CuanTec is extracting a protein called chitin from the shells of langoustines, and transforming it through fermentation into a natural biopolymer known as chitosan. This is used to make a clear food wrapper that can be later composted at home and has natural antimicrobial properties. The startup is currently at research stage but looking to finalise a round of financing. While this is not the first biodegradable wrapper produced from shellfish waste, other processes created materials that were unappealing to customers. https://www.springwise.com/innovation/food/biodegradable-packaging-cuantec-shellfish-waste

You would totally expect the Scots to have developed this nanoscale taster to test their national drink. The metallic 'tongue' is too small to see with the naked eye, but very stable and sensitive to changes in environment due to its chemical properties. The structure acts as 'tastebuds' that absorb light in different ways when different types of whisky are poured over them, with greater than 99% accuracy. Researchers are looking now to commercialise their technology https://www.beveragedaily.com/Article/2019/08/05/Scientists-have-got-it-licked-as-artificial-tongue-detects-counterfeit-whisky

If you are someone who loves to cook and a visual thinker like me, you understand the trouble of going through your measurement cups while cooking and trying to read the almost invisible measurement units. These measurement cups are designed to represent fractions with their shape, so what you see is what you get: a full cup is one, a half cup is half, a third looks like 1/3, and a quarter looks like 1/4. Just like a pie chart! https://www.yankodesign.com/2019/07/09/these-measuring-cups-are-designed-to-visually-represent-fractions-for-intuitive-use/

On a recent trip to Manduria (in the southern Italian provence of Taranto), my parents were pleasantly surprised by the innovation they found in a family run winery. Rather than encourage the production of more bottles & packaging, the family have self serve capabilities for locals to 'fill & pay' as they need from some of their finest drops. Sustainability doesn't have to be difficult.?Check it out next time you head to Italy: https://www.produttorivinimanduria.it

Tonight we went to the Fuhrich Restaurant in Vienna and were pleased to see portable reading lamps used so we could see the menus better. Such a simple idea! Much better than having to use the torch on my phone.

Briggo has created a fully automated, robotic brewing machine that can produce 100 cups of coffee in an hour ? equaling the output of three to four baristas. Using a blend of Latin American beans, the machine ? known as a ?coffee haus? ? creates cups of gourmet coffee that can be ordered via an app, giving you control over ingredients. www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2019/03/22/baristas-beware-robot-that-makes-gourmet-cups-coffee-has-arrived/