Latest news with #innovation
South China Morning Post
an hour ago
- Business
- South China Morning Post
How China's Yangtze River Delta became a tech powerhouse
In Suzhou, eastern China's Jiangsu province, the start-up Magic Lab specialises in full-sized humanoid robots designed to interact with people and work in factories – just one example of the Yangtze River Delta region's transformation into a national innovation hub. 'More than 90 per cent of the components, including critical parts like torque motor joints, actuators, control units and dexterous robotic hands, are developed in-house and locally manufactured,' said Wu Changzheng, the company's president and a graduate of Shanghai Jiao Tong University. 'The other 10 per cent is in central processing units (CPUs).' Magic Lab is one of thousands of cutting-edge ventures reshaping Jiangsu and neighbouring Zhejiang province. Once known for producing textiles, chemicals and machinery, the Yangtze River Delta is now home to a new generation of firms developing technologies critical to China's future. The start-up has developed a general-purpose AI model that integrates sensing, navigation and movement control, enabling its humanoid robots to quickly adapt to tasks and cooperate in real-world environments. According to Wu, the local government has fostered a supportive environment through tax incentives, industrial estates and other measures, providing the company with a solid foundation. Most of its funding comes from private sources, with the firm largely driving its own research and development. One of the main factors attracting MagicLab to Jiangsu is its mature manufacturing base — particularly in next-generation information technology, high-end equipment, new materials and other advanced sectors. This offers quick access to upstream and downstream support and helps reduce supply chain costs, according to the company. Based in the same city as appliance unicorn Dreame Technology – one of Magic Lab's investors – Wu's team has deployed its humanoid robots on the partner's factory floor to gather real-world data and explore multi-robot coordination, a field still in its infancy in China.
Sustainability Times
2 hours ago
- Health
- Sustainability Times
'They're Using Pee for Implants Now': Scientists Unveil Shocking Tech That Turns Human Urine Into Bone and Tooth Replacements
IN A NUTSHELL 🔬 Researchers have developed a method using synthetic yeast to convert human urine into valuable hydroxyapatite for medical applications. to convert human urine into valuable hydroxyapatite for medical applications. 🌿 This innovation addresses environmental concerns by removing excess nutrients from wastewater, preventing damage to water systems. 💰 The process opens up a $3.5 billion market opportunity by producing a key material for bone and dental implants. market opportunity by producing a key material for bone and dental implants. 🌍 The scalable and cost-effective method makes advanced medical materials accessible globally, benefiting developing economies. In a groundbreaking development, scientists have harnessed the power of synthetic yeast to convert human urine into a valuable resource for medical applications. This innovative process not only addresses the environmental challenges posed by excess nutrients in wastewater but also taps into a burgeoning $3.5 billion medical market. By transforming urine into hydroxyapatite, a mineral critical for bone and dental implants, researchers are revolutionizing how we view waste and resource management. This advancement underscores the potential for sustainable practices in addressing global health needs, while simultaneously providing economic opportunities in the medical industry. Tackling Two Problems with One Process The ingenious process developed by researchers from the University of California, Irvine, achieves a dual purpose. As Professor David Kisailus explains, it helps mitigate environmental pollution by removing human urine from wastewater streams, while simultaneously producing a commercially valuable material. Urine's high nutrient load can damage water systems if untreated, posing significant environmental risks. However, the synthesized process neutralizes these risks, converting the waste into hydroxyapatite, a substance expected to reach a market value of $3.5 billion by 2030. This dual-benefit approach not only addresses immediate environmental concerns but also opens up new avenues for economic growth and sustainability. Scientists Stumble Onto Miracle Material That Instantly Harvests Drinking Water from Air With Zero Energy or Filters Synthetic Yeast Mimics Natural Bone-Building Cells In nature, bone-forming cells known as osteoblasts are responsible for producing hydroxyapatite by extracting calcium phosphate from body fluids. However, these cells cannot support industrial-scale production. To overcome this limitation, scientists have engineered a synthetic yeast strain, termed 'osteoyeast,' that mimics the activity of osteoblasts. This yeast efficiently breaks down urea to increase the pH, thereby facilitating the accumulation of calcium and phosphate. Consequently, these elements crystallize into hydroxyapatite, which is then secreted from the cell. The result is a highly efficient process, yielding up to 1 gram of hydroxyapatite per liter of urine, thereby making large-scale production feasible. 'Tesla Is Over': This New Electric Car With a Miracle Battery Promises 930 Miles of Range and Shocks the Entire Auto Industry Scalable, Low-Cost, and Globally Accessible One of the most striking features of this innovation is its scalability and cost-effectiveness. As David Kisailus points out, the process to yield hydroxyapatite takes less than a day, using inexpensive yeast that can be cultivated in large vats at low temperatures. This method is akin to the fermentation processes used in brewing beer, suggesting it can be easily scaled without significant infrastructural investments. Such accessibility is crucial for developing economies where high-tech manufacturing capabilities may be limited. By democratizing the production of advanced medical materials, this innovation has the potential to improve healthcare outcomes across the globe, making cutting-edge medical interventions available to a wider audience. Japan Stuns the World with 310,000-Ton Oil Behemoth That Shatters Records and Reinvents the Future of Energy Transport From Waste Stream to Multifunctional Future Hydroxyapatite is renowned for its lightweight, strong, and durable properties, making it ideal for implants and restorations. However, the research team envisions even broader applications. Collaborating with Professor Yasuo Yoshikuni from Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, they aim to develop new materials for energy-based applications using the yeast platform. By combining this technology with 3D printing and structural expertise, they are working towards creating multifunctional architected materials that could revolutionize various industries. Supported by funding from the U.S. Department of Energy and other agencies, this project highlights the potential for innovative, sustainable solutions to global challenges. This remarkable innovation in converting waste into valuable resources poses an intriguing question: As we continue to unlock the potential of synthetic biology, what other unexpected sources might we tap into for sustainable solutions to the world's pressing challenges? Our author used artificial intelligence to enhance this article. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (22)
UAE Moments
2 hours ago
- Entertainment
- UAE Moments
♒ Aquarius Daily Horoscope for June 24, 2025
You're not going with the flow, you're redesigning the river. Aquarius, June 24 puts your innovative mind in the spotlight. With the moon encouraging inner clarity and Mercury electrifying your communication skills, you're thinking ten steps ahead while everyone else is still googling the map. Expect unexpected conversations, weirdly wonderful vibes, and one idea that might just change everything. 🧠 Energy Check: Electric, Eccentric & Enlightened You're picking up patterns others miss. Whether it's tech, creativity, or people dynamics, you're tuned in. Follow the sparks, embrace the glitch, and let your rebel brain run free. Aquarius Tip: Your best idea today might not make sense at first. Trust it anyway. 💼 Career & Money: Future-First Thinking Whether you're solving problems or starting revolutions (quietly or loudly), today is perfect for presenting ideas that seem 'out there' because they'll suddenly click. Someone influential could finally see your genius. Keep that elevator pitch ready. Unexpected upgrade alert: That email, pitch, or convo? It's your breadcrumb to something bigger. 💖 Love & Friendship: Weird is the New Flirty Single? Someone with quirky charm or unusual interests might catch your eye. Taken? Time to break the routine with a creative date or cosmic-level convo. Emotional honesty is magnetic today, use it wisely. Flirt cue: 'If we were a constellation, what would we be called?' 🧘♀️ Mood & Vibe: Dreamy, Driven & Slightly Rogue You're craving mental freedom and emotional realness. Skip the surface stuff. Dive into topics that light you up or people who challenge your thinking. Music, movement, or moon-gazing could help reset your vibe. Lucky Color: Cobalt Blue Lucky Numbers: 8 & 21 Cosmic Playlist Song: 'Electric Love' – BØRNS Affirmation of the Day: 'I honor my weird, speak my truth, and spark change with joy.' 💭 Aquarius Thought for June 24: Your brilliance isn't meant to blend in. It's meant to wake people up.
Forbes
3 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
AI Today And Tomorrow: A Conversation With AI 50 Honorees
| Jun 24, 2025, 04:16PM EDT Forbes Technology Senior Writer Richard Nieva sits down with Luminance CEO Eleanor Lightbody, Abridge Cofounder & CTO Zachary Lipton, and Together AI Cofounder & CTO Ce Zhang to gain insights about the AI revolution - from foundational models and enterprise platforms to breakthrough innovations shaping the future.
National Post
3 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
NetApp Appoints Disruptive Innovator Syam Nair as Chief Product Officer, Underscoring its Commitment to Bold Product Vision
Article content SAN JOSE, Calif. — NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), the intelligent data infrastructure company, today announced the appointment of Syam Nair as its new Chief Product Officer (CPO), effective Monday, July 7, 2025. Nair succeeds Harv Bhela, who concluded his tenure in June following a successful chapter of product leadership. Article content Nair is a former Salesforce and Microsoft executive renowned as a maverick innovator in the industry, bringing over 25 years of experience in scaling cloud platforms and driving hyper-growth. In his new role, Nair will lead NetApp's product and engineering teams to accelerate innovation in hybrid cloud and AI offerings and advance NetApp's strategic vision for data-driven business growth. Article content 'I am thrilled to welcome Syam to NetApp's leadership team. He joins us at a time when our customers are looking to NetApp to help them deliver data-enabled growth and productivity: not only must they innovate to stay ahead, but they must also simplify to improve productivity and agility. This is a balance Syam has mastered throughout his career,' said George Kurian, Chief Executive Officer at NetApp. 'Syam's proven track record – from building planet-scale Azure data services at Microsoft to spearheading hyper-scale platforms like Salesforce Data Cloud – is exactly what we need as we sharpen our focus on high-growth markets. Importantly, he's not only a brilliant technologist but also a people-first leader who builds teams grounded in integrity and a growth mindset. Under Syam's product leadership, I'm confident NetApp will deliver even more innovation and value for customers, and strengthen our position as a cloud, data and AI leader, and remain at the forefront of what's next.' Article content Syam Nair joins NetApp from Zscaler, where he served as Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Research & Development. Nair brings more than two decades of engineering and product development leadership, with expertise in incubating new technologies from the ground up and leading large teams through transformations at scale. During his tenure at Microsoft, Nair was part of the leadership team that built and expanded globally distributed Azure data services. At Salesforce, his leadership pioneered industry-defining innovations including Salesforce Data Cloud, the next generation Agentic platform that significantly advanced the company's AI-powered customer engagement capabilities. Article content 'I'm excited to join NetApp at such a pivotal time in the industry. Enterprises are embracing cloud and AI to transform their operations, and NetApp is uniquely positioned to help them succeed with its rich portfolio and talent,' said Syam Nair, Chief Product Officer at NetApp. 'I've spent my career tackling complex technological challenges and leading teams through transformations for hyper-growth. I'm thrilled to bring that experience to NetApp. We will set a bold vision for the future of hybrid cloud data services and execute with a growth mindset and relentless focus on customer success. NetApp has an inspiring mission and a values-driven culture and I'm honored to be part of the team and eager to drive the next wave of innovation for our customers and partners.' Article content About NetApp Article content NetApp is the intelligent data infrastructure company, combining unified data storage, integrated data, operational and workload services to turn a world of disruption into opportunity for every customer. NetApp creates silo-free infrastructure, harnessing observability and AI to enable the industry's best data management. As the only enterprise-grade storage service natively embedded in the world's biggest clouds, our data storage delivers seamless flexibility. In addition, our data services create a data advantage through superior cyber resilience, governance, and application agility. Our operational and workload services provide continuous optimization of performance and efficiency for infrastructure and workloads through observability and AI. No matter the data type, workload, or environment, with NetApp you can transform your data infrastructure to realize your business possibilities. Learn more at or follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Article content Article content Article content Article content Contacts Article content Media Contact: Article content Article content Kenya Hayes Article content Article content NetApp Article content Article content Investor Contact: Article content Article content Kris Newton Article content Article content Article content
