Kozminski Techblog

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Have you ever wondered why batteries are extremely dangerous to our environment? The answer is simple, batteries are harmful to the environment because they contain hazardous chemical substances. Among other things, these chemicals contribute to the formation of greenhouse gases, because they undergo a photochemical reaction as they decompose in landfills. They have also a bad effect on the water supply, which kills plants, animals and negatively affects the ecosystem.

Due to the constantly increasing demand for batteries, scientists from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore came up with the idea of developing paper-thin biodegradable zinc batteries that can in one day become environmentally sustainable. They could be an option for powering wearable and flexible electronic systems such as biomedical sensors for health monitoring.

The batteries consist of screen-printed electrodes on both sides on a piece of cellulose paper which have been reinforced with hydrogel. The battery is a 4cm by 4cm piece that can power a small electric fan for 45min. It can be cut into desired shape or size without affecting its functions, so that may solve the pain point of finding the batteries in the right size. When the battery runs out it can be buried in the ground, where it will decompose within the month. Moreover, the battery’s metals are released into the environment in a completely non-toxic form, which makes them 100% good for the earth.

To sum up, in my opinion, this could be a greener alternative to current batteries and may solve the environmental issues to some extent. I think this is a huge step forward when it comes to the disposal of the batteries, which humanity has a huge problem with. I believe that it can potentially help with the electronic waste problem. The biggest disadvantage of this is that they can only power small devices for 45 minutes, however, it is still a huge breakthrough in the field of electronics, and I hope that the world is heading towards it!

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Would you ever think that electric cars designed to be the greenest vehicles in the world pose a great threat to our planet, due to the difficulties in disposing of their batteries? For this reason, a new way of powering cars was invented, based on the use of the most common element in the universe, hydrogen in combination with oxygen. It is a much more ecological alternative than the combustion of petroleum derivatives, which may contribute to the elimination of many disadvantages of electric motors, such as the difficulty of recycling and their long charging time. No toxic or polluted substance, including carbon dioxide, is released. As a result of this chemical reaction, energy is generated which supplies clean water as a side effect. The technology is based on the centuries- old process of reverse electrolysis of water. 

How does it work? 

1. Oxygen enters the fuel cell from the outside 
2. The hydrogen flows from tanks into the fuel cell
3. Hydrogen combines with oxygen inside the fuel cell 
4. The cell generates electricity 
5. The fuel cell transfers energy directly to the engine 

NOW THE ONLY EMMISION IS WATER! 

How is this possible? 

Fuel cells consist of electrodes and a membrane that allows only positively charged hydrogen molecules to pass through. After this stage, the hydrogen protons combine with the oxygen atoms and water is formed. As soon as the electrons are directed to the electric circuit, a current is created that starts the car in motion. 

How is the hydrogen sourced? 

Currently, the most popular methods of obtaining hydrogen are gas steam reforming and electrolysis of water. In addition, Toyota is now developing innovative new technology to extract hydrogen for cars, from the air. In contact with air this device produces hydrogen under the influence of sunlight at no additional cost. 

Advantages and disadvantages of hydrogen fuel cell cars:

+ refueling max 5min

+ max 650km

+ zero-emission form of transport

– low popularity of hydrogen

-high refueling costs

-fossil fuels are often used during the production of hydrogen

What hydrogen fuel cell cars are available on the market?  

Now there are few available models on the market: Toyota Mirai (2014- which is world’s first mass- produced dedicated fuel cell electric vehicle), Hyundai Nexo (2018), and Honda Clariy (which was produced from 2016 to 2021). By the end of 2020 there were already over 31 000 people driving hydrogen- powered cars. This number is growing all the time as more and more brands announce their production of hydrogen fuel cells cars as it us the future of automotive industry. 

Summary:

In conclusion, hydrogen- powered cars in my opinion will be the future of the automotive industry. I also think that they will be a big competition for electric cars due to the fact that they can be 100% zero emissions cars if the hydrogen will be obtained from the air. Then there would be no problem with the disposal of batteries from old electricians’ cars and charging during long journeys. 

Sources: 

https://moto.pl/MotoPL/7,88389,24473669,toyota-opracowuje-nowa-technologie-wodor-do-samochodow-bedzie.html

https://www.toyota.pl/hydrogen/wodor

https://www.komputerswiat.pl/artykuly/redakcyjne/auta-na-wodor-jak-dzialaja-dziela-sie-na-dwie-grupy-jakie-maja-wady-i-zalety/exy7g76

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hydrogen_vehicle

11 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

11 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

11 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

11 Big Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydrogen Fuel Cells

Reading Time: 3 minutes

In the previous year one of the Polish startups from Wroclaw invented a unique type of payment that launches iris payment on the commercial market. It is a revolutionary form of payment that does not require having a wallet, payment cards or mobile phones to make transactions. The only thing you need to proceed a payment are your eyes. The special system scans your iris and creates a pattern that is later converted into a unique code to authorize a payment. Next, the form is stored in a base with the highest level of security. The system is based on accepting payments and confirming the identity of the equipment user with an iris scan. To make these payments you need POS terminals, which are special payment facilities and algorithms for the processing of iris systems. 

https://www.telepolis.pl/fintech/cashless/mpk-wroclaw-payeye-platnosci-okiem

Why is it better than “traditional” types of payments? 

This kind of payment is contactless, very quick, and safe, because it cannot be stolen, hacked, or duplicated in any way. Consequently, it is hygienic during pandemic times and may contribute to the time savings. Moreover, it is much more convenient than a “traditional” card payment, that requires finding a wallet, taking out the card and sometimes entering an additional pin. In addition, it creates its own eco system, which is a huge advantage for this startup due to its own payment transaction instrument and its processor. 

How is this technology possible? 

Every human- being has its own unique iris that makes individual characteristics special. Because of that, one of the Polish startups came up with an idea of creating a special kind of payment based on biometric authentication. Each iris is unique and there is no way that there will be two different people with the same iris. Every iris has 256 features which makes it different and increases the security of identification. 

https://appadvice.com/app/payeye/1495986777

How to use it? 

1. At the beginning you need to download an app “PayEye” and create an account by entering your details and scanning your ID.
2. Then you have to take a selfie and fund your virtual PayEye wallet. Currently, the balance of funds cannot exceed the equivalent of 8000 PLN. 
3. Next, you have to contact the company thet owns a POS terminal (e.g., a partner restaurant), because only they can create a biometric template.
4. Now you are ready to proceed payments using your eye, because the system has already remembered your unique iris and has combined it with your virtual wallet.

Where is it possible to pay with eyes? 

With an eye you can already pay in over 100 places in Wroclaw and nearby towns. So far, the company is focusing on local development, because in order to make payments, an appropriate infrastructure is required. This type of payment is not universally accepted, and transactions are only possible with partners of PayEye, so it will take some time to make this become widespread. The startup owner says that the first place in which he would like to make this type of payment available, apart from Wroclaw, will be Warsaw, and then other European, Asian, and North American countries. 

Summary:

In conclusion, this type of payment is very promising and revolutionary. This is a breakthrough in banking that makes payments faster and easier. In my opinion, this can in the future replace the “traditional” card payments, because of its convenience and contactless. 

Sources: 

https://www.zadluzenia.com/payeye-platnosci-okiem/

https://payeye.com/en/eye-payment/

https://www.thefirstnews.com/article/wroclaw-technology-scans-your-eyes-to-make-contactless-payments-13939

https://www.telepolis.pl/fintech/cashless/payeye-platnosci-okiem-nowy-terminal

https://firma.rp.pl/innowacje/art17060801-payeye-platnosc-okiem-zamiast-karta-i-telefonem-to-juz-dziala

https://www.digitalcinemareport.com/news/polish-cinema-first-offer-payment-eye

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you were a knife wound victim and would start to bleed excessive? According to scientists’ stab victims can bleed to death in just 5 minutes, so there is a priority for emergency personnel is to stop catastrophic blood loss. So, what if there was a technological advancement that could potentially prevent from this situation and save your life? 

This year a 22-year-old Joseph Bentley Loughborough University graduate invented a life- saving device that rapidly stops bleeding from knife wounds. He came up with the idea of making this tool after two of his friends were unfortunately victims of knife attacks. Therefore, to prevent fatal accidents he invented a device called “REACT”, which stands for “rapid emergency actuating tamponade”. He said that this advancement could potentially safe hundreds of lives every year. This technology is a pressurized balloon that is inserted into a stab. It uses pressure to prevent bleeding and makes it easier to target areas of the body that are usually hard to treat. 

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/dyson-award-stab-wounds-joseph-bentley-b952188.html

Why is it that innovative device? 

While having contact with victims the advice for treating stab wounds is to never remove object from the wounds, if it’s still in the place, to avoid bleeding out. In this situation this breakthrough advancement would help a lot and make this situation safer by inserting a pressurized balloon into a stab. 

How does it work? 

The concept is based on the same principle as implantable, medical- grade silicon balloon tamponade that would be inserted into a wound. The tamponade is inflated with pressure according to wound location to try and stop the bleeding. The process should take less than 30 seconds depending on the wound location. It effectively fills the cavity and prevents from internal bleeding. 

Sources:

https://news.sky.com/story/device-to-stem-blood-loss-from-knife-wounds-wins-uk-james-dyson-award-12390156

https://www.itv.com/news/2021-08-24/device-that-rapidly-stops-blood-loss-from-stab-wounds-wins-uk-dyson-award

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/dyson-award-stab-wounds-joseph-bentley-b952188.html

https://www.lboro.ac.uk/media-centre/press-releases/2021/november/graduates-life-saving-device-wins-award/

https://www.independent.co.uk/tv/news/device-stops-blood-loss-wounds-v10d8232e

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-9750427/Student-designs-potentially-life-saving-device-rapidly-stops-blood-loss-stab-wounds.html

Reading Time: 2 minutes

Have you ever thought that you would be able to interact or read some additional information about a movie while watching it? If not, imagine that typical broadcasting television is combined with multi- media content.^[1] This will enable you to use some interactive applications providing alternative content for instance: participating in polls, games, voting systems or quizzes, as well as commenting on posts on social networking sites. The viewer interacts naturally with TV using the special buttons. This technology is promoted as something that would replace the well outdated but still existing teletext on TVs. ^[2]

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^[1] https://www.netia.pl/pl/blog/hbbtv,-czyli-telewizja-hybrydowa

^[2] https://www.hbbtv.org/overview/

How does the HbbTV work? 

• This app does not disturb the viewing experience- the film is still played, and, in a corner, there are showed some additional information.
• It can include some supplementary, very valuable and useful information to the content being currently watched e.g., imagine watching any kind of a sport match and having access to each player’s statistics directly from your remote control or while watching a film having a possibility of displaying some additional information about actor’s bio while they show up in the screen- in case you get into an argument with your friends.
• The additional content is personalized, more advanced and customized due to the possibility of choosing an interesting material by oneself. ^[3]

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^[3] https://www.bsgroup.eu/blog/hbbtv-what-is-it-and-how-does-it-work/

What are the main advantages of this kind of technology?

There is better advertising system because the ads will be more context-specified or more viewer-oriented. Therefore, they may no longer have to interrupt the program, because they will be instead complementing the video content and allowing immediate reaction (e.g., buying things now). Furthermore, by using these kinds of advertisements it will be easier to reach different target groups within only one break and increase the incomes. In addition, HbbTV provides making data driven decisions with actual audience and analytics.  ^[4]

What programs offer the possibility of using hybrid television in Poland? 

1. TVN HD
2.  Polsat
3. Super Polsat
4. Metro,
5. TV4
6. TV6
7. Stopklatka

Even though this technology was established in 2010 in Spain, it is just entering and developing on the polish market due to the regulation of the Minister of Digitalization. From 20220 TV sets with connection to the internet should enable the use of hybrid TV. Thanks to this, a lot of programs have been created. 

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^[4] https://www.spotx.tv/resources/blog/product-pulse/hbbtvs-benefits-for-broadcasters-and-advertisers/

The example of HbbTV application in Poland:^[5]

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^[5] https://digi-tv.pl/news/178503/tvn-z-aplikacja-hbbtv-w-dvb-t.html

Summary: 

HbbTV adoption is growing rapidly in the whole European Union. This type of technology enhances the video users experience by enabling innovative and interactive services over broadcast and broadbands networks. Thanks to this technology there can be created a combination of broadcasting tv and multi-media, which allows consumers to personalize and select content that is interesting for them.