A solar-powered implant could give sight to the blind, according to its developers at Stanford University, USA. Miniature photovoltaic (PV) cells are being used to power a chip placed behind the retina to process light and data through the eye to the brain.

Three-dimensional printed, calcium phosphate cement brackets may improve the bond between hard and soft tissue during ligament repair.

Air hardened, mineral-bound foam concretes that can be produced cost effectively for load-bearing structures, are now available, say researchers at the Technische Universitaet Dortmund, Germany. Ultraporcrete is said to combine the strength, low density and good heat insulation of cellular and foam concrete, without the need for energy intensive autoclave manufacturing.

A low-birefringence synthetic chemical vapour deposition (CVD) diamond could pave the way to more robust and compact lasers that operate at a wider wavelength range with high beam quality. This could open up further applications in the harsh or restricted environments of sensor systems, ophthalmology, and underwater and medical imaging.

Introducing glazing materials after secondary metallurgy could reduce the environmental impact of ladle furnace (LF) slag, a by-product of steelmaking. The technique is designed to make the slag easier to handle while reducing powder dispersion.