Discovery of new listeria species prompts call for food safety test changes

By Rich Haridy
May 19, 2021


Listeria cossartiae, one of the newly discovered species shown above, is named for Pascale Cossart, a bacteriologist at the Pasteur Institute of Paris
Catharine Carlin/Cornell University

Scientists from Cornell University have discovered five previously unknown species of listeria, a pathogenic bacteria known to cause food poisoning and in some cases lead to death. One species was found to present novel behaviors, unlike any other type of listeria, resulting in the researchers calling for changes to food safety regulations.

As part of separate research assessing listeria in soil and agricultural water sources food scientists at Cornell encountered a number of samples that could not be classified as listeria to a species level. From these samples the researchers have catalogued five novel species of the pathogen, and characterized some unique practical attributes.

Listeria is known to be a highly motile pathogen. Under a microscope the bacterial cells can easily be seen moving about with a characteristic tumbling motion. In fact, one listeria detection method looks for exactly this kind of motility.

A crucial finding in the study is one of the new species discovered lacks this characteristic motility. The researchers specifically named the new species L. immobilis. They warn against using motility as a sole characteristic to identify listeria in food safety tests.

“This paper describes some unique characteristics of listeria species that are closely related to listeria monocytogenes, which will be important from an evolutionary perspective and from a practical standpoint for the food industry,” explains study co-author Martin Wiedmann. “Likely, some tests will need to be re-evaluated.”

There are now 26 species in the Listeria genus. Wiedmann’s research group has discovered half of those species just in the last 10 years.

Catharine Carlin, a doctoral student working in the research group and lead author on the new study, says it is crucial these pathogens are accurately catalogued so food production environments can better monitor their products.

“This research increases the set of listeria species monitored in food production environments,” says Carlin. “Expanding the knowledge base to understand the diversity of listeria will save the commercial food world confusion and errors, as well as prevent contamination, explain false positives and thwart foodborne outbreaks.”

The new study was published in the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.

Source: Cornell University

AUTONOMOUS WEAPONS SYSTEMS
Milrem combat robots support live-fire exercise in Estonia
By David Szondy
May 20, 2021


The THeMIS Combat robot
Milrem Robotics
VIEW 4 IMAGES



In a glimpse into the battlefield of the future, the Estonian Defence Force has carried out a live-fire exercise where two Milrem Robotics THeMIS combat robots provided troops with situational awareness, support fire, and casualty evacuation.


The April 2021 exercise involved ground troops carrying out a maneuver to counter a simulated incoming armor attack – represented by a white delivery van that has seen better days. With the main force remaining in defensive positions 1 km from the hostile force, a THeMIS Combat UGV integrated with FN Herstal’s deFNder Light Remote Weapon System moved to a forward point 430 m ahead.

The task of the THeMIS Combat Support robot was to transport anti-tank team ammunition and provide support fire using a 7.62 mm machine gun for the anti-tank and observer teams as they advanced. Meanwhile, a THeMIS Observe UGV deployed an Acecore tethered drone behind the main force for situational awareness and gathering targeting information for artillery. In addition to combat performance, the drone also acted as a live-fire safety monitor.

The THeMIS Observe deploying a tethered drone
Milrem Robotics

Later, after the primary target was destroyed, the THeMIS Combat acted as a field ambulance to evacuate simulated casualties to the rear. Through these maneuvers, the robots were controlled by the troops through a hand-held interface and an augmented reality headset.

"We found several benefits in including UGVs into our battle scenario," says Lieutenant Mari-Li Kapp, Commander of operations and training section (S3) in the Artillery Battalion. "Having UGVs as a part of the reconnaissance force that prepares the arrival of the main unit, the UGVs could secure the indirect fire and anti-tank teams by providing direct fire support during an engagement and whilst some units are withdrawing. UGVs could also act as front guards all by themselves since they can provide situational awareness and act as forward observers for indirect fire."

The video below shows the Milrem robots in action.

UPDATE

Virgin Galactic reaches space from Spaceport America for the first time
By Nick Lavars
May 23, 2021

The view from space for Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity spaceplane
Virgin Galactic

Virgin Galactic has put a recent setback behind it to reach space for only the third time in its history, and the first time since relocating to its new Spaceport America base in New Mexico last year. The company's successful test flight over the weekend marked another step forward in its plans to launch tourists into space, while also carrying some important research payloads along for NASA.

Virgin Galactic had originally set its sights on reaching space for a third time last December, following successful attempts in 2018 and 2019. The company's dual-fuselage VMS Eve mothership carried the VSS Unity spaceplane to orbit and released it as planned, though its rocket failed to fire, which brought a swift but safe end to the mission.

After carrying out its investigations into the cause for the failure, the company had originally planned to make another attempt in February, though this was then pushed back to May as it completed a maintenance review of the VMS Eve mothership. The company also introduced a third-generation spaceship in March, called VSS Imagine, with its first glide tests expected to take place this US summer.

The successful spaceflight flight took place on Saturday, marking the first ever spaceflight from the state of New Mexico. VMS Eve carried the spaceplane into the air and released it at altitude, with the VSS Unity then igniting its rocket engines and blasting its way to an altitude of 55.45 miles (90 km), with both vehicles making it back to Earth for a safe landing.


The VSS Unity ignites its rockets after separating from the VMS Eve mothership
Virgin Galactic

“Fifteen years ago, New Mexico embarked on a journey to create the world’s first commercial spaceport," said Sir Richard Branson. "Today, we launched the first human spaceflight from that very same place, marking an important milestone for both Virgin Galactic and New Mexico. I am proud of the team for their hard work and grateful to the people of New Mexico who have been unwavering in their commitment for commercial spaceflight from day one. Their belief and support have made today’s historic achievement possible.”

The flight offered Virgin Galactic a chance to test out upgraded stabilization systems, flight controls and technology to reduce electromagnetic noise. But the spaceplane also carried with it research experiments for NASA's Flight Opportunities program, which aims to rapidly test and develop new technologies for space exploration. The company is now reviewing the flight data and will inspect the spaceplane and mothership ahead of their next outing.

“Today’s flight showcased the inherent elegance and safety of our spaceflight system, while marking a major step forward for both Virgin Galactic and human spaceflight in New Mexico," says Michael Colglazier, Chief Executive Officer of Virgin Galactic. "Space travel is a bold and adventurous endeavor, and I am incredibly proud of our talented team for making the dream of private space travel a reality. We will immediately begin processing the data gained from this successful test flight, and we look forward to sharing news on our next planned milestone.”

Source: Virgin Orbit

World's first battery-electric locomotive cuts freight train fuel use by 11%
By Nick Lavars
May 19, 2021

Wabtec's FLXDrive locomotive is described as the world’s first 100-percent battery locomotive
Wabtec

Rail technology company Wabtec has demonstrated an electric locomotive that could help lessen the environmental footprint of heavy-haul freight services. The company's battery-powered FLXdrive locomotive was used as part of a hybrid system over a three-month trial, where it reduced the fuel consumption of the entire vehicle by 11 percent.
Wabtec's FLXdrive is described as the world's first 100-percent battery-powered locomotive, drawing on 18,000 lithium-ion battery cells to power all four axles and using an intelligent energy flow management to optimize efficiency. The 2.4-megawatt hour system can be recharged at the depot much like an electric vehicle, but also uses a regenerative braking system to top itself up when on the move. The top spec Tesla Model 3, by way of comparison, has a capacity of 75 kWh – that's 32 times smaller than the FLXdrive. Needless to say, this system will require a serious charging station.

The FLXdrive was put to the test as part of a hybrid system with conventional diesel powertrains across a three-month trial in San Joaquin Valley, California, where it covered more than 13,320 miles (21,400 km) of hilly terrain. According to Wabtec, the 11-percent average reduction in fuel consumption for the entire train is equivalent to 6,200 gallons of diesel saved, or around 69 tons of CO2.

“The FLXdrive battery-electric locomotive is a defining moment for freight rail and will accelerate the industry toward low- to zero-emission locomotives,” says Eric Gebhardt, Wabtec Chief Technology Officer. “It builds upon the rail industry’s position as the most efficient and sustainable mode of transportation. Building on our long history of pioneering train energy management technologies, this demonstration of coupling 2.4 megawatt hours of battery storage into the mix fully validated our assumptions for the potential for this next generation technology to further drive efficiencies and greenhouse gas reductions."

Wabtec is looking to build on these promising results with an even bigger and better version, upping the capacity to more than 6 MWh which its expects could cut fuel consumption and carbon emissions by as much as 30 percent. It says it plans to commercialize this second generation FLXdrive locomotive, with hopes of rolling it out into freight routes in the coming years.

Source: Wabtec

IT'S ON CRUISE CONTROL
TuSimple's autonomous truck cuts 10 hours off 900-mile trek across the US

By Nick Lavars
May 20, 2021

One of TuSimple's self-driving trucks in action
TuSimple
VIEW 2 IMAGES



With ambitions to establish a network of autonomous trucking routes across the US, transport startup TuSimple is taking some steady and significant steps forward as it proves its technology through trials and expands into Europe. The latest test run for its self-driving trucks involved hauling a load of fresh produce over hundreds of miles across the US, where it demonstrated that it can complete such tasks in a fast and highly efficient fashion.

Previously, we've seen TuSimple's Level 4 autonomous trucks use its variety of cameras and sensors to move goods as part of trials for the US Postal Service and shipping giant UPS. This time around, the startup has partnered with fresh produce provider The Giumarra Companies and Associated Wholesale Grocers to explore autonomous trucking's potential in the fresh food industry.

The trial started in Nogales, Arizona, where TuSimple's truck was loaded up with fresh watermelons from Giumarra's facility. The load was then carried across four states to Associated Wholesale Grocers's distribution center in Oklahoma City, where it was inspected and then distributed to stores around the state.

TuSimple's self-driving truck is capable of Level 4 autonomy
TuSimple

TuSimple's autonomous systems handled a 900-mile (1,450-km) leg of this journey, between Tucson, Arizona and Dallas, Texas, with human drivers managing the first and last sections at either end. It is required by law to have a human safety driver onboard for such operations in the US, but because the truck could operate nearly nonstop, it was able to complete this "middle-mile" journey in 14 hours and 6 minutes, compared to the 24 hours and 6 minutes it usually takes a human driver, which is 42 percent faster.

"We believe the food industry is one of many that will greatly benefit from the use of TuSimple's autonomous trucking technology," said Jim Mullen, Chief Administrative Officer at TuSimple. "Given the fact that autonomous trucks can operate nearly continuously without taking a break means fresh produce can be moved from origin to destination faster, resulting in fresher food and less waste."

Source: TuSimple via PRNewswire

Burly new Ristretto ebike delivers a 40-mph electric boost

By Ben Coxworth
May 20, 2021

The Ristretto 303 FS is presently on Indiegogo

While some ebikes are pretty much conventional bicycles with electric-assist motors, others are more like electric motorcycles with pedals. Offering a top speed of 40 mph, the Ristretto 303 FS definitely falls into the latter category.

Designed by Colorado-based startup Ristretto, the ebike is officially named the Ristretto 303 FS Founders Edition, and it's being manufactured in a limited-edition run of 500 units.

Without a doubt, one of its most prominent features is its custom-designed, 3,500-watt, CYC mid-drive motor. It can be set either to Street Legal Mode – in which it boosts the rider's pedalling power up to a not-necessarily-street-legal speed of 28 mph (45 km/h) – or Race Mode, wherein it maxes out at 40 mph (64 km/h).

Motor power is provided by a down-tube-mounted 52-volt/17.5-Ah Panasonic lithium-ion battery, which should reportedly be good for a range of 35 to 55 miles (56 to 89 km) per five- to six-hour charge – needless to say, that depends on factors such as the mode, and the level of electrical assistance selected.


The Italian word "ristretto" refers to a highly concentrated shot of espresso coffee
Ristretto

Some of the 303 FS' other features include an aluminum frame, Shimano 11-speed drivetrain, 26 by 4-inch Teravail Coronado fatbike tires, a Bluetooth-connected waterproof LCD display, dual TRP hydraulic disk brakes, dual LED head- and tail lights, plus Wotefusi front and rear suspension with adjustable preload, compression and rebound.

The whole ebike tips the scales at a claimed 84 lb (38 kg), and can accommodate riders weighing up to 325 lb (147 kg).

Should you be interested, the Ristretto 303 FS is currently the subject of an Indiegogo campaign. Assuming it reaches production, a pledge of US$3,099 will get you one, in your choice of 10 color schemes. The planned retail price is $3,920.

Sources: Indiegogo, Ristretto

Juiced rolls out step-through version of RipCurrent S fat-tire ebike
By Paul Ridden
May 19, 2021

The RipCurrent S Step-Through fat-tire ebike has both cadence and torque pedal-assist sensing, and a thumb throttle too
Juiced Bikes

Back in 2018, California's Juiced Bikes launched "the ultimate fat-tire commuter ebike" in the shape of the RipCurrent S. Now the company has launched a sibling rocking a step-through frame to appeal to a wider pool of riders.

"With the RipCurrent S Step-Through, we really wanted to appeal to an even broader audience," said Juiced CEO, Tora Harris. "The original RipCurrent S is one of our best-selling bikes, but I thought it was important to offer this model to a much wider group of riders. By making a step-through frame and adding a range of colors, both new ebike riders and experienced ones get an insane riding experience that we're incredibly proud of.

Pretty much the only difference between the existing step-over RipCurrent S and the new model is that step-through custom aluminum frame. So what you get is a fat-tired ebike that comes set up as a Class 2 ebike, but can be configured as a Class 3 if desired and offers a comfortable upright riding stance.

The Bafang 750-W Geared Hub motor (1,300-W peak) produces 80 Nm (59 lb.ft) of torque and offers a top pedal-assist speed of 28 mph (45 km/h), while the 995-Wh lockable and removable battery pack that's mounted to the downtube boasts a per-charge range of over 70 miles (110+ km) in Eco assist mode.


The RipCurrent S Step-Through ebike has been launched to appeal to a broader range of riders
Juiced Bikes

There are both torque and cadence sensors for the pedal-assist system, with five power modes available – plus a Race Track mode that unlocks more performance for up to 30 mph (48 km/h) of motor assist. And a thumb throttle is included too, for those times you just want to zip along at up to 20 mph (32 km/h) without putting any effort in. A LCD Matrix display lets the riders see what's going on.

Elsewhere, the new ride has a 9-speed Shimano derailleur for ride flexibility, an air-suspension fork with 80 mm of travel for helping to smooth out some of the bumps along the way, aluminum rims wrapped in 26-inch Kenda Krusade all-terrain fat tires that are resistant to punctures for more time riding and less time in the flat zone, and Tektro hydraulic disc braking with 180-mm rotors.


LED lighting front (1,050 lumens) and rear, a rack out back for hauling up to 50 lb (22.6 kg) of cargo, and included fenders to help reduce splashes when riding through the wet, complete the notable specs list.

The new step-through model goes up for pre-order today in four color options for US$2,699, with the first shipments expected to start from mid-June.

Product page: RipCurrent S Step-Through

World's first supercapacitor-hybrid electric motorcycle will get a chance to prove itself
By Loz Blain
May 19, 2021

The lower part of the Nawa Racer's body houses 9 kWh of lithium batteries and the upper part holds a 0.1-kWh ultracapacitor that Nawa says can nearly double its urban range
Nawa Technologies

Audacious French company Nawa showed off a concept bike in 2019, claiming its supercapacitor-hybrid battery pack could massively boost power and urban range for electric motorcycles. Now, it seems we'll get a chance to see if the numbers stack up.

We've been following Nawa since 2018, when we first spoke to these guys about the potential benefits of using powerful ultracapacitors alongside energy-dense lithium batteries to extend the range and boost the peak power of electric vehicles.

The company wrapped the idea up into a futuristic-looking concept bike for CES 2020, and put some outrageous figures to its claims. Using a 9-kWh lithium battery, you would expect to get around 180 km (110 miles) of urban riding out of a full charge. The Nawa Racer proposed that adding a 0.1-kWh ultracapacitor to the system would boost that range up to around 300 km (180 miles), while unlocking some serious acceleration power to boot.

How? Well, ultracapacitors might not store much energy by weight or volume – indeed, the 0.1-kWh ultracapacitor is about as big as the entire 9-kWh battery on the racer – but they can charge and discharge much faster than lithium batteries. Nawa claims that battery-powered EVs are limited in their regenerative braking capabilities by the speed at which their batteries can receive charge, and that its ultracaps can do the job so much better that you can get radical leaps in urban range, as well as bonus boost power, for less than what it'd cost you to upsize the battery.


The non-functional CES concept bike made enough of a splash that Nawa has decided to build this thing for real, showcasing the potential of its ultracapacitor systems in the EV world
Nawa Technologies

We keep stressing this is about urban range, because an ultracapacitor will do nothing to help your bike fight wind resistance for long stretches on the highway. This is all about start-stop use cases around town, where the capacitor can turn as much stop energy back into start energy as possible.

Now, we've had a couple of skeptics quietly question the validity of the Nawa Racer's claims off the record, saying that high-performance lithium batteries can accept charge quickly enough that you'd have to be braking pretty damn hard before the battery becomes a bottleneck and an ultracapacitor starts grabbing enough extra energy to make an appreciable difference in range.

We don't pretend to know the answers, but it looks like we might get a chance to find out. Nawa says it received such a positive reaction to the Racer that it's teaming up with a group of specialists to build a fully functional prototype.

With Nawa founder and CTO Pascal Boulanger supplying the initial sketches, the design work was handled by Envisage Group in the UK. Moving forward, Akka Technologies will be developing the powertrain and aluminum body for the bike, FAAR SAS will be developing the battery management system, and its subsidiary Pronergy is working on a multi-mode electronic power distribution system capable of balancing loads between the battery and ultracapacitor to achieve specific goals. The bike will be tested by YSY Group.

The hubless rear wheel almost goes unnoticed on such a radically futuristic design
Nawa Technologies

This upcoming "dynamic prototype" is expected to make its debut in Q3 this year, and we'll be very interested to see how it performs. Supercapacitor tech made a fairly spectacular debut in the production automotive world in the Lamborghini Sian, but its potential alongside battery-electric systems could yet prove to be a game-changer in the EV world.

Nawa is comfortable making some pretty extraordinary claims; this is the same company that says its "world's fastest electrodes" using vertically aligned carbon nanotubes can triple the energy-carrying capacity of lithium batteries, and potentially unlock even bigger energy storage gains using non-lithium battery chemistries – without adding much to the price.

So it's great to see Nawa making moves to build the Racer and have a separate company put it to the test so we can all see what happens when the rubber meets the road. Watch this space, and check out the video showing the design of the bike below.

Piaggio offers first look at One e-scooter ahead of full Beijing reveal
By Paul Ridden
May 24, 2021

The Piaggio One electric scooter is being squarely aimed at young riders, and will launch in Europe from the end of June 2021
Piaggio

Piaggio has previewed the One electric scooter ahead of its official launch at the Beijing Motor Show on May 28. The company is embracing the young market that the e-scoot is aimed at by debuting the new ride on popular video-sharing service TikTok.

Details are fairly light for Piaggio's latest electric scooter, but we do know that it features a good-sized digital instrument panel which boasts a sensor that automatically brightens or dims the display dependent on ambient conditions. As it's billed as a smart e-scooter, we can likely expect to see app integration for remote tracking, scooter diagnostics and more, and possibly such things as turn-by-turn navigation and anti-theft measures.


Piaggio describes the One electric scooter as "a fusion of color, imagination, style, safety and technology"
Piaggio

Described as lightweight and easy to ride, the One has much the same look as a conventional fuel-powered step-through like the company's Zip models originally launched in the mid-1990s. It offers a keyless start system, rocks a low seat and roomy footplate, the passenger gets to plonk their feet on pull-out pegs, and there's handy storage beneath the seat, which Piaggio reckons is unique to its category.

The company says that the One is being made available in a number of power options (to match motorcycle and moped permit requirements) and will come with different battery capacities, but all battery packs are removable Li-ion batteries for easy charging indoors.

The e-scooter has two LED eyes to the front with daylight running, as well as LED tail-lights and turn indicators. There are twin shocks at the back and one to the front, and stopping power comes from disc braking.

Power options to match motorcycle and moped permit requirements are being offered, though no details have been revealed as yet
Piaggio

Though no pricing has been revealed at this stage, Piaggio is aiming the One at younger riders so hopefully it will scoot in as a cheaper option than the electric Vespa. It's scheduled to hit the streets of Europe from the end of June, but is described as a global e-mobility solution so will very likely be available in other markets shortly thereafter. Expect more details to emerge later in the week.

Source: Piaggio

Tarform Luna electric motorcycle gets sleek new cafe racer version
By Loz Blain
May 23, 2021

Tarform's Luna electric motorcycle gets a new cafe racer version
Paola Franqui / Tarform

Brooklyn's Tarform Motorcycles has released the cafe racer version of its Luna electric motorcycle. It's not vastly different from the original Scrambler version, but it highlights the modular flexibility of the platform and has a few nice touches.

With production still set to begin this year, Tarform is now offering two versions of the Luna, both priced at the same rather harsh US$24,000. The original bike is now known as the Scrambler Edition, with a hint of off-road flavor, and the new one will be known as the Racer Edition.

Little of substance changes here; both bikes share the same retro-futuristic body shape, the same 11.8-kWh battery pack, the same 55-hp electric motor and the same 440-lb (200-kg) weight.

The changes are thus mainly aesthetic, with a side order of functionality; the Racer Edition will wear slightly less funky-looking Avon Sport ST street tires, it'll sit an inch and a half lower on firmer, street-focused suspension. The unassuming headlight bucket on the Scrambler is replaced with a grilled-over aerodynamic mini-fairing that works with the look of the bike. The battery box gets some new wavy lines, which we think look terrific – although they've done a pretty good job there with the Scrambler, too.


The changes are primarily aesthetic, with black anodized bars, swingarm, indicators and mirrors, and a new headlight unit
Paola Franqui / Tarform

And then there's the handlebars. Probably the most recognizable part of the cafe racer aesthetic is a pair of low-slung clip-ons on a naked bike. Not here. The Tarform Luna Racer Edition has the same sensuously machined metal flat bar as the Scrambler, but here it's anodized in black, along with the swingarm, pillion footrests, mirrors and indicator pods.

Cafe racer aficionados might bemoan the lack of downward-angled clip-ons, and the associated riding position, but the modular concept here doesn't go quite that far. The bike's attractive digital dash is built into the handlebar assembly, so the bar stays.

While 24 grand is a lot for a motorcycle, especially one that probably only goes around 120 miles (~200 km) around town, or 60-odd miles (~100 km) on the highway before it needs a long stop at a charge point, Tarform does throw in some tasty bits and pieces to sweeten the deal: keyless ignition, a 180-degree rear view camera and haptic bliindspot feedback through the bars are probably the highlights.

The pretty machined flat bar stays, which will annoy cafe racer connoisseurs
Paola Franqui / Tarform

There's also a "sonic aura" acoustic sound to announce your presence on the street, regen braking, Bluetooth connectivity, three riding modes and a 3.5-kW onboard charger.

There's still no word on what suspension and brakes the regular bikes will rock, but if you get a Founder Edition (price unknown), you can get yourself some Ohlins gear front and rear with fancy ISR Performance brakes, as well as hand-formed aluminum for the bodywork and trellis frame, wherever that's supposed to be.

Tarform's taking $500 deposits now, with bikes allegedly rolling later this year. They're certainly nice lookers. The video below shows the Scrambler version, so just pretend some bits are black.