Episode 4: Solar-Powered Hand + Daylight Brain Therapy

Every year there are around 1 million amputations globally – that’s one every 30 seconds. But not everybody can afford a bionic limb or even a basic prosthetic. One scientist wants to change all of that. Emma went to speak to a professor at Glasgow University about a new technology that could be revolutionary for amputees – a prosthetic arm powered by solar panels that also gives tactile feedback like a real limb. 

Emma speaks to double-amputee Corinne Hutton about her challenges, and how exciting this new technology can be [01:50]. The Razor team also spoke to Andrew Hart, one of Corinne’s surgeons, who explained what patients are looking for when it comes to a new prosthesis [02:54]. Corinne went to go and see Ravinder Dahiya at the University of Glasgow where she got to see what Dr. Dahiya’s team is producing [06:30]. 

Vitamin D is vital for a healthy life. It&aposs important for our internal body clock, also known as our circadian rhythm.  It can play a big role in mental health and personal happiness levels. 

Scientists have found that something as simple as changing the type of lighting in nursing rooms can have a profound influence on certain types of patients. The Razor team went to visit a care home where the light bulbs mimic natural light. Javid Abdelmoneim went to speak to Dr. Anders Soder West about this revolutionary new therapy in Copenhagen [13:03]. We learn that the key to this is an emphasis on “blue light”; light that operates on a different frequency to what we find with everyday light bulbs.  Javid also speaks to Torbin Hansen, the chief technology officer at Chromoviso the company behind this new technology [17:05].