By following the light, they're developing information on what's inside the massive clouds to determine, among other things, how stars and planets are created. Shedding Light on Cancer The process is very similar when light travels through the human body.  When light hits cancerous tissue, a change is seen.  For instance, breast cancer cre