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An inkjet printer for your skin
Spotted: Procter and Gamble Ventures, the R&D studio that is part of Proctor and Gamble, has developed a device capable of ‘printing’ mineral pigments onto your skin. The device, called the Opté...
View ArticleFiltration system uses sound waves to remove microplastics
Spotted: New studies have found microplastics – minuscule particles of plastic that are shed by synthetics fabrics and other materials – in virtually every body of water on earth. While filters can...
View ArticleEco-friendly sneakers inspired by bamboo-knitting
Spotted: In his first venture into footwear design, architect Kengo Kuma collaborated with the Japanese sports brand, Asics, to create a trainer that draws on the craft of bamboo knitting. The...
View ArticleJapanese town close to hitting zero-waste status
Spotted: Many cities talk about eventually reaching a zero-waste status, but Kamikatsu, a small town of around 1,400 people located in southwestern Japan, will become the country’s first zero-waste...
View ArticlePlans for a hydrogen-powered city of the future
Spotted: At the annual Consumer Electronics Show, Toyota revealed plans to build a prototype hydrogen-powered city of the future, on a 175-acre site at the base of Mt. Fuji. Named the “Woven City,” it...
View ArticleJapanese students use flies to recycle food
Spotted: A group of University of Tokyo students have developed a new method for recycling food waste. The students were inspired by a trip to Phenom Penh, where they noticed a large amount of garbage...
View ArticleNursing home patients use VR to ‘travel’ and bolster spirits
Spotted: Kenta Toshima, a researcher at the University of Tokyo’s Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology Inami-Hiyama Laboratory, has developed VR technology that allows elderly and...
View ArticleWater-resistant and biodegradable plant-based plastic
Spotted: The marine life in our oceans is choking on plastic. There are now said to be 46,000 pieces of plastic in every square mile of the ocean – and the total is increasing by around 8 million...
View ArticleJapanese bullet trains to carry freight in response to COVID-19
Spotted: Japan’s high-speed rail, the shinkansen, opened in 1964. Up to now, the bullet trains have only carried passengers; while using the trains for freight has long been mooted, the extra costs...
View ArticleSustainable handbags that consumers assemble at home
Spotted: Japanese studio, Nendo, has designed a collection of handbags for the startup Italian online platform, Up To You Anthology, which customers can self-assemble at home. Each bag in the Mai...
View ArticleAntiviral surface coating provides additional protection
Spotted: Japan’s Nippon Paint and the US-based technology company, Corning Inc., have teamed up and developed a coating designed specifically for frontline hospital use. Both companies share the aim...
View ArticleJapanese onsen bath experience becomes virtual
Spotted: Since quarantine rules have been put in place in Japan, onsen and sento public baths have lost the majority of their customer base. Arima Onsen and Kosugiyu are amongst those public baths...
View ArticleInflatable scooter fits in a backpack
Spotted: As public transportation systems around the world are disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, people are using bikes, e-bikes and scooters to get to work. For those living in small spaces,...
View ArticleAR-powered tool supports cosmetic companies during COVID-19
Spotted: The Chinese beauty tech company, Meitu, has launched a free augmented reality (AR) makeup trial system to help cosmetic companies overcome difficulties caused by COVID-19. The Cosmetic...
View ArticleUniversity live streams surgeries in VR for immersive distance learning
Spotted: While nothing can replace the hands-on experience of operating theatre training, Tokyo Women’s Medical University (TWMU) is providing the next best thing. Students can now observe surgeries...
View ArticleSmart face mask connects to phones for remote calling and texting
Spotted: The Japanese startup Donut Robotics has unveiled a smart face mask that connects to smartphones. Dubbed the “C-Mask,” it allows users to make calls remotely without speaking directly into...
View ArticleBlockchain recruiting platform targets remote engineers
Spotted: One thing that has come out loud and clear during the COVID-19 pandemic is that, for many types of jobs, employees can be located anywhere in the world. This could end up solving a lot of...
View ArticleStopping the spread of fake news through photographs
Spotted: The term “fake news” is common parlance in an era where most people find their news stories online. A major contributor to the spreading of fake news is photography, which can be used to...
View ArticleWooden scooter lends a warmer feel to mobility
Spotted: Japanese designer Mikiya Kobayashi looks for uniqueness in minimal shapes and natural materials. He has recently created an electric scooter, dubbed ILY-Ai, the body of which is sculpted from...
View ArticleBioplastic formulated to withstand intense heat
Spotted: As plastics made from petroleum products are increasingly seen as unsustainable, we have seen a big move towards the development and use of bioplastics. These include products made from...
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