Scientists are investigating whether gravity storage can be used to collect energy from renewable sources. Researchers working on the project will build a pilot small-scale energy storage facility to demonstrate and verify the viability of the proposed technology.
Fuel and cellulose can be obtained from the giant miscanthus biomass; such cellulose can be used in building materials. Polish, German and British scientists examined the impact of growing this plant on soil quality, biomass production volume and the uptake of pollutants in soils contaminated with heavy metals.
Noise generated by various devices can be reduced thanks to shields that eliminate sound waves. The problem occurs when devices emit heat, which is why the housing should have vents. Dr. Stanisław Wrona from the Silesian University of Technology is looking for a solution to this problem.
A classic acoustic piano can be tuned on a 10-note scale, instead of the traditional 12-note scale. The sound of this instrument was demonstrated by pianist Leszek Możdżer with the help of Polish scientists.
‘More and more people are affected by the so-called technostress. It has various aspects - from the abundance of terrifying news and the pressure of having the latest gadgets, to social isolation, digital exclusion and fear of the future. It will probably get worse,’ Dr. Konrad Maj from SWPS University tells the Polish Press Agency (PAP).
Swedish astronaut Marcus Wandt used a Polish device to monitor brain function in an experiment conducted on the International Space Station. The spectroscope built in Lublin is now a permanent piece of equipment at the ISS, Wojciech Broniatowski from Cortivision told PAP.
Creating an immortal battery is not yet possible, but scientists are trying to design it to age more slowly. Professor Krzysztof Fic from the Poznań University of Technology has received an ERC Proof of Concept grant for a project related to the ageing of batteries used in personal electronics.
Wrocław University of Science and Technology and two Polish companies have developed an ice battery that stores surplus energy in the form of cold energy - and releases it in the form of heat at a later time, for example when electricity is more expensive. The system can be used mainly by companies that need large amounts of heat energy.
Aneurysms of various shapes and sizes, previously imaged in patients, will be virtually 'operated on' in many possible ways. This will lead to the creation of software that will help neurosurgeons secure them against breaking and growing.
Chains on mountain hiking trails can be made of modified plastic instead of steel, which conducts electricity during storms. Scientists are working on a composite for use not only in the Tatra Mountains and the Karkonosze Mountains, but also in civil engineering, maritime transport and mining.