26. Hugging Robots, Scalable Solar Fuel, Non-Invasive Spinal Implants

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(0:48) - Hugging robots: 

Have you ever missed someone so much that you wish you could just send them a hug? Well, now you can! Alexis E. Block and her team at ETH Zurich have been developing various iterations of HuggieBot - a robot whose goal is to give the best hugs possible - to minimize the strain of distance between loved ones, especially during times of crisis. 

(6:45) - Artificial Leaf: 

A team at EPFL is looking at the world’s best engineer (nature) to address the global energy crisis by developing an artificial leaf capable of photosynthesis: converting water and sunlight into oxygen and chemical energy. 

(13:50) - Non-invasive Spinal Implants: 

1 in 12 Americans suffer from severe back pain and spinal stimulation surgery isn’t widely used to address this problem because it is either extensive and invasive or non-invasive and not very effective. Researchers at the University of Cambridge have tackled this problem with an approach that uses microfluidic channels, soft robotic materials, and flexible electronics to be extensive and non-invasive.

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