Latest news with #EuropeanPatentOffice
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Rail Vision gets European patent for imaging technology on locomotives
Israeli technology company Rail Vision has announced the receipt of a Decision to Grant from the European Patent Office for its patent application for a new system aimed at improving the sampling rate of an imager detector for a Selected Region Of Interest (SROI). The patented technology comprises an imaging device and a processing unit that collaborate to capture, analyse, and prioritise visual information from a forward-facing camera attached to a train or locomotive. The imaging device gathers multiple datasets from image frames over several handling cycles, while the processing unit determines a specific region of interest based on the data collected. This system can obtain partial datasets from the SROI during the remaining time within those cycles, thus facilitating higher sampling rates in critical areas. Mounted on the locomotive, the processing unit features a tracking module that identifies the rails, establishes margins on either side, computes a safe braking line according to the train's braking distance, and defines a safe zone. The SROI is located at the far end of this safe zone within the image frames, allowing for early detection and response to potential hazards. Rail Vision CEO David BenDavid said: 'Securing this European patent is another strong validation of Rail Vision's innovation. 'By boosting the sampling rate, we're enabling train operators to detect hazards sooner, react faster, and improve functional efficiency to operate more safely. 'This technology is another step toward our vision of making railway transportation safer, smarter, and more efficient worldwide.' In January this year, Rail Vision entered the Indian market by signing a binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Sujan Ventures, a part of the Sujan Group. This agreement is intended for the installation of Rail Vision's advanced safety systems across India's locomotive fleet, comprising around 15,000 units. "Rail Vision gets European patent for imaging technology on locomotives" was originally created and published by Railway Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
GMA Network
30-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Pinoy aeronautical engineer named in Top 10 Young Investors Prize 2025
A Filipino aeronautical engineer has become one of the 10 recipients of the Young Inventors Prize 2025 for his eco-friendly aircraft sealant and adhesive made from pili tree resin. Mark Kennedy Bantugon, 26, has developed the Pili Seal, an aircraft sealant and adhesive made from the agricultural waste of pili tree resin. Pili Seal aims to reduce environmental impact by providing a safer alternative to traditional sealants and adhesives, some of which contain toxic petrochemicals. The two-part sealant and adhesive can withstand fuel exposure, heat, and pressure. It also has the potential to be used in the construction, automotive, marine, and defense industries. According to the European Patent Office, Pili Seal can repurpose the pili tree resin waste generated in the Philippines. It noted that agricultural pili tree resin waste in the country, which primarily comes from the perfume and food industries, yields about 155 million kilograms annually. Awarded last June 18 in Iceland, each of the 10 awardees receives 5,000 euros. During the 2025 Young Investors Prize ceremony on the same day, Bantungon said he chose the pili tree resin because of its sticky characteristics and fragrance. Bantungon also said that before getting the final output, he tried 84 formulas. He also shared that he drew inspiration from his parents, who are farmers and were present during the event. The Young Inventors Prize recognizes inventors under 30 years old who support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG). Bantugon was selected from 450 candidates all over the world by an independent jury. 'By transforming agricultural waste into a high-performance sealant, Mark Kennedy Bantugon is directly contributing to UN SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure),' the European Patent Office said. - Mariel Celine Serquiña ### PHOTO: Video (52.42):
Le Figaro
24-06-2025
- Science
- Le Figaro
Young Inventors Prize 2025: France's Marie Perrin Wins for Breakthrough in Rare Earth Recycling
Réservé aux abonnés All under 30, they aim to change the world. Four of the ten finalists received awards on June 18 in Reykjavik, Iceland. Their technologies tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time. What were you up to when you were 25? These young inventors are developing solutions that could soon transform our daily lives — extending the shelf life of fresh fruit, recycling rare earth elements, and turning CO₂ into clothing. The Young Inventors Prize, awarded by the European Patent Office, rewards innovators under the age of 30 who are using technology to respond to major global challenges, in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2025 edition, broadcast live worldwide, featured ten finalists selected from 450 applicants. Three of them were awarded prizes by a jury of former winners, and a fourth, the People's Choice Award, received a prize of 15,000 euros – in addition to the 5,000 euros awarded to each finalist. À lire aussi At the Arab World Institute: Gaza's Rescued Treasures, Witnesses to a Deep History Among the winners was Marie Perrin, distinguished in the 'World Builders' category. The French-American chemist is tackling one of today's critical geopolitical challenges: the recycling of rare earths. Essential to modern technologies (from…
Euronews
23-06-2025
- Science
- Euronews
Sustainable technology innovations awarded at Young Inventors Prize
Ten young inventors have been awarded for developing technologies that advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, with top honours awarded for innovations in rare earth recycling, food preservation, and carbon capture. At a ceremony held in Reykjavík, Iceland, the European Patent Office (EPO) announced the winners of the 2025 Young Inventors Prize special prizes. This year's selected inventors, called 'Tomorrow Shapers,' were selected from more than 450 international applicants, all of whom were aged 30 and under. While ten inventors or teams received recognition from the EPO for their technologies, three received special awards — World Builders, Community Healers, and Nature Guardians — and one was selected as the People's Choice through an online public vote. Euronews spoke to the winners of the special prizes about their inventions. Capturing carbon emissions and redefining fashion The Nature Guardians prize went to US scientists and twin sisters Neeka and Leila Mashouf, whose invention converts carbon dioxide into cellulose-based fibres — offering a sustainable alternative to conventional textiles. The textile industry is responsible for 8% of CO2 emissions worldwide. Their company, Rubi, uses a proprietary enzymatic process that mimics the natural way trees absorb CO2 but without the land or water demands of harvesting forests or growing cotton. "A tree breathes CO2. It starts as a seed and is able to use this carbon to grow its trunk, branches and leaves. We essentially mimic this process, taking carbon and making these essential materials — but without the need to cut down trees," Neeka Mashouf told Euronews. Biodegradable sachet to combat food waste The Community Healers award went to Ugandan entrepreneurs Sandra Namboozo and Samuel Muyita, who developed a biodegradable sachet that extends the shelf life of fruit. Food waste is responsible for 10% of CO2 emissions, according to the FAO. Drawing from their backgrounds in farming communities, the two developed a sachet made from plant-based compounds that slows the ripening of fruit, extending shelf life by up to 30 days. "Karpolax is essentially a sachet that we place in fruit crates during storage or delivery. It releases an active substance that inhibits the phospholipase D enzyme responsible for the senescence or deterioration of fruit membranes," Namboozo told Euronews. Recycling rare earths Marie Perrin, a French-US chemist, won the World Builders prize for developing a process for recycling the rare earths found in electronic waste. Rare earths are a family of 17 elements on the periodic table, such as neodymium and europium, which are used to build our telephones and computers, as well as wind turbines and electric cars. China has achieved a virtual monopoly in the exploitation and production of rare earths. Perrin's innovation, a novel process to recover the rare earth element europium from discarded fluorescent lamps, eliminates the environmental damage typically caused by traditional mining. "Their production through mining poses major geopolitical and environmental problems. So recycling is something of a magic bullet, both in terms of geopolitics and environmental impact", Perrin told Euronews. Smart food label The People's Choice prize went to a team of Spanish researchers — Pilar Granado, Pablo Sosa Domínguez and Luis Chimeno The trio developed a biodegradable label to place on food that changes colour when it comes into contact with bacteria. It can be used to indicate in real time whether a food item has expired, thereby preventing food poisoning and wastage. Their innovation is already on the market and could help reduce Europe's staggering 59 million tonnes of food waste annually. Chimeno described the win as "a recognition of our path," noting that it affirmed the team's belief in the power of everyday solutions.
Euronews
16-06-2025
- Business
- Euronews
The Slovenian innovator transforming microchip manufacturing
Data centres are the digital world's powerhouses – but they come with a heavy environmental cost. Globally, they consume an estimated 460 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity each year, equivalent to the energy needs of 153 million homes. Without intervention, their carbon footprint could reach 3.2% of global emissions by 2025. Teja Potočnik, a 26-year-old Slovenian researcher, is working to change that. Her invention – an automated nanomaterial integration platform – optimises the manufacture of advanced semiconductor devices, otherwise known as chips. These advanced chips, in turn, power the servers and hardware that run today's data centres. By enabling the production of more energy-efficient chips, her innovation directly contributes to reducing the massive energy consumption of data centres worldwide. 'The problem we are solving is the ever-increasing demand for faster, more efficient and more powerful microchips. This is because of the demand of AI, quantum computing and data storage users', Potočnik explains, 'Our invention can help with the manufacture of more energy-efficient chips using nanomaterials, which means that there can be enormous energy savings.' This pioneering project has earned her a place among the selected innovators honoured at the 2025 Young Inventors Prize, awarded by the European Patent Office. As chips become smaller and more powerful, manufacturers are turning to materials like graphene, carbon nanotubes and quantum dots to push performance boundaries. But while these nanomaterials hold immense promise, integrating them at scale remains a major challenge. Potočnik's invention, LithoTag, addresses that bottleneck. By embedding nanoscale markers into semiconductor wafers, the platform enables precise alignment and integration of nanomaterials with high repeatability. This bridges the gap between laboratory research and industrial manufacturing. 'The industry cares about reliability, replicability, and integration into manufacturing processes,' she says. 'No matter how good a technology is, it holds little value if it can't be scaled.' Originally from Slovenia, Potočnik moved to the UK to study materials science and engineering, where she says she 'fell in love with nanomaterials'. Potočnik co-founded the startup Nanomation while completing her PhD in nanofabrication at the University of Cambridge. With backing from Cambridge Enterprise, she and her team filed a patent application and began exploring commercial partnerships with chip manufacturers. But it's not just about business: Potočnik's work directly supports the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure – by improving the scalability of sustainable microelectronics. It could lead to more energy-efficient consumer devices and data centre infrastructure, with widespread environmental benefits. Looking ahead, Potočnik envisions her technology becoming standard in advanced electronics manufacturing. 'The real advantage of our technology is that it can be applied to any material and any sort of electronic design, so we really hope to become the industry standard in integrating nanomaterials into advanced circuits,' she explains. Beyond the lab, the young Slovenian innovator hopes her story will encourage others to pursue bold, scalable ideas that can make a difference. 'To all the inventors who are thinking about realising their new idea, I would say just have an open mind and be brave,' Potočnik advises.
