Lifeboat News: The Blog – Safeguarding Humanity

Android version of literary giant Natsume Soseki to return to alma mater to lecture

Jun 9
2016

Students can learn about classic literature from a classic author with an android version of Natsume Soseki.

The UK Nanosafety Group

Jun 9
2016

UK’s new Guidlines for NanoTech.

The UK Nanosafety Group brings together key experts in the field of nanotechnology and helps to establish links with others working in this rapidly developing field.

Now Graphene Can Have a Tunable, Stable Bandgap

Posted by Karen Hurst in materials

Jun 9
2016

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has improved Graphene’s bandgap.

New doping method makes graphene with low defects, high stability and a tunable bandgap.

Tungsten trioxide nanostructures for solar energy conversion

Posted by Karen Hurst in nanotechnology, solar power, sustainability

Jun 9
2016

Low-cost, low-dimensional nanoarchitectures provide optimal structures for charge collection in large-scale solar energy harvesting and conversion applications.

Photoelectrochemical water splitting, where irradiation of a photoelectrode in water produces hydrogen and oxygen, can be used for solar energy harvesting and conversion.¹ The process potentially offers a clean, sustainable, and large-scale energy resource. Photoanodes used in the photoelectrochemical process are generally made from Earth-abundant oxide semiconductors, such as titanium dioxide, tungsten trioxide, and iron (III) oxide.² Among these metal oxide semiconductors, tungsten trioxide is regarded as one of the best candidates because of its visible light-driven photocatalytic activity, its good charge transport properties, and its relative stability in aqueous electrolytes. However, the light absorption and charge collection efficiency of tungsten trioxide—especially within a bulk structure—still needs to be improved to realize practical photoelectrochemical applications.

Turning an Asteroid into a Spacecraft with 3D Printing

Posted by Karen Hurst in 3D printing, space travel

Jun 9
2016

Definitely the making of a Wild Ride.

Made In Space has received NASA funding to detail plans for converting asteroids into spacecraft using 3D printing.

First 3D-printed electric motorcycle looks exactly how it sounds

Posted by Karen Hurst in 3D printing, transportation

Jun 9
2016

I cannot wait to see the sports car.

3D printing has allowed for a motorcycle far lighter than normal.

Tennessee startup plans to create 3D printed house

Posted by Karen Hurst in 3D printing, habitats, information science, robotics/AI

Jun 9
2016

Wishing them luck.

Tennessee -based Branch Technology has announced it will begin construction of a 3D-printed house in 2017. Designed by Honolulu-based WATG, the project was initiated for the Freeform Home Design Challenge, which asked participants to design for Branch’s Cellular Fabrication (C-Fab) 3D printing technology. The small house designs were required to be between 600 and 800 square feet.

Branch’s C-Fab technology involves 3D printing carbon-fiber-reinforced ABS plastic with a large robotic arm. The resulting formwork can then be covered in more traditional building materials, such as concrete or foam. Instead of the typical completely 3D printed additive technique, C-Fab uses an algorithm to formulate an interior framework for the structure.

WATG’s design, entitled Curve Appeal, will be built at Branch Technology’s lab in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The house is comprised of a curving shell around an open plan. The form of the building also provides a car port. The interior of the house is divided up with class walls and a solid core.