A complex plant alkaloid extracted from the humble daffodil has been demonstrating some extraordinary curative properties in humans. Now with the help of a $4 million investment and a collaborative research project with Lincoln University in New Zealand, the same compound is being investigated as a feed additive to reduce methane emissions from livestock. The…
Human impacts such as over-fishing, climate change and pollution are causing sea urchins to thrive, leading to the destruction of kelp and desertification of the sea floor in places. The dramatic worldwide loss of kelp forests means fewer safe birthing grounds for many species of fish. But marine eco-farmers Urchinomics are working to turn around…
With electric and hydrogen powered vehicles not yet making a substantial impact in logistics and travel, airlines, ship owners and road freight companies have lately been pulling back from commitments to net zero emissions. The big energy companies are also rethinking their sustainable fuels strategies. But with the cost of installing solar energy dropping and…
For over 250 years, a trade route has existed spanning Europe, The Middle East, South Asia and Australasia. Explorers, navigators, scientists and entrepreneurs first set out in earnest from Europe in the latter part of the 18th Century, informed only by sketchy maps drawn up by their predecessors over one hundred years beforehand. Now as…
Ramin Hasani, the astute CEO and co-founder of Liquid AI wants artificial intelligence to “solve actual problems for us”. To achieve that goal he completely re-imagined how neural networks operate, with the help of “liquid neural networks” and a small invertebrate you might find in the topsoil of your garden. So what are liquid neural…
The concept of sequestering carbon dioxide underground is not a new one but it may play a much bigger role in the future. According to the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), carbon capture will almost certainly be needed as part of a swathe of strategies aimed at reducing environmental CO2 and hence limiting…
Circularity and sustainability are at the heart of the ethos behind Italian biomaterials innovator SQIM. Using only mycelium and fermentation the company creates low environmental impact, high value products for the interior design, fashion and automotive manufacturing sectors. Using a proprietary process developed in-house, the company creates fashionable and high quality interior surface panels for the…
With more than half the world population living with water scarcity and many water sources impacted by industry, agriculture and civic waste, the regeneration of water supplies has become an increasingly urgent need globally. So as part of the drive towards meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, Uplink presents the Tackling Water Pollution Challenge….
This year marks the twentieth anniversary of the incredible discovery of graphene. The elusive nano-material demonstrates astounding properties with applications including electronics, clothing, paints, healthcare and water purification. In particular graphene is actively being explored as a foundation for targeted therapeutics and implantable devices and sensors. Collaborations between industry and research groups have been forging…
A spinoff company from the Australian National University plans to shake up the garment industry with recycling of polyester, a commonly used fabric derived from petrochemicals. Now with fresh funding of AUD $100 million, the company is building up a family of biological catalysts with applications across a wide range of industries. Samsara Eco sprung…
