CU
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WHAT IN THE WORLD BILLION DOLLAR AVOCADOS
NEW ZEALAND
Plant physiologist Nick Gould got sick of being told that New Zealand is too wet and cold for the avocado, first grown in Mexico. Gould has partnered with Plant & Food Research to solve some of the problems that arise with growing avocados, such as controlling pests and diseases. The science-led change aims to create the perfect avocado in New Zealand that will make it successfully to people’s toast without perishing. The industry has its sights set on generating $NZ1 billion in revenue by 2040.—NZ Herald
SHAPE-SHIFTING ROBOTS
4
SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • SEPTEMBER 2022
LOUIS-HANSEL—UNSPLASH, UNSW, CTV NEWS, THAI PBS, FREEPIK
AUSTRALIA
Engineering graduates from UNSW have helped create a material made from tiny soft artificial "muscles"— long silicon tubes filled with fluids. The team said the new smart textile could be used as compression garments for athletes or people with walking disabilities. It could also be used to make shape-shifting robots to help get people out of confined spaces.—UNSW
