Author name: WhatNext

WhatNext is an ecosystem of industry experts, start-ups, and technology adoption enablers with the singular purpose of helping cope with the onslaught of rapid transformation caused by technological advancements and evolving market dynamics.

Biofuels Production-WhatNext-exponential growth

Pathways evaluation for second-generation advanced biofuel production

Second-generation biofuels are biofuels produced from non-food-based feedstocks. These feedstocks include non-edible oils (or fats), lignocellulosic biomass and waste, and sugar and starch crop residues. The second-generation advanced liquid biofuels include bioethanol, biojet, biobutanol, bio-oil, dimethyl-ether, biomethanol, and biodiesel. Some of these advanced biofuels are characterized either by their ability to be used in existing …

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Wireless Power transfer-WhatNext-energy futurists

Magnetic Resonance-based Long Range Wireless Power Transfer

Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) is a popular technology, and the technology is being continuously advanced to keep pace with the fast-growing world. There are two types of wireless power transfer: The one that allows powering through short distances while another that enables power to be transferred over long distances. Magnetic resonance technology is a way …

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Mobility as a service (mass)-WhatNext-start up network

Mobility as a Service (MaaS) in Rural Areas and the Importance of Public-Private-People-Partnership (PPPP) Networks in its Implementation

Long distances and narrow flows of people and material, as well as tightening budgetary constraints, make it difficult to implement Mobility as a Service (MaaS) in rural areas. In this respect, Public-Private-People Partnerships (PPPP) must be formed using stakeholders from businesses, the public sector, and individuals to improve mobility services if rural MaaS is to …

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LiDAR Technology-WhatNext-energy futuremakers

LiDAR Technology Innovations for Robotaxis

To achieve any level of autonomous driving, vehicles abundantly rely on cameras, sensors and radars to automate functions such as emergency braking, cruise control and blind spot monitoring. However, there are limitations associated with depth and range perception while utilising these types of sensors. To alleviate these issues, Light Detection and Ranging, known as LiDAR, …

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Cyber security vehicle application-WhatNext-innovation consulting

Cybersecurity for Vehicle-to-Vehicle Applications

The explosion of connected vehicles, either those that are technologically advanced, self-driving or those that are manually driven and relatively simplistic, brings many advantages including improvements to safety, user convenience, and enhanced sustainability. Connected vehicles are implemented by utilising Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X) networked technologies such as Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I), Vehicle-to-Network (V2N), Vehicle-to-Pedestrian (V2P), and Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V). However, …

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Technology Mobility -WhatNext-technology experts

Comparison between Thin-Film and Bulk Solid-State Battery Technologies for the Mobility Sector

Lithium-ion batteries are used in everything from laptop computers to electric vehicles to electric aircrafts. These types of batteries have thrived in the last decade due to their relative ease of manufacture, relatively high energy density (compared to legacy nickel-metal hydride and common alkaline batteries) and existing in-depth technical understanding of their battery chemistry. One …

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Metallic catalysts-WhatNEXT-energy futurists

Comparing the metallic catalysts used in producing magnesium hydride for PowerPaste production

The first step of producing PowerPaste is the production of magnesium hydride. Magnesium hydride is considered a promising hydrogen storage material because of its efficient cost, lightweight, excellent reversibility, and natural abundance. Generally, doping transition metals and their alloys into magnesium hydride is regarded as one of the most practicable means of accelerating magnesium hydride …

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Nanoporous carbon materials-WhatNext-energy solutions

Comparing different nanoporous carbon materials for hydrogen storage in solid form

Nanoporous carbon materials are considered promising hydrogen storage carriers due to their cost efficiency, low density, and high porosity. These materials and their precursors are naturally abundant. The different forms of nanoporous carbon materials include carbon nanofibers (CNFs), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbide-derived carbons, and activated carbon (AC). These various forms of nanoporous carbon materials display …

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Autonomy in Robotics-WhatNext

Autonomy in Robotics

Many of us are likely to work alongside a robot in the near future. But what does the future hold for robotics?. Robotics is an amalgamation of many core technologies. One such technology is Artificial Intelligence. Artificial intelligence is enabling robots to match human capabilities, and in many cases, even surpass them. Boston Dynamics’ work …

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China takes lead in drone based logistics-WhatNext

China takes lead in drone based logistics

Small unmanned robots flying around delivering your e-commerce orders may still sound like stuff from a futuristic world from the movies, but Chinese authorities have picked up the gauntlet to try and make this dream real! Last week, China’s CAAC Northwest Regional Administration issued a business license for civil unmanned aerial vehicles to Xi’an-based unit …

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