Latest news with #BCI
Fibre2Fashion
4 hours ago
- Business
- Fibre2Fashion
Thyssenkrupp nucera bags $17.65 mn deal for BCI's Jubail expansion
thyssenkrupp nucera has received a news order in the field of chlor-alkali technology. Chemical Marketing and Distribution Company (CMDC), part of Basic Chemical Industries Company (BCI), has commissioned thyssenkrupp nucera to implement the next expansion phase of its chlor-alkali plant in Jubail Industrial City. The leading international provider of electrolysis technologies will supply its energy-efficient and environmentally friendly membrane technology. BCI is one of the largest chemical companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and has been listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (TASI) since 2008. The contract, valued at approximately EUR 15 million (~$17.65 million), covers the supply, delivery, and provision of equipment, spare parts, and engineering services for the expansion. Using the latest BM2.7 single-element generation from thyssenkrupp nucera, chemical plants benefit from improved energy efficiency and performance through innovative, energy-saving design elements. Thyssenkrupp nucera has secured a €15 million (~$17.65 million) contract from CMDC, part of BCI, to expand its chlor-alkali plant in Jubail, Saudi Arabia. The deal includes equipment, spares, and engineering services using nucera's energy-efficient BM2.7 membrane tech. This builds on a decade-long partnership, enhancing BCI's production and market position. Over the past five decades, BCI, headquartered in Dammam, has grown into one of the Kingdom's leading private chemical companies, supplying a wide range of industries with organic and inorganic specialty chemicals and technical services. The collaboration between BCI and thyssenkrupp nucera spans more than ten years. In 2013, BCI signed its first contract with the predecessors of thyssenkrupp nucera for the Dammam chlor-alkali plant, followed by another in 2017 for the first phase of the Jubail project. The plant produces caustic soda, sodium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid, and liquid chlorine, serving local markets, exports, and specialized needs, such as chlorine for water treatment. 'BCI is a highly successful chemical company – and by using our cutting-edge chlor-alkali membrane technology, they are strengthening their market position. This new contract in Jubail marks another milestone in our long and successful partnership with BCI in Saudi Arabia', says Dr. Gerhard Henssen, CEO of thyssenkrupp nucera Italy SRL. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
South China Morning Post
10 hours ago
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Can China's brain tech make Elon's Neuralink open-skull surgery out of date?
A team led by China's Nankai University has completed what it calls the world's first human trial of a brain-computer interface (BCI) implanted via blood vessels, helping a paralysed patient regain limb movement. Advertisement Unlike the open-skull approach of Elon Musk's US-based neurotechnology company Neuralink, the Nankai University method reportedly reduces risk and shortens recovery time. This research was led by Professor Duan Feng, vice dean of the university's medical college, and the interventional surgery was performed at the Fujian Sanbo Funeng Brain Hospital, according to a university statement. A 67-year-old male patient with left hemiplegia from a cerebral infarction six months earlier, who was showing slow rehabilitation progress, underwent BCI interventional implantation. Hemiplegia is a paralysis affecting one side of the body. Advertisement Under high-precision digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging guidance, surgeons inserted a stent electrode into the patient's intracranial vasculature, a network of blood vessels in the skull that supply blood to the brain, via a minimally invasive neck vein procedure, according to a university statement.
Forbes
a day ago
- Health
- Forbes
20 Potential First-Mover Use Cases For Brain-Computer Interface Tech
Brain-computer interface technology has long belonged to the realm of science fiction, but it's quickly emerging as a real-world innovation with the potential to transform how we live, work and interact. BCIs create a direct communication link between the brain and an external device, enabling users to control technology using only their thoughts. While the possibilities are vast, some applications are better positioned than others for early, widespread adoption—thanks to existing demand, supporting infrastructure and familiar user behaviors. Below, members of Forbes Technology Council share compelling predictions about the earliest real-world use cases for this groundbreaking tech. 1. Controlling Smart Homes By Thought Synchron recently showed someone controlling their smart home by thought alone. What's exciting is the shift from spelling out commands to understanding intent. Instead of typing 'turn on the lights,' you think it, and the AI acts. This could unlock powerful use cases beyond assistive tech for people with paralysis. - David Malenoir-Evans, Bestow 2. Restoring Mobility And Communication For Individuals With Paralysis The first real-world use case will be in healthcare—specifically, restoring mobility and communication in individuals with paralysis. BCI technology is making significant progress, with users able to control prosthetic limbs, robotic exoskeletons and communication devices using only their brain signals. The most widely adopted applications are those that help patients regain independence. - Ashay Satav, eBay Forbes Technology Council is an invitation-only community for world-class CIOs, CTOs and technology executives. Do I qualify? 3. Speeding Up Digital Communication Tasks The first real-world use case for brain-computer interfaces will likely be enhancing digital communication. Humans spend countless hours on tasks like texting and emailing. BCIs can streamline these processes, enabling users to compose messages at the speed of thought. This efficiency boost will revolutionize productivity, making it an attractive entry point for widespread adoption. - Udit Mehrotra, Amazon 4. Powering Natural Movement With Prosthetic Limbs Prosthetic limbs are likely to see the first widespread adoption of brain-computer interfaces due to their social relevance. BCIs can help people with limb loss regain natural movement, improving their confidence and inclusion in society. More than a technological advancement, it's a step toward humanity that will make people independent again. - Apeksha Jain, Arista Networks 5. Assessing Mental Acuity In Medical Settings I think brain-computer interface technology will be used in the medical field to better gauge the mental acuity of patients in a variety of scenarios. This will provide a lot more data than asking someone if they remember where they are and performing some eye-hand coordination tests! - Syed Ahmed, Act-On Software 6. Providing Personalized Mental Wellness Beyond healthcare or entertainment, the first widespread use of BCI may be for personalized mental wellness—real-time mood regulation and cognitive optimization. Imagine BCIs subtly detecting stress or focus dips and adjusting your environment or prompting mindful breaks. This seamless mental tuning could revolutionize productivity and self-care, making brain tech as essential as a smartwatch. - Haider Ali, WebFoundr 7. Improving Hearing With Smart Earbuds Smart earbuds with ear-EEG sensors can detect which voice you're focusing on in noisy settings, instantly amplifying it while suppressing background noise. This noninvasive, affordable solution helps millions with hearing challenges using existing prototype technology while avoiding the ethical concerns of implanted brain interfaces. - Mohit Menghnani, Twilio 8. Restoring Lost Sensory Function BCIs could help restore sight (bionic eyes), hearing (cochlear implants) or even sense of touch. BCI can enable real-time brainwave feedback for anxiety, PTSD and ADHD treatment. For now, medical applications are most promising for early adoption, but consumer and industrial applications will likely follow as the technology matures! - Joydeb Mandal, Accenture 9. Enabling Thought-Controlled Gaming A likely first nonclinical use case for brain-computer interfaces is hands-free control in gaming and augmented and virtual realities. Gamers are early adopters, and BCIs can enhance immersion by letting users control actions with thoughts. As headsets evolve, integrating BCIs for intuitive, thought-driven interaction is a natural next step with mass-market appeal. - Antara Dave, Microsoft Corporation 10. Boosting Performance In High-Risk Work Environments The first real-world brain-computer interface use case likely to see broad adoption will be in high-risk operational environments like defense, aviation or energy. BCIs won't just monitor fatigue or stress; they'll accelerate decision-making by tapping directly into cognitive intent, enhancing human performance in critical moments where speed and clarity are essential. - Mark Mahle, NetActuate, Inc. 11. Optimizing Sleep Sleep optimization will beat medical uses to market. People already track everything with wearables, but BCIs will finally let us program our dreams and wake up perfectly refreshed. Picture setting your brain to 'solve that coding problem' mode while you sleep. Tech workers will pay thousands for eight hours of productive unconsciousness. - Ishaan Agarwal, Square 12. Enhancing Media Engagement And Advertising Impact Media consumption and advertisement will be the first real-world use cases with broad adoption. Getting that dopamine hit from social media and uplifting ads will drive adoption and get us into the technology. - Kevin Korte, Univention 13. Improving Workplace Focus And Preventing Burnout Workplace neuroergonomics will drive early BCI adoption. Companies will use brain-computer interfaces to optimize focus, reduce burnout and enhance performance in high-stakes roles like trading or aviation. It offers measurable ROI and safety gains, making it appealing for enterprise rollout before mass consumer or medical use. - Anusha Nerella, State Street Corporation 14. Capturing Creative Thought With Generative AI Generative AI will likely be an early use case for BCI. There are times—for example, when we exercise, drive and rest—when our minds are often the most creative. Imagine being able to put your ideas to use right there and then. We would see a boom in productivity and disruptive technologies. Stuck in traffic? No problem. Dreaming? No problem. The world will be drastically different if this technology is correctly implemented. - WaiJe Coler, InfoTracer 15. Advancing Military Capabilities The defense sector will drive BCI adoption through enhanced soldier capabilities and remote system control. Military funding overcomes cost barriers that slow consumer adoption, and performance advantages in critical scenarios justify investment. BCIs that allow pilots to control multiple drones simultaneously or enable faster tactical decision-making represent immediate strategic advantages. - Marc Fischer, Dogtown Media LLC 16. Powering Immersive XR Applications Across Industries A key early use case for BCI is hands-free control in extended reality, boosting immersive experiences. XR is rapidly growing in gaming, enterprise training, medical and surgical training, mental health therapy, and telemedicine. With tech giants investing heavily, BCI integration could become a major differentiator in the gaming, training and medical XR markets. - Harikrishnan Muthukrishnan, Florida Blue 17. Enabling Independent Living For Older Adults The first broad BCI adoption may come via intuitive, thought-controlled interfaces tailored for elderly users struggling with traditional tech interactions. By translating intent directly into device actions—such as phone calls, home controls or medical alerts—BCI can vastly enhance daily autonomy, creating immediate, tangible benefits that justify widespread adoption among aging demographics. - Jagadish Gokavarapu, Wissen Infotech 18. Supporting Real-Time Emotional Self-Regulation Widespread BCI use may first emerge in emotional self-regulation—real-time neurofeedback for stress, anxiety and focus. As wearables evolve, BCIs will offer discreet mental tuning, like a 'mind thermostat.' It's simple, noninvasive and wellness-driven—perfect for mass adoption outside clinical or niche tech circles. - Roman Vinogradov, Improvado 19. Shortening Recovery From Stroke Or Injury A strong early brain-computer interface use case is neurorehabilitation after stroke or injury. BCIs detect motor intent and pair it with feedback (like robotics or VR) to help retrain the brain. For those recovering from stroke or injury, this boosts recovery and shortens rehab time. The technology has shown promising results in trials, making it attractive for hospitals and widely acceptable in healthcare. - Jyoti Shah, ADP 20. Enhancing Productivity In Constrained Environments Silent, thought-driven controls will redefine productivity in constrained environments. Picture a surgeon accessing digital notes or a warehouse picker triggering inventory logs hands-free, voice-free, via a neural interface. It's not sci-fi; it's the natural evolution of interface design—one that is secure, private, faster and frictionless. - Savinay Berry, OpenText
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Digital innovation: Punjab signs MoU to boost cotton production
LAHORE: In a major step toward revitalizing cotton production in Punjab, the Agriculture Department Punjab and the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote sustainable cotton cultivation and enhance farmer incomes. A separate service agreement was signed by Hassan Akram on behalf of FACE and Jaudat Ayaz on behalf of Ba-Khabar Kissan. The signing ceremony was held at Agriculture House, Lahore, with Punjab Minister for Agriculture & Livestock, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, attending as the chief guest. Also present at the event was Secretary Agriculture Punjab, Iftikhar Ali Sahoo, along with other senior officials from both public and private sector organizations. Speaking on the occasion, Kirmani emphasized the significance of cotton as a key cash crop for Pakistan. 'This MoU is a milestone that will support the revival and promotion of cotton production in Punjab,' he said. 'Our joint efforts with BCI will help build a stronger cotton value chain and raise international demand for Pakistani cotton.' The collaboration between the Agriculture Department and BCI will include demo plots, responsible pesticide use, farmer training, and improved irrigation practices to ensure traceable and high-quality cotton output. As part of the initiative the Food Security & Agriculture Center of Excellence (FACE) and Ba-Khabar Kissan will launch a cutting-edge digital portal including a mobile app powered by Artificial Intelligence. This app will serve approximately 500,000 registered farmers by providing pest alerts, weather updates, and real-time monitoring of cotton-growing areas. The platform will also help identify regions with high and low productivity, aiding in more efficient planning and resource allocation. The Minister further announced that an agricultural planning framework is in development for the next fiscal year. This framework will offer both technical and financial support to public and private stakeholders, initially targeting cotton and later expanding to wheat and other major crops. The Secretary Agriculture reaffirmed the department's commitment to supporting the private sector in addressing cotton sector challenges. 'Adoption of modern technologies is essential, and success depends on close collaboration among all stakeholders,' he said. The MoU was signed by Director General Agriculture (Extension) Punjab Chaudhry Abdul Hameed and BCI representative Dr Muhammad Qadeer. The event was attended by Additional Secretary Agriculture Task Force Punjab Muhammad Shabbir Ahmad Khan, Director Generals Naveed Asmat Kahloon and Chaudhry Abdul Hameed, Consultant Dr Muhammad Anjum Ali, BCI Country Director Hina Fauzia, Ba-Khabar Kissan CEO Khizar Alam, and other dignitaries. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
IOL News
2 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
Business sentiment wanes in South Africa as economic uncertainty lingers
South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said while releasing their Business Confidence Index (BCI) on Wednesday that the BCI dipped by 8.6 index points in April to 114.9 but clawed back some 0.9 index points in May 2025 to measure 115.8. SACCI said that the index remains higher than it was in May 2024. Image: Karen Sandison/Independent Newspapers Sentiment in the business sector in South Africa has remained volatile despite a minor rebound following fears over US trade policy, including former President Trump's threat to impose 30% tariffs. The latest release of the Business Confidence Index (BCI) by the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Sacci) has revealed a complicated landscape for businesses, as the index experienced a notable fluctuation in recent months. The BCI dropped by 8.6 index points in April to a measure of 114.9, before recovering slightly by 0.9 index points in May, culminating in a score of 115.8. Waldo Krugell, economics professor at North-West University, said that this decline was in line with other high-frequency data indicators. 'Basically, it's businesses that are now more pessimistic about the prospects for doing business during the course of this year,' Krugell said. 'This loss of momentum speaks to consumers not spending as much as expected. Even in the investment numbers last week we saw a decline in investment indicating people are less confident and expect a slowing of the economy.' Despite this minor rebound, Sacci highlighted that the BCI still stands 8.0 index points higher than the same period last year, signalling a year-on-year improvement in business confidence. In its analysis, Sacci noted that the volatility between April and May was characterised by mixed performances across the index's 14 sub-indices, where six improved, six declined, and two remained neutral. Factors contributing positively to sentiment include a strengthened rand exchange rate, surging share prices on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE), and high prices for key commodities like gold and platinum. Year-on-year comparisons show a brighter outlook, with the BCI being 6 and 8 index points above the levels recorded in April and May of the previous year respectively. Contributing to this optimistic trend are increased numbers of inbound tourists, a rise in new vehicle sales, lower inflation, and elevated global prices for precious metals. Nevertheless, fluctuating merchandise export volumes and the diminishing real value of building plans continue to cast shadows on the business climate. Sacci emphasised the need for substantive economic growth to enhance the well-being of South Africans. The Chamber pointed out the disconcerting reality that the country's performance of merely 0.8% year-on-year growth reported for the first quarter of 2025 falls significantly short of what is necessary to tackle escalating unemployment and foster an inclusive economic environment. Programmes to attract investment must be prioritised to combat concerns that deter foreign and domestic investors. North-West University Business School economist, Professor Raymond Parsons, said if taken together with other high-frequency economic data, the BCI showed a mixed picture of the current business mood. 'Obviously global factors also play a role. But as Sacci itself emphasises, the domestic policy environment must become more conducive to boosting investor confidence,' Parsons said. 'This means South Africa needs to improve on the present consensus forecasts of only about 1% GDP growth in 2025. Translating positive short-term business confidence trends into longer-term investor confidence is therefore the challenge presently facing South African policymakers at various levels.'
