Open Road Alliance has launched a low-interest loan to offer NFP's access to working capital and credit lines understanding that the goal isn't just money making, but to benefit society at large. Organisations can now apply for assistance and receive a below-market rate loan with a maximum two-year window for return. Open Road is encouraging other foundations and impact investors to develop their own funding mechanisms to better serve the needs of nonprofits and social enterprises working for impact. www.fastcompany.com/40534806/when-nonprofits-have-a-financial-emergency-theres-now-a-fund-to-bail-them-out

A team of scientists?at Cornell University is building?a robotic assistant to fabricate 3D digital designs in real time. Called the Robotic Modeling Assistant (RoMA), the system combines augmented reality (AR) with robotic modeling, allowing users to design primitive 3D models on one side of a platform while the robotic arm fabricates the object on the other. The combination of AR with fast 3D printing, makes it possible for the designer to not only receive the visual cue of their design, but also the fast, in-situ tangible feedback that otherwise couldn't be possible. www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/robotic-3d-printing-augmented-reality/

As credit card surcharges and minimum purchase amounts gradually disappear, contactless payments are becoming more practical for small purchases. As wearables strive to become more fashionable, Bankwest in Australia has launched a Halo smart ring which lets you simply wave your hand to pay for things at the counter. Waterproof to 50 metres, the ring doesn't require charging and isn't dependent on a linked smartphone, meaning there's no danger of a flat battery leaving you in the lurch. www.smh.com.au/technology/innovation/tap-and-go-smart-ring-makes-contactless-payments-fashionable-20180128-p4yyz3.html

LogicInk UV is a temporary stick-on tattoo that visually records your accumulated exposure to UV radiation from the sun, alerting you of your daily recommended limit based on your skin group. This patent-pending invention helps you reduce premature aging of the skin and helps prevent health risks associated with overexposure to the sun. www.logic.ink/

You will soon be able to walk through Sydney Airport's international terminal to your waiting plane after only showing your passport once. That is the goal of a trial of biometric testing due to start in May with Qantas passengers. Biometric processing has the potential to revolutionise the journey through the airport to planes. http://www.smh.com.au/business/aviation/your-face-will-be-your-passport-sydney-airport-to-trial-biometrics-20180221-p4z14p.html

Homeless people are being paid to pick up trash in the city of Fort Worth, one of several cities across the United States that?have created programs to simultaneously employ the homeless and clean up the streets. www.newsweek.com/homeless-paid-clean-streets-texas-786311