Inspiring Green Technology That Has the Power to Heal

by Rebecca Paul

One can’t deny the ever-increasing role that technology plays in our lives. While some people are averse to the spread of technology, many of us recognize the positive impact that it can have on our future and the quality of our lives. In the field of medicine, there are many scientists, doctors, engineers, and designers that are constantly pushing the bounds of what’s possible in terms of human health — and the results are inspiring. Read on for some of our favorite examples of awe-inspiring and green medical revelations!

 

Photovoltaic Device Gives Sight to the Blind

There is no better example of how we can use technology to create a brighter future than using photovoltaics to help the blind see. Researchers at Stanford University recently developed a new artificial retina implant that actually uses the power of the sun to help give sight to the blind. Previous implants were problematic because of the challenges associated with providing enough electricity to the chip. Fortunately, with the development of miniature photovoltaic cells, these new implants now have the power to get the job done.

LCD Televisions Transformed into Infection Fighting Medicine

One downfall to adopting new technology is the issue of “disposing” or “not disposing” of the old stuff — e-waste has become a real problem that needs a real solution. Scientists at the University of York have gone above and beyond finding a way to properly dispose of this waste — they’ve discovered how to recycle discarded LCD televisions into an amazing infection-fighting substance. York’s Department of Chemistry and its team of researchers successfully transformed the key element of LCD television sets – polyvinyl-alcohol (PVA) – into an anti-microbial material that can fight infections – now that’s what e-waste recycling should be.

Implantable Solar-powered Chip Monitors Blood Sugar Levels

Most diabetics have forever had to deal with the uncomfortable, but unavoidable need to monitor their own glucose levels by drawing blood. Lucky for them, the Glucowizzard may have eliminated much of the discomfort associated with the finger pricking ritual. This solar-powered device is a rice-sized implantable glucose sensor that is inserted under the patient’s skin. The device continuously monitors glucose levels and only needs to be replaced once each year.

Medical Dressing Uses Nanotechnology to Treat Infection

Researchers at the University of Bath and the Southwest UK Paediatric Burns Center have redefined the future of wound dressing. Their amazing dressing not only stops you from bleeding…. it can also detect disease-causing pathogens. As soon as these pathogens are detected, nano-capsules in the dressing release antibiotics and change color to indicate that the medicine has been released

Living, Breathing “Lung Chip” Provides Alternative to Animal Testing

Testing chemicals to determine how safe or unsafe they are for the human body is an important part of ensuring our health. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to go about this, and animal testing is a horrific endeavor altogether. Seeking to provide a solution to this quandary, researchers at Harvard’s Wyss Institute have developed a synthetic human lung-on-a-chip. Their transparent bite-sized device cleverly mimics how a real lung breathes, and how it allows pathogens into the blood stream. With access to inspiring gadgets like this one, the ethically dubious practice of animal testing could soon be history.