English हिन्दी
Connect with us

Gadgets

Bionic mushroom that produces electricity created by team of scientists, 2 of Indian origin

Published

on

Bionic mushroom that produces electricity created by team of scientists, 2 of Indian origin

A team of researchers at Stevens Institute of Technology, Manu Mannoor, Sudeep Joshi and Ellexis Cook have engineered an artificial symbiosis between button mushrooms and cyanobacteriato produce electricity.

The scientists used 3D printing to attach clusters of energy-producing bugs to the cap of a button mushroom.

The fungus provided the ideal environment to allow the cyanobacteria to generate a small amount of power.

The authors say their fossil-free “bionic mushroom” could have great potential.

As researchers the world over search for alternative energy sources, there has been a sharp rise in interest in cyanobacteria, said a BBC report. These organisms, widely found in the oceans and on land, are being investigated for their abilities to turn sunlight into electrical current.

One big problem is that they do not survive long enough on artificial surfaces to be able to deliver on their power potential.That’s where the humble button mushroom comes in.The fungi provide the bacteria with viable surface on which to grow as well as nutrients to stay alive.

This fertile fungus is already home to many other forms of bacterial life, providing an attractive array of nutrients, moisture and temperature. The researchers developed a clever method of marrying the mushroom to the sparky bugs.

Using a special bio-ink, the team printed the bacteria on the cap of the mushroom in a spiral pattern. They had previously used an electronic ink to embed graphene nano-ribbons on to the surface of the fungus to collect the current.

Shining a light on the structure activated the bacteria’s ability to photosynthesise, and as the cells harvested this glow they generated a small amount of electricity known as a “photocurrent”.

“We are looking to connect all the mushrooms in series, in an array, and we are also looking to pack more bacteria together,” Sudeep Joshi was quoted as saying by BBC.

“These are the next steps, to optimise the bio-currents, to generate more electricity, to power a small LED,” he said.

The researchers believe that the idea could have potential as a renewable energy source.

“Right now we are using cyanobacteria from the pond, but you can genetically engineer them and you can change their molecules to produce higher photo currents, via photosynthesis,” said Sudeep Joshi.

“It’s a new start; we call it engineered symbiosis. If we do more research in this we can really push this field forward to have some type of effective green technology,” BBC quoted him as saying.

The study has been published in the journal Nano Letters.

Gadgets

Vivo T4 5G likely to launch in April: Expected price, features and specifications revealed

Vivo is reportedly planning to launch the T4 5G in India by April 2025. Expected to offer a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 processor, 7,300mAh battery, and up to 12GB RAM, it aims to build on the success of the T3 5G.

Published

on

Vivo T4 5G expected to launch in India with new features

Vivo is gearing up to launch its next mid-range smartphone, the Vivo T4 5G, in India. According to recent reports citing a known tipster, the device could make its debut as early as April 2025, succeeding the Vivo T3 5G which was introduced in March last year. While the brand is yet to make an official announcement, early details have surfaced highlighting the expected pricing, specifications, and key upgrades.

Vivo T4 5G expected price and variants

The upcoming Vivo T4 5G is expected to fall in the Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 price bracket. The smartphone is likely to be available in three configurations:

  • 8GB RAM + 128GB storage
  • 8GB RAM + 256GB storage
  • 12GB RAM + 256GB storage

For reference, the Vivo T3 5G was launched at Rs 19,999 for the base 8GB + 128GB model and Rs 21,999 for the 8GB + 256GB variant. The addition of a higher 12GB RAM option suggests Vivo may be targeting power users this time around.

Key specifications and upgrades expected in Vivo T4 5G

The Vivo T4 5G is rumored to feature a 6.67-inch full-HD+ AMOLED quad-curved display with a 120Hz refresh rate, promising a premium viewing experience. It may run on Android 15-based Funtouch OS 15 and could be powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset.

In terms of photography, the device is tipped to sport a 50MP Sony IMX882 primary camera with OIS, along with a 2MP secondary sensor. The front camera is expected to be a 32MP shooter, aimed at enhancing selfie performance.

One of the notable upgrades could be the inclusion of a 7,300mAh battery with 90W wired fast charging support, which would be a significant step up in battery capacity and charging speed for the segment. Additional features may include an in-display fingerprint sensor, IR blaster, and a sleek 8.1mm profile with a weight of 195g.

With the launch likely around the corner, more details are expected to be revealed by Vivo in the coming weeks.

Continue Reading

Gadgets

iQOO Z10 with 7300mAh battery to launch in India on April 11

iQOO has confirmed the launch of Z10 in India on April 11, featuring a 7300mAh battery, which it claims is the biggest ever in the country.

Published

on

iQOO Z10 official teaser showing back panel with round camera housing

Vivo’s sub-brand iQOO has officially confirmed the launch date of its next smartphone for the Indian market, the iQOO Z10, which is set to make its debut on April 11, 2025. The highlight of this upcoming device is its massive 7300mAh battery, which the company claims is the largest ever in an Indian smartphone.

The brand took to social media to announce the Z10, highlighting it as a phone designed for “mega taskers,” aiming to deliver longer battery life for users with heavy usage patterns. This large battery makes it a significant upgrade over the iQOO Z9, which came with a 5,000mAh battery and 44W fast charging.

First look reveals a bold design change

Alongside the launch date announcement, iQOO also revealed the first official teaser image of the Z10. The teaser shows off a marble-like back panel in white and a round camera housing, a notable departure from previous iQOO designs, with some resemblance to Realme’s design aesthetics. More color variants are expected to be unveiled at the launch.

While detailed specifications remain under wraps for now, the Z10 is expected to follow in the footsteps of the Z9, which impressed users with its MediaTek Dimensity 7200 chipset, 50MP Sony IMX882 camera with OIS, and 120Hz AMOLED display.

A quick look back at iQOO Z9

The iQOO Z9 was launched at under ₹20,000 with notable features like:

  • 6.67-inch 120Hz AMOLED display
  • Dimensity 7200 SoC
  • 8GB RAM with up to 256GB storage
  • 50MP Sony IMX882 main camera with OIS
  • 5,000mAh battery with 44W fast charging
  • Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14

Following its launch, the Z9 series expanded with variants like the iQOO Z9x, Z9 Lite, Z9s, and Z9s Pro.

With the Z10, iQOO aims to set a new benchmark in battery performance, catering to a growing segment of users looking for ultra-long battery life without compromising on performance.

Continue Reading

Gadgets

Zepto launches quick delivery of iPhone, iPad, and Apple products in India

Zepto partners with Apple to provide 10-minute doorstep delivery of iPhones, iPads, AirPods, and more in select Indian locations, competing with Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart.

Published

on

Zepto now offers quick delivery of Apple products in India

Zepto, the quick commerce platform, has announced its partnership with Apple to offer doorstep delivery of iPhones, iPads, Apple Watches, AirPods, and other Apple accessories in India. The collaboration aims to provide instant access to premium Apple products, with deliveries promised in under 10 minutes.

Zepto expands Apple portfolio with latest devices

According to an official statement from Zepto, users in select locations can now order Apple’s recently launched iPhone 16E, AirPods 4, and the latest iPad models. The initiative aligns with the platform’s strategy to expand its electronics category, following its recent launch of quick deliveries for Vivo smartphones and Asus accessories in key Indian cities.

Speaking on the development, Abhimanyu Singh, Business Head of Electronics at Zepto, highlighted the growing demand for Apple products on the platform. He revealed that over one million users searched for Apple items in the past month, with a 35% month-on-month increase in searches.

Discounts, EMI offers, and availability

Zepto is offering various incentives, including launch discounts, no-cost EMI plans, and special offers on bank card payments. Customers can also avail of coupon-based and mobile wallet discounts to reduce costs further.

While the service is currently limited to select cities, it positions Zepto in direct competition with Blinkit and Swiggy Instamart, which also offer quick delivery of Apple products. Additionally, BigBasket has begun delivering iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus in partnership with Croma Electronics in cities like Bengaluru, Delhi NCR, and Mumbai.

Continue Reading

Trending

© Copyright 2022 APNLIVE.com