Japanese firm Euglena has been cultivating a type of algae, that's both a plant and an animal, for use in food and cosmetics and is now aiming to use it to produce energy. It aims to produce 33,000 gallons of jet fuel a year from Japan's first algae biofuel refinery, partnering with top Japanese airline ANA. http://money.cnn.com/2017/03/24/technology/japan-algae-euglena/

One of the biggest inconveniences of owning an electric or hybrid vehicle is how long it takes to recharge the batteries. Depending on the size of the battery and the speed of the recharging station, powering up a sustainable vehicle can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 12 hours. Researchers have developed a flow battery that would allow electric cars to be recharged instantly at stations like conventional cars are. This energy breakthrough would speed the switch to electric vehicles by making them more convenient to drive. http://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/instantly-rechargeable-battery-for-electric-cars-2017/

This new 10-car luxury train is designed to take just 34 passengers at a time between Tokyo and the northern island of Hokkaido. It comes with massive windows, sleeping quarters, a traditional wooden bath, piano room, fireplace and an observation car, where you can sip champagne and take in the view of the countryside and coast. Michelin star chefs are also on board to prepare your meals. The Shiki-shima took its maiden journey on May 1 and seats have already been booked up until April 2018 https://www.jreast.co.jp/shiki-shima/en/

The Dash Wand is a handheld device with a microphone and a barcode scanner. When you want to purchase any of the household items, you can say the name into the Dash Wand or use the barcode scanner on it. This means you can add items that you may be running out of in your house as soon as you notice them. https://www.google.com.au/amp/m.gsmarena.com/amazon_dash_wand_lets_you_add_items_to_your_cart_by_scanning_or_saying_their_name-amp-25629.php

The concrete in some structures off the Italian coast built by the Romans, a mixture of volcanic ash and quicklime, has withstood the sea for more than 2,000 years and is stronger than when it was first mixed. By contrast, modern concrete exposed to saltwater corrodes within decades. The composition of the Roman concrete is now being studied as a solution to rising seas from climate change. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/speaking-of-science/wp/2017/07/04/ancient-romans-made-worlds-most-durable-concrete-we-might-use-it-to-stop-rising-seas/?

AGCO?s executives think the new version of Google Glass helps tamp down suspicions that they are replacing workers with robots that does their job better. They say they're helping them do their job better. For tasks they have mastered, workers don?t need to look at the Glass screen. But they can wake it at any time to see where a part must go, and even zoom into an object on the display for more detail. Glass tells them, for example, what kind of bolt is needed?a wrong-sized bolt could seriously damage a motor?and specifies which wrench to use and how much torque is required. https://www.wired.com/story/google-glass-2-is-here/