💡 Innovation
🚢 The world's largest electric ferry charges in six minutes - and reduces emissions
Electrification of a previously diesel-electric ferry reduces CO2 emissions annually by about 28,000 tons. The transition to fully electric operation is expected to be cost-effective within eight years, and the ferry is estimated to operate many more years than that.
🛫 Successful demo flight with the first private supersonic aircraft since the Concorde
Boom Supersonic has successfully completed the first flight with XB-1, the world's first civilly developed supersonic aircraft. This paves the way for Overture, which will become the world's fastest airliner and will be powered by 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel.
🌞 Scientists solve decade-long problem: Converting carbon dioxide to methanol (good for the climate)
The process occurs at room temperature and normal air pressure, simplifying the conversion. Achieving this at room temperature is something scientists have been trying to accomplish for several decades.
🏭 Terraform Industries converts electricity and air into synthetic natural gas for the first time
The company's process involves cost reductions, with the conversion of clean electricity to hydrogen for less than $2.50 per kilogram and CO2 capture for less than $250 per ton.
🐖 Genetically modified pig kidney transplanted into human for the first time
For the first time, surgeons have transplanted a kidney from a genetically modified pig into a living person. This type of kidney could help reduce the shortage of organs.
🌦️ Weather forecasts have become much more accurate
Four-day forecasts now have the same accuracy as one-day forecasts did 30 years ago.
🌱 Scientists have developed a method to transform salty soil into fertile farmland
The treatment involves burying crop stalks underground and covering them with plastic to retain soil moisture. China, ranked as the third-largest country with salt-alkali soil, sees potential in applying this technique to a third of these lands.
🏆 XPRIZE launches prize competition to combat water scarcity with innovative desalination techniques
The competition has a total prize pool of $119 million. The goal is to develop sustainable, reliable, and affordable solutions for desalinating seawater.
🍌 Genetically modified banana resistant to Panama disease approved for consumption in Australia
Australian researchers have developed a genetically modified banana that is nearly immune to Panama disease. Panama disease is a fungal infection that prevents banana plants from absorbing nutrients and eventually kills the plant. The banana is the first genetically modified fruit to be approved.