Tag: techxplore
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A flexible lens controlled by light-activated artificial muscles promises to let soft machines see
A flexible lens controlled by light-activated artificial muscles promises to let soft machines see Inspired by the human eye, our biomedical engineering lab at Georgia Tech has designed an adaptive lens made of soft, light-responsive, tissuelike materials. Our study is published in the journal Science Robotics. Go to techxplore
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White elephant? Hardly—Snowy 2.0 will last 150 years and work with batteries to push out gas
White elephant? Hardly—Snowy 2.0 will last 150 years and work with batteries to push out gas When Snowy 2.0 is in the news, it’s usually about money. The cost of the huge project has gone well beyond the initial A$6 billion estimate and will now cost more than $12 billion. Go to techxplore
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Five ways to make AI more trustworthy
Five ways to make AI more trustworthy Self-driving taxis are sweeping the country and will likely start service in Colorado in the coming months. How many of us will be lining up to take a ride? That depends on our level of trust, says Amir Behzadan, a professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and…
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Europeans favor solar power and local energy over imports, study finds
Europeans favor solar power and local energy over imports, study finds Renewable energy is today the cheapest source of electricity available. In order to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement, the share of renewables must be expanded to 100% by 2030. However, this expansion comes with an increase in land use, leading to rising…
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Semi-transparent solar cells achieve record efficiency to advance building-integrated photovoltaics
Semi-transparent solar cells achieve record efficiency to advance building-integrated photovoltaics A research team has developed an innovative parameter, FoMLUE, to evaluate the potential of photoactive materials for semi-transparent organic photovoltaics (ST-OPVs), paving the way for their widespread commercial applications. Go to techxplore
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Student engineers test rubble from destroyed buildings to help rebuild Ukraine
Student engineers test rubble from destroyed buildings to help rebuild Ukraine A team of UBC Okanagan students has shown that recycling rubble from destroyed buildings can help Ukraine rebuild its roads when the war eventually ends. Go to techxplore
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What the US$55 billion Electronic Arts takeover means for video game workers and the industry
What the US$55 billion Electronic Arts takeover means for video game workers and the industry Electronic Arts (EA) is one of the world’s largest gaming companies. It has agreed to be acquired for US$55 billion in the second largest buyout in the industry’s history. Go to techxplore
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AI and online shopping: How Shein, Temu and others get you hooked
AI and online shopping: How Shein, Temu and others get you hooked In recent years, several websites selling ultra-low-cost goods have appeared on the French market. Shein, Temu and AliExpress, to name but a few, are shaking up the online retail landscape. According to a study conducted by BPCE Digital & Payments, the number of…
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An Amazon outage has rattled the internet. A computer scientist explains why the ‘cloud’ needs to change
An Amazon outage has rattled the internet. A computer scientist explains why the ‘cloud’ needs to change The world’s largest cloud computing platform, Amazon Web Services (AWS), has experienced a major outage that has impacted thousands of organizations, including banks, financial software platforms such as Xero, and social media platforms such as Snapchat. Go to…
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OpenAI launches Atlas browser to compete with Google Chrome
OpenAI launches Atlas browser to compete with Google Chrome OpenAI said Tuesday it is introducing its own web browser, Atlas, putting the ChatGPT maker in direct competition with Google as more internet users rely on artificial intelligence to answer their questions. Go to techxplore
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AI models can now be customized with far less data and computing power
AI models can now be customized with far less data and computing power Engineers at the University of California San Diego have created a new method to make large language models (LLMs)—such as the ones that power chatbots and protein sequencing tools—learn new tasks using significantly less data and computing power. Go to techxplore
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OpenAI has slipped shopping into ChatGPT users’ chats—here’s why that matters
OpenAI has slipped shopping into ChatGPT users’ chats—here’s why that matters Your phone buzzes at 6 a.m. It’s ChatGPT: “I see you’re traveling to New York this week. Based on your preferences, I’ve found three restaurants near your hotel. Would you like me to make a reservation?” Go to techxplore
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AI content poses triple threat to Reddit moderators
AI content poses triple threat to Reddit moderators Reddit bills itself as “the most human place on the internet,” but the proliferation of artificial intelligence-generated content is threatening to squeeze some of the humanity out of the news-sharing forum. Go to techxplore
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Spark plasma sintering and diffusion technology yield high-performance permanent magnets for green industries
Spark plasma sintering and diffusion technology yield high-performance permanent magnets for green industries A research team has developed an innovative manufacturing process for permanent magnets that overcomes the limitations of conventional techniques. The team’s breakthrough significantly advances the diffusion technology, which is essential for improving magnetic performance, and creates new possibilities for applying high-efficiency magnets…
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Scientists create a novel hydrogel for unclonable security tags
Scientists create a novel hydrogel for unclonable security tags Encryption technologies are vital in today’s digital landscape to protect sensitive information from hackers and prevent fraud. While cutting-edge encryption has been developed for data, sophisticated protection for physical objects such as high-value products, access cards and documents has lagged behind until now. Go to techxplore
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Expert comment: What is the future of European industrial and energy policy?
Expert comment: What is the future of European industrial and energy policy? Jan Rosenow, Professor of Energy and Climate Policy at the University of Oxford’s Environmental Change Institute, has addressed energy ministers from all 27 member states at the European Union’s Energy Council, offering a decisive, research-backed roadmap to restore Europe’s industrial competitiveness, strengthen energy…
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African languages for AI: The project that’s gathering a huge new dataset
African languages for AI: The project that’s gathering a huge new dataset Artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Siri or Google Assistant are developed by the global north and trained in English, Chinese or European languages. In comparison, African languages are largely missing from the internet. Go to techxplore
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China’s power paradox: record renewables, continued coal
China’s power paradox: record renewables, continued coal Call it the China power paradox: while Beijing leads the world in renewable energy expansion, its coal projects are booming too. Go to techxplore
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Artificial intelligence can better predict future risk for heart attack patients
Artificial intelligence can better predict future risk for heart attack patients A landmark study led by University experts has shown that artificial intelligence can better predict how doctors should treat patients following a heart attack. Go to techxplore
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Some major Australian towns still have poor phone reception—it’s threatening public safety
Some major Australian towns still have poor phone reception—it’s threatening public safety Australians rely on their phones and the internet for education, business, socializing and in emergencies. And as Optus’ recent Triple Zero outage highlights, the consequences of a network outage can be fatal. Go to techxplore
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AI trained robots, drones, team up with emergency rescue
AI trained robots, drones, team up with emergency rescue In a simulated natural disaster, robotic drones from the University of Maryland’s RoboScout Team arrived first, scanning the area for survivors. They beamed patients’ locations to robot dogs and medics on the ground to quickly find, triage and treat the most critically injured people first. Go…
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Smartwatches achieve centimeter-level location accuracy with new tracking algorithms
Smartwatches achieve centimeter-level location accuracy with new tracking algorithms University of Otago researchers have developed algorithms that improve the precision of location tracking in smartwatches, a world-first development. Go to techxplore
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US court bars NSO Group from installing spyware on WhatsApp
US court bars NSO Group from installing spyware on WhatsApp A US judge on Friday granted an injunction barring Israeli spyware maker NSO Group from targeting WhatsApp users but slashed a $168 million damages award at trial to just $4 million. Go to techxplore
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FAA allows Boeing to increase 737 Max production nearly two years after door plug flew off plane
FAA allows Boeing to increase 737 Max production nearly two years after door plug flew off plane The Federal Aviation Administration said Friday it will allow Boeing to produce more 737 Max airplanes by increasing the monthly limit that it imposed after a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines jet that the company built.…
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Ex-McLaren boss could take the wheel at Porsche
Ex-McLaren boss could take the wheel at Porsche The former head of British supercar maker McLaren could take over as CEO of Porsche, the German firm said Friday, as it struggles with weak demand and a troubled shift to electric cars. Go to techxplore
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OpenAI halts MLK videos as deepfakes spark outrage
OpenAI halts MLK videos as deepfakes spark outrage OpenAI has suspended its Sora 2 artificial intelligence tool from creating videos of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr. after his estate complained about disrespectful depictions. Go to techxplore
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Sex is a big market for the AI industry. ChatGPT won’t be the first to try to profit from it
Sex is a big market for the AI industry. ChatGPT won’t be the first to try to profit from it ChatGPT will be able to have kinkier conversations after OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the artificial intelligence company will soon allow its chatbot to engage in “erotica for verified adults.” Go to techxplore
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What Apple’s new 5-year deal with Formula 1 means for US fans
What Apple’s new 5-year deal with Formula 1 means for US fans Formula 1 announced a five-year deal Friday with Apple, which will be the global motorsports series’ U.S. broadcast partner beginning next season. Go to techxplore
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Meta adds parental controls for AI-teen interactions
Meta adds parental controls for AI-teen interactions Meta is adding parental controls for kids’ interactions with artificial intelligence chatbots—including the ability to turn off one-on-one chats with AI characters altogether—beginning early next year. Go to techxplore
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Paper industry could become more energy-efficient with a new measurement method
Paper industry could become more energy-efficient with a new measurement method The pulp and paper industry consumes large amounts of energy. But despite stricter EU requirements for efficiency improvements, there has been no way to measure and compare energy consumption between different companies in a fair way. In collaboration with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency,…
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Structuring and polishing hard material components with laser pulses in a single clamping operation
Structuring and polishing hard material components with laser pulses in a single clamping operation Tools made of hard materials and ceramics such as tungsten carbide are particularly wear-resistant. However, the tools used to manufacture them wear out all the faster—unless the tool is laser light. Researchers at Fraunhofer ILT have developed a process chain in…
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Waymo robotaxis to deliver orders for some US DoorDash users
Waymo robotaxis to deliver orders for some US DoorDash users US food delivery app DoorDash announced Thursday that Waymo driverless cars will soon shuttle orders to some customers in a budding partnership with the Google-owned robotaxi star. Go to techxplore
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From stiff to soft in a snap: Magnetic jamming opens new frontiers for microrobotics
From stiff to soft in a snap: Magnetic jamming opens new frontiers for microrobotics Could tiny magnetic objects, that rapidly clump together and instantly fall apart again, one day perform delicate procedures inside the human body? A new study from researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems in Stuttgart and at ETH Zurich…
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Why large language models are bad at imitating people
Why large language models are bad at imitating people Large language models like ChatGPT and Copilot are useful for many things. However, they are not yet good enough to imitate the way people speak. Go to techxplore
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Curved nanosheets in anode help prevent battery capacity loss during fast charging
Curved nanosheets in anode help prevent battery capacity loss during fast charging As electric vehicles (EVs) and smartphones increasingly demand rapid charging, concerns over shortened battery lifespan have grown. Addressing this challenge, a team of Korean researchers has developed a novel anode material that maintains high performance even with frequent fast charging. Go to techxplore
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The vulnerabilities that drive prolonged outages during extreme weather events and how to reduce disruptions
The vulnerabilities that drive prolonged outages during extreme weather events and how to reduce disruptions Extreme weather events, such as hurricanes, winter storms, and tornadoes, have become a major cause of large-scale electric power outages in recent years, causing billions of dollars in losses. Go to techxplore
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Federated learning AI developed for hospitals and banks without personal information sharing
Federated learning AI developed for hospitals and banks without personal information sharing Federated learning was devised to solve the problem of difficulty in aggregating personal data, such as patient medical records or financial data, in one place. However, during the process where each institution optimizes the collaboratively trained AI to suit its own environment, a…
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‘Metabots’ shapeshift from flat sheets into hundreds of structures
‘Metabots’ shapeshift from flat sheets into hundreds of structures Researchers have created a class of robots made from thin sheets of material that can snap into hundreds of stable shapes, allowing them to execute a wide variety of actions despite the fact that they have no motor and are made of a single, flat material.…
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Soft skin allows vine robots to navigate complex, fragile environments
Soft skin allows vine robots to navigate complex, fragile environments Researchers have developed a soft robotic skin that enables vine robots that are just a few millimeters wide to navigate convoluted paths and fragile environments. To accomplish this, the researchers integrated a very thin layer of actuators made of liquid crystal elastomer at strategic locations…
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OpenAI to ease ChatGPT restrictions, allowing adult content for verified adults
OpenAI to ease ChatGPT restrictions, allowing adult content for verified adults OpenAI announced plans on Tuesday to relax restrictions on its ChatGPT chatbot, including allowing erotic content for verified adult users as part of what the company calls a “treat adult users like adults” principle. Go to techxplore
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Robot ‘backpack’ drone launches, drives and flies to tackle emergencies
Robot ‘backpack’ drone launches, drives and flies to tackle emergencies Introducing X1: The world’s first multirobot system that integrates a humanoid robot with a transforming drone that can launch off the humanoid’s back, and later, drive away. Go to techxplore
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OpenAI partners with Walmart to let users buy products in ChatGPT, furthering chatbot shopping push
OpenAI partners with Walmart to let users buy products in ChatGPT, furthering chatbot shopping push OpenAI is partnering with Walmart to let shoppers make purchases directly within ChatGPT, furthering the artificial intelligence company’s push to turn its chatbot into a virtual merchant as it seeks to boost revenue. Go to techxplore
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Foundations want to curb AI developers’ influence with $500 million aimed at centering human needs
Foundations want to curb AI developers’ influence with $500 million aimed at centering human needs Artificial intelligence is a matter of design—not destiny. Go to techxplore
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A roadmap for next-generation 2D semiconductor ‘gate stack’ technology
A roadmap for next-generation 2D semiconductor ‘gate stack’ technology Seoul National University’s College of Engineering announced that a research team led by Professor Chul-Ho Lee from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering has outlined a comprehensive roadmap for “gate stack” engineering, a core technology for two-dimensional (2D) transistors, which are attracting attention as next-generation…
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Could digital currencies end banking as we know it? The future of money
Could digital currencies end banking as we know it? The future of money Throughout history, control over money has been one of the most powerful levers of state authority. Rulers have long understood that whoever issues and manages the currency also commands the economy and, by extension, society itself. Go to techxplore
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Super-thin semiconductor overcomes trade-off between speed and thermal stability
Super-thin semiconductor overcomes trade-off between speed and thermal stability A team led by academician Huang Ru and Professor Wu Yanqing from the School of Integrated Circuits at Peking University has developed a super-thin, high-performance semiconductor with enhanced heat conductivity, enabled by a silicon carbide (SiC) substrate. The research, published in Nature Electronics under the title…
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California enacts first US law requiring AI chatbot safety measures
California enacts first US law requiring AI chatbot safety measures California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday signed into law a first-of-its-kind law regulating artificial intelligence chatbots, defying a push from the White House to leave such technology unchecked. Go to techxplore
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Self-healing layer improves the safety and lifespan of all-solid-state lithium batteries
Self-healing layer improves the safety and lifespan of all-solid-state lithium batteries Scientists have come up with a new way to improve the safety and performance of all-solid-state lithium metal batteries (ASSLMBs), the next-generation energy source technology that is set to power everything from electric vehicles to renewable energy grids. Go to techxplore
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Cutting-edge imaging and faster algorithms for finding minuscule defects in semiconductor chips
Cutting-edge imaging and faster algorithms for finding minuscule defects in semiconductor chips A defect in a semiconductor chip may be smaller than a human hair but can create big problems in your everyday life, from crippling your car’s steering to making your laptop more susceptible to hackers. Go to techxplore
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Australian airline Qantas says millions of customers’ data leaked online
Australian airline Qantas says millions of customers’ data leaked online Australian airline Qantas said Sunday that data from 5.7 million customers stolen in a major cyberattack this year had been shared online, part of a leak affecting dozens of firms. Go to techxplore
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A US startup plans to deliver ‘sunlight on demand’ after dark. Can it work? Would we want it to?
A US startup plans to deliver ‘sunlight on demand’ after dark. Can it work? Would we want it to? A proposed constellation of satellites has astronomers very worried. Unlike satellites that reflect sunlight and produce light pollution as an unfortunate byproduct, the ones by US startup Reflect Orbital would produce light pollution by design. Go…
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What could burst the AI bubble?
What could burst the AI bubble? Some of the world’s biggest tech firms have soared in value over the last year. As AI evolves at pace, there are hopes that it will improve lives in ways that people could never have imagined a decade ago—in sectors as diverse as health care, employment and scientific discovery.…
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Old tricks, new tech: Scams in the age of AI
Old tricks, new tech: Scams in the age of AI As a college student, Gabriel Aguilar fell victim to an elaborate scam. The fraudsters posed as employers offering job opportunities that provided quick income. Go to techxplore
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AI-based method can optimize photovoltaic-battery storage systems
AI-based method can optimize photovoltaic-battery storage systems Solar power generation largely depends on weather conditions. When generation deviates from the planned output, the electricity market imposes penalty fees called “imbalance penalties.” Researchers at University of Tsukuba have developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-based method that optimizes the operation of solar power generation and battery storage systems,…
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E-cargo bikes can replace car trips and reshape family travel
E-cargo bikes can replace car trips and reshape family travel Electric cargo (e-cargo) bikes can replace many car journeys, from school runs to shopping trips and family outings, according to new research. They also have the potential to shift how families and communities perceive cycling, making it a more practical and inclusive everyday option. Go…
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Austria finds Microsoft ‘illegally’ tracked students: Privacy campaign group
Austria finds Microsoft ‘illegally’ tracked students: Privacy campaign group Austria’s data protection authority has determined that Microsoft “illegally” tracked students using its education software and must grant them access to their data, a privacy campaign group said Friday. Go to techxplore
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UK watchdog targets Google’s ‘strategic’ role in search ads and a competitive market
UK watchdog targets Google’s ‘strategic’ role in search ads and a competitive market Britain’s antitrust watchdog on Friday labeled Google a “strategic” player in the online search advertising market, paving the way for regulators to force the company to change its business practices to ensure more competition in that market. Go to techxplore
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Love it or hate it? Apple’s ‘Liquid Glass’ explained
Love it or hate it? Apple’s ‘Liquid Glass’ explained Apple’s latest design overhaul—aptly named Liquid Glass—has been polarizing to say the least. Go to techxplore
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The data center boom is here: Experts explain how to build AI infrastructure correctly
The data center boom is here: Experts explain how to build AI infrastructure correctly To fast-track the buildout of data centers that power artificial intelligence (AI), tech giants like Amazon, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Oracle, and OpenAI are pouring money into construction projects. Globally, companies are predicted to spend $375 billion in 2025 on AI infrastructure—a…
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Complex decisions still require human skills as AI supports public decision-making, says researcher
Complex decisions still require human skills as AI supports public decision-making, says researcher Today, AI technologies are being used in the public sector for administrative cases and as support in the various steps that lead up to a decision. This adds a transparency in that it shows the pathway to the decision. Go to techxplore
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Software tool shows clear advantage in water purity prediction
Software tool shows clear advantage in water purity prediction A powerful new software tool that can accurately predict the performance of biofilters used by the water industry could reduce the challenge of maintaining the purity of tap water. Go to techxplore
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Scientists create world’s first chip that combines 2D materials with conventional silicon circuitry
Scientists create world’s first chip that combines 2D materials with conventional silicon circuitry For the first time, scientists have created a fully functional memory chip only a few atoms thick and integrated it into conventional chips. This advance could pave the way for more powerful and energy-efficient electronic devices. Go to techxplore
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AI tools can help hackers plant hidden flaws in computer chips, study finds
AI tools can help hackers plant hidden flaws in computer chips, study finds Widely available artificial intelligence systems can be used to deliberately insert hard-to-detect security vulnerabilities into the code that defines computer chips, according to new research from the NYU Tandon School of Engineering, a warning about the potential weaponization of AI in hardware…
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How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ammonia production
How to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from ammonia production Ammonia is one of the most widely produced chemicals in the world, used mostly as fertilizer, but also for the production of some plastics, textiles, and other applications. Its production, through processes that require high heat and pressure, accounts for up to 20% of all the…
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New haptic system lets soft objects respond to taps, squeezes and twists
New haptic system lets soft objects respond to taps, squeezes and twists New technology that invites expressive, two-way communication between a person and the soft, flexible object they are holding or wearing has been developed at the University of Bath. Go to techxplore
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Open-source tool predicts wind farm power fluctuations with greater short-term accuracy
Open-source tool predicts wind farm power fluctuations with greater short-term accuracy Researchers from TU Delft, a partner of the SUDOCO project, in collaboration with the Université catholique de Louvain (Belgium) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory of Golden (U.S.), have developed a new open-source wake modeling framework called “OFF,” enhancing existing models such as OnWARDS,…
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People-pleasing chatbots may boost your ego, but they can weaken your judgment
People-pleasing chatbots may boost your ego, but they can weaken your judgment Most people enjoy receiving praise occasionally, but if it comes from sycophantic chatbots, it could be doing you more harm than good. Computer scientists from Stanford University and Carnegie Mellon University have found that people-pleasing chatbots can have a detrimental impact on our…
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Green electricity deals are too complex. Even as a researcher in sustainability I’ve been confused
Green electricity deals are too complex. Even as a researcher in sustainability I’ve been confused After comparing electricity tariffs on a spreadsheet, I can confirm that deciphering the plans feels a bit like learning ancient Greek. Go to techxplore
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Flash Joule heating lights up lithium extraction from ores
Flash Joule heating lights up lithium extraction from ores A new one‑step, water‑, acid‑, and alkali‑free method for extracting high‑purity lithium from spodumene ore has the potential to transform critical metal processing and enhance renewable energy supply chains. The study is published in Science Advances. Go to techxplore
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‘Cost-optimal’ solutions don’t always provide best mix for power generation, study finds
‘Cost-optimal’ solutions don’t always provide best mix for power generation, study finds As industries, utilities and regulators consider the best ways to accommodate our increasing need for power generation, cost concerns weigh heavily on their decision-making. Go to techxplore
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Scientists develop end-to-end encryption for git services
Scientists develop end-to-end encryption for git services From large technology corporations to startups, from computer science students to indie developers, using git services is as common as opening a word document is for most of the rest of us. Git services are online repositories, indispensable in the IT industry, that manage and store projects that…
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Tesla offers cheaper versions of 2 electric vehicles in bid to win back market share in tough year
Tesla offers cheaper versions of 2 electric vehicles in bid to win back market share in tough year Tesla rolled out new, cheaper versions of two of its electric car models on Tuesday in hopes the offerings will help revive flagging sales. Go to techxplore
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New model forecasts renewable growth for distributed energy resources
New model forecasts renewable growth for distributed energy resources In the last decade, the rapid proliferation of distributed energy resources (DERs), including rooftop solar panels, energy storage systems, and electric vehicles, has transformed the modern energy landscape. In a new study, researchers propose a model to forecast renewable energy growth at both the circuit and…
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Developing an autonomous crack segmentation and exploration system for civil infrastructure
Developing an autonomous crack segmentation and exploration system for civil infrastructure Identifying cracks is critical for the monitoring of civil infrastructure. To enhance inspection efficiency, a proposed autonomous crack segmentation and exploration system enables the agent to navigate itself without human operation, and the agent successfully captures more than 85% of cracks in the training…
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Making sustainable plastic from the carbon dioxide in the ocean
Making sustainable plastic from the carbon dioxide in the ocean The ocean is Earth’s largest carbon sink, absorbing about 25% of the CO₂ released by human activities. However, this uptake contributes to ocean acidification and risks destabilizing marine ecosystems. Utilizing this carbon resource presents a sustainable alternative to fossil fuels to produce important chemicals and…
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Air India’s midair emergency sparks new alarm over the safety of the Boeing Dreamliner
Air India’s midair emergency sparks new alarm over the safety of the Boeing Dreamliner India’s leading body of pilots has asked the civil aviation regulator to inspect all Boeing 787 Dreamliners operating in the country for electrical issues after one of the planes abruptly deployed an emergency power system midair over the weekend. Go to…
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Analysis suggests silphium plant paper offers climate benefits over traditional paper fibers
Analysis suggests silphium plant paper offers climate benefits over traditional paper fibers Wood is the primary source of raw material for paper production—whether as fresh fiber or recycled material. The silphium plant, a perennial energy crop, is now also being used as an alternative fiber source. Fraunhofer UMSICHT conducted a life cycle assessment study for…
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Solar energy is now the world’s cheapest source of power, study finds
Solar energy is now the world’s cheapest source of power, study finds Solar energy is now so cost-effective that, in the sunniest countries, it costs as little as £0.02 to produce one unit of power, making it cheaper than electricity generated from coal, gas or wind, according to a new study from the University of…
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Amazon is overhauling its devices to take on Apple in the AI era
Amazon is overhauling its devices to take on Apple in the AI era When Amazon.com Inc. recruited longtime Microsoft Corp. product chief Panos Panay in 2023 to run its devices division, his new colleagues thought the e-commerce giant was preparing to take its consumer gadget line upscale. Go to techxplore
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Swiss solar furnaces recycling watchmakers’ waste metal
Swiss solar furnaces recycling watchmakers’ waste metal A Swiss company inaugurated two solar furnaces on Friday in a watchmaking city, aimed at melting down and recycling the key industry’s steel offcuts by using green energy. Go to techxplore
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AI in an ‘industrial bubble’ but will benefit society: Bezos
AI in an ‘industrial bubble’ but will benefit society: Bezos Artificial intelligence technology is in an “industrial bubble,” Amazon founder Jeff Bezos told a tech conference in Italy on Friday, but the benefits to society will be “immense.” Go to techxplore
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AI could make it easier to create bioweapons that bypass current security protocols
AI could make it easier to create bioweapons that bypass current security protocols Artificial intelligence is transforming biology and medicine by accelerating the discovery of new drugs and proteins and making it easier to design and manipulate DNA, the building blocks of life. But as with most new technologies, there is a potential downside. The…
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A new guide to tackle tech abuse of older people
A new guide to tackle tech abuse of older people A new guide has been launched to help tackle the growing threat of domestic abusers using technology, like smart doorbells and mobiles, against older people. Go to techxplore
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Spinel-type sulfide semiconductors achieve room-temperature light emission across violet to orange spectrum
Spinel-type sulfide semiconductors achieve room-temperature light emission across violet to orange spectrum A spinel-type sulfide semiconductor that can emit light from violet to orange at room temperature has been developed by researchers at Science Tokyo, overcoming the efficiency limitations of current LED and solar cell materials. The material, (Zn,Mg)Sc2S4, can be chemically tuned to switch…
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Can AI technology help solve societal environmental and health issues?
Can AI technology help solve societal environmental and health issues? Researchers at Tohoku University used artificial intelligence (AI) to try and solve the deeply complex and multi-faceted environmental issues in today’s society. The findings were published in Environment International. Go to techxplore
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A bold new blueprint for economically viable solar hydrogen
A bold new blueprint for economically viable solar hydrogen A review reimagines solar-driven water electrolysis not as a mere hydrogen production technology but instead as a relatively versatile platform for sustainable chemical manufacturing, according to Professor Fatwa F. Abdi from the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK). Go to…
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The importance of a leader–follower relationship for performing tasks
The importance of a leader–follower relationship for performing tasks When multiple people work together, things sometimes turn out better than doing the same task alone. Then, there are other times, when cooperation actually seems to hinder progress, making things much more inefficient. Go to techxplore
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Boom or bubble: How long can the AI investment craze last?
Boom or bubble: How long can the AI investment craze last? The staggering investments in artificial intelligence keep coming: Last week, AI chip giant Nvidia announced it would invest $100 billion to help OpenAI, the frontrunner in generative AI, build data centers. Go to techxplore
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Simple formula could guide the design of faster-charging, longer-lasting batteries
Simple formula could guide the design of faster-charging, longer-lasting batteries At the heart of all lithium-ion batteries is a simple reaction: Lithium ions dissolved in an electrolyte solution “intercalate” or insert themselves into a solid electrode during battery discharge. When they de-intercalate and return to the electrolyte, the battery charges. Go to techxplore
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Polymers with ultralow dielectric loss show potential for 6G telecommunications
Polymers with ultralow dielectric loss show potential for 6G telecommunications With the rollout of fifth-generation (5G) telecommunications networks and 6G looming on the horizon, the demand for advanced materials that can handle high-frequency signals is rising rapidly. These systems use electromagnetic waves ranging from tens to hundreds of gigahertz (GHz), where signals are highly sensitive…
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Using AI to identify sketchy massage parlors
Using AI to identify sketchy massage parlors Human trafficking rings are at their most dangerous when they masquerade as legitimate commercial activity. Illicit massage businesses (IMBs) are one of the most common ways in which exploitive networks operate in plain sight. Go to techxplore
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Palladium filters could enable cheaper, more efficient generation of hydrogen fuel
Palladium filters could enable cheaper, more efficient generation of hydrogen fuel Palladium is one of the keys to jump-starting a hydrogen-based energy economy. The silvery metal is a natural gatekeeper against every gas except hydrogen, which it readily lets through. For its exceptional selectivity, palladium is considered one of the most effective materials at filtering…
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Exploring alternative metals for longer-lasting, faster-charging batteries
Exploring alternative metals for longer-lasting, faster-charging batteries Yan Yao, a professor at University of Houston’s Cullen College of Engineering, along with collaborators from Singapore, Zhejiang University and Seoul National University, have published a review in the journal Science eying alternative metals for battery anodes. Go to techxplore
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One-atom-thick filter helps lithium–sulfur batteries keep their charge
One-atom-thick filter helps lithium–sulfur batteries keep their charge Longer-lasting phones, lighter drones, electric cars that drive farther. These are just some of the possibilities thanks to a new battery separator design from University of Florida researchers and their partners. Go to techxplore
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Kirigami parachute suitable for humanitarian missions stabilizes quickly and doesn’t pitch
Kirigami parachute suitable for humanitarian missions stabilizes quickly and doesn’t pitch A team of engineers from Polytechnique Montréal report a new and unique parachute concept inspired by the Japanese art of kirigami today in Nature. This simple, robust and low-cost approach has a wide variety of potential applications ranging from humanitarian aid to space exploration.…
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Q&A: Can AI persuade you to go vegan—or harm yourself?
Q&A: Can AI persuade you to go vegan—or harm yourself? Large language models are more persuasive than humans, according to recent UBC research published as part of the Proceedings of the Third Workshop on Social Influence in Conversations (SICon 2025). Go to techxplore
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Simulation tool improves accuracy and speed of electric grid modeling
Simulation tool improves accuracy and speed of electric grid modeling Covering half of North America, the U.S. electric grid functions somewhat like a vast, complex organism. Researchers at the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory have developed a new simulation platform for understanding and predicting the behavior of this modern grid. Using a combination…
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Humans extend forgiveness to machines just as they do to people, study reveals
Humans extend forgiveness to machines just as they do to people, study reveals When a machine fails, our first reaction is often frustration. A computer freezing at the worst possible moment, a navigation app leading us straight into a traffic jam, or a washing machine suddenly stopping mid-cycle—all are everyday situations that trigger anger and…
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Semiconductor neuron mimics brain’s memory and adaptive response abilities
Semiconductor neuron mimics brain’s memory and adaptive response abilities The human brain does more than simply regulate synapses that exchange signals; individual neurons also process information through intrinsic plasticity, the adaptive ability to become more sensitive or less sensitive depending on context. Existing artificial intelligence semiconductors, however, have struggled to mimic this flexibility of the…
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Amazon unveils new generation of AI-powered Kindle and other devices
Amazon unveils new generation of AI-powered Kindle and other devices Online juggernaut Amazon Inc. unveiled its next generation of Kindle, Ring and Echo devices, among other gadgets, that are all powered by artificial intelligence and connected to Alexa+, its AI-infused personal assistant, which made its debut in February. Go to techxplore