11/01/13

Top tech breakthroughs of 2012

Printed Circuit Board_Flickr_Adventures at Kew

The year saw several technological discoveries with applications in development Copyright: Flickr/Adventures at Kew

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<h1>Top tech breakthroughs of 2012</h1>
<h4></h4>
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<p>
	<strong>Potato batteries, wind-powered mine detectors, smart waterpumps… <em>SciDev.Net</em> revisits some of the best inventions of 2012. </strong></p>
<p>
	Fascinating innovations come from around the world, and aim to tackle a range of development issues, from cutting the risk of disasters and disease, to helping people with disabilities access information and bringing energy to remote areas.</p>
<div class="article cf ">
	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/health/news/phase-changing-materials-in-trial-to-preserve-vaccines.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/A_vaccine_Flickr_PATH.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/A_vaccine_Flickr_PATH.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/A_vaccine_Flickr_PATH.jpg " title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/health/news/phase-changing-materials-in-trial-to-preserve-vaccines.html">Phase-changing materials in trial to preserve vaccines </a></h4>
<p>
		Novel materials that fit inside a vaccine-carrying box could help prevent vaccines spoiling before use.</p>
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	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/health/news/nipple-device-could-deliver-drugs-to-babies.html"><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Breastfeeding_Flickr_Teseum.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Breastfeeding_Flickr_Teseum.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Breastfeeding_Flickr_Teseum.jpg " title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/health/news/nipple-device-could-deliver-drugs-to-babies.html">Nipple device could deliver drugs to babies </a></h4>
<p>
		A silicone nipple shield primed with medicines could help protect breastfeeding babies from HIV and other diseases.</p>
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<div class="article cf ">
	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/new-technologies/news/potato-and-plantain-batteries-show-promise-1.html"><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Plaintain_storage_Flickr_Arthur_Chapman.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Plaintain_storage_Flickr_Arthur_Chapman.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Plaintain_storage_Flickr_Arthur_Chapman.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/new-technologies/news/potato-and-plantain-batteries-show-promise-1.html ">Potato and plantain batteries show promise</a></h4>
<p>
		Researchers in Saudi Arabia and Sri Lanka say potato and plantain are both strong candidates for producing cheap, efficient batteries.</p>
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<div class="article cf ">
	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/new-technologies/icts/news/indian-designer-develops-morse-based-texting-for-deaf-phone-users-1.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Uganda_texting_Flickr_kiwanja.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Uganda_texting_Flickr_kiwanja.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Uganda_texting_Flickr_kiwanja.jpg " title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/new-technologies/icts/news/indian-designer-develops-morse-based-texting-for-deaf-phone-users-1.html ">Indian designer develops Morse-based texting for deaf phone users </a></h4>
<p>
		Hearing and sight impaired mobile phone users could benefit from a texting application based on Morse code.</p>
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<div class="article cf ">
	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/earth-science/news/earthquake-resistant-table-could-save-lives-1.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Earthquake_proof_table_tested.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Earthquake_proof_table_tested.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Earthquake_proof_table_tested.jpg " title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/earth-science/news/earthquake-resistant-table-could-save-lives-1.html ">Earthquake-resistant table could save lives </a></h4>
<p>
		A table designed to stay upright under a tonne of debris could provide shelter in an earthquake, say its Israeli designers.</p>
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<div class="article cf ">
	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/health/nutrition/news/x-ray-technology-harnessed-to-grow-more-nutritious-crops.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Bean_farmer_Rwanda_Flickr_CIAT_by_Neil_Palmer.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Bean_farmer_Rwanda_Flickr_CIAT_by_Neil_Palmer.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Bean_farmer_Rwanda_Flickr_CIAT_by_Neil_Palmer.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/health/nutrition/news/x-ray-technology-harnessed-to-grow-more-nutritious-crops.html ">X-ray technology harnessed to grow more nutritious crops </a></h4>
<p>
		Rwandan agriculture researchers are using an X-ray technique developed by the mining sector to improve the nutrition value of beans.</p>
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<div class="article cf ">
	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/new-technologies/news/wind-powered-landmine-detector-developed.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Mine_Kafon_Massoud_Hassani.png" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Mine_Kafon_Massoud_Hassani.png" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/Mine_Kafon_Massoud_Hassani.png " title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/new-technologies/news/wind-powered-landmine-detector-developed.html ">Wind-powered landmine detector developed </a></h4>
<p>
		An Afghan designer has invented a wind-powered mine detector that could significantly reduce the cost of clearing minefields.</p>
</div>
<div class="article cf ">
	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/new-technologies/icts/news/students-develop-software-to-monitor-unborn-babies.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/SengaHorn_Courtesy_of_Aaron_Tushabe.png" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/SengaHorn_Courtesy_of_Aaron_Tushabe.png" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/SengaHorn_Courtesy_of_Aaron_Tushabe.png" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/new-technologies/icts/news/students-develop-software-to-monitor-unborn-babies.html ">Students develop software to monitor unborn babies</a></h4>
<p>
		A group of Ugandan students have hooked up a smartphone to a traditional listening horn to monitor babies in the womb.</p>
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<div class="article cf ">
	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/tsunami/news/radar-technology-could-dramatically-increase-tsunami-warning-times-.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/JapanTsunamiSurvivor_Flickr_140x140.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/JapanTsunamiSurvivor_Flickr_140x140.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/JapanTsunamiSurvivor_Flickr_140x140.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/tsunami/news/radar-technology-could-dramatically-increase-tsunami-warning-times-.html ">Radar technology 'could dramatically increase tsunami warning times' </a></h4>
<p>
		Researchers in the US have unveiled new technology which could significantly increase tsunami detection capabilities.</p>
</div>
<div class="article cf ">
	<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/water/news/researchers-design-smart-waterpumps-for-rural-africa.html "><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/WaterPumpAfrica_Flickr_WorldBankPhotoCollection_140x140.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left lazyload" height="80" data-src="http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/WaterPumpAfrica_Flickr_WorldBankPhotoCollection_140x140.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAAAAACH5BAEKAAEALAAAAAABAAEAAAICTAEAOw==" /><noscript><img decoding="async" alt="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" border="0" class="article_image_left" height="80" src=" http://c96267.r67.cf3.rackcdn.com/WaterPumpAfrica_Flickr_WorldBankPhotoCollection_140x140.jpg" title="Maize farmer, Africa - Flickr/M. DeFreese/CIMMYT" /></noscript></noscript> </a></p>
<h4>
		<a href=" http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/water/news/researchers-design-smart-waterpumps-for-rural-africa.html">Researchers design 'smart' waterpumps for rural Africa </a></h4>
<p>
		A UK team has developed 'smart' water pumps using mobile phone technology to communicate faults to engineers, to improve water access in Africa.</p>
</div>
<p>
	What article do you think is missing?</p>
<p>
	See also: <a href="http://www.scidev.net/en/agriculture-and-environment/news/top-controversies-of-2012.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Top controversies of 2012</a></p>

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<p>This article was originally published on <a href="https://www.scidev.net" target="_blank">SciDev.Net</a>. Read the <a href="https://www.scidev.net/global/news/top-tech-breakthroughs-of-2012/" target="_blank">original article</a>.</p>
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Potato batteries, wind-powered mine detectors, smart waterpumps… SciDev.Net revisits some of the best inventions of 2012.

Fascinating innovations come from around the world, and aim to tackle a range of development issues, from cutting the risk of disasters and disease, to helping people with disabilities access information and bringing energy to remote areas.