In Paris, the European Space Agency has 3D-printed Lego-shaped bricks from meteorite dust to evaluate the material’s potential for a lunar base construction material. The dust for the “Space Lego” was sourced from a 4.5 billion-year-old meteorite discovered in Africa over 20 years ago. ESA said the meteorite material is a stand-in for lunar […]
In Israel, startup Kokomodo aims to alleviate concerns over future supply of cacao, the source of cocoa for chocolate, by cultivating cocoa powder in bioreactors. Founded earlier this year by Tal Govrin, Kokomodo is a joint venture between The Kitchen FoodTech Hub and Tel Aviv-based Plantae Bioscience. Kokomodo’s process takes cells from select cacao beans […]
In New York, alternative leather company Uncaged Innovations has raised $5.6 million in a seed round. The funds will be used to support commercial launch and expand both production and staffing. The company uses proteins from grains and other biobased feedstocks to create fibers that mimic animal collagen in traditional leather. It has already partnered […]
In Japan, researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a concrete alternative from food waste, namely coffee grounds, banana peels, Chinese cabbage and orange skins. The material is made by drying and compressing the waste before mixing with water and “seasonings,” according to Yanko Design. The material is then further compressed in a mold […]
In Massachusetts, Foray Bioscience, a startup using plant cell culture to grow plant materials in a bioreactor, has raised $3 million in seed funding. Foray will use the funds to expand its predictive plant cell culture platform, launch product development engagements with select partners, and expand its Boston-based team. Foray’s goal is to grow plant […]
In Brussels, Syensqo has partnered with Allozymes, a Singaporean enzyme engineering start-up, to collaborate on biotechnology solutions for the home and personal care markets. The two companies will leverage Allozymes’ ultra-high throughput microfluidics platform for the engineering of enzymes and microbes. “By combining Allozymes technological capabilities with Syensqo’s application and market access expertise, we are […]
In Germany, chemical giant Dow has launched biobased ethylene propylene diene terpolymers, a rubber material category that is used in weatherseals and hoses for automotive, infrastructure and consumer applications. Trade-named NORDEL™ REN, EPDM is also appropriate for use in roofing membranes and wire and cable. “At Dow, we recognize the necessity to support our customers […]
In Massachusetts, lab supply giant Thermo Fisher Scientific is using plant-based materials for single use bioprocessing containers. Such BPCs are vital for developing and manufacturing biologic therapies. “Biopharma manufacturers are focused on maximizing productivity, accelerating time-to-market and generating efficiencies all while improving the overall sustainability of their operations,” Ray Mercier, president of Thermo Fisher’s single-use […]
In Japan, researchers at the University of Tokyo have developed a living robot capable of smiling in response to stimuli. The creepy, two-dimensional breakthrough came by growing skin on a humanoid robot. While such robots have been made before, the living portion was attached to the robotic portion in a way caused damage with skin […]
In Singapore, cultivated meat, leather, and cosmetics startup Cellivate Technologies has won the top prize in Channel News Asia’s business reality show, The Big Spark. The company will receive about $3.3 million in funding from venture capital firms, including Antler and Rigel-Farro Capital. “This experience of being on the show has been incredible,” founder Dr. […]
