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Top 65 Science Ideas in August

From Animal-Mimicking Robots to AI Beer Breweries

— August 28, 2016 — Tech
From all-terrain robots that help researchers understand living organisms to beer brewed using artificial intelligence, the August 2016 science trends demonstrate that there are no limits to scientific innovation.

Some of the most interesting scientific research currently underway has to do with animals. Indeed, researchers are not only looking for ways to protect different species, but also to recreate their movements and behaviors using man-made materials. Some examples of scientific projects related to animals include protective penguin prosthetics, underwater shark sonograms and 3D-printed robot salamanders.

Beyond the animal kingdom, the August 2016 science trends also reveal that there is a great deal of scientific research being done on food and beverages. For instance, researchers have now managed to grow plants on Martian soil that are safe for human consumption. The IntelligentX Brewing Company is also carrying out an interesting project that involves using information collected via a Facebook Messenger bot to brew different types of beer.
5.9
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
65
Edible Galactic Plants
Edible Galactic Plants
These Martian Soil Vegetables are Deemed Safe to Eat
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64
Space Junk Cleaners
Space Junk Cleaners
The RemoveDEBRIS Mission Aims to Beautify Outer Space
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63
Atmosphere-Sensing Beacons
Atmosphere-Sensing Beacons
This Sensor Beacon Can Measure Temperature and Humidity
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62
Human Cell Microchips
Human Cell Microchips
The 'iCHIP' Offers a Cruelty-Free Alternative to Animal Testing
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61
First-Ever Shark Sonograms
First-Ever Shark Sonograms
This Underwater Sonogram Captures a Pregnant Tiger Shark
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60
Augmented Reality Sandboxes
Augmented Reality Sandboxes
This Virtual Sandbox Simulates Real Movements of Sand and Water
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59
Advanced Underwater Microscopes
Advanced Underwater Microscopes
This Contraption Can Observe Crucial Coral and Marine Processes
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58
Whale-Tracking Buoys
Whale-Tracking Buoys
This Acoustic Monitoring Buoy Studies Endangered Whale Behavior
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57
Automated Wheelchair Training Systems
Automated Wheelchair Training Systems
BAE Systems' Novel Indoor System Helps Paralympians Train
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56
Energy-Directing Installations
Energy-Directing Installations
Nissan's Energy Storage System Sends Battery Power to Data Centers
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55
Scientific Art Projects
Scientific Art Projects
The 'Red Silk of Fate' Creators Made a Mythological Material in Real Life
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54
Explosion-Evading Robots
Explosion-Evading Robots
This Industrial Robot is Designed For Use In Gas-Filled Environments
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53
Portable Phenotyping Carts
Portable Phenotyping Carts
The Phenocart's Sensors Enable It to Monitor Plant Health
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52
Sustainable Vitamin Batteries
Sustainable Vitamin Batteries
The New Concept from Harvard Scientists Stores Energy Using Vitamins
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51
AI Olympic Partnerships
AI Olympic Partnerships
Brain.fm Has Partnered With Team USA to Improve Rio Performance
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50
Space Simulation Games
Space Simulation Games
The Kerbal Space Program Game Simulates Space Travel and Exploration
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49
Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes
Genetically Engineered Mosquitoes
The Mosquitoes Created by This Lab Prevent Egg-Laying
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48
Electricity-Generating Urinals
Electricity-Generating Urinals
These Outdoor Public Urinals Use Urine to Create Power
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47
Connected Combat Harnesses
Connected Combat Harnesses
The Broadsword Spine Offers Electronic Connectivity to Soldiers
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46
Heart-Surgery Harpoons
Heart-Surgery Harpoons
This Surgical Device Allows For Speedy Recovery After Heart Surgeries
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45
Outerspace Time Capsules
Outerspace Time Capsules
'Voices of Humanity' Gives Anyone the Chance to Send Something Into Space
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44
Data-Driven Medicines
Data-Driven Medicines
'Smart Sutures' Can Collect and Send Data About Patient Recovery
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43
Autonomous Diagnostic Tools
Autonomous Diagnostic Tools
The Vitaliti Devices Can Be Used to Diagnose Chronic Conditions
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42
Genetically-Tested Couple Chemistries
Genetically-Tested Couple Chemistries
Instant Chemistry Validates a Pair's DNA Compatibility
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41
Laser-Cutting 3D Printer
Laser-Cutting 3D Printer
This Desktop 3D Printer Offers Laser-Cutting and CNC Mill Functionality
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40
Programmable Vaccines
Programmable Vaccines
MIT Researchers Have Designed a Vaccine That Can Be Programmed
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39
Atomic Data Storage Systems
Atomic Data Storage Systems
TU Delft's Technology Stores 500 Times More Data Than Any Other Drive
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38
Interplanetary Balloon Gliders
Interplanetary Balloon Gliders
The NASA-Funded 'Titan Winged Aerobot' Can Glide Over Saturn's Moon
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37
Origami-Inspired Bio-Batteries
Origami-Inspired Bio-Batteries
Researchers Developed a Battery That Runs on Bacteria In Water
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36
Regenerative Tooth Fillings
Regenerative Tooth Fillings
These Stem Cell Fillings Could Replace Painful Root Canal Surgery
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35
Martian Mushroom Farm Concepts
Martian Mushroom Farm Concepts
This Star Trek-Inspired Contraption Explores Food-Growing In Mars
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34
Animal-Mimicking Robots
Animal-Mimicking Robots
The 'MuddyBot' is an All-Terrain Robot that Mimics a Mudskipper
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33
Bottomless Wine Devices
Bottomless Wine Devices
This New Technology Lets Scientists Create Endless Sources of Wine
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32
Mind-Controlled Drones
Mind-Controlled Drones
This Setup Lets Users Control Swarms Of Drones Using Their Mind
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31
LEGO-Like Scientific Tools
LEGO-Like Scientific Tools
'MECs' Let Scientists Custom-Build Unique Tools from Scratch
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30
Condom-Made Sportswear
Condom-Made Sportswear
SKYN Condoms and Sid Lee Used Condom Material to Develop a Jumpsuit
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29
Sustainable Cultured Meats
Sustainable Cultured Meats
SuperMeat Plans to Grow Chicken Meat Without Killing One Animal
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28
Protective Penguin Prosthetics
Protective Penguin Prosthetics
This 3D-Printed Prosthetic is Helping a Disabled Penguin Walk Again
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27
Pain-Relieving Robotic Gloves
Pain-Relieving Robotic Gloves
NASA Created a Useful Tool Glove That Reduces Stress on Workers
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26
3D Galactic Maps
3D Galactic Maps
'BOSS' is a 3D Scan of One-Quarter of the Universe
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25
Futuristic Biohybrid Robots
Futuristic Biohybrid Robots
Case Western Reserve University's Bot Uses Muscles from a Sea Slug
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24
Oceanic Trash-Trapping Contraptions
Oceanic Trash-Trapping Contraptions
The Ocean Cleanup Project's Prototype Captures Ocean Trash
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23
AR Helicopter Headsets
AR Helicopter Headsets
This Augmented Reality Headset Helps Pilots See Through Clouds
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22
3D-Printed Jaw Prosthetics
3D-Printed Jaw Prosthetics
This Doctor Created a Lightweight 3D Prosthetic for a Cancer Survivor
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21
Emissions-Preventing Stones
Emissions-Preventing Stones
The CarbFix Project is an Endeavor in Carbon Dioxide Storage
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20
Child-Friendly Balloon IVs
Child-Friendly Balloon IVs
The Infusion Balloon Provides an Inviting Design to Intravenous Therapy
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19
Luxury T-Rex Skeletons
Luxury T-Rex Skeletons
Therpopod Expeditions Puts History In the Home with Multi-Million Models
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18
Bread-Based Airplane Insulation
Bread-Based Airplane Insulation
A Chinese Lab has Created 'Carbon Foam' from Burning Bread
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17
Endurant Combat Submersibles
Endurant Combat Submersibles
These Submersibles Can Manage Greater Depths and Distances
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16
Communicative Plant Contraptions
Communicative Plant Contraptions
The Phytl Signs Device Can Decipher Plant Communication Signals
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15
Microscopic Arcade Games
Microscopic Arcade Games
This Scientific Game Makes Micro-Organisms Go Through a Pac-Man Maze
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14
Compact Bluetooth Beacons
Compact Bluetooth Beacons
The Puck.js Beacon Lets You Create Internet of Things Projects
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13
Superpowered Radio Telescopes
Superpowered Radio Telescopes
The 'SKA' Has Revealed Over 1,200 Previously Undiscovered Galaxies
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12
Sleep-Inspired Workouts
Sleep-Inspired Workouts
NordicTrack is Partnering with iFit for Workouts Based on Sleep Patterns
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11
Mind-Controlled Drones
Mind-Controlled Drones
New Research Will Let Users Control Multiple Drones with Their Thoughts
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10
AI Beer Breweries
AI Beer Breweries
Artificial Intelligence is Now Being Used to Craft the Perfect Beer
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9
Aerodynamic Cycling Bodysuits
Aerodynamic Cycling Bodysuits
3D Printing and Wind Tunnel Technology Was Used for This Bodysuit
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8
Weight Loss Eyeglasses
Weight Loss Eyeglasses
These 3D-Printed Glasses Monitor Use of the Chewing Muscles
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7
Printed Robot Salamanders
Printed Robot Salamanders
Thsi 3D-Printed Animal Replicates the Movements of an Amphibian
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6
Bacteria-Balancing Kits
Bacteria-Balancing Kits
This Skin Flora Kit Allows Women to Wear Probiotics in the Form of Pads
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5
Artificial Memory Implants
Artificial Memory Implants
'Neurofeedback' Allows False Memories to Be Added to the Brain
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4
Gigantic Nomadic Farms
Gigantic Nomadic Farms
The Desertscraper Revitalizes Arid Desert as It Rolls Across It
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3
Minesweeping Hexacopter Drones
Minesweeping Hexacopter Drones
The Kafon Drone Can Clear Minefields With Unprecedented Accuracy
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2
AI Colorization Software
AI Colorization Software
'Algorithmia' Uses Deep Learning to Colorize Black and White Photos
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1
Self-Powered Trolleybus Gardens
Self-Powered Trolleybus Gardens
This Piezoelectric Architecture Merges Design & Sustainability
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