Being the first post on innovation, I thought what better to launch with, than to look back on some of the inventions that have shaken the world this year!? As we round up 2019, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the advances that have been made to tackle some of the key challenges facing the world today!
In this post, I review five top innovation technologies from 2019:
1. Advanced food packaging and tracking (Blockchain)
World population continues to grow and it is predicted that we are going to hit the 8 billion mark in the next five years! One key thing that poses a threat to this ever growing population is accessibility to nutritional food supply. Around a billion people are affected and food scarcity isn’t the only issue, food waste in the food industry proves to be a challenge too, with nearly half of the amount produced lost to waste
So, what is Block Chain and how is it being used to overcome these issues? Blockchain is simply a record of time-stamped digital information linked together- this information cannot be altered. A well known technology in cryptocurrency (Bitcoin), Blockchain has already attracted industry giants like Walmart and Unilever and is set to transform the food industry. Incorporating the use of sensor packaging methods, Blockchain will enable the monitoring and tracking of every step of a food item from farm-to-table, allowing details (e.g. source, weight, certifications) to be shared between many parties of the distribution network. In an instance where a food item needs to be recalled due to an outbreak for example, Blockchain could shorten the process to seconds from its current average time of up to a week - this could be significant in minimising the number of deaths associated with food poisoning! The in-depth tracking also allows the amount lost to waste at each step to be determined, enabling producers, farmers to make more informed decisions about the quantities to be planted.
2. Gut probe in a pill
This is simply a pill containing a miniature microscope attached to a stringlike tether which connects the pill to an imaging system.
Developed by a group researchers at MIT, it can be administered to patients to obtain images as it travels along the gut, requiring no need for the patient to be sedated. It can also be re-used! Swallowing a pill on its own can be a daunting experience for some, let alone one with a microscope attached to, however this has been confirmed to cause very little discomfort!
Why is it on this list?
This offers a far more time effective and accurate way of obtaining more precise images of the gut than ones obtained from current methods. It can be used in the treatment of many diseases; notably, this technology is anticipated to help in the treatment of an intestinal disease widespread among infants in lower income countries called EED (Environmental Enteric Dysfunction). Essentially, the take up of nutrients by the intestines is inadequate, causing developmental issues, stunted growth etc. Its treatment is limited as the cause is unknown. This enhanced image-detecting method offers the chance for it to be understood better allowing more accurate diagnoses. I also found quite fascinating that one of the co-inventors of this technology, Guillermo Tearney holds a degree in Applied Mathematics, Medicine and a PhD in Electrical Engineering! He should be called Mr STEM!
3. Waterless Toilets
These are toilets capable of treating the waste you produce on the spot! These toilets may not require the use of water and may even recover useful resources at the same time! It features on this the list as it offers the potential to solve a global challenge in its ability to curtail the spread of disease causing organisms such as bacteria, viruses. Particularly in areas which do not have established structures able to transport waste from their sources and the spread of in a safe and contamination proof way.
Thanks to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which took on this challenge and launched the “Re-invent the Toilet Challenge” a few years ago, we are now seeing a new generation of toilets which can treat waste without the use of a water source, electricity and also capable of recovering useful nutrients and energy with benefits extending even to areas where there are established adequate systems. Questions have been raised about affordability, particularly when you consider the population for which it is being developed. Also, current models will need to be adapted to different location sizes. If these can be overcome, the impact of these toilets could be far-reaching. Although, I imagine much fun was had by all involved in this!
4.AI
It wouldn't be a complete list without Artificial Intelligence, if only for the fact that it underpins some of the technologies mentioned in this post! It has been garnering even more attention this year, with talks of it potentially replacing humans or taking over mankind (I'll be discussing this in another post!). Regardless of your position on this subject, the increasing influence of AI on everyday life cannot be dismissed!
My favourite of the AI advances this year is in form of the robot hand (aka Dactyl) developed by Elon Musk’s Open AI. Robots tend to be built to perform specific tasks but this robot is notable for its ability to be able to handle and manipulate physical objects with a high level dexterity, essentially mimicking movements similar to the human hand. What’s unique about it is that it can adapt to different situations without having being previously taught to do so, a form of deep learning called re-inforced learning was used to achieve this. With this new ability of robots being able to perform a variety of real-world tasks, you could argue that another leap has been made to close the gap between AI and humans!
5. 54gene
Last but certainly not the least! 54gene is a health tech company founded this year by Dr Abasi Ene-Obong to build Africa’s first DNA Biobank - the 54 in the name signifying the number of African countries. What does this mean? Despite being the most genetically diverse continent, Africa’s DNA makes up less than 2% of global research material meaning that there is limited data available to effectively treat diseases disproportionately affecting Africans, for example sickle cell
54gene works with hospitals and research institutions in African countries to collect and build up genetic data which researchers can use to discover new medical solutions, and the benefits are beyond the African borders! With so much variation in the African gene and a potential to understand the human gene better, this proffers a significant advantage and possibly a monumental change to the global healthcare industry. I am sure this is not the only time 54gene will be featured on inSTEM!
Really interesting article, I’ll be using some of this for my interview!