R&D energy and sustainability projects are common in today’s net zero environment. Organisations need to lower or eliminate their carbon emissions and switch energy needs to sustainable options.

Fortunately, some R&D energy and sustainability projects offer encouraging breakthroughs that could accelerate change to meet upcoming climate action deadlines. If you are a Chief R&D Officer or Chief Research Officer, these and other innovations might interest you.

Graphene Semiconductor Created

The Georgia Institute of Technology successfully created a semiconductor from a material known for its conductivity and strength. Previously this material did not have the bandgap needed.

Now, the energy difference between the top of the valence band and the bottom of the conduction band makes it an ideal choice for existing manufacturing processes. It also has the potential to create smaller and faster electronics, saving money, energy, and materials.

Haptic Technology Advances

Robotics took a giant leap this year with the development of advanced haptic technology at University College London. Haptic or 3D touch technology creates a lifelike experience of touch through motion, vibration, and force.

The new device stimulates the four main touch receptors in human skin. This provides a more accurate and natural interaction with real objects. New uses include hazardous waste handling and less wastage of costly materials.

Photorealistic AI

The development of Photorealistic AI surged in 2024. Midjourney offers a collaborative, AI-supported infinite canvas for creatives as well as editing and customization. Imagen 3 provides a text-to-image model that works with both Gemini and Vertex AI.

AI-produced art has become so refined Reuter’s reported the first sale at $1.32 million in November. Sony Pictures also released a Tom Hank’s movie “Here” which de-ages the characters. Accurate AI images eliminate the need for sets and crews and do not consume valuable resources. They can also provide accurate interactive images for worksites, factories, and fields.

AR Devices Progress

Meta’s Orion AR glasses use holographic displays that can overlay both 2D and 3D content. This allows users to interact hands-free with digital content while in the real world.

Apple’s Vision Pro offers advanced eye and hand tracking for more natural interactions with virtual environments. Initial virtual computing focuses on entertainment and productivity, with eyes towards more uses in the future.

Potential applications include virtual prototyping to reduce material waste as well as optimizing operational processes for energy savings. AR devices could also be used for remote assistance and virtual meetings, reducing travel emissions.

eVTOL Approved for Agricultural Use

The Guardian Agriculture SC1, an electric vertical take-off and landing vehicle has FAA approval and is already in commercial use in the U.S. This autonomous electric aircraft provides more efficient and sustainable crop spraying, saving money and the environment.

Fast-Degrading Bioplastic

Around 0.5% of plastic waste ends up in our oceans. Fortunately, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) discovered cellulose diacetate (CDA) foam biodegrades faster than paper in seawater, losing 65-70% of its mass within 36 weeks.

This material could replace single-use plastics and Styrofoam, major contributors to ocean pollution and it is already in production. CDA also eliminates the use of fossil fuels, another win for the planet.

R&D Energy and Sustainability Projects Needs Direction

Successful R&D programs need direction and exacting guidelines. Otherwise, they are costly, frustrating, and ineffective. Organisations that need to lower their carbon footprint must plot their way decisively.

Fortunately, EarlyBirds makes it easy for organisations to plot R&D energy and sustainability projects efficiently. They offer several methods, all offering these benefits:

• Increased productivity
• Improved operational efficiency
• Enhanced competitiveness
• Connections to the best Subject Matter Experts and innovators available
• Simplified process

EarlyBirds Skill Identification Program

Our skill identification program offers potential solutions to organisation to find and retain the best in the current talent pool.

The program is overseen by veterans in the industry with a high level of credibility and expertise that benefits all parties. It also provides actionable data-driven recommendations fuelled by cutting-edge technologies, such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, and predictive analytics.

EarlyBirds Open Innovation Ecosystem

Our award-winning Open Innovation Ecosystem allows both innovation and strategic thinking in all areas of a business, whatever the technical or business challenge or potential opportunity your organisation wants to explore.

With a data pool of over 5.0 million global innovations across many industries, it is possible that solutions already exist that address your organisation’s challenges. Alternatively, your organisation can list your needs and request solutions from innovators.

EarlyBirds Ecosystem Maps

EarlyBirds’ Ecosystem Maps offer strategic value for decision-making. They empower company officers, because they provide a full picture of the possible technological advancements in specific domains. This allows them to make informed, forward-thinking decisions.

Each Ecosystem Map contains startups, scaleups, and mature companies involved in specific themes and sub-themes making it possible for organisations to plot a path towards innovation. The map also tracks numerous daily and historical news and media articles from across the world.

EarlyBirds Explorer Program

The Explorer Program is tailored towards those who need innovation as a service to supplement existing innovation programs, or to conduct innovation projects when required. It is designed to speed up the process of technological innovation for the organisation as a service.

The Explorer Program includes several features including quarterly and monthly innovation days; regular webinars to help stimulate innovation in the organisation; a focus on types of innovations; a platform enterprise license; and a nominated SME for the business.

EarlyBirds Challenger Program

The Challenger Program focuses on a single organisational or technical challenge. It looks for the most relevant innovators that meet organisational, technical, and risk requirements.

The program is run by an EarlyBirds’ Subject Matter Expert who identifies your key issues. The SME then searches the data pool to identify and curate options for further evaluation. The most suitable option is chosen and the SME drafts a roadmap of next steps, POC, trial, or implementation.

*****

These breakthroughs only touch the surface of what’s available to a Chief R&D Officer, Chief Research Officer, or another leader that wants to spearhead change.

EarlyBirds’ experience includes the Food Industry, Retail, Healthcare, Operations & Maintenance, Manufacturing, Finance & Insurance, Energy, Education, Cybersecurity, Sovereign Nations, the Public Sector, and many other areas.

Let us help you create an effective roadmap for your R&D energy and sustainability project or connect you with the innovations and talent you need. We invite you to sign up as an Early Adopter or you can request a consultation for a more personalized approach.

The post Breakthrough R&D Projects in Energy and Sustainability appeared first on EarlyBirds Blog.