This week we will investigate a cancer killing virus that has just commenced human clinical trials. We will discover a new type of muscle that has been developed for robots that will interact with humans. Finally we will look at battery advances that may one day power regional aircraft and a new Tesla battery that will last 100 years before needing replacement.
Cancer Killing Virus
Australian biotech, Imugene and City of Hope Cancer research center in Los Angeles have commenced the first human clinical trials for a cancer killing virus. The drug called CF33-hNIS (aka Vaxina) is an oncolytic virus. This is a genetically modified virus designed to selectively infect and kill cancer cells whilst ignoring other healthy cells.
The modified virus works by entering the cells and duplicating itself. Eventually the infected cell bursts. This releases thousand of new virus particles that act as antigens (a toxic or foreign substance that stimulates an immune response in the body). The antigens stimulate the immune system to attack nearby cancer cells.
Previous research has shown that oncolytic viruses can stimulate the immune system to respond to and kill cancer. They also stimulate the immune system to be more responsible to other types of immunotherapies. The first phase of the trial is focused on the safety and tolerability of the drug. 100 adults that have metastatic or advanced solid tumors who have tried at least two types of standard treatments will be administered the virus.
If the initial results are successful additional tests will investigate how the drug pairs with pembrolizumab, an existing antibody treatment already used in cancer immunotherapy. The trial is expected to take two years.
Artificial Muscle
Researchers at Jiaotong University in China have created a multifunctional artificial muscle in the lab. This is part of an effort to develop compatibility between soft robotics and humans for assisted movement and high load bearing capacity.
Most robots are used in industrial settings for high precision, sensor based, load bearing operations. Functional soft robots are being developed to improve the safety of human-machine interactions.
The team was inspired by the muscles, bones and nervous system of a range of mammals and other organisms. A combination of polydopamine coated liquid cry salt elastomer (LCE) and low melting point alloy (LMPA) in a concentric tube (or rod) was used. The outer layer of LCE was used to mimic reversible contraction and recovery of the muscle system. The LMPA was used to lock the system when needed (i.e. hold the muscle contraction) and to detect resistance mechanics in a similar way to bone and nerve functions.
The artificial muscle demonstrated a range of performance capabilities including bending and deformation to support heavy objects. They were also able to use the sensing functions to monitor the behavior of the muscle in real time based upon the changes in electrical resistance.
Battery Advances
Electric Planes
A team from the National Institute for Materials Science in Japan have developed a lithium-air battery with an energy density of more than 500 watt-hours per kilogram (Wh/kg). That is nearly double the energy density used in a current Tesla 3.
Lithium-air batteries have the potential to be lightweight and high capacity. Previous attempts at developing these batteries included inactive and heavy components that reduced their practical applications.
The team had previously developed new battery materials that significantly improved the performance of this type of battery. They have now developed a new technique to fabricate the high energy battery cells and created a new lithium-air battery by combining the new materials and fabrication techniques.
In addition to being the highest energy density battery the new battery also has a long life cycle and can be charged at room temperature. The 500Wh/kg is significant as that is regarded as the point where regional electric passenger aircraft become feasible. Other applications may include mobile phones and electric cars. All are applications where the weight of the battery becomes important.
100 Year Battery
A Canadian based research team at Tesla has developed a battery design that they believe could last for 100 years. Based at Dalhousie University in Halifax Canada and lead by Jeff Dahn, one of the pioneers of lithium battery technology the team has been working to increase the energy density and durability of the technology.
Current batteries are built using Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) chemistry. This solution has lower energy density than more widespread Lithium-Ion alternatives but it is cheaper, more durable and (allegedly) safer. Dahn’s team uses a Lithium, Nickel and Manganese (NMC532) based chemistry for their battery.
The team has been testing the battery cells since October 2017 and after 4.5 years of continuous cycling at room temperature have only seen a 5% degradation. This extrapolates to a 100 year lifespan or a 4 million mile battery before it needs replacement (operation at higher and lower temperatures will affect this level of performance).
Part of the reason for the longevity is the switch from polycrystalline to single-crystal cathodes which don’t break down as rapidly. The battery also removes the need for the use of Cobalt which is rarer and causes significant environmental and human harm during the mining process.
Solar Electric Vehicle
Whilst we are talking about batteries and vehicles, the Squad Solar City Car has been launched in the Netherlands. It is targeted at people making short urban trips (not long highway drives that are more typical in Australia than Europe).
The Squad is essentially a two seater golf cart with fully removable doors. The battery powered vehicle has a 100km range and a removable battery. The solar panel can charge up to 20km per day in Europe (plug it into power for additional charge). The two passenger vehicle has a top speed of 45kph. A larger 4 passenger version can travel up to 70kph. The car is so small it can be parked nose to kerb, three to a single car spot in larger cities. In some countries it doesn’t even require a drivers license to operate.
The vehicle comes with a full roll cage and front and rear crash structures. It has a low center of gravity which improves stability. In some locations, regulatory change will be required to allow the Squad to be driven on a road. In European countries age limits for drivers vary from 14 to 18 (it is considered to be quadcycle weighing under 350kg with reduced engine capacity and power output).
It is not the solution for everyone (some people manage to roll golf carts so some sort of license or capability test is probably wise) however as it is priced from Euro 6,250 it will appeal to some. It is now available for pre order in Europe.
Paying it Forward
If you have a start-up or know of a start-up that has a product ready for market please let me know. I would be happy to have a look and feature the startup in this newsletter. Also if any startups need introductions please get in touch and I will help where I can.
If you have any questions or comments please comment below.
I would also appreciate it if you could forward this newsletter to anyone that you think might be interested.
Till next week.
If it is possible to turbocharge the golf cart and add a loud exhaust and boom box it could be a goer in Sydney.