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From the section Science & Environment US researchers have developed what they call a "molten glass sewing machine" by combining 3D printing of glass with a mathematical model of how a liquid thread forms different types of loop. When the nozzle releasing a stream of molten glass is raised above a certain level, that thread begins to wobble.

Imagine if your clothing could, on demand, release just enough heat to keep you warm and cozy, allowing you to dial back on your thermostat settings and stay comfortable in a cooler room. Or, picture a car windshield that stores the sun's energy and then releases it as a burst of heat to melt away a layer of ice.

interesting indeed: Such chemically-based storage materials, known as solar thermal fuels (STF), have been developed before, including in previous work by Grossman and his team. But those earlier efforts "had limited utility in solid-state applications" because they were designed to be used in liquid solutions and not capable of making durable solid-state films, Zhitomirsky says. The new approach is the first based on a solid-state material, in this case a polymer, and the first based on inexpensive materials and widespread manufacturing technology. Read more at: http://phys.org/news/2016-01-material-harvest-sunlight-day-demand.html#jCp

Norwegian scientist Kristian Morten Olesen has patented a process to mix nano-particles of clay with water and bind them to sand particles to condition desert soil - he has been working on Liquid Nanoclay (LNC) since 2005.

The news here that some patent has been filed. If it actually works the guy is an ass for wanting to patent something that is solving world hunger. If it does not, then the guy is still an ass. So the news is that this guy is an ass :)

Agreed :) But, if it does work I doubt the guy will be able to enforce the patent in most of the countries where this will be helpful.