Researchers genetically engineer a way to control bacteria | Canada seeks leading role in quantum technology | Study: Aging infrastructure releases more nat gas than thought
 
January 27, 2015
Engineering Research and Development SmartBrief
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Innovation
Researchers genetically engineer a way to control bacteria
SEM of a cluster of E. coli bacteria
(Callista Images)
Genetic engineering that makes E.coli bacteria entirely dependent on synthetic amino acids to survive renders the bacteria unable to propagate beyond the laboratory or other controlled circumstances. Researchers at Harvard and Yale say the development could lead to industrial uses, allowing safe deployment of various modified bacteria in the wider environment as they would die off after they fulfill a mission, such as cleaning up an oil spill. The Washington Post (tiered subscription model) (1/21), National Public Radio/Shots blog (1/21)
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Canada seeks leading role in quantum technology
Canada aims to take the global lead in developing quantum technology and has launched the Canada First Research Excellence Fund in pursuit of that goal. The Globe and Mail (Toronto) (tiered subscription model) (1/21)
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Study: Aging infrastructure releases more nat gas than thought
About $90 million worth of natural gas escapes aging pipes and storage facilities each year in the Boston area, according to a study conducted by researchers at Harvard University's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. This amounts to 2.7% of the gas that is transported to the region -- considerably above the 1.1% that state and federal authorities estimated. The study could have implications for aging infrastructure in New England as well as for methane emissions throughout the country. WBUR-FM (Boston)/The Associated Press (1/22), The Boston Globe (tiered subscription model) (1/22)
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Energy Department to provide grants for vehicle design innovation
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz announced that the Energy Department will provide more than $55 million in new grant funding to help universities, researchers and companies develop advanced vehicle technology that helps improve fuel efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. The Hill (1/22)
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Hybrid electric airplanes are the future, says Boeing
Researchers at Cambridge University and Boeing recently completed a successful flight of the world's first parallel hybrid electric airplane, capable of recharging while it flies. Battery technology has been holding back hybrid development, but the new lithium-polymer batteries are making the technology viable for aviation. "Hybrid electric is one of several important elements of our research efforts, and we are learning more every day about the feasibility of these technologies and how they could be used in the future," said Marty Bradley of Boeing. CNET (1/20)
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Technology and Trends
SpaceX's Elon Musk is planning a "global communications system"
Elon Musk
Musk (Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Elon Musk, founder of Tesla Motors and SpaceX, plans to create a network of satellites that could deliver high-speed Internet to more than 3 billion people -- a "global communications system that would be larger than anything that has been talked about to date," he said. In related news, Google is closing in on a $1 billion investment in SpaceX that would value the company at more than $10 billion. Bloomberg Businessweek (1/16), The Wall Street Journal (tiered subscription model) (1/19)
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Telecom, energy sectors confident in cybersecurity readiness
Nearly two-thirds of executives surveyed in the telecom and energy industries say they are confident that their cybersecurity processes are optimal, a nine-nation survey from Cisco Systems has found. The study gave telecom companies high marks in security sophistication. However, researchers also found enterprises lacking in appropriate measures to close vulnerabilities. Light Reading (1/21), Network World/The Cisco Connection blog (1/21)
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Verizon expands 100G fiber network
Verizon Communications is expanding its 100G fiber network with recent deployments that added nearly 12,000 miles of infrastructure in the Asia-Pacific region. Meanwhile, analysts are speculating that Ciena and Cisco Systems will help build out Verizon's metropolitan Ethernet network. RCR Wireless News (1/21), Light Reading (1/20)
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Ford begins autonomous, connected vehicle research at Silicon Valley facility
Ford opened its autonomous and connected vehicle research facility in Silicon Valley on Thursday. The company said the research will focus on the integration of Big Data in new technology and mobilizing autonomous tech in new vehicle models. Ford said the facility will employ over 125 engineers, scientists and researchers by the end of the year. Channel NewsAsia (1/23), Los Angeles Times (tiered subscription model) (1/22)
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News Affecting Your Business
How to provide training without overspending
Companies should encourage peer training programs to avoid overspending on more formal training programs, Avi Singer writes. Also, they should consider creating a searchable, cloud-based training resource so new hires can work independently while finding answers to any questions they may have, Singer writes. Fast Company online (1/21)
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Don't rush innovation just because you can
Innovation is more affordable than ever, but that's leading many companies to rush products to market without doing due diligence, writes Scott Anthony, who describes his own failure to investigate before launching a product. Harvard Business Review online (tiered subscription model) (1/21)
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SmartQuote
Rough diamonds may sometimes be mistaken for worthless pebbles."
-- Thomas Browne,
English author
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