Even innovators in a booming field need a little help sometimes. That’s why health accelerator programs work to support medical technology startups by providing everything from financial capital to strategic guidance. In a review of industry practices, the California Healthcare Foundation has reported five ways to “maximize the value of healthcare accelerators” including providing access to healthcare professionals and making specialized connections in the marketplace.
Tag: Emerging Technologies
Meet the 16-Year-Old Einstein Who Found a New Way to Detect Cancer
Seems nobody told Jack Andraka that he was too young to invent a revolutionary fast, cheap and accurate early-detection test for pancreatic cancer. Oh that’s right. A whole bunch of scientists did. But that didn’t stop him from pursuing his invention, which uses a special kind of test strip paper, sort of like the kind diabetic use, to show the presence of a protein linked to cancer. He walked away with $75,000 for winning the grand prize at the 2012 Intel International Science and Engineering Fair and a really fun appearance on the Colbert Report. So no excuses. If you’ve got a great idea, don’t give up until the world sees it.
Improve Your Bike Commute by Re-Inventing the Wheel
Bicycling is a great option for an outdoor fitness routine, but even if you’re not training for a long ride or racking up miles on uphill climbs, you can still take part in the practical benefits of riding a bike. A bike commute, for example, helps you reduce your carbon footprint, save on gas money, and turns your commute into a workout, rather than a stressful ride through traffic. Some cyclists, especially commuters, are looking for a little extra boost in their ride, and while a few bikes come with small motors, the FlyKly Smart Wheel is a unique bike addition that has already raised four times as much money as its original Kickstarter goal. It’s designed to fit on almost any bicycle, and the motor, which takes two or three hours to completely charge, kicks in as a rider starts pedaling and cuts out upon stopping. The high-tech side of this product shows up in a mobile app that allows cyclists to lock the motor or track the bike if it gets stolen; it also lets riders set a top speed. It’ll even monitor the wheel and provide alerts when it’s time for maintenance.
Farmers’ Markets Around the Country Have Found Bitcoin’s Secret Good Side
At farmers’ markets, credit cards make transactions more convenient for customers who may not have cash on hand. But they’re not ideal for vendors, who have to forfeit a 3% transaction fee. Some farmers are therefore turning to the new digital currency, Bitcoin, which most people associate with online drug and weapon sales. Clinton Felsted from Provo, Utah, started using Bitcoin at his market and has enjoyed pocketing the 3% of each transaction he was previously losing. It might seem like a small fee, but for a “high-volume, low-profit” business like a farmers’ market, it accrues harshly. Bitcoin could make a significant difference in business, and aid the country’s growing local agriculture movement. Small businesses may especially benefit from Bitcoin: they’re young and nimble enough to take the risk of using a new currency.
Soon Your Phone Will Be Able to Control Sunlight Refraction Through the Windows
Sunlight that bounces off the side of a building is wasted energy. At least, that’s how researchers at the University of Cincinnati think of it. They’re designing thin fluid-filled cells that, when applied to windows, can refract sunlight in any desired direction. If implemented correctly, these cells could replace most if not all artificial lights in, say, a 10-story office building. Excess energy could also be stored as electricity and used for internal power or sold to utility companies. The whole process could be controlled on your smart phone: swipe your finger and the sun’s rays will follow.
Sunlight that bounces off the side of a building is wasted energy. At least, that’s how researchers at the University of Cincinnati think of it. They’re designing thin fluid-filled cells that, when applied to windows, can refract sunlight in any desired direction. If implemented correctly, these cells could replace most if not all artificial lights in, say, a 10-story office building. Excess energy could also be stored as electricity and used for internal power or sold to utility companies. The whole process could be controlled on your smart phone: swipe your finger and the sun’s rays will follow.
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Sunlight that bounces off the side of a building is wasted energy. At least, that’s how researchers at the University of Cincinnati think of it. They’re designing thin fluid-filled cells that, when applied to windows, can refract sunlight in any desired direction. If implemented correctly, these cells could replace most if not all artificial lights in, say, a 10-story office building. Excess energy could also be stored as electricity and used for internal power or sold to utility companies. The whole process could be controlled on your smart phone: swipe your finger and the sun’s rays will follow.