Vision Into Digital Era

Lyocell Fabric Lyocell is a type of rayon fabric that was first developed in the 1990s as a more sustainable alternative to viscose rayon. Unlike viscose, which is produced using toxic chemicals like carbon disulfide, lyocell is made from pulp using a closed-loop production process that results in less environmental impact. The raw material used is usually wood pulp from sustainable sources like farms and managed forests. The pulp is dissolved and extruded through a special spinneret process into a coagulating bath where it solidifies into fibers. Any chemicals used like organic solvents are recycled and reused multiple times before being recovered, minimizing waste. This gives cellulosic fibre a significantly lower environmental footprint than viscose. Properties and Uses of Lyocell Fabric One of the major advantages of lyocell is that it has properties similar to cotton but is more durable and low maintenance. The fabric is soft, breathable and highly absorbent. It dries quickly and

Active Protection Systems The first generation of active protection systems emerged in the 1980s to defend against anti-tank guided missiles and rockets. Early systems like Drozd and Arena relied on radar detection and hard-kill methods like shotgun shells or directed charges to destroy incoming projectiles before impact. While effective against primitive guided weapons of that era, the systems were bulky, power-hungry and had limited coverage arcs. Advancements in threat technologies outpaced improvements in active protection. By the late 1990s and 2000s, a new generation of active shields began development. Led by Israeli firms Rafael and IMI, soft-kill systems gained prominence. Instead of direct destruction, they utilised optical sensors, powerful computers and soft-kill strategies like smoke screens or electric fields to decoy, dazzle or misdirect threats away from the protected asset. Recent examples include the Trophy system on Merkava tanks and Iron Fist for armoured vehicles.

Europe Pet Furniture The European pet furniture has seen significant growth over the past decade, driven by rising pet ownership across the continent. An increasingly pet-friendly culture and trends towards small-space living have boosted demand for high-quality, stylish furniture designed specifically for pets. Pet Ownership on the Rise According to recent surveys, over 60% of European households now own a pet, with dogs and cats remaining the most popular. Younger millennials in particular are more likely to share their homes with a furry companion than previous generations. As larger numbers of people choose to own pets, related goods and services has expanded rapidly to meet their needs. Small Spaces Require Smart Solutions In densely populated European cities, many residents live in small apartments or flats with limited floor space. This has led to demand for multifunctional, space-saving pet furniture that can seamlessly integrate into domestic interiors. Products like combinati

Amphibious Vehicle Amphibious vehicles, also known as amtracs, have been around for over a century but recent advancements in technology are positioning them to transform transportation globally. With the ability to travel on both land and water, amphibious vehicles have the potential to revolutionize how people and goods are transported. Design and Functionality Amphibious vehicles have sophisticated designs that allow them to seamlessly transition between traveling on roads and navigating bodies of water. At their core is a watertight hull made from strong, lightweight materials like aluminum alloys. This hull is shaped to displace water efficiently for flotation. Large, balloon-type tires are used on land for maximum traction and maneuverability. When entering water, wheels or tracks retract or are sealed while propellers or water jets engage to power through waves. Sophisticated electronics precisely coordinate these transformations for a smooth transition. On the road, Amphibious

Sustainable Aviation Fuel Sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) refers to non-petroleum based jet fuels that are produced from sustainable biomass and waste resources. SAF is designed to closely mimic conventional jet fuel in terms of performance, yet offer a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions over their lifecycle compared to conventional jet fuel. Some examples of potential sustainable feedstocks for SAF include used cooking oil, animal fats, algae, and plant-based sources like camelina and jatropha. Through various refining processes, these sustainable feedstocks can be transformed into synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK) and hydroprocessed esters and fatty acids (HEFA) which have chemical compositions very similar to traditional petroleum-derived jet fuel. Producing SAF There are currently two dominant production pathways for making SAF that have been approved for commercial use. The most established route is the HEFA pathway which involves hydrotreating and deoxygenating s

Plant-Based Meat One of the major driving forces behind the rise of plant based meats is people's growing concerns for their health and the environment. Many studies have shown that red and processed meat consumption is linked to various health issues like heart disease and certain types of cancer. By choosing plant based meat alternatives, people can avoid these potential risks while still enjoying foods like burgers, sausages and meatballs. Plant-based meats are typically lower in fat, cholesterol and calories compared to their animal-based counterparts. They also provide fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that meat lacks. From an environmental perspective, producing plant based meat requires less land and water use, and generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions than livestock farming. Cattle grazing and manure handling account for significant methane emissions that contribute to global warming. Switching to plant-based options can help reduce our carbon footprint. These h

Parp Inhibitor Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerases or PARPs are a family of enzymes that play an important role in DNA repair. When DNA is damaged, PARPs work to attach ADP-ribose units to various acceptor proteins involved in DNA repair. This process is called poly-ADP ribosylation and helps recruit DNA repair proteins to the damage site. PARP1 and PARP2 are the main enzymes targeted by Polymerase inhibitors. By inhibiting the activity of PARPs, especially PARP1 and PARP2, Polymerase inhibitors block the DNA repair mechanism known as base excision repair (BER). BER is one of the primary pathways cells use to repair single-strand DNA breaks which occur frequently due to endogenous and exogenous DNA damaging agents. Without functioning BER, single-strand DNA damage is left unrepaired and can eventually lead to double-strand DNA breaks during DNA replication. Double-strand breaks are extremely toxic to cells and must be repaired through homologous recombination repair (HRR). Cancer cells that

Carbon capture and storage (CCS) Carbon capture and storage (CCS) refers to a set of technologies that can greatly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from large point sources, such as coal and gas power plants, by capturing the CO2 produced from the fuel source and storing it in places where it will not enter the atmosphere. With widespread development and deployment, CCS has the potential to play an important role in addressing climate change by reducing CO2 emissions from fossil fuels. The CCS Process The typical CCS process consists of the following three stages: Capture - The CO2 is separated from industrial and energy-related sources, primarily from the flue gases from power generation and industrial processes. The most common capture technologies are post-combustion, pre-combustion and oxy-fuel combustion. These processes are still under development with the goal of improving efficiency and reducing costs. Transport - Once captured, Carbon Capture and Storage is compressed to

Biotechnology Instruments Advancements in the field of biotechnology over the past few decades have been catalyzed by the emergence of powerful and precise instruments that allow researchers to analyze, visualize and engineer biological molecules and systems at the molecular level with unprecedented accuracy and sensitivity. From microscopes and centrifuges to DNA sequencers and biosensors, modern biotechnology relies on a diverse array of instruments that empower scientists to push the boundaries of biological discovery and applications. Light Microscopes & Electron Microscopes For Nanoscale Visualization The light microscope and electron microscope are indispensable tools that have revolutionized our ability to see structures and processes within cells that were previously invisible to the naked human eye. Light microscopy with fluorescence tags and dyes now allows visualization of dynamic subcellular events in real time at the level of organelles and vesicles. Electron microscop

Biopesticides Herbicides are certain types of pesticides derived from such natural materials as animals, plants, bacteria, and certain minerals. Containing natural enemies of pests, they are designed to control pests such as insects, weeds, nematodes and plant diseases, many of which can damage crops or transmit diseases. History of Biopesticide Development The use of herbicides has been occurring for hundreds of years. Farmers in ancient Sumeria, Egypt, China, and India controlled insect pests by applying plant-based pesticides. However, it wasn't until the 20th century that scientists began isolating and purifying constituents from plant and microbial sources, resulting in the development of the first commercial biopesticide products. By the 1940s, insect-killing fungi and bacteria were being investigated. This led to the registration of the first bioinsecticides in the 1950s and the first bioherbicides in the 1970s. Types of Biopesticides There are three major categories of Biop