Inspired by the micro-hook structure of the leaves on the catchweed plant, researchers at the Italian Institute of Technology have come up with the first ever prototype of biodegradable velcro which can be used in devices for monitoring and safeguarding the environment.

With the aid of artificial stem cells, it will soon be possible to establish new treatments for previously incurable diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease. At the Fraunhofer Project Center for Stem Cell Process Engineering SPT, a process for the mass production of these so called induced pluripotent stem cells is being developed.

Coinciding with the COP26 meeting, leading scientists have released the ten most important new insights on the climate. “The 10 New Insights in Climate Science” series is a horizon scan of the most pressing research findings and emerging scientific insights to help inform immediate and equitable transformations across sectors to preserve a safe and habitable planet.

Columbia Engineers invent software-controlled robotic lasers that cook food with unparalleled precision, retaining more moisture, and creating an entirely new, customized way to cook a tasty meal. Blind taste-testers even preferred laser-cooked meat to the conventionally cooked samples.

Russian scientists have succeeded in printing a system for the co-cultivation of living cells. They developed a special 3D-printing method to produce a low-cost and reliable system for cell cultivation.

Lab work can be tedious but even simple tasks are crucial and often contribute to saving lives. Due to the shortage of qualified staff, cobots could help laboratories cope with the workload and make the lab of the future a reality. German start-up company bAhead claims this can be done easily and at relatively low costs.

A new process developed by Germany researchers has resulted in programmable 3D printed structures. As a prototype the produced a forearm brace which adapts to the wearer and can be developed for medical applications.

Specialist of 3D cell-based assay technology Insphero, officially launched a pre-competitive consortium that brings together representatives from pharmaceutical companies engaged and invested in the development of cross-species drug testing and validation strategies for rapid, reliable drug-testing of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and translation to humans.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Ceramic Technologies and Systems IKTS has developed innovative “μPCR” laboratory modules to significantly accelerate the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid Covid-19 tests. Rapid temperature changes are required for the samples, which are made possible by a combination of ceramic 3D printing and applied electronics.

The new SP Hull Lyostar 4.0 R&D and process development freeze dryer from SP has been designed and built to enhance speed to market of biopharmaceutical products.