Turbine

A medium-sized drone powered by a microturbine engine has completed its maiden flight at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York.

Offshore wind farms can tap into the higher average wind speeds over the ocean, but can only be built in relatively shallow water. Floating turbines can help harvest wind energy from above deeper waters, and now the world’s first floating wind farm has just fired up off the coast of Scotland.

Tetrapods are often used to protect coastlines from eroding away under the constant barrage of waves. Now a project from OIST has outlined plans for turbines that would sit alongside tetrapods, helping to not only dissipate wave energy, but harvest it.

While an outdoor adventure is a great time to switch off from the digital world, the connected camper might still want to send some snaps to social media. Battery life usually limits that luxury, but the Waterlily is a portable turbine that can harness the power of both wind and water.

Chinese startup Techrules showed two concept cars at last year's Geneva Motor Show. For this year's show, it totally shattered the mold and pulled the cloth off a car that looks very different. It's called the Ren, and it's the car that will bring Techrules' micro-turbine hybrid tech to life.

The Chrysler Ghia Streamline X "Gilda" is is a one-off, turbine-powered concept car from 1955. Now this fully operational, outrageous looking machine is set for auction.

​Rolls-Royce has inched a step closer to putting its upcoming TurboFan into production, having successfully run the world's most powerful aerospace gearbox for the first time.

The MiTRE micro-turbine range-extender from British engineering solutions company Delta Motorsport is the latest product promising a solution to EV range anxiety that's lighter and more versatile than a piston engine hybrid drive.

Portable solar chargers are perhaps the most popular means of keeping devices powered in the wilderness with portable wind turbines an option too. To cover all bases though, you may soon also be able to take a portable water turbine with you to harness the flow of a river or stream.

Solar chargers are one means of keeping a smartphone charged when in remote locations, but they're dependant on hours of daylight and sunlight intensity. Portable turbines are an alternative and product designer Nils Ferber has created one he says is more portable and effective than any other.

Mack Trucks has shown a retrofitted refuse truck featuring Wrightspeed's turbine-powered electric "Route" powertrain. The truck was at the WasteExpo2016 (yes, that's a thing) in Las Vegas this week.

GE has just opened a US$73 million Advanced Manufacturing Works plant in Greenville, South Carolina. Gizmag was on hand for the grand opening and has your sneak peek.