Today's Tech News: Notable or Not?

https://phys.org/news/2025-11-cow-cells-defy-aging-door.html "tracked natural cell immortalization process for 500 days (240 generations): after 180 days (60 generations) became senescent, then after months of apparent inactivity, at 400 days spontaneous cell renewal through controlled pathway driven by natural telomerase/ PGC1α activation, resetting cell's biological clocks by extending chromosomal ends/ regenerating mitochondria... retained DNA repair capabilities/ no disruption of normal growth regulation... commercially viable, non-GM cell lines across various animal species"

https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1078779 "generative algorithms/ Python scripts craft intricate starch-based foods... graphene heaters cook food that retains intended shape/ quality... AI enables use by even computer novices... reduced contamination risks... tailors nutrition for specific needs (medical, restaurants)... merges technology/ culinary creativity... cross-disciplinary: user-centric design, mechanical engineering, food science, chemistry, AI... future: refine by examining the preservation of heat-sensitive vitamins and optimizing starch digestibility" Related: New technologies help wood-burning stoves burn more efficiently, produce less smoke https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1086529

https://phys.org/news/2024-01-greener-feasible-production-enzymatic-methods.html "enzyme choice, substrates, and conditions affect efficiency and quality of MAGs and DAGs, highlighting reaction media's role enhancing reaction homogeneity and product yield... becoming standard due to specificity, lower energy requirements, and ability to preserve sensitive components (healthier and more natural and sustainable emulsifiers and cooking oils, cosmetics" Related: Baylor's Swirl Burst injector achieves near-zero emissions and high efficiency with glycerol/ methanol blends, offering cost-effective solutions for sustainable energy https://news.web.baylor.edu/news/story/2024/baylor-engineers-unveil-breakthrough-ultra-clean-biofuel-technology Scientists engineer novel catalyst to upgrade biofuel byproduct into industrial resource https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1089884 Scientists design stable enzymes for non-natural reactions with near-natural efficiency https://phys....

https://phys.org/news/2023-12-electronic-soil-crop-growth.html "eSoil hydroponic electrically conductive cultivation substrate... barley seedlings grew up to 50% more in 15 days when roots stimulated electrically... seedlings process nitrogen more effectively, but it's not clear yet how the electrical stimulation impacts this process,... substrate made of cellulose, the most abundant biopolymer, mixed with a conductive polymer called PEDOT... very low energy consumption and no high voltage danger"

https://phys.org/news/2023-09-quantum-photosynthesis.html "Light-harvesting complex II pigment molecules switches between dissipating harmful excess light energy as heat through nonphotochemical quenching, and transferring absorbed light to reaction center with almost a unit efficiency under low light... accelerating transition increase photosynthetic efficiency, for example soybean yields, up to 33%... slight change at distance 5.6 Å allow reversible switching enables rapid response changes in light intensity, efficient photosynthesis and balanced photoprotection" Related: Molecular diversity and evolution of far-red light photosynthesis https://phys.org/news/2023-11-molecular-diversity-evolution-far-red-photosynthesis.html Scientists develop liquid metal-embraced photoactive films for artificial photosynthesis https://techxplore.com/news/2024-02-scientists-liquid-metal-embraced-photoactive.html Breakthrough in Artificial Photosynthesis for Sustainable Energy https://www.lif...

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/s-pore-may-be-first-to-try-food-with-microbe-based-protein "micro-organisms grow react with gases in bioreactors to make Solein... dried into powder 65 per cent to 70 per cent protein, contains nine essential amino acids... fibre, fats and other nutrientsSolein is produced using a process where a micro-organism is grown using carbon dioxide and renewable electricity. This allows its production to be unaffected by weather and climate conditions... protein powder grown in harsh environments such as deserts, spacecraft feed astronauts" Related:   Solar Foods receives novel food regulatory approval for a protein grown with CO2 and electricity https://solarfoods.com/solar-foods-receives-novel-food-regulatory-approval Embrace what may be the most important green technology ever. It could save us all https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/nov/24/green-technology-precision-fermentation-farming Solar Foods: Scientists of today, farmers of...

https://phys.org/news/2022-10-food-temperature-freshness-laser-induced-graphene.html "synthesizing graphene through local thermal reaction by irradiating laser on carbon-based eco-friendly paper substrate... sensor produced directly on substrate made of cellulose used for food packaging without additional processing... platform that can detect the state of food in continuous real time. Laser-induced graphene... allotropes of carbon like carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, and diamonds... electron mobility enables LIG to sense temperature and high specific surface area allows LIG to detect gas molecules" Related: Tiny pH sensor could be next-gen freshness predictor for packaged food https://techxplore.com/news/2023-03-tiny-ph-sensor-next-gen-freshness.html Researchers develop portable color-changing food spoilage sensor https://phys.org/news/2023-03-portable-color-changing-food-spoilage-sensor.html Natural-waste pads developed to keep packaged meat fresh https://phys.org/news/2023-0...

https://techxplore.com/news/2022-09-aims-consumption-food-production.html "recycle 90% of the production process water. This means that the brewery reduces its water consumption for beers and soft drinks from 2.7 to 1.4 liters per liter produced. In addition, the recycling plant reduces the brewery's energy consumption by 10% through own biogas production and recirculation of hot water. The treated water is used to clean process equipment, pipes, and packaging at the brewery and is not included in the production of beers and soft drinks" Related: HomeBiogas Launches the Booster Kit In the UK: Turning Waste to Energy In Cold Climate https://www.homebiogas.com/our-story/

https://phys.org/news/2022-06-carbon-dioxide-protein-animal.html "bioreactor," said Rowe. "This is the... same technology used to make enzymes... put into fermentation tank as gas... hydrogen added to serve as an energy source.. .After cellular process  complete, protein dried into powder... ingredient in sustainable animal feed... The Deep Branch process converts carbon dioxide into a powder, called Proton, which has around 70% protein content. This is much higher than natural soy, which has around 40%" Related: Review of technologies that boost potential for carbon dioxide conversion to useful products https://phys.org/news/2022-07-technologies-boost-potential-carbon-dioxide.html Researchers reveal elusive bottleneck holding back global effort to convert carbon dioxide waste into usable products https://phys.org/news/2024-02-reveal-elusive-bottleneck-global-effort.html Using byproducts from agricultural and food production to create sustainable feed for livestock ...

https://interestingengineering.com/nemos-garden-underwater-greenhouse-agriculture "utilize ocean's favorable environmental qualities like temperature stability, CO2 absorption, and natural pest control... More than hundred different plants taken root ranging from medicinal and aromatic herbs to food like salad greens, beans, and strawberries. They have not only successfully harvested a range of crops from the biospheres, but they have also determined that the plants produced in this environment were reportedly richer in nutritional content than those grown using traditional methods" Related: Engineers design solar roofs to harvest energy for greenhouses https://techxplore.com/news/2023-03-solar-roofs-harvest-energy-greenhouses.html Insolight's energy system protects crops while generating power, and it could transform the grid https://www.thecooldown.com/green-tech/insolight-agrivoltaics-sustainable-farming-plans-leuggern/

https://phys.org/news/2022-01-chinese-electroculture-theorized.html "in one of the plots were grown in an electric field. When the plants matured and produced new peas, the researchers found that those grown in the electric field produced approximately a fifth more product...  using a triboelectric nanogenerator powered by harvested energy from wind and rainfall... cost only US $40... may be some hesitancy by consumers worried about possible health impacts of the electric field on the crops"

https://www.empa.ch/web/s604/eq74-cellulose-coating-for-fruit "cellulose protective coating for fruit and vegetables... made from so-called pomace – squeezed fruit and vegetable peels... banana and cucumber shelf life was extended by more than a week... possibility of adding additives such as vitamins or antioxidants... plastic packaging on imported cucumbers... plastic wrapping accounts for only 1% of the environmental impact caused by production and transport... positive effect on the environment from less "food waste" is almost 5X higher than negative effect from packaging" Related: Researchers create coating solution for safer food storage https://phys.org/news/2024-02-coating-solution-safer-food-storage.html A new use for shellfish waste: Extending the shelf life of produce https://phys.org/news/2024-07-shellfish-shelf-life.html Chungnam National University researchers develop an edible biofilm for extending fruit shelf life https://www.eurekalert.org/news-rele...

https://www.ntu.edu.sg/news/detail/bacteria-killing-food-packaging-that-keeps-food-fresh "made from a type of corn protein called zein, starch and other naturally derived biopolymers, infused with a cocktail of natural antimicrobial compounds (see video). These include oil from thyme, a common herb used in cooking, and citric acid, which is commonly found in citrus fruits... stayed fresh for seven days before developing mould" Related: Shellac-based coating makes pulp materials suitable for food without use of petroleum-based polymers or metals https://phys.org/news/2023-02-shellac-based-coating-pulp-materials-suitable.html Tomato-residue-based lacquers to coat the inside of cans and food packaging https://techxplore.com/news/2023-03-tomato-residue-based-lacquers-coat-cans-food.html Recycled Polypropylene Shows Promise for Sustainable Food Packaging https://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=34013 Research improves formable cellulose-based food packaging to replace single-...

https://phys.org/news/2021-12-contamination-dairy-products-technology.html "can be adapted to detect the most common food pathogens and is also expected to be effective for use with other foods and beverages... The test works by printing the inner surface of a container with a tasteless, food-safe patch that repels everything but the target organisms, using a biosensor that triggers a change in the patch when such organisms are detected... can detect even trace amounts of the bacterium... can be read, either visually or with a scanner, without opening the package" Related: Successful optical biosensing using dual optical combs: High sensitivity and rapid detection of biomolecules https://phys.org/news/2023-09-successful-optical-biosensing-dual-high.html

https://www.gonzagabulletin.com/arts_and_entertainment/chomper-cricket-foods-diversifies-protein-options/article_fe1e7404-45d7-11ec-a41c-33e1aa1978da.html "more efficient at converting feed into what you can eat from them... requires far fewer natural resources to be raised than other animals used for food... one gallon of water to produce one pound of crickets, compared to the 1,800 gallons required to produce 1 pound of beef or the 260 gallons needed to produce one pound of soybeans" Related: How North America's largest cricket farm Harvests 50 million a week https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yzn0sRH_4Qc Entomo Farms Organic Cricket Powder │454 (16 oz) Bag │ Pure Canadian Cricket Flour | Complete Protein | Whole Food, 100% Ground Crickets, No Fillers, Gluten-Free, Paleo & Keto Diet $49  https://www.amazon.com/Entomo-Farms-Canadian-Complete-Gluten-Free/dp/B01CDYYBTQ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8&th=1 WVU researchers determine nutritional properties of protein...

http://pr.euractiv.com/pr/new-sensor-uses-photonics-spot-killer-fruit-veg-222777 "50 to 100 times quicker than existing technologies... uses laser light to detect chemical or biological analytes. Called a plasmo-photonic bimodal multiplexing sensor, the system can spot bacteria or pesticides label-free, without having to use chemicals or dyes as a marker... Everything is done on a single chip – we are working to detect seven different analytes simultaneously" Related: Nanoparticles made from plant viruses could be farmers' new ally in pest control https://phys.org/news/2023-09-nanoparticles-viruses-farmers-ally-pest.html

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3154359/chinese-scientists-hail-breakthrough-could-produce-large "process uses tail gas containing carbon monoxide and dioxide... to create a synthesised cell protein called Clostridium autoethanogenum... the gases go through a series of processes including fermentation, oxidation, distillation and dehydration that converts the nitrogen and carbon into organic material... natural synthesis of proteins... is slow and inefficient, resulting in a low protein content... new process can overcome these barriers and produce a high-protein material in just 22 seconds" Related: Dual-atom platinum–ruthenium catalyst achieves efficient low-temperature CO oxidation https://phys.org/news/2026-02-dual-atom-platinumruthenium-catalyst-efficient.html

https://vtx.vt.edu/articles/2021/09/cals-powered-food-waste.html "uses highly tunable, abundant, and cost-effective raw materials... waste-derived carbon materials as the host for metal anodes could significantly reduce alkali metal usage per battery... can modify the composition of the food... could take the proteins and lipids out, along with some of the minerals, to see how it impacts battery performance... the essential compounds of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin after thermal treatment could sufficiently work for a battery" See also:  Healable carbon fiber composite offers path to long-lasting, sustainable materials https://www.me.washington.edu/news/article/2021-11-03/healable-carbon-fiber-composite Related: Here’s how food waste can generate clean energy https://www.happetizo.com/2022/03/heres-how-food-waste-can-generate-clean Study proposes profitable ways to repurpose industrial waste https://news.osu.edu/spinning-food-processing-waste-into-gold/ New method ex...

https://solarfoods.fi/ The production process for Solein is disconnected from agriculture, climate and weather. It does not require irrigation systems, pesticides, fertilisation or animals, and can be produced in space. A single microbe is fermented using hydrogen (electrolyzed from water), carbon dioxide and small amounts of trace elements. NASA and the Canadian Space Agency CSA have jointly recognised Solar Foods' technology as a game-changer. Related: Steaks out of thin air: start-up company makes protein from carbon dioxide, organism, and water https://www.sciencetimes.com/articles/36120/20220215/steaks-out-thin-air-start-up-company-making-protein-carbon.htm “Microbial Protein” – Fungi-based meat alternatives can help save earth’s forests https://scitechdaily.com/microbial-protein-fungi-based-meat-alternatives-can-help-save-earths-forests/ Ocean organism could be key to animal-free meat https://www.azocleantech.com/news.aspx?newsID=31644 Eco-friendly burgers: substituting beef...

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/technology-58709069 "Barley in a greenhouse... it's not food for us, it's not food for animals... this grass is a host. It's been genetically modified to carry a special protein called a growth factor in its seeds... These seeds are harvested, milled, and purified, and the resulting growth factor protein can be used to help produce... meat, in a lab, without the animals... less land, less energy, and less harmful waste...although the first ever growth factors came from animals, it's hoped that this barley plant method will be cheaper and scalable" Related: 3D-printed steak, anyone? I taste test this ‘gamechanging’ meat mimic https://www.theguardian.com/food/2021/nov/16/3d-printed-steak-taste-test-meat-mimic World’s largest lab-grown steak unveiled by Israeli firm https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/08/worlds-largest-lab-grown-steak-unveiled-by-israeli-firm Valio and VTT researching future food production using cellular ...