Latest news of science and technology, new electronics

A regularly updated selection of the most interesting news in science and technology, new electronics. Large archive of articles from 2000 to 2024. Based on materials from periodicals and the Internet.

timeline

AI will aim for the player 19.07.2021

Cheating in video games has reached a new level. A special device has been developed that helps the player accurately aim at the enemy. In fact, we are talking about the hardware analogue of Aim Bot. Experts say that this cheat cannot be detected by any protection, since it does not violate the integrity of game files, which is typical for software cheats. The device can be used with both PC and consoles. Actually, CVCheat is an advanced video capture card that connects to a PC or console using an HDMI connector and monitors the frames transmitted by the GPU to the screen. Using built-in artificial intelligence algorithms and computer vision, CVCheat determines the location of enemies in the central area of ​​​​the screen where the player is looking. Next, an algorithm comes into play that accurately calculates how far and in what direction it is necessary to move the mouse in order for the enemy to be in the crosshairs of the sight. CVCheat can detect not only the whole enemy, but ... >>

Fabric to keep you cool in the heat 19.07.2021

Scientists from the Huazhong University of Science and Technology in China have developed a fabric that can cool the body. Polylactic acid and fibers of titanium oxide and Teflon were taken as the basis of the fabric. With their help, the fabric can reflect ultraviolet and infrared radiation. In this case, the body is cooled due to heat dissipation. Due to its special structure, the meta-fabric provides an almost perfect emissivity in the mid-infrared range. Scientists have conducted several tests. In one of them, a volunteer wearing a half-metal and half-cotton vest was exposed to the sun for an hour. Skin temperature rose from 31°C to 32°C under the metacloth, while up to 37°C under the cotton. ... >>

DRAM production using EUV lithography 18.07.2021

SK Hynix announced the start of mass production of 4 Gb LPDDR4266-8 DRAM chips based on the 1a-nm node, which is the fourth generation of process technologies in the 10-20 nm range. This is the first time that SK Hynix has used equipment with extreme ultraviolet lithography (EUV) technology in mass production, after partial implementation in the past. SK Hynix expects the new technology to lead to improvements in productivity and cost. According to experts, the 1a-nm node will provide a quarter more chips per wafer compared to the previous 1z-nm node. The company plans to start shipping this type of mobile DRAM from the second half of 2021. Gradually, SK Hynix plans to convert more and more of its memory products to 1a-nm standards, including DDR5 chips for server, desktop and mobile equipment. Cho Youngmann, vice president of SK Hynix, said: "Thanks to the increased productivity ... >>

Created a prototype quantum radar 18.07.2021

Physicists from the Austrian Institute of Science and Technology and colleagues from the US, UK and Italy have created a prototype radar that uses quantum entanglement to detect an object. This technology may find application in biomedical scanners with ultra-low power consumption in the future. The researchers introduced a technology called microwave quantum illumination based on entangled photons. In quantum entanglement, two particles stay connected no matter how far apart they are. This allows the radar to operate even in high thermal noise environments where classical systems are often ineffective. Scientists entangled photons at a temperature a few thousandths of a degree above absolute zero (-273,15 degrees Celsius). One group of photons, called signal, went to the object, and over the other group - idle photons - measurements were taken under conditions without interference and noise ... >>

E-paper with optimal color reproduction 17.07.2021

In order for reflective screens to compete with energy-intensive backlit screens, they must reproduce images and colors with the same high quality. Thanks to research from the Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden), this breakthrough may soon become a reality. "Our study shows how this technology can be optimized to make it commercially viable," says Marika Gugole of the Chalmers Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering. Based on a previously studied porous and nanostructured material containing tungsten trioxide, as well as gold and platinum, they tested a new, inverted tactic. The component that makes the material electrically conductive was placed under the pixel nanostructure that reproduces colors, and not above it, as before. This new design means you're looking directly at the pixelated surface, so colors are perceived much more clearly. "Our main goal in developing ... >>

Roccat Torch studio grade USB microphone 17.07.2021

Turtle Beach introduced Roccat's Torch microphone, Roccat's first "studio-grade USB microphone". It is addressed to game lovers, streamers and content creators. The design of the microphone includes a "double condenser capsule" that allows you to choose between three pickup patterns: cardioid, stereo and night, optimized for whispering. In fact, the case contains two capsules with a diameter of 14 mm. The frequency response of the microphone is 20-20 Hz, the maximum sound pressure level for which it is designed is 000 dB. The microphone supports sampling rates up to 110 kHz and 48-bit data representation. The package includes a stand, or base station with controls for selecting the directivity pattern and changing the signal level, with a 24 mm jack for connecting headphones for real-time monitoring. The dimensions of the device are 3,5 x 138 x 95 mm, the weight without the base is 208 g, with it - 290 g. In addition to the bases ... >>

Crystal of electrons 16.07.2021

A team of researchers from ETH Zurich has observed a Winger crystal for the first time in history. The discovery is described as nothing more than the Holy Grail in condensed matter physics. In 1934, Eugene Wigner suggested that electrons in a material could theoretically arrange themselves in regular and crystalline structures due to mutual electrical repulsion. For almost 90 years, the prediction existed in the form of a theory, and only recently was it experimentally proven. Swiss scientists were able to actually fix a crystal consisting of only electrons. The main problem that accompanied all previous attempts to prove this theory was the need for extremely low temperatures and a small number of free electrons in the material. In the course of new experiments, it was possible to create a layer of molybdenum diselenide just one atom thick. This caused the electrons to move in only one plane, and their number depended on the voltage applied to the two transparencies. ... >>

Yongnuo YN455 - Android mirrorless camera 16.07.2021

The Chinese company Yongnuo introduced a new mirrorless camera YN455, the main distinguishing feature of which was the use of the Android operating system. The novelty received a 20-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor and support for interchangeable lenses. The camera can shoot videos with a resolution of 4K 3840 x 2160 pixels at 30 frames per second. The novelty is based on Qualcomm's unnamed eight-core Snapdragon processor, clocked at up to 2,2 GHz. It comes with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of permanent storage, expandable via microSD card up to 256GB. To control the camera and view the shots taken, a 5-inch tilting touch screen is provided. The battery is removable, with a capacity of 4400 mAh. There are two USB Type-C ports, a 3,5mm combo audio jack, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and GPS, and a 4G modem. ... >>

Smartphone flat camera technology 15.07.2021

The head of Samsung Electro-Mechanics spoke about the development of the metalens (also known as the superlens). This lens looks like a flat structure, but there are nanoparticles on its surface. This design allows light to be refracted. The principle of the lens is similar to the Fresnel lens, but the accuracy is higher and the lens itself is much thinner. X Samsung said that this technology can make the smartphone's lens thinner than the current one. Thus, when Samsung's Metalens goes into mass production and becomes available to manufacturers, they will be able to solve one of the problems with the cameras of modern smartphones. It means that the main camera in current phones has a ledge. This affects the overall aesthetics of the phones. Samsung Electronics is investigating a method of applying nanoparticles to lenses, and Samsung is currently testing the application of this technology in manufacturing. Processing of such lenses is carried out on a nanometer scale. For 0603 MLCC lens (dimensions 0,6 mm horizontal and 0,3 mm vertical ... >>

MAX20343/MAX20344 converters 15.07.2021

Maxim Integrated has mastered the production of the new MAX20343/MAX20344 switching voltage regulators for use in compact, portable battery-powered devices. The MAX20343/MAX20344 is a fully integrated solution that combines a controller and power transistors in a single package that can drive loads up to 1A at 3,5V output. which allows them to be used with primary energy sources, the voltage of which can be either higher or lower than the required output voltage. At the same time, special attention was paid to the functioning of the microcircuit in cases where the input voltage is approximately equal to the output: thanks to the unique transistor switching algorithm in these modes, it was possible to avoid sudden voltage fluctuations on the load and reduce the level of electromagnetic interference. The key advantages of mi ... >>

Starship vs space junk 14.07.2021

SpaceX founder Elon Musk said that the company will be able to solve the problem of space debris in orbit with the help of Starship spacecraft equipment. He claims that the rocket will be able to "chew" space debris with the help of the fairing doors. In the future, space debris could seriously complicate rocket launches into space. Now the US agency is tracking more than 27 space debris of various sizes, and there is no real solution to the problem yet. The head fairing will be equipped with two giant doors that open like a beak. In fact, the mechanism was created to release the payload from the inside, but, presumably, it can be used to clear the orbit of space debris. ... >>

LiveWire One Electric Motorcycle 14.07.2021

Harley-Davidson introduced the LiveWire One electric motorcycle. This is the first LiveWire product dedicated to electric vehicles by Harley-Davidson. According to the manufacturer, LiveWire One is designed for urban conditions, but its "power and range will take you beyond." On one charge, the motorcycle can travel up to 235 km in the city. On the motorway, mileage is reduced to 110 km, and in the combined cycle it is estimated at 150 km. Engine power is 105 hp or 77 kW. Up to 100 km / h, the motorcycle accelerates in 3,0 seconds. Using fast charging, you can charge a fully discharged battery up to 100% in 60 minutes. The advantages of the motorcycle include a stability control system, ABS and a system that prevents the rear axle from skidding when braking with recuperation. In the US, the motorcycle starts at $21. It is already available for order. LiveWire plans to enter the markets of other countries in 999. ... >>

Hybrid crossover Chery Tiggo 7 Plus 13.07.2021

Chery has introduced the successor to Chery Tiggo 7 Pro, which is called Chery Tiggo 7 Plus. The car received an updated grille, a modified bumper and T-shaped daytime running lights. On the tailgate is the Chery inscription instead of the logo, the taillights are connected by an LED strip. The interior of Chery Tiggo 7 Plus is made in the style of Chery Tiggo 8 Pro: the car received a new steering wheel and a single large unit that combines the screens of the digital dashboard and multimedia system. Buyers will be offered a version with a 1,6-liter turbocharged engine producing 197 hp. with a torque of 290 Nm, which is paired with a 7-speed "robot". More interesting is the hybrid version with a 1,5-liter engine and a 48-volt starter-alternator. ... >>

Smart hydrogen cabinet 13.07.2021

Estonian energy company Alexela and cleantech startup PowerUP Energy Technologies have unveiled the world's first Smart Hydrogen Cabinet at the Alexela filling station at Kakumäe Harbor in the Estonian capital Tallinn. The first of its kind, the smart hydrogen cabinet is designed for smaller hydrogen-powered applications, including sailboats, yachts and RVs. The smart cabinet is fully automated and filled with lightweight hydrogen tanks provided by PowerUP Energy Technologies. It will be operated by a mobile payment system application called Paytailor, which requires little to no human contact, making mobile payments easier for its customers. In addition to this, the app provides its customers with the ability to control the smart closet seamlessly. Customers can open the smart cabinet, select the number of hydrogen tanks they want to rent and make payment - all through the app. This cabinet that works ... >>

Komatsu Electric Micro Excavator 12.07.2021

Honda and Komatsu have developed a compact electric micro-excavator. It is based on universal battery packs from Honda electric motorcycles. This product is an electric version of Komatsu's PC 0E small excavator. He gained a lot from this transformation. Exhausts, fumes and fuel leaks disappeared. The device has become easier to maintain and manage. Honda has huge plans to convert construction equipment to traction batteries. Electric motors are much more practical and cheaper. Of course, there is such a problem as the cost of batteries (with their relatively short service life), but everything else should be cheaper and better than their gasoline or diesel counterparts. The design and all mechanical components of the PC 01E micro-electric excavator were developed by Komatsu specialists. Honda engineers contributed to the Mobile Power Packs (MPPs), the main drive and the hydraulic pump for steering. ... >>

Invincible cockroach robot 12.07.2021

Engineers from Tsinghua and Berkeley Universities have developed a cockroach robot that weighs less than 0,1 grams and is able to withstand the pressure of a 60 kilogram human on it. The robotic cockroach looks like a rectangular piece of metal, measuring 3 by 1,5 cm. It is made from a thin sheet of polyvinylidene difluoride, a piezoelectric material that can expand and contract when subjected to alternating current. It is thanks to this contraction-expansion and the front leg that the robot moves, bending and pushing itself forward, overcoming 16 centimeters per second. The robot can climb gentle slopes, overcome obstacles from small pipes, and even carry loads that are 6 times its own weight, such as peanuts. The electronic cockroach is connected to the power supply by wires, but the developers plan to switch it to a small battery and add a gas sensor. Such robots can be useful in the study of inaccessible places of disasters and catastrophes: they maneuver ... >>

Improving Quantum Computing 11.07.2021

The computational capabilities of today's supercomputers may be staggering, but quantum computers are expected to outperform even the most powerful of these machines. Thanks to the huge amount of memory and speed of operation, quantum computers will be able to solve problems that are currently beyond the power of any processor. European researchers working within the EU-funded Magnum and microSPIRE projects have developed a potentially new qubit system using the rotation of so-called "holes". Semiconductors consist of artificial quasi-particles, which are a collection of electrons and holes. Holes are usually called carriers of a positive charge equal to the elementary charge in semiconductors. Although holes are not true particles, they share many properties with electrons. They interact when they come close to each other, and they also have the quantum mechanical property of spin. Holes in materials such as metalloid germanium are ... >>

South Korea bans minors from playing Minecraft 11.07.2021

South Korean gamers will only be able to access Minecraft if they are over 19 years old. This is due to local law that prohibits minors from playing video games between midnight and six in the morning (the ban was introduced in 2011). In order to limit access to the country's most popular Minecraft, Microsoft has changed the way you sign in to the game, which previously required a Mojang account. Microsoft recently announced that it will only be possible to enter the game through an Xbox Live account, and it can only be registered in South Korea by those who are at least 19 years old. Typically, game publishers take steps to comply with the law and limit access to games during quiet hours. In the case of Xbox Live, the restriction applies to minors around the clock. Given that Minecraft is considered to be children's entertainment, gamers in South Korea have criticized Microsoft's approach and are collecting signatures on a petition demanding that the decision to classify the game as an "adult" game be reversed. ... >>

3D printed stretchable artificial leather 10.07.2021

Scientists at Stanford University have 3D printed stretchable skin that looks like rubber. The new method increases the density of elastic transistors by more than 100 times compared to earlier designs. Chemical engineer Zhenan Bao and her team of researchers at Stanford have revealed how they printed a stretchable but reusable integrated circuit on rubber materials in a new study. There are more than 40 transistors per square centimeter of artificial leather, and the team plans to increase this number. It is planned to increase the number of transistors to a billion, which will be enough to create simple circuits for sensors on the skin, as well as implantable bioelectronics. While working, the scientists used a new process to create flexible circuits: they stretched them parallel and perpendicular to twice their original dimensions. As a result, they did not crack or delaminate. Electrically, the transistors remained stable even after thousands of repetitions. ... >>

Plant Pore Control 10.07.2021

Scientists from the Julius Maximilian University (JMU) of Würzburg have found a way to remotely control the pores on plant leaves using light pulses. Plants have small pores on the surface of their leaves called stomata. They help plants regulate the supply of carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. They also prevent too much water loss and wilting during drought. The stomatal pores are surrounded by two protective cells. If the internal pressure of these cells drops, they weaken and close the pores. If the pressure rises, the cells move apart and the pores expand. Thus, the movements of the stomata are regulated by protective cells. The signaling pathways in these cells are so complex that it is difficult to influence their work directly. However, the researchers managed to do this by introducing a light-sensitive switch into the defense cells of tobacco plants. This technology was borrowed from optogenetics. It has been successfully used in animal cells, but its use in ... >>

Hyrope smart jump rope 09.07.2021

Hygear, a major manufacturer of smart fitness tools that was formed in 2020, has officially launched its new product, the smart jump rope. The novelty is able to provide users with real-time feedback. This rope is called Hyrope, and its next distinguishing feature is that it is able to work without any problems in tandem with the official application of the company in order to successfully track the number of jumps you have made, your maximum, minimum and average speed. , pace, and user calories burned by you. This application from Hygear will allow you to choose the interactive workouts you like at any time, which you can follow depending on your fitness goals. Hyrope also uses artificial intelligence technology to adjust various metrics based on actual performance. ... >>

Pain relief without drugs 09.07.2021

Researchers from New York University have developed a device that can effectively deal with chronic pain without the use of drugs. The device is implanted directly into the brain. "The unique technology belongs to the Neuralink company, which is owned by the American entrepreneur Elon Musk. With the help of the new implant, they planned to correct epilepsy, neurodegenerative diseases, paralysis, and others," the article notes. When one detects the "pain detected" electrical signal, a light beam is automatically fired, which stimulates neurons that suppress pain signals. In this case, the implant is activated only when pain occurs and does not affect the brain in the normal state. It is noted that the rat models on which the experiments were performed showed good results. It is known that in real time the device copes with chronic, mechanical, as well as neuropathic pain syndrome. ... >>

Video camera for animals with built-in feeder 08.07.2021

The Ukrainian company Petcube has introduced a new animal care chamber with a built-in Petcube Bites 2 Lite feeder. The device allows pet owners to care for their pets remotely via smartphone, as well as hear and talk to them. Bites 2 Lite transmits HD video in 1080p quality to the user's smartphone through a 160° wide-angle lens, has 8x digital zoom and night vision up to 9 meters in the dark. In addition, the camera provides two-way audio communication, allowing you to hear what is happening in the room and talk with your pet. The camera has a minimalist design that will fit almost any interior. Also this fall, Pecube will release colored treat containers. As an optional accessory, it will be possible to purchase a pink, blue or orange hopper, made of hard plastic, making them safe even for large dogs. Petcube Bites 2 Lite uses the same mobile apps ... >>

NeoBuds Pro Wireless Hi-Res Audio Headphones 08.07.2021

Speaker manufacturer Edifier has unveiled the new NeoBuds Pro fully wireless headphones NeoBuds Pro are the first Hi-Res Audio Wireless certified TWS headphones on the market that support active noise cancellation and the LHDC+ AAC codec. The new headphones boast Knowles dynamic and armature drivers. Edifier's research team conducted hundreds of tests during the development of the NeoBuds Pro, enabling the company to achieve traditional on-ear sound quality in a compact TWS earphone form factor. The device will offer users superior sound quality with deep bass and clear highs. NeoBuds Pro support the LHDC+ AAC codec, which allows you to transmit 96 kHz 24-bit HD audio via Bluetooth. ... >>

Cutlets from the air 07.07.2021

The Finnish company Solar Foods is going to produce food based on air, water and electricity. In the city of Helsinki, a special factory has been opened that produces food that is created on the principle of alcoholic fermentation. True, carbon dioxide and hydrogen are recycled. After the processing process, which also includes the addition of CO2, various microelements, hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria, as well as heat treatment of the resulting mixture, a nutritious powder comes out, similar in properties to flour - solein. This artificial flour makes an excellent protein supplement for plant-based foods. ... >>

Objective reality does not exist 07.07.2021

In the quantum world, measurements from different positions will give different results, but they will be equally true - and this has led physicists to very curious conclusions. Physicist Eugene Wigner has slightly complicated Erwin Schrödinger's famous thought experiment: a living cat is locked in a box with a radioactive element, a Geiger counter and a deadly poison. The probability that a radioactive element will decay is 50%. If this happens, the counter will set the hammer in motion, which will break the vial of poison and kill the cat. That is, until the box is opened, the cat should be considered both alive and dead at the same time. Imagine that after the completion of the experiment, the experimenter opens the box and sees that the cat is alive. But an observer outside the laboratory (Wigner's suggested friend) recognizes the cat as alive only when the experimenter informs him of the outcome of the experiment. Just like all the other "friends". That is, until all people in the universe know the result of the experiment, the cat remains between life and death. But does this model reflect ... >>

Samsung JetBot Robot Vacuum Cleaners 06.07.2021

Samsung has announced a new line of JetBot robot vacuum cleaners with Intel artificial intelligence technology. Now the devices are available for purchase in Ukraine. The series includes three models: JetBot (VR30T80313W/EV), JetBot+ (VR30T85513W/EV) and JetBot AI+ (VR50T95735W/EV). The top JetBot AI + features a navigation system, thanks to which the robot vacuum cleaner can move along difficult routes. To do this, the vacuum cleaner uses LiDAR, which determines the location of objects on the way and the distance to them. Paired with LiDAR is a camera and a 3D sensor. In such a bundle, the device recognizes and classifies objects, putting them on a map of the room. By the way, with the help of the camera you can also watch pets. The JetBot+ and JetBot AI+ models also feature an Air Pulse Cleaning Station. That is, robots are completely autonomous and can work without user intervention. After cleaning, JetBot AI+ will automatically return to the Clean Station, which will automatically clean ... >>

Desalination of sea water based on nanofiber membrane 06.07.2021

Korean scientists have created a desalination method that can make seawater drinkable in minutes. To do this, they used a membrane distillation process. Thanks to the method of membrane distillation, scientists were able to remove 99,9% of the salt from the water within one month. However, the main problem in developing this method was that such filters stop filtering water after the membrane gets wet, so it was necessary to create a material that would be as resistant to moisture as possible. And at the same time, it must retain the ability to filter water. As a result, the membrane was made of polymer nanofibers, which are made by electrospinning, when the threads of the membrane fiber are formed in an electrostatic field. The scientists used a polymer blend of polyvinylidene fluoride and hexafluoropropylene as a base and a silicate airgel mixed with a low concentration polymer as a shell to produce a composite membrane with a superhydrophobic surface. In case of commercial ... >>

slimming device 05.07.2021

Researchers at New Zealand's Otago University have created a jaw-locking slimming device. The novelty is called DentalSlim Diet Control. It is installed on the upper and lower back teeth using special fixing bolts, which are connected to each other by two magnets. So, a person cannot chew solid food. The gadget, which can only be installed by a dentist, allows the wearer to open their mouth only 2mm, limiting the diet to liquid foods. At the same time, the device does not interfere with breathing and speaking. Participants in the trial of the new invention lost an average of 6,36 kg in two weeks and received a real incentive to continue their path to weight loss, "the scientists say. "The device is not intended for rapid or long-term weight loss; rather, it aims to help people who need surgery and can't have surgery until they lose weight. After two to three weeks, they can turn off the magnets and remove the device. They may have a period of less restrictive dieting, ... >>

Plastic sleepers 05.07.2021

Recycled bottles, packaging and other items made from recycled plastic have been turned into strong sleepers for the first time on Britain's mainline railways. According to experts from the railway company Network Rail (London), such sleepers are designed for 50 years of operation. The eco-project, originally launched in Wiltshire, aims to significantly reduce CO2 emissions by 2050. Rail supports are usually made of wood and concrete. However, new railway sleepers made of plastic, compared to conventional materials, will be more resistant to adverse environmental factors. These sleepers, in particular, do not split, rot or decompose. They are not afraid of exposure to water, oil, chemicals and fungus. In addition, the production of plastic sleepers is more profitable than their production from wood. Moreover, four years ago a moratorium on the use of creosote was introduced in Europe. This toxic substance is commonly treated with wooden sleepers. ... >>

Limited information motivates children to learn 04.07.2021

Researchers at Rutgers University found that limited information motivates young children to learn. According to the study, preschool children are sensitive to the difference between how much they know and how much they still have to learn. Preschool children tend to choose to gather more information about something if it interests them. This ability creates the perfect combination of insecurity and curiosity in children and motivates them to learn more. The study focused on how the level of knowledge of children affects what information they are interested in. The data obtained indicate that children are attracted not only by the novelty of information. Children are naturally curious, scientists say, but the tricky question is how to harness that natural curiosity. In a series of experiments, the authors developed personal and online storybooks to measure how many 3- to 5-year-old preschoolers knew about different "knowledge areas". During the experiment ... >>

Solar cells for laser energy transmission systems 04.07.2021

The Fraunhofer Institute Solar Energy Systems ISE claims to have achieved a 68,9% conversion efficiency rate for a III-V solar cell that can be used in laser energy transmission systems. "In this new form of power transfer, laser energy is delivered either through the air or through an optical fiber to a photovoltaic cell whose properties match the power and wavelength of monochromatic laser light," the scientists explained. "Compared to traditional power transmission over copper wires, light-assisted power systems are especially useful for applications that require, for example, a galvanically isolated power supply, lightning or explosion protection, electromagnetic compatibility, or completely wireless power transmission." Laser power transmission systems are not much different from power transmission systems based on microwave technology. These systems convert a power source into an emitter that generates directional electricity. ... >>

Cocoa improves visual acuity 03.07.2021

Researchers in Spain have studied the effect of compounds found in cocoa and red berries on retinal function in healthy eyes. Cocoa and red berries are good sources of polyphenols in the human diet. Red berries are characterized by the presence of anthocyanins, a group of red-purple-blue flavonoids associated with endothelial protection and inflammation. Cocoa is rich in flavan-3-ols but also contains other polyphenols such as phenolic acids and flavonols. In addition, cocoa is a good source of theobromine, which, unlike caffeine, has less of a psychoactive effect but can lower blood pressure, while caffeine increases it depending on the individual. ... >>

Energy storage in red-hot graphite bricks 03.07.2021

Building solar and wind power plants is now cheaper than building coal ones, but it is still difficult to ensure a continuous cycle of operation of stations using renewable sources. Two American companies have proposed storing energy by heating bricks made of conductive materials to thousands of degrees Celsius. At night and in calm weather, hot bricks will participate in the generation of electricity and this is cheaper than using batteries. Established in 2018, Antora Energy recommends the use of graphite thermal storage bricks. Actually, the industry already produces such graphite blocks in huge volumes in the form of electrodes for steelmaking and chemical enterprises. In this regard, you do not need to invent anything. To accumulate energy, an excess electric current is passed through the graphite bricks in the block and they heat up to 1500 ° C. The secret lies in how to turn heat back into electricity. To generate electricity from stored heat, ... >>

Xiaomi Audio and Video Conference Speaker Video Conferencing System 02.07.2021

Xiaomi has announced the Audio and Video Conference Speaker system, which is designed to organize remote interaction between employees. The novelty was estimated at 360 dollars. The system resembles a soundbar. It can be wall-mounted for convenient video calling. The device has a camera based on a Sony sensor with a viewing angle of 120 degrees, eight times digital zoom and the ability to mechanically adjust the height within 10 degrees. An array of six microphones is responsible for speech equalization. Its range is 5 m. Intelligent algorithms improve the performance of microphones, so that the voice of people who are nearby at different distances is heard equally well. The system is equipped with an eight-core Qualcomm APQ8053 processor and two 2,5-inch speakers. It also supports 4K video and has Smart Noise Reduction tools based on AI algorithms. ... >>

Smart T-shirt YouCare 5G 02.07.2021

ZTE and ACCYOURATE jointly launched the YouCare 5G Smart T-shirt. Based on the revolutionary new generation wearable technology, the T-shirt can monitor a number of important physical indicators, including breathing, sweat composition, muscle tone, body temperature, etc. It can monitor a person's health status. Thanks to 5G technology, with low latency and high reliability, data is transmitted to the medical health management center. This smart T-shirt is washable. This will lay the foundation for new service models in telemedicine, sports and personal health. Francisco Roca, president of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent, said the invention would greatly improve the quality of life for families suffering from chronic diseases. Further testing of YouCare will take place at ZTE's 5G Innovation Center in the province of L'Aquila, Italy. ... >>

Bulletproof vest made of nanostructured carbon material 01.07.2021

Light weight and thin are two desirable indicators when it comes to materials used for the production of bulletproof vests and other protective equipment. Researchers have made impressive strides in this area, using the latest advances in nanotechnology and drawing inspiration from "naturally occurring technologies" such as the structure of the shells of some marine molluscs. The breakthrough in this area is a new material developed by materials scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), which outperforms materials such as Kevlar and steel in many basic parameters. The starting point for the manufacture of a new material is a light-sensitive polymer, in the volume of which, with the help of laser light, a nanolattice with an ordered regular structure was formed. After creating a lattice, this material was placed in a high-temperature vacuum chamber, where the polymer was transformed into a lightweight polymer. ... >>

Popcorn packaging for fragile items 01.07.2021

In Germany, researchers at the University of Göttingen have developed a plant-based packaging for fragile items that can replace polystyrene foam. The new material is 100% biodegradable. Popcorn is not only lightweight, but also water-repellent. With the help of 3D printing, popcorn granulate can take any shape. In addition to the actual packaging, the researchers made jars for spices, cups, as well as sound-absorbing plates and even chairs. The University of Göttingen has already signed a cooperation agreement with Nordgetreide GmbH & Co. "Our popcorn packaging is a great sustainable alternative to petroleum-based polystyrene foam," said Stefan Schult, Managing Director of Nordgetreide. Only in the USA about 3 million tons of polystyrene are produced annually - mainly for packaging and food. At the same time, the full disposal of packaging based on polystyrene foam takes centuries, and popcorn can be used as compost. ... >>

Intercity travel by car 30.06.2021

The AirCar flying car made the first long-distance flight for this type of vehicle. The 35-minute flight from Nitra to Bratislava was made on 28 June. The distance between these cities is 96 km, which, taking into account the occurring settlements, translates into approximately 1 hour by car. Flying by car, as we see, is almost twice as fast. The process of transforming an AirCar from its airplane state into a car state takes about three minutes. In its current form, the AirCar Prototype 1 is equipped with a 160 hp BMW engine. There is also a parachute. The machine has already shown the ability to fly at altitudes up to 2500 m at speeds up to 190 km/h. AirCar Prototype 2 will receive a 300 hp engine. and EASA CS-23 certificate. Such a device will be able to move in the air at speeds up to 300 km / h with a flight range of up to 1000 km. ... >>

Factory for the production of artificial meat 30.06.2021

The Israeli company Future Meat Technologies has launched the world's first factory for the production of artificial meat. The enterprise in the city of Rehovot will produce up to 500 kg of cultivated chicken, pork and lamb daily. This amount is enough to make about 5000 hamburgers. Most artificial meat producers use one of two growing methods. The first is the creation of plant-based substitutes for beef and pork (for example, the startup Impossible Foods is following this path), and the second is the production of products from living cells grown in the laboratory. In the latter case, the cells are grown in special bioreactors, while the same substances are used as a nutrient "broth" for them that ordinary animals receive. Future Meat Technologies has adopted exactly this technology, supplementing it with its own know-how. Rejecting genetic modification, Israeli experts have developed a special process that is effective ... >>

Water from the air 29.06.2021

In regions of the planet with a shortage of drinking water, sea water has to be desalinated. This takes a lot of energy, and in areas more remote from the ocean, there is no such possibility. The solution to the problem may be the condensation of water vapor from the atmosphere. The idea is not new, but the "passive" technologies that existed before, taking into account natural temperature changes, cannot be used during daylight hours. To collect dew, for example, foil is used, which heats up during the day. Scientists from ETH Zurich have developed a technology that allows you to extract water around the clock, even under the scorching sun. In addition, it does not require energy at all. The device consists of a cone-shaped shield and a glass panel with a special coating that reflects the sun's rays and removes heat. Thus, the device is cooled down to 15 degrees Celsius below the ambient temperature. Inside the funnel, the water vapor turns into water. The process is similar to how condensation appears on poorly insulated windows in winter. ... >>

Thin transistors for invisible electronic skin 29.06.2021

Scientists have become one step closer to creating a full-fledged electronic skin. To achieve this goal, a special nanocoating was developed that is only three atoms thick, making it virtually invisible to the human eye. The technology was created by scientists from Stanford. In the future, it will allow the production of transistors with a length of less than 100 nanometers - several times less than the previous record. The breakthrough was achieved by replacing flexible plastic with silicon with an ultra-thin film of molybdenum disulfide coated with nano-coated gold electrodes. The output was a film only three atoms thick, created at a temperature of 815 degrees. The researchers argue that a traditional substrate would deform after reaching 360 degrees. After the components have cooled, the film is applied to the substrate, and the finished transistor structure will be only 5 microns thick, or one-tenth the diameter of a human hair. Such e-skin is not demanding on power consumption and can withstand ... >>

Gadget for invigorating the brain during the day 28.06.2021

Specialists from the US Air Force Research Laboratory have developed a device that helps relieve fatigue and maintain performance throughout the day. The VNS technique is based on stimulation of the cervical vagus nerve with electric current. This method is much more effective than transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Both methods target the locus coeruleus, an area in the brainstem that is the main source of norepinephrine, the wake-up hormone. In this case, tDCS signals must pass through the skin, skull, and the rest of the brain in order to reach the final region. The duration of the procedure is about 30 minutes. In the case of VNS therapy, exposure is carried out using a portable device. At the same time, a person can independently control the device, and the procedure takes only six minutes. 40 people took part in the tests of the device. Participants were awake for 34 hours. The condition of the volunteers was assessed using four tests. It turned out that learning ... >>

Bees have the ability to clone themselves 28.06.2021

Australian scientists at the University of Sydney have found that a breed of African honey bee is capable of producing nearly identical clones of worker females. This allows insects to avoid the harmful effects of virgin breeding. The ability to clone oneself has obvious advantages, since there is no need to look for a sexual partner, and there is no genetic dilution in the offspring, that is, the original genome is preserved from generation to generation. Some insect populations have evolved thelitocous parthenogenesis, where females are able to reproduce without fertilizing new females. The phenomenon occurs in some haplodiploid insects, in which males develop from unfertilized eggs and are haploid, that is, they have one set of chromosomes, and diploid females appear with a double set of chromosomes from fertilized eggs. In haplodiploidy, usually only the queen is able to lay the eggs from which the females emerge. Worker bees are also ... >>

Flying racing electric car Alauda Airspeeder Mk3 27.06.2021

The electric flying race car has flown for the first time in Australia, in preparation for a series of remotely piloted aircraft races later this year. A four-meter multicopter Alauda Airspeeder Mk3 made its first unmanned test flight in the desert of South Australia. With a weight of 130 kg, the aircraft has a specific thrust that exceeds that of some modern fighters. Alauda Aeronautics founder Matthew Pearson said the test vehicle will be raced in Formula One style, with up to ten similar aircraft in each "race". Three such races are planned for 1, the date and location of which have not yet been announced. Depending on the terrain, flying electric vehicles will travel at speeds of 2021 to 150 km/h, Pearson said. There is a place for the pilot in the cockpit of the vehicle, but at the moment the control ... >>

The harm of music before bed 27.06.2021

Michael Scullin, professor of psychology and neuroscience at Baylor University, conducted a study on sleep patterns. In his work, Dr. Scullin studied the relationship between music indulgence before bed and the quality of sleep. The main topic for study was the phenomenon of "ear worms": obsessive repetitions of the same melody that "gets stuck" in our head and involuntarily scrolls through the brain over and over again. Usually we can notice this during the daytime, but Dr. Scullin has proven that the same problem happens to us in our sleep. At the same time, the quality of sleep becomes worse and it does not bring the proper benefit to the body. The scientist based his conclusions on experiments with volunteers, in which more than two hundred people participated, answering various questions about musical habits and sleep quality. All of these music lovers experienced earworm syndrome. In addition, fifty volunteers were invited to conduct the experiment at the Laboratory of Neurobiology and Cognitive Research at the University of ... >>

Vanillin from plastic 26.06.2021

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland have developed a method to turn household plastic into vanillin. The process developed by scientists takes place using Escherichia coli. "Our work challenges new ways of solving the problem of pollution of the Earth and the perception of plastic as problematic waste. It also demonstrates its use as a new resource from which to obtain high-value products," the researchers say. About 50 million tons of plastic waste is thrown away every year around the world. In the course of the study, scientists found that common E. coli is able to process plastic into vanillin. However, to do this, the bacteria had to be modified and added to certain chemical processes. The resulting vanillin is of good quality and absolutely safe. This will partially solve the problem of pollution of the Earth with plastic waste. About 37 thousand tons of vanillin are used annually all over the world. ... >>

Australian city powered by solar energy 26.06.2021

Onslow in Western Australia's Pilbara region has become Australia's largest 100% renewable city, a landmark moment during the successful demonstration of the Onslow Distributed Energy Resources (DER) project. State-owned regional utility Horizon Power has successfully provided renewable energy to a community of more than 800 people. The microgrid test took place at the end of last month, and lasted a total of 80 minutes. The system consists of a 600 kW ground solar power plant, a 700 kW solar array and a battery system. "The operation of the 100% renewable Onslow Microgrid marks a significant step towards building a cleaner, brighter and more renewable source of energy for our state," said Western Australia Energy Minister Bill Johnston. "This innovative project demonstrates ... >>

The brain of a bird coordinates the coherence of singing in a forest choir 25.06.2021

Neuroscientists and ornithologists from leading research centers in the United States have joined forces to understand what mechanisms regulate the coordination of birds during singing. Duet vocalists, ensemble musicians - they are all so coordinated that they seem to form a single whole. A new study has shown that while singing, the brain of one songbird interacts with the brain of another. Therefore, the song sounds harmonious. Eric Fortune, co-author of the study, a neuroscientist at the New Jersey Institute of Technology, noted that the brains of birds that hear each other combine to act in unison. The study took place in the laboratory of the Yanayaku biological station in Ecuador, at the foot of the Antisana volcano. The team was interested in what happens in the brains of male and female brown-tailed bushwren Pheugopedius euophrys when they sing a duet. This species lives in the bamboo thickets of South America. Brown-tailed bushwrens were chosen because their singing is very rhythmic, ... >>

A new way to generate electricity 25.06.2021

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have created a material that takes electricity from the environment. Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have come up with a new way to generate electricity. So, particles based on carbon nanotubes were invented, which are capable of generating current. American engineers created microscopic particles (250 by 250 micrometers) from carbon nanotubes, which were coated with a material created specifically for research, which resembles Teflon in properties. It is noteworthy that they decided to cover only half of the nanotubes, while the second remained the same. These particles began to generate electricity after being doused with acetonitrile. The researchers even managed to assemble an electrochemical reactor that could power the decomposition reactions of alcohol. This method can completely do without third-party substances. Scientists are confident that in the future this method of producing electricity will be used on a larger scale. ... >>

Graphene will improve HDD 24.06.2021

Scientists at the Cambridge Graphene Center have shown that graphene can be used to create ultra-high-density hard drives, providing a tenfold leap over current technology. Hard drives, which have been widely used in personal computers since the mid-1980s, have become smaller in this time, but significantly more capacious. Although they are being squeezed out by SSDs, HDDs are still popular due to their lower cost. The increase in volumes is due to the increase in recording density, which in turn is provided by the improvement of two key components: platters and heads. In particular, developments that made it possible to reduce the gap between them. At present, a significant part of this gap is occupied by carbon-based coatings - layers designed to protect the plate from mechanical damage and corrosion. Since 1990, recording density has quadrupled and coating thickness has decreased from 12,5 nm to about ... >>

Link between climate and crime found 24.06.2021

In countries where a hot climate reigns, the crime rate is much higher than in the cold northern states. This relationship was discovered by American scientists. They tried to find out why this is happening Specialists from Ohio University conducted a study and offered an unusual version that links the number of crimes and weather conditions. Until recently, there were two theories that explained why in cold regions and states the crime rate is much lower than in the tropics and subtropics. According to the first theory, people are more irritable in hot weather, so they often come into conflict with each other. The second theory explains that people in hot countries spend little time at home. This increases their interaction with each other, from this and such a large number of violations of the laws. Having studied the "criminal situation" in the world, American scientists came to the following conclusion: the hotter the climate in a state, the higher the level of aggression in it. How exactly t ... >>

Named the maximum age of a person 23.06.2021

There is a relationship between life expectancy and how quickly you recover from diseases. This opinion is shared by biogerontology professor Richard Faragher. The life expectancy of most of us is around 80 years, but there are people who defy expectations and live up to 100 years and beyond. In some places, such as Okinawa in Japan or Sardinia in Italy, there are especially many centenarians who have crossed the centennial milestone. The oldest person in history, a French woman named Jeanne Calment, lived to be 122 years old. She was born in 1875, when the average life expectancy was approximately 43 years. But what is the maximum possible duration of human life? This question has been asked by people for centuries. While the average life expectancy is relatively easy to calculate, the maximum (that is, the highest age a person can reach) is much more difficult to determine. According to ... >>

ASRock H510 Pro BTC + motherboard 23.06.2021

ASRock's motherboard range has been expanded with the H510 Pro BTC+, aimed at cryptocurrency miners. It supports 10th/11th generation Intel Core processors, measures 501 x 224 mm and is equipped with six PCI Express 3.0 x16 slots. Let's add that in the PCI-E 3.0 x16 mode, the top slot functions, while the other five slots have one PCI-E 3.0 lane. The ASRock H510 Pro BTC+ features one DDR4 DIMM slot, a SATA 6Gb/s port, an M.2 slot for SSDs, and three ATX 24-pins for synchronizing multiple power supplies. In addition, a USB connector is available at the end for connecting another video card using a riser. The Intel LGA1200 processor socket is powered by a 4-phase scheme. The set of interfaces on the rear panel is represented by two USB 2.0 ports, a pair of USB 3.2 Gen1, a PS / 2 connector, an HDMI video output and a gigabit network interface on the Intel I219V controller. Among other things, we can note the presence of shutdown / restart buttons. FROM ... >>

Shape memory wool fabric 22.06.2021

Materials that have the ability to return to their original state after deformation are widely used in the aerospace industry, robotics, and even fashion. Researchers at Harvard University have managed to create a new material from wool waste with properties that allow it to be used to create shape-changing clothing. The basis of the material is the fibrous protein keratin, contained in hair, nails, mollusk shells, and also in wool. Keratin has a number of useful properties that may be of interest to materials scientists, since it forms a helical structure in the form of a single chain - the alpha helix. By combining them in sufficient quantities, the scientists obtained a strong fiber with shape memory. The researchers started by 3D printing variously shaped keratin sheets, programming their "initial" state by placing them in a solution of hydrogen peroxide and monosodium phosphate. By exerting various types of influence on the sheets, the material can be ... >>

Kite received a bionic prosthetic leg 22.06.2021

A team from the Medical University of Vienna, led by Professor Oskar Asmann, has made another breakthrough in the field of bionic devices. Experts managed to replace the lost paw of a lamb kite named Mia, a representative of the largest birds of prey in Europe. He became the first bird in the world with such a complex prosthesis. Kite Mia arrived at the Austrian Owl and Birds of Prey Nature Reserve in Haringsee with a badly damaged leg that had to be amputated. The phenomenon is not so rare, and for small birds with a symbolic body weight it is not difficult to learn how to get by with one paw. In the case of Mia, everything is exactly the opposite - a huge and heavy bird will not even be able to land properly after a flight without having a reliable support on two paws. Therefore, it was decided to conduct an experiment on osseointegration, when the prosthesis is mounted directly on the rest of the bone and subsequently grows into it. As a result, scientists went even further - Professor Asmann has already installed three biomechanical prostheses ... >>

Supercapacitors VINATech VPC 21.06.2021

South Korean supercapacitor manufacturer VINATech has launched mass production of a new family of supercapacitors VPC (Vina Pulse Capacitor) with an operating voltage of 3,8 V and ultra-low leakage current. VPC is a family of environmentally friendly lithium hybrid capacitors designed as a cost effective and technically efficient replacement for more expensive batteries made by other technologies. This family offers lower ESR, wider temperature range and higher load currents in a smaller package than alternative battery options. The main features of this family are high energy density and ultra-low leakage current (1...5 µA), making them ideal for back-up powering pulsed loads in applications such as smart electricity meters, remote metering of gas and water meters (AMR systems) , in wireless IoT devices and automotive E-call modules. The VPC family includes ... >>

Powerful quantum microscope 21.06.2021

An Australian-German team of scientists has created a revolutionary quantum microscope, it allows you to observe biological structures that would otherwise be impossible to see The new microscope uses quantum entanglement - this is an unusual kind of interaction between photons that make up a laser beam. The device makes it possible to observe biological structures that otherwise would not be possible to study. It also provides faster image processing speed. The correlations allow the visualization of molecular bonds within the cell with a 35% improved signal-to-noise ratio compared to conventional microscopy, corresponding to a 14% increase in concentration sensitivity. The characteristics of light microscopes are limited by the nature of light. Photon detection results in shot noise that severely limits sensitivity, resolution, and speed. Although the long-established solution to this problem is to increase the intensity of the illuminating light, this is not always the case. ... >>

Inflatable steel structures 20.06.2021

A design team from Poland and Switzerland has perfected a method for creating inflatable steel furniture that has revolutionized wind energy and construction. Designers - architect Oskar Zieta and materials scientist at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Philippe Domain - created the engineering method as a way to make steel products lighter and less expensive without sacrificing strength. This technology, called free internal pressure deformation (FiDU), requires laser cutting of steel sheets that are precisely shaped with an accuracy of plus or minus 0,1 mm. These 1mm thick high strength steel sheets are then robot welded for maximum manufacturing precision. The three-legged Plopp stools designed by Zieta are produced as rolled tubes from a thin sheet of steel. They can then be inflated with a simple valve to create a strong, lightweight and stylish seat. Due to the inherent strength of steel and innovative ... >>

Mind reading helmet 20.06.2021

US company Kernel said its engineers were able to create a mind-reading device. So, a special helmet reads and analyzes brain activity. Moreover, it is going to be put on the market at a cost of 50 thousand dollars. The helmet picks up neural waves and then interprets them in real time. A device called Flow uses lasers to analyze brain activity. It can be connected to a computer using a USB connector to track thoughts. The new device can help doctors in various studies, but the need for it for ordinary users remains in question. ... >>

Self-healing concrete 19.06.2021

In Massachusetts (USA), researchers at the Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI) have invented a concrete that can self-fill cracks of a few millimeters in 24 hours. Concrete is the world's most widely used man-made building material, but it is brittle and susceptible to cracking from water, thermal changes, stress, road salt and other factors. To produce a new type of material, Worcester scientists used an enzyme found in red blood cells - carbonic anhydrase. This made concrete four times stronger than traditional concrete. Self-healing is made possible by the fact that carbonic anhydrase reacts with carbon dioxide from the air, resulting in the formation of calcium carbonate crystals that fill cracks in concrete, strengthening the structure. The new method significantly extends the life of concrete structures and eliminates the need for costly repairs or replacements. In addition, the invention will significantly reduce the number of ... >>

Aircraft can be made virtually silent 19.06.2021

Researchers at the University of Bath in the UK have developed a new lightweight material that can reduce aircraft engine noise and improve passenger comfort. The graphene oxide and polyvinyl alcohol airgel weighs only 2,1 kg per cubic meter. This makes it the lightest soundproofing ever made. The new material reduces noise from 105 decibels to 16. "We've been able to achieve this extremely low density by using a liquid combination of graphene oxide and a polymer that forms from whipped air bubbles. At its most basic level, this technique can be compared to whipping egg whites to create meringue - it is strong but contains a lot of air, so our material has no loss in weight or efficiency to achieve significant improvements in comfort and noise levels," explains Professor Michele Meo, who led the study. Due to its low weight, airgel can be used to insulate aircraft engines. Scientists are now optimizing ... >>

Yaogan-30-09 Remote Sensing Satellites 18.06.2021

Beijing has successfully launched Yaogan-30-09 military remote sensing satellites into low-Earth orbit. The launch was carried out by a CZ-2C launch vehicle. Together with the satellites of the ninth series of the Yaogan-30-09 family, Beijing decided to put into orbit the "Tianqi-14" - a satellite designed to scan the "blind zones" of the Earth, which are not covered by other devices. The China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation notes that their satellites will primarily be used for a thorough study of the influence of the external electromagnetic field and subsequent tests. The launch attempt was scheduled for June 17, however, due to airspace being closed by rain, the operation had to be rescheduled. ... >>

Hydrogen storage in residential areas 18.06.2021

German company HPS Home Power Solutions and Wohnwerke have developed a hydrogen-based energy storage system for residential applications. The new system, called Picea, will be sold under the Neubauten brand and will first be tested in a model house in Asperglen-Rudersberg near Stuttgart, which should confirm the availability and reliability of the system. The system is planned to be connected to a photovoltaic system and store electricity using hydrogen power-to-gas technology, which the manufacturer says provides year-round, independent, CO2-free electricity for single- or two-family homes. The system also uses all process heat from energy production, storage and use to reduce the amount of energy needed to heat a home. HPS Home Power Solutions claims an overall utilization rate of its Picea system of around 90 ... >>

Crystal is 1,6 times stronger and harder than diamond 17.06.2021

American researchers have created a lonsdaleite crystal that is 58% stronger and harder than regular diamond. Diamond has good optical properties, high thermal conductivity and is the hardest natural material on our planet. It is commonly used in various cutting devices, drills and other abrasive processing tools. However, now scientists have been able to create and study in the laboratory a fairly large sample of a material called lonsdaleite - a hexagonal polymorph of diamond with a denser arrangement of carbon atoms. To obtain it, the research team used a shock compression method, shooting a small diamond with graphite disks the size of a coin. With the help of compressed gas and gunpowder, the shells were accelerated to an incredible speed of 24 km / h. Colliding with diamond, they created powerful shock waves that compress the crystal structure to lonsdaleite. At this time, scientists directed the sky to the sample ... >>

Scientists believe that global warming has become irreversible 17.06.2021

Researcher Marcus Rex, who led the largest Arctic expedition in history, argues that "the tipping point for irreversible global warming has probably already arrived." “Only an assessment in the coming years will allow us to determine whether we can leave year-round Arctic sea ice with the help of a harsh climate. The disappearance of summer sea ice in the Arctic is one of the first land mines in this minefield, one of the tipping points that we begin when we go too far into warming. And one can essentially ask if we have stepped on this mine and have not counted the beginning of the explosion," the scientist noted. Rex believes that Arctic summer sea ice loss in the spring of 2020 has been faster than ever. The expert came to such conclusions after 389 days of drifting through the North Pole. ... >>

Drone will find a person by voice 16.06.2021

German scientists from the Fraunhofer Society have created a drone that locates a person by tracking their cry. The technology will help rescuers find survivors during natural disasters, building collapses and other emergencies. “Drones from the air can cover a larger area in a shorter period of time than rescuers or dogs from the ground. Drones can get to places where people and animals cannot,” said Macarena Varela, lead project engineer. At the first stage of development, scientists recorded screams, tapping and other sounds that victims can make. Then artificial intelligence was trained on this audio. The software has been tuned to filter out extraneous noise: the wind, the rumble of a helicopter, the buzz of the drone itself. To record sound, the drone was equipped with the same microphone that is used in smartphones. Tests in the open field were successful. The drone caught the scream and in a few seconds determined where the person was. T ... >>

Charging electric vehicles in 10 minutes 16.06.2021

The inventor of the graphite anode for lithium-ion batteries, Dr. Rachid Yazami, said he could make consumer electronics, cars and other electric vehicles charge in minutes. At one time, his invention of a graphite anode, which significantly improved the quality, stability and life expectancy of batteries. If it now takes Tesla about 70 minutes to charge, his company's development can do it 7 times faster. If conventional batteries are charged with direct current, the new method puts more emphasis on voltage control rather than current type. He compared the voltage to the steps of a ladder - in order to move to the next, it must remain stable for some time. This method allows the batteries to "rest" during the charging process and even changes the nature of their reaction to electric current. At KVI, where research is being conducted, extending battery life is an important factor. The technology created by the company increases ... >>

The first wooden satellite will be sent into space 15.06.2021

The world's first wooden satellite will be launched into space this year. The WISA Woodsat satellite measures approximately 10x10x10 cm and weighs approximately 1 kg. It is made of birch plywood with a special coating (WISA). The device is powered by nine small solar panels. The wooden satellite will be launched as part of a mission developed by the Finnish company Arctic Astronautics, which makes cubesat kits for students. It will be launched into polar orbit by the Electron Rocket Lab rocket in November of this year. The purpose of the mission is to test the behavior and durability of plywood panels in extreme space conditions and evaluate their suitability for future missions. The satellite will be equipped with two cameras, one of which will be attached to a metal selfie stick, allowing the mission team to observe how the surface of the satellite's plywood changes in the space environment. "The plywood base is birch, and we use basically the same stuff you find at a hardware store or for and ... >>

Material for creating an artificial brain 15.06.2021

Scientists have found an opportunity to create an artificial synapse to solve problems similar to the human thought process. Today, many options are offered for this, and one of the most promising is seen in ferroelectrics. FeRAM memory has been produced on such materials for 20 years, and a new study shows how to make memory elements of atomic thickness and get closer to neuromorphic calculations in the size of a processor. In commercially available FeRAM memory, the switching element is usually made of a piezoceramic, namely lead zirconate titanate (PZT). The property of the material to maintain polarization even after the removal of an external control signal - an electromagnetic field - gives the FeRAM memory its most important property of energy independence. It retains data even when the power is off. To imitate the work of the brain - this is extremely important. But in its current form, the FeRAM cell is too large and the "brain" with its use will be very, very large. For the manufacture of artificial synapses, thin films are convenient ... >>

Learning Math Affects Brain Development 14.06.2021

Not everyone likes math at school. With each academic year, the formulas in algebra become more complicated, and the desire of children to abandon the subject is stronger. However, a new study suggests that giving up the subject at age 16 may have an adverse effect on brain development. Researchers at the University of Oxford found that teens who excelled in math had higher levels of a brain chemical important for memory, learning and problem solving. Scientists came to such conclusions after they conducted a series of studies with 87 excellent students. Scanning their brains, they found that those who continued to study math and excel at problem solving throughout the school curriculum had higher levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in their prefrontal cortex. The study also showed that students with more GABA were better at solving complex logic problems. The authors of the work suggested that the constant search for new strata ... >>

Received a new crystalline form of silicon 14.06.2021

Scientists from the Carnegie Institution in Washington have come up with a way to obtain a new crystalline modification of silicon. It can become the basis of new types of microelectronics. Silicon is widely used by people in various fields: from construction to optics and microchip production. The crystal lattice of this modification of silicon is similar to that of carbon diamond. The elements are similar in many ways, but while carbon already has many known allotropic forms, silicon is just beginning to discover them. A few years ago, scientists managed to obtain a modification of Si24 - a flat structure composed of five-, six- and eight-atomic rings. The pores in these rings can serve as two-way channels for charge transport, which makes the material promising for electronics and electrical engineering. And now scientists have learned how to turn Si24 into a new form of silicon. Heating Si24 leads to the formation of a layered structure, which consists of hexagonal rings, the layers in which are repeated in groups of four. New st ... >>

German trains will be switched to energy from wind and solar 13.06.2021

In Germany, trains are planning to switch completely to renewable energy sources. Harmful emissions from the German railway transport system will be reduced to a minimum by 2038. Germany's main national railway operator, the Deutsche Bahn (DB) concern, intends to switch all locomotives plying the country to electricity from renewable sources, including solar, wind, biomass and water, in the next 17 years. DB has already signed contracts for the supply of electricity from a solar power plant from Enerparc in Mecklenburg for the next 30 years. In 2021, spending on clean energy will account for over 60 percent of the group's expenses. The combined annual energy consumption of the group's trains is 10 terawatt-hours, which is approximately equal to the energy consumption of the entire city of Hamburg, the second largest city in Germany. A few years ago, German ICE express trains and IC/EC trains were already converted to green electricity, clean fuel locomotives are marked with green stripes ... >>

The sustainable way to recycle lithium-ion batteries 13.06.2021

Scientists from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (Tennessee, USA) have found a cheaper and more environmentally friendly alternative to existing methods of cathode material regeneration. Currently, two methods are used to recover the cathode material of lithium-ion batteries for reuse - either by heating to a temperature of 500 ° C, or by using strong acids (nitric, sulfuric, hydrochloric) and hydrogen peroxide. The first method is very energy-intensive, while the second produces a lot of toxic by-products - chlorine, sulfur and nitrogen oxides. The problem in isolating the cathode material is to separate it from the aluminum foil, the polymer substrate, and the carbon additive. To do this, it is necessary to dissolve the polymer - polyvinylidene fluoride. There are solvents that can do this, but using them is very harmful to the health of the staff. By immersing the cathode material cut into small pieces into an ultrasonic bath filled with triethyl phosphate heated to 100°C ... >>

Biodegradable battery made from soot and sawdust 12.06.2021

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) have unveiled a battery that is completely biodegradable. The battery is based on cellulose, gelatin, carbon in the form of soot and a number of other environmentally friendly substances. Such batteries are useful for disposable medical electronics and monitoring sensors, which, after disposal, will not harm nature and human health. The technology developed by scientists involves layer-by-layer printing of a battery (or a supercapacitor, as the developers prefer to call it) on a conventional 3D printer. The inks and their composition are selected to ensure uniform application and hardening of the material with the appropriate properties: electrical conductivity for the electrodes, ionic conductivity for the electrolyte, and strength for the housing. The ink or working material for a 3D printer is based on gelatin. The mixture for printing the constituent elements of the battery includes nanofibers ... >>

Drones and Coronavirus 12.06.2021

Malaysian police use drones that can measure temperatures up to 20 meters above the ground. This is another measure to combat the spread of coronavirus. Drones alert regulators to people with high temperatures. Malaysian police have previously warned they will use drones to enforce previously imposed travel restrictions, and officers in some areas have also said they will be making surprise home visits to make sure people are following the rules. Previously, reports have already appeared about how the authorities of various countries used unmanned aerial vehicles to monitor compliance with COVID-19 rules. The Spanish authorities have used drones to make sure people visiting beaches are following social distancing rules. In Brussels, Belgium, police used drones with loudspeakers to urge people to "stay at home". In Australia, drones have been used to catch people without ... >>

ERхххххH - FANSO lithium batteries 11.06.2021

FANSO has upgraded its production facilities and installed a new automated line for the production of cylindrical lithium-thionyl chloride (Li-SOCl2) batteries with a bobbin design. At the moment, all supplied batteries of this type ERxxxxxH are manufactured on a new line. Due to the minimal human involvement in the technological process, new products are characterized by increased stability and repeatability of parameters both in the delivery batch itself and from batch to batch. This type of battery has the highest specific energy density and is characterized by the highest capacity among existing lithium batteries. The ERxxxxxH battery type is designed for long-term operation of devices that consume low current (10-15 years with appropriate power consumption, taking into account the necessary factors). Due to the extremely low self-discharge, the batteries of this electro-chemical system have a long shelf life (up to 10 years). By the way, such a fully automated ... >>

Milk will be produced by microbes 11.06.2021

Startup New Culture, which specializes in the development of microbes for cultivating milk proteins without the use of cows, plans to release the first mozzarella by 2023. Matt Gibson, co-founder of New Culture, spoke about this. While alternative dairy products are rapidly filling the international market, cheese is lagging behind because the functional qualities of cow's protein, casein, which is responsible for the elasticity of cheeses such as mozzarella, are difficult to replicate. "Casein proteins are very difficult to obtain with precision fermentation, but we have made a breakthrough in producing significant amounts of non-animal-based casein protein. This capability allows us to be the only mozzarella company without cow's milk," says Gibbson. The startup uses synthetic biology techniques to insert DNA sequences into microbes that effectively "program" them into target proteins - alpha, kappa and beta caseins. They are shaping ... >>

Ford Maverick hybrid pickup 10.06.2021

American automaker Ford has unveiled the Ford Maverick compact hybrid pickup truck. The novelty is a compact pickup truck that is comfortable to use not only in the countryside, but also on the narrow streets of modern cities. At the same time, the recommended starting price for a hybrid version of the Ford Maverick with a consumption of about 5,8 liters per 100 km is only $19,995. This price includes an 8-inch touchscreen display with Ford Sync 4, which supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; built-in FordPass Connect 4G/LTE modem with Wi-Fi; Ford Co-Pilot360 system with automatic emergency braking; LED headlights; Rear View Camera; remote keyless entry, etc. The new pickup is built on the same front-wheel drive platform as the Ford Escape and Ford Bronco Sport. The standard version with eCVT automatic transmission is equipped with a 2,5-liter gasoline engine with 162 hp, complemented by a 94 kW electric motor, which brings the total power of the pickup truck to ... >>

Seedless tomatoes 10.06.2021

Some fruits and berries without seeds (grapes, watermelons, etc.) are quite popular among consumers because they are more convenient to eat and prepare, and they look more aesthetically pleasing. Bones in tomatoes interfere with cooking juice or pasta, various dishes. However, this problem can be solved, because Japanese scientists have created tomatoes without seeds. According to the results of the study, a new type of plant can be developed by targeted gene modification using the CRISPR / Cas9 system. Attempts to cultivate tomatoes without seeds were made before, however, they did not give a XNUMX% result, and the process of plant breeding was quite expensive. New technology makes it cheaper and more efficient. Modified tomatoes do not require pollination. You can propagate a new plant with the help of "cuttings". This process requires more time and resources than traditional seed sowing. However, planting tomatoes can be automated. ... >>

Super hearing for humans 09.06.2021

The invention, made at Aalto University, endows almost anyone with super-hearing, which allows them to pick up acoustic ultrasonic waves with a frequency above 20 Hz and fix the direction to the sound source. The human ear is capable of perceiving sound waves in the range of 000 to 20 Hz. However, the use of equipment created by Finnish scientists expands the capabilities of a person, giving him the ability to "hear" ultrasound. When testing the capabilities of the equipment, bats were used in their natural environment, which became a source of ultrasonic acoustic waves. Using the new technique, the researchers were able to not only pick up the ultrasound, but also determine the direction of flight of the bats. The invention also has specific practical applications. For example, it is known that when leaks occur in pressurized gas pipelines, ultrasonic waves are generated that are imperceptible to standard hearing. The application of the new methodology will allow timely and prompt determination of ... >>

Wireless electricity 09.06.2021

MIT engineers have discovered a new way to generate electricity using carbon nanotubes. During the experiments, experts used extremely small particles of carbon that can generate an electric current in "cooperation" with the liquid surrounding them. An organic solvent is able to pull out electrons and generate electricity to control, for example, micro- or nano-sized robots. This mechanism is new, and this way of obtaining energy is completely new. This technology is interesting because all you have to do is pass the solvent through the particle bed. Scientists have found a way to do electrochemistry without the use of wires. In a new experiment describing the phenomenon, scientists have shown that they can use the resulting electrical current to drive a reaction known as the oxidation of alcohol. ... >>

The largest indoor swimming pool will be built 08.06.2021

Blue Abyss Ltd. plans to start building the world's largest and deepest indoor swimming pool soon. The volume of water in this pool will be 42 cubic meters, or 168 million cups of tea, using the traditional British unit. And this facility is being created primarily to test new technologies from the field of underwater robotics, plus, the pool will be the world's first commercial educational and training center for astronauts. Indoor swimming pools are an excellent place to test underwater navigation technology, divers or astronauts to train in simulated weightlessness. In use for more than a century, these basins easily control a wide variety of environmental aspects, allowing submersible design to be tested and complex technical problems to be solved under conditions of abrupt, controlled change. The Blue Abyss facility, for construction ... >>

Stretch display 08.06.2021

In addition to smartphones with next-generation foldable screens and an entirely new form factor, the tech giant Samsung is reportedly working on even more flexible displays right now. The company said that as part of its latest discovery, it has developed another on-screen OLED display with a built-in heart rate monitor, which in turn can be stretched up to 30 percent. According to Samsung, its technology, which she spoke about, is still in its early stages of development and provides much more accurate heart rate measurements than any wearable device on the market. The electronics giant is convinced that trials of this truly extraordinary display in the long term could pave the way for the commercialization of stretchable devices with large, high-resolution screens, which the firm expects will sooner or later appear in all types of healthcare products. Research team from Samsung Advanced I ... >>

Hydrofoil Electric Taxi Candela P-12 07.06.2021

Swedish premium electric boat manufacturer Candela has unveiled the new Candela P-12 electric hydrofoil water taxi. Designed to replace traditional diesel-powered models, the 8,5-meter vehicle uses a combination of an electric motor, a carbon-fiber-reinforced composite hull and hydrofoils. The cabin with panoramic windows has seats for 12 passengers. The hydrofoil system chosen for the P-12 has already been tested on the Candela C-7 luxury pleasure boat. The patented proprietary control system ensures the smoothest possible ride, eliminating the occurrence of seasickness. The advantages of the novelty include less energy consumption, less noise, smoother movement and significantly less environmental impact. The latter factor allows you to move at high speed in areas where conventional boats have to slow down so as not to harm wildlife. C ... >>

New type of atomically thin carbon material discovered 07.06.2021

Researchers at the University of Marburg in Germany and Aalto University in Finland have discovered a new carbon network that is atomically thin like graphene but is made up of squares, hexagons and octagons that form an ordered lattice. The scientists also found that the electronic properties of the new carbon network are very different from those of graphene. Unlike graphene and other forms of carbon, the biphenylene network, as the new material is called, has metallic properties. The narrow bands of the network, only 21 atoms wide, already behave like a metal, while graphene of this size is a semiconductor. Scientists from Aalto University helped create an image of the material and decipher its properties. Prof. Peter Lilgeroth's team performed high-resolution microscopy, which showed the structure of the material, while researchers led by Prof. Adam Foster used computer modeling and analysis to understand the electrical properties of the material. ... >>

The anticipation of the holiday affects the sense of time 06.06.2021

American scientists conducted four studies, the results of which showed that the expectation of a holiday negatively affects the perception of time. The authors of the research were researchers from Ohio State University. They recruited 451 volunteers who were thinking about the coming weekend. Participants then also had to decide whether the weekend would be fun, terrible, or just normal. It turned out that positive events seem to be shorter in duration than negative ones. Experts believe that the expectation of holidays, weekends or vacations distorts the perception of time. So, with the beginning of the holiday in the imagination of people, it ends, because people ignore the real events. ... >>

Microbes recognize letters 06.06.2021

Thanks to their recent discovery, scientists from the Technion's Department of Biomedical Engineering have been able to achieve the recognition of certain geometric patterns - like letters - by colonies of microbes that mimic an artificial neural network. The method of scientists is based on changing the way of communication within the colonies of microbes in nature. Research conducted by Dr. Siming Lee and Associate Professor Ramez Daniel. Professor Daniel's laboratory is engaged in synthetic biology, in particular, the creation of biological circuits that essentially combine the principles of biology and electronics. Like electronic switches that can be turned on and off, cells are designed to "turn on" and perform a function, such as fluorescence, in response to a specific stimulus. Using this technique, the group has developed biological "sensors" that detect the presence of arsenic and other poisons in water or the presence of blood in urine. However, cells are capable of performing more complex functions than a simple switch. ... >>

Found a mechanism that turns off the feeling of hunger 05.06.2021

New research by scientists may help control obesity in the future. It turned out that there is a neural mechanism in the brain that regulates the feeling of fullness when eating. If you influence it, then you can reduce or increase the feeling of hunger. So far, the experiment has been carried out only on animals. The neural mechanism was discovered by scientists at the Baylor College of Medicine in the United States, who used it to force laboratory mice to eat more and less than usual. The mechanism consists of two groups of neurons. The first - DA-VTA - produces dopamine, the second - DRD1-LPBN - regulates food intake. The scientists found that the activity of the first group increased just before the mice stopped eating. After the production of dopamine occurs, the neurons from the second group turn on. They cause a desire to refuse food. When the researchers suppressed these neurons, the animals began to overeat. Artificial stimulation, on the contrary, discouraged mice from the desire to eat, according to the official ... >>

Switches Qnap Systems QSW-2104 05.06.2021

Qnap Systems introduced a series of network switches QSW-2104. The series is formed by the QSW-2104-2S and QSW-2104-2T models. Both of them are six-port - with two 10GbE ports and four 2.5GbE ports, and the difference is that the QSW-2104-2S model has 10GbE ports routed to SFP + fiber optic transceivers, while the QSW-2104-2T model has connectors designed for twisted-pair copper connection. In the first case, speeds of 10 Gb/s and 1 Gb/s are supported, and in the second - 10 Gb/s, 5 Gb/s, 2,5 Gb/s, 1 Gb/s and 100 Mb/s. The 2.5GbE ports in both cases are designed for twisted pair connection and support speeds of 2,5 Gb / s, 1 Gb / s and 100 Mb / s. With plug-and-play support, a near-silent passively cooled design, IEEE 802.3az specification compliance, and automatic loop detection and blocking, the QSW-2104 series is "the ideal choice for creating an affordable high-speed networking environment in homes and workplaces." ". ... >>

Perovskites improve automotive catalysts 04.06.2021

British and Korean chemists have succeeded in extending the life of platinum catalysts for cleaning car exhausts. They first introduced platinum into the perovskite lattice, and then reduced it and obtained nanoparticles uniformly distributed over the perovskite surface. As a result, the catalyst became not only more stable, but also more efficient, since oxygen from the perovskite lattice enhanced the catalytic effect of platinum. Car exhaust contains several toxic gases at the same time: these are gaseous hydrocarbons, carbon monoxide CO, nitrogen oxides NO and NO2. In order to prevent these substances from entering the atmosphere, they are passed through a catalytic converter. Purification includes several processes - oxidation of carbon monoxide and residues of gaseous hydrocarbons, reduction of nitrogen oxide impurities to molecular nitrogen N2 and removal of ammonia, which is obtained from nitrogen oxides as a by-product. The best catalysts are noble metals - platinum and pal ... >>

Luminous potatoes grown 04.06.2021

Scientists from the Hebrew University, thanks to the tools of genetic engineering, managed to grow a potato that begins to glow if the plant is unwell. Plants, like people, experience stress due to adverse temperature conditions, lack of water and nutrients. A team of scientists led by Matanel Hipsch and Shilo Rosenwasser from the Faculty of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the Hebrew University have managed to develop a potato that glows when something is not right for the plant. Glow was achieved by introducing a gene with a fluorescent protein into the potato culture. The protein changes light depending on the level of free radicals, oxygen-containing molecules, when the plant is stressed. In this case, the fluorescent light signal of the protein will be captured by a special camera. ... >>

Smart glasses save energy and reduce CO2 emissions 03.06.2021

Buildings account for 35-40% of primary energy consumption and more than 30% of CO2 emissions. That is why a variety of technologies to reduce energy consumption and reduce emissions are so valuable. Replacing inefficient building glazing areas can be a promising direction. Scientists from the University of Kassel (Germany) have developed "smart" glasses. The new smart glazing is based on millions of micromirrors invisible to the naked eye. They reflect the incoming light according to the user's actions, the position of the sun, seasonal variability, providing individual control of the lighting inside the building. The micromirror array is immune to wind, window washing and all weather conditions because it is located in the space between window panes filled with an inert gas such as argon or krypton. Windows provide free solar heat in winter and prevent overheating in summer. Also know-how, according to experts, guarantees natural daylight, energy savings up to 3 ... >>

Cheap analogue of building sand from waste 03.06.2021

Australian engineers from the University of Queensland are working on the second phase of a project to use crushed glass waste to replace sand in shotcrete. Shotcrete is an ordinary building concrete, which differs in that it is applied to the surface by shotcrete. The material is used in the mining industry, as well as in the repair of concrete buildings and load-bearing structures. It has been widely used in both overground and underground construction. The problem is that the amount of sand in the world is limited, so ingenuity is needed to solve the problem of the impending shortage. In addition, over the past 20 years, the cost of sand has increased six times. In turn, crushed glass waste consists of recycled glass from wine bottles and other products that usually end up in landfills. A study conducted by scientists showed that crushed glass is much more profitable to use. In addition, it is cheaper, because. is n ... >>

People with myopia sleep worse than people with normal vision 02.06.2021

Researchers from Flinders University (Adelaide, Australia) found that people with myopia (the medical term for nearsightedness) have worse sleep quality than people with normal vision due to delayed circadian rhythms and relatively low production of melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating sleep. in nighttime. The team analyzed circadian rhythms - 24-hour cycles that are part of the body's internal clock - and melatonin production in university students in their 20s, some of whom had myopia and others with normal vision. An analysis of the results showed that participants with myopia had significantly slowed circadian rhythms and low levels of melatonin in saliva and urine compared to participants with normal vision. At the same time, the question of what is the effect and what is the cause remains open. It is possible that it is the disruption of circadian sleep rhythms that causes a decrease in melatonin levels, and this, in turn, can trigger ... >>

5 GHz Intel Core i7-1195G7 processor 02.06.2021

Intel has announced new energy-efficient 11th generation Core (Tiger Lake Refresh) CPUs for ultraportable laptops - the flagship Core i7-1195G7 and the pre-top Core i5-1155G7. Both processors are quad-core Hyper-Threading models with 15-28W TDP for thin and light laptops. The Core i7-1195G7 is the new flagship of the line and the first low cost U-series processor capable of overclocking up to 5,0 GHz. We are talking about Intel Turbo Boost Max 3.0 technology for the most productive core. The base frequency is 100 MHz lower than that of the i7-1185G7 at 2,9 GHz, and the increased frequency for all cores is 4,6 GHz. Recall that Intel conquered the 5 GHz milestone in the mobile segment in 2019 with the launch of the Core i9-9980HK. Now, with the transition to a thinner 10-nm SuperFin process technology, such a high frequency has become possible for energy-efficient U-series chips. Another notable improvement is that the integrated Iris Xe GPU with 96 compute units runs at an increased frequency of 1, ... >>

TRACO THN/WIR DC/DC Converters for Harsh Environments 01.06.2021

TRACO has launched a new generation of DC/DC converters for harsh railway applications - the THN/WIR family. It includes three series: THN 10WIR, THN 15WIR and THN 20WIR, for output power from 10W, 15W and 20W respectively. The entire line of these products is available in standard 1"x1" metal cases, has a 4:1 wide input (with a nominal voltage of 24/48/110 V), 3000 V input-output isolation, and a wide operating temperature range of -40. ..85/90/105°C (depending on the series) and meets the requirements of EN 50155 and EN 61373 (for railway applications). The converters are characterized by high efficiency (up to 91%), have protection against short circuit, overload, overvoltage and undervoltage; there is a remote on-off function with the ability to adjust the output voltage (Trim). Products are designed for industrial use in difficult conditions, including railway transport. ... >>

Improved power generation from dissipated heat 01.06.2021

A team of scientists from the University of Colorado at Boulder has developed a new cell to generate power from dissipated heat that would simply escape into space. The new development turned out to be 100 times better than previous similar devices, but for commercial purposes, the efficiency of the element needs to be increased by another 100 or 1000 times. So-called rectifying antennas or rectifying antennas can generate electricity from an external electromagnetic field (radio frequency radiation). Scientists have created a rectenna to generate electricity from heat. The operation of the element is based on the tunnel effect. The problem was set in such a way that to collect energy from heat, an element as small as possible was required, but it was necessary to solve the problem of resistance growth as the elements were reduced. The tunnel effect that scientists have achieved on the element actually means zero resistance to electron transition and a sharp increase in the level of production. Get this effect researchers with ... >>

Fast charging station 300 kW 31.05.2021

With the increase in the number of electric vehicles on the roads, the issue of charging them is becoming more acute. And not only because the charge session takes a relatively long time, but also because high-speed chargers require a powerful power line to work, which is not available everywhere. In response, German experts have developed the concept of a new high-speed charging station Audi charging hub, which solves several problems at once. This charging hub is based on lithium-ion batteries recovered from used electric vehicles. As a result, the manufacturer gives such blocks a second life and postpones the terms of their processing. According to the calculations of the developers, batteries with a total capacity of up to 2,45 MWh can be assembled in one such hub. Batteries are constantly recharged from a connected power line (using, among other things, a cheap night rate) and solar panels on the roof (environmentally friendly energy), as a result, when an electric car arrives at the “electric refueling”, the hub can ... >>

Digitized borders 31.05.2021

The UK has introduced a digital visa system that will accurately count the number of people entering and leaving the country. People who come to the UK without a visa or immigration status will need to apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in the future. Proposals to "digitize the border" are due to be officially unveiled on Monday as part of plans to change the UK's asylum and immigration system. The digital system is being rolled out following recent evidence that earlier estimates of migration data were false. Government figures show 2019 million passengers arrived around June 144,7, including UK residents. About 40 million were from the European Economic Area and Switzerland, from other places there were 20 million. ... >>

Artificial tree purifies water and squeezes it out of the air 30.05.2021

Scientists have long been exploring ways to use both of these sources of water. A number of devices are currently being developed that squeeze it out of the air using porous materials that trap water molecules. Meanwhile, other systems use solar energy to evaporate dirty water, then capture the steam and re-condense it into a reservoir. The Caltech team has combined both of these features into a single device. The key is a new hydrogel membrane with a very specific nanoscale pattern etched into it. The surface contains many tiny structures modeled after cactus spines, made from a hydrophilic material that attracts water. "Cacti are uniquely adapted to arid climates," says Ye Shi, co-author of the study. "In our case, these spikes, which we call 'microtrees', attract microscopic drops of water suspended in the air, allowing them to slide along the base along ... >>

Analog Devices ADuM5x2x and ADuM6x2x Power Converters 30.05.2021

Analog Devices (ADI) has released an updated generation of ADuM5x2x and ADuM6x2x reinforced DC/DC insulation. These series exhibit the lowest emissions for this type of component, allowing systems to comply with EN 55022/CISPR 22 (Class B) electromagnetic interference (EMI) requirements. These solutions are especially interesting for developments with two-layer printed circuit boards (PCB). The older ADuM5x0x and ADuM6x0x isolator series eliminated costly application-level EMI mitigation techniques and simplified application-level certification, reducing PCB design costs, but was not efficient enough for a two-layer PCB. To reduce the level of radiation, the developers needed to implement a multilayer board with overlapping inner layers. The new products will achieve emission targets on a two-layer PCB, which will reduce the development size by an average of 70% and reduce its cost by 30% compared to a four-layer solution. New se ... >>

Pessimism Gene 29.05.2021

Experts from Canada came to the conclusion that a person may have a genetic predisposition to a negative perception of life situations. A pessimistic position in life can be held by people who are carriers of the altered ADRA2b gene. Researchers from the University of British Columbia conducted a series of experiments that showed that this gene, as a result of changes, is able to make a person see the world in gloomy colors. It also contributes to a brighter perception of certain events, especially negative ones. According to Rebecca Todd, author of the study, this is the first time scientists have been able to uncover a possible reason for a person's pessimistic attitude. As it turned out, this genetic variation can have a really strong impact on how people see the world and how they perceive it. The ADRA2b gene variant significantly affects the production of the hormone and neurotransmitter noradrenaline, which is responsible for the defense response in case of danger and plays an important role in the formation of em ... >>

Adhesive frameless solar panels 29.05.2021

In the future, solar panels may become a ubiquitous element of the exterior decoration of buildings and structures. But not in its current form, which involves complex installation work on a fairly strong frame. A breakthrough promises to be frameless solar panels proposed by Singapore-based Maxeon Solar Technologies. Maxeon Air panels are lightweight, flexible and adhesive-backed for easy installation on any surface. For the first time in nearly 50 years of solar panels, the complex work and costly associated costs of deploying solar farms can be eliminated. Today, solar panels are quite heavy and large plates that must be installed on a special frame. Not every roof will withstand a truss of such panels, in which, when designing buildings, adjustments were not made to resist excessive load. With Maxeon Air panels everything will be much easier and these are not all the innovations they have to offer. Basis for Max panels ... >>

Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner 28.05.2021

Xiaomi has introduced a record-breaking thin robot vacuum cleaner called Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner. Its height is only 55 mm with a diameter of 323 mm. The height of the Midea M7 Pro robot vacuum cleaner, which we wrote about today, is 97 mm. The manufacturer claims that this vacuum cleaner will definitely get under the furniture on small legs. Despite the size, Xiaomi Mijia Ultra-Thin Robot Vacuum Cleaner has received all modern features, including an advanced ToF camera. The vacuum cleaner received a new precision navigation system called S-Cross 3D, which allows you to recognize even small objects, including slippers and children's toys. The suction pressure is 2000 Pa, and the volume of the waste container is 500 ml (against 450 ml for the Midea M7 Pro). This robot vacuum cleaner is equipped with the ability to wet cleaning, a 220 ml water tank is provided. Like all modern Xiaomi devices, this vacuum cleaner is smart - that is, it supports the connection ... >>

Shipping company for transporting captured CO2 28.05.2021

Danish shipping companies Evergas and Ultragas have formed the Dan-Unity CO2 joint venture, the world's first shipping company specialized in transporting captured carbon dioxide for storage and reuse. Dan-Unity CO2 will work in partnership with Icelandic CO2 storage startup Carbfix. It is planned that the new company will be ready to offer services for the transportation and storage of carbon dioxide by 2025. The CO2 will dissolve in water and be injected as such into volcanic rocks in Iceland, where it will naturally solidify within two years. Carbfix estimates that Iceland has the capacity to host 2,5 gigatons of CO2, the equivalent of 2 years of CO55 emissions worldwide. Especially for the Dan-Unity CO2 project, several ships will be built that will not be able to be used for other purposes. The company has already received a grant from the Danish Maritime Fund to develop a project for such vessels. ... >>

Screen time re-evaluation 27.05.2021

By screen time, we mean the time we spent burying our noses in a tablet, smartphone, laptop or TV. It would be more correct to say "the time that a person spent in front of the screen", but this is too inconvenient and long, so we'll just leave the screen time. It is believed that the more we sit in gadgets, the worse for the brain. But there's one problem with these studies, which has to do with how screen time is measured. You can track it by the device itself, by the time of activity of a smartphone, tablet, etc. Or you can ask a person how much time he thinks he spends with his gadget. The second way to collect data is easier, but how does the subjective assessment of screen time correspond to reality? Researchers at Stellenbosch University have examined the validity of numerous findings about teenagers with gadgets, social media depression, and the like. If we do not have reliable data on screen time, then we can hardly judge whether ... >>

Wireless charging via Wi-Fi 27.05.2021

A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore and Japan's Tohoku University have been able to convert Wi-Fi signals into electricity. Their invention is not theoretical, but tested and proven to be effective. The technology for using wireless network signals to power various devices is based on a new chip capable of generating microwaves with low output power. For a long time there were problems with the scalability of the technology, since there was a critical lack of power. The solution was a scheme in which eight STOs are connected in series. During the experiments, it was possible to achieve stable operation of the LED at 1,6 V for a minute after charging the capacitor for only 5 seconds. The array was capable of taking 2,4GHz radio waves generated by Wi-Fi signals and turning them into a DC voltage. ... >>

Concrete accumulators 26.05.2021

Researchers in Sweden have come up with a way to store energy in cement. In this way, entire buildings can be turned into batteries. Buildings are one of the largest consumers of energy in the world. They consume over a third of the world's energy and account for 40 percent of carbon emissions, according to the International Energy Agency. As the climate warms, this figure will only increase. The new cement battery is an opportunity to make buildings self-sufficient from an energy point of view. Combined with solar power, this technology could power skyscrapers and power infrastructure systems. Emma Zhang and Lupin Tang from Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have added carbon fibers to a cement-based mixture, which makes the material strong and conductive. They then embedded electrodes into the material: the anode is made of an iron-coated carbon fiber mesh, and the cathode is made of a nickel-plated mesh. New invention now ... >>

Optical nanoantennas and gold atoms 26.05.2021

In an attempt to get around this limitation, researchers are developing metal nanoantennas that concentrate light into a tiny volume to greatly amplify any signal coming from the same nanoscale region. Nanoantennas are the backbone of nanoplasmonics, a field that has a profound impact on biosensing, photochemistry, solar energy harvesting, and photonics. Now, researchers at the ETH Lausanne, led by Prof. Christoph Galland of the School of Basic Sciences, have found that when green laser light strikes a gold nanoantenna, its intensity locally increases to the point that it "knocks" the gold atoms out of their equilibrium position. which maintains the integrity of the overall structure. The gold nanoantenna also amplifies very weak light scattered by newly formed atomic defects, making it visible to the naked eye. Thus, this nanoscale dance of atoms can be observed as an ora ... >>

Artificial heart from self-organized stem cells 25.05.2021

Experts from Australia conducted a new study. In the process of scientific work, they formed an artificial heart using table cells. The experts forced the cells to form into the desired organ. It also turned out that if an injury occurs, the heart itself will start the process of regeneration. The specialists relied on the self-organization of stem cells, which, thanks to six known signaling pathways, are transformed by cardiomyocytes. The new technology has grown cardiomyocytes and also organized them into a three-dimensional structure that resembles the human heart. Experts are sure that the developed organ has a tendency to a normal heartbeat, as well as pumping fluid through the chamber. In case the heart is damaged, it will successfully begin to repair itself. For example, experts simulated a heart attack, which provoked the migration of cardiofibroplasts to the area of ​​injury in order to start the regeneration process. This dynamic is also observed in cardiac ... >>

New type of biomolecule discovered 25.05.2021

Biologists are fairly well versed in the basic molecular building blocks that make up living organisms. They have carbohydrates (such as starch), lipids (fats), nucleic acids (DNA), and proteins (muscles). They are divided into subtypes; for example, cellulose and sugars are carbohydrates. In addition, there are combinations between these groups, for example, various sugars combine with lipids in red blood cells to determine blood groups. Glycans are chains of sugar molecules that can attach to fats and proteins in a process called glycosylation, helping them move through the cell or fold into the correct shapes. They are involved in many fundamental processes of biology, from embryonic development to pathogen recognition. But now, researchers led by biochemist Ryan Flynn, who works at Boston Children's Hospital, have found that glycans can also attach to non-coding RNAs. They established this by labeling glycol molecules with sialic acid in the laboratory. ... >>

Connecting chips at unthinkable angles 24.05.2021

Researchers at HRL Laboratories have developed a 3D microprinting technology that promises to change the approach to multichip packaging. Instead of the usual vertical etching of channels in a substrate for through metallization, scientists propose to print substrates with ready-made holes for metallization. In this case, the routing can be provided at incredible angles and in the most incredible directions, which will make the layout more dense. The work of HRL Laboratories was carried out under the FOCII program of the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The FOCII (FOcal arrays for Curved Infrared Imagers) program aims to develop simple and extremely wide-angle cameras for reconnaissance, machine vision and other applications. For such cameras, curved image sensors are made, which frees them from complex corrective optics. And curved sensors, as you might guess, will be much more compact if they are connected to the controller not straight ... >>

Vaccinating plants instead of using pesticides 24.05.2021

Plant immunity can be activated in the presence of harmless microorganisms and thereby prepare the plant for pest control by replacing pesticides. This conclusion was reached by Associate Professor Toshiki Furuya and Professor Kazuyuki Kuchitsu from the Tokyo University of Science. Plants have evolved unique immune mechanisms that they can activate when they detect the presence of a pathogen. Interestingly, the presence of certain non-pathogenic microorganisms can also induce a plant to activate its systemic immunity mechanisms, and some studies have shown that pre-treatment of crops with such "immunity-activating" non-pathogenic microorganisms can make crops better prepared to fight infections from pathogens. This means that immune-activating non-pathogenic microorganisms can act like plant vaccines, providing the plant's immune system with a low-risk stimulus that prepares it for ... >>

ASUS ROG Strix LC II Liquid Cooling Systems 23.05.2021

ASUSTeK Computer has begun shipping maintenance-free ROG Strix LC II liquid cooling systems. This line is represented by five models with 240, 280 and 360 mm radiators, as well as ARGB LED fan lighting and without it. The ROG Strix LC II processor LSS is based on the 7th generation Asetek CLC platform. The vendor used a water block with a copper base and a built-in pump, nylon braided hoses and 27 mm thick aluminum radiators. Declared support for Intel LGA115x, LGA1366, LGA1200, LGA20xx, AMD AM4 and TR4 platforms. The water block cover of all models is equipped with an illuminated ASUS ROG logo. The supplied 120 mm fans operate at 800-2500 rpm and generate pressure up to 5,0 mm of water. Art. and airflow up to 81 CFM (137,6 m3/h) at a noise level of no more than 37,6 dBA. The model with a 280 mm radiator is equipped with two 140 mm turntables. They are characterized by an operating range of 700-2100 rpm, static pressure up to 3,1 mm of water. Art. and maximum in ... >>

Criteria for selecting tourists for space flight 23.05.2021

The company of the American billionaire Jeff Bezos Blue Origin has named the selection criteria for future space tourists. Among the requirements for applicants are both exclusively legal and physiological, due to the peculiarities of rocket flights. For example, a person must be of legal age in their country of residence and the United States, and have documents that will allow him to get to the launch site in Texas. Physiological parameters for an astronaut: from 152 to 195 cm and from 50 to 101 kg, respectively. Physical fitness should also be at a high level. Thus, an astronaut must pass a number of tests, including: - climb to the very top of the tower for maintenance and landing in the New Shepard capsule with a height of more than 21 meters in less than 90 seconds (seven steep flights of stairs); - not to experience fear or stress at such a height (approximately equal to the sensations from the open balcony on the seventh floor, only there is a rocket very close by); - self-fasten and ... >>

Fire blanket for car 22.05.2021

It is not always possible to quickly extinguish the fire. Often the flame covers the entire car, posing a threat to other vehicles. In order to extinguish a car on fire, firefighters use tons of water and a huge amount of time. A solution that will help to quickly cope with the fire was found by the Norwegian company Bridgehill. Its specialists have developed a special fire blanket. It allows you to localize the source of ignition in a matter of minutes. The principle of operation is very simple and is based on limiting the access of oxygen to the fire. The cover is large, measuring 6 by 8 meters, so it can cover even a large car. At the same time, its weight is only 28 kg and it is placed in a special bag, taking up a minimum of space in the luggage compartment. In the event of a car fire, all you need to do is cover it with a blanket, making sure that it fits snugly on the ground. It is not recommended to immediately remove the blanket from the car. You have to wait at least 20 minutes. Ideally, this ... >>

Compact portable solar-powered refrigerator 22.05.2021

The new GoSun Chillest is a self-contained, portable refrigerator with a capacity of 45 liters. This is no ordinary cooler bag where you have to put ice or special cool packs. GoSun Chillest can independently maintain the desired temperature below zero with the help of a compressor and thermostat. Power consumption does not exceed 45 watts. As a power source, you can use the device's battery, external power supply, direct current and solar energy. GoSun Chillest is equipped with a solar battery, which, if necessary, can be used as a table. The total operating time of the refrigerator is about 40 hours with an external power supply. The total volume is 45 liters, the storage temperature is up to -20 degrees. The only negative is the weight of 19 kg. GoSun Chillest is $699. ... >>

Paper bottles 21.05.2021

In Finland, startup Pulpex has begun mass-producing paper whiskey bottles. The material for the startup is supplied by the logging company Stora Enso. The bottles are made from cellulose fiber treated with a special food-grade water-based coating. You can dispose of them after use as ordinary paper waste. "We don't use a PET barrier. If we use plastic, we want to keep the bottles recyclable. If they end up in nature, they can biodegrade," said Sohrab Kazemahwazi, who is now in the production of ecological bottles. Stora Enso and Pulpex will work together in 2022 to build a scalable high-speed pulp bottle production line. It also became known about the intention of Pulpex to create a partner consortium for the production of ecological bottles. In addition to Diageo, it will include Pepsi, Unilever, GSK and Castrol. Together they intend to use 750 million b ... >>

Corsair Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT Headset 21.05.2021

Corsair has introduced the Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT gaming headset, which the manufacturer itself refers to as a premium class. The novelty supports ultra-fast wireless connection SlipStream. At the same time, you can use a standard Bluetooth connection with the Qualcomm aptX HD codec. USB wired digital connection and the most versatile 3,5mm analog connection available. The reproducible frequency range is declared equal to 20-40 Hz. There is support for Dolby Atmos surround sound. The headphones use 000mm drivers. The sensitivity of the headphones is 50+-109 dB, the impedance is 3 ohms. The Virtuoso RGB Wireless XT features a detachable "broadcast-grade" omnidirectional microphone with a frequency response of 32-100 Hz. The sensitivity of the microphone is -10 + -000 dB. One battery charge is enough for 42 hours of wireless operation. The headset is decorated with RGB lighting, customizable in ... >>

Electric motor without magnets 20.05.2021

German experts have developed the first electric motor, the efficiency level of which is 95%. Some of the usual materials are not used in its design. Introduced the first motor that does not contain rare earth materials. Such an engine does not harm the environment. This does not affect its effectiveness in any way - it, on the contrary, has increased to 95%. As early as 5 years ago, Honda announced that it was starting to develop a deformed magnet that does not contain rare earth materials. At the time, it was considered an important breakthrough. With a successful outcome, the company could start producing electric motors without heavy metals. German motor supplier Mahle presented its own project - the first ever electric motor that does not use magnets. Now the engine is going through the last stage of development. The main feature is that it does not need to use rare earth elements to create it. Such a breakthrough will make production more efficient. ... >>

Self-healing high strength material 20.05.2021

A joint research team of scientists from the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology and Puken National University has developed a self-healing material that has no analogues in the world in terms of mechanical strength. Damage repair occurs at room temperature. Compared to existing self-healing polymer materials that have been developed for use in clothing, footwear, tires, folding displays and other products, the new material compares favorably with increased hardness and strength. To ensure the ability to self-repair, the material must have relatively weak intermolecular bonds, but this negatively affects such an indicator as tensile strength. "In the material that we have developed, the degree of molecular bonds increases instantly in the event of external friction or impact, and then there is a recovery with a return to a state of free molecular motion, - volume ... >>

Charging electric vehicles while driving 19.05.2021

The problem of battery charging is one of the reasons preventing the widespread use of electric vehicles. Perhaps the development of researchers from Cornell University in the USA, who have created a technology for charging batteries while an electric car is in motion, will help solve it. The development was led by Khurram Afridi University, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, who has been working on a project for the past seven years to introduce infrastructure for wireless car charging on American roads. In their work, the researchers used the achievements of Nikola Tesla, who 100 years ago used alternating electric fields to power flashlights that were not connected to the network. The new technology involves embedding special metal plates in the roadway connected to a power line and a high-frequency inverter. These plates will create alternating electric fields, attracting and repelling ... >>

Robot with hair brush 19.05.2021

Engineers from the University of Massachusetts have developed a special robot that can comb any, even the most tangled hair. In addition, he can take care of seriously ill people. The need for such an assistant arose due to the increased burden on the healthcare system. Experts found out that 40% of the working time of nurses is taking care of bedridden patients, so they decided to make their work easier. The new "nurse" easily combs the hair of seriously ill patients, which allows doctors to deal with more important tasks. ... >>

Boots for the blind 18.05.2021

Scientists have come up with shoes for people who suffer from vision loss. So, special boots were created that warn the person who put them on about obstacles in front of him. To do this, they use sensors and cameras. The new development is called InnoMake. Its authors are Austrian engineers who are involved in the startup Tec-Innovation. The boots are equipped with a proximity sensor module that works like a sonar. It is installed on the toe. The device receives the reflection of obstacles in the path of the walker. With the help of a tactile communication system, a person receives information that there is an object in front of him and that he needs to bypass it. Information can also be obtained on a smartphone that connects to the boots via Bluetooth. The user will be alerted with an audible signal. ... >>

You can touch the hologram 18.05.2021

Scientists from the USA have come up with a way to create a three-dimensional image in the air without auxiliary tools. Researchers from Brigham Young University showed a projection of a volumetric image in the air - a real 3D picture in an open space. You can even touch it and somehow interact with it. Earlier in 2018, scientists presented a prototype of this technology called Optical Trap Display. In traditional holograms, the viewing angle is limited, but the researchers managed to get an image that can be seen from any angle and from any side. This is due to a system of two lasers and optical traps. The laser transforms the particles in the air, and the second one illuminates them. For three years of work, scientists managed to improve the technology. Now the system not only shows three-dimensional images in the air, but also makes them move and interact with other objects. To view the projections in detail, you need to use a camera: the dimensions of the projections are still very small. ... >>

Video cards with hardware limitation of mining 17.05.2021

Galax has released the GeForce RTX 3080 and GeForce RTX 3070 General FG LHR, which have mining protection installed at the hardware level. The video cards are equipped with new GPUs with a built-in hardware limiter for mining the Ethereum cryptocurrency. Such graphics accelerators are not able to give maximum performance when used in the farm, but will allow gamers to get the most out of the game mode. Galax previously presented exactly the same models of FG series video cards, but without a mining limiter. Versions are delivered in packages that do not distinguish new items from previous versions. That is, the manufacturer does not mention the fact that video cards are equipped with a mining limiter. It is planned that the previously released GeForce RTX 3060/3060 Ti, as well as the RTX 3070 and RTX 3080, will soon receive an update in the form of hardware protection against mining. At the same time, the RTX 3070 Ti and RTX 3080 Ti will initially acquire such a function. She automatically ... >>

The storm is getting bigger 17.05.2021

An analysis of measurements taken from NASA aircraft in 2012 showed that lightning may be a more important means of cleaning the atmosphere than previously thought. In 2012, these data, obtained from the study of the top of thunderclouds over Colorado and Oklahoma, were considered overestimated. The new analysis, as well as the results of earthly experiments, forced us to reconsider our attitude towards them. Lightning is known to generate nitrogen oxides and ozone, which indirectly create the hydroxyl radical (OH), the atmosphere's primary oxidizer. Recent laboratory studies have shown that the weak and even invisible electrical discharges that accompany lightning flashes generate much more OH and hydroperoxyl radical (HO2) than previously thought - and than lightning itself does. These laboratory data matched very closely with the 2012 data obtained from a NASA aircraft, which at that time was considered instrumental noise and began to be filtered out during further processing. This is especially in ... >>

Lens Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f/2.8 ASPH 16.05.2021

Leica Camera has expanded its Leica SL line of lenses with the versatile Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f/2.8 ASPH full-frame zoom lens. According to the manufacturer, this is the "ideal lens" for a wide range of photographers, as it is suitable for reportage, studio, architecture and landscape photography, travel photography, as well as portraits, close-ups and video shooting. A wide range of focal lengths with a constant maximum aperture of f/2,8 is in demand by professionals, enthusiasts and novice users of the SL system. Universal zoom lens Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70 f/2.8 ASPH. valued at $2795 By incorporating three elements with aspherical surfaces on both sides and nine glass elements with anomalous partial dispersion into the optical design of the lens, the designers were able to correct for chromatic aberration throughout the entire range of focal lengths. Silent stepping motor ensures fast and accurate autofocusing. Protect lens ... >>

Improve your broadband connection 16.05.2021

As demand grows, many mature markets have achieved near 100% household broadband coverage, leading to increased competition among operators. Deploying solutions and services that provide a better user experience is becoming critical for broadband operators to succeed in mature markets. Smart Wi-Fi and fixed wireless access (FWA) are emerging as key solutions to improve existing services and support "fiber-like" connectivity without actually deploying fiber at the end site, according to analyst firm ABI Research. ABI Research forecasts that shipments of related Wi-Fi mesh and 5G FWA consumer-facing equipment (CPE) will reach 2025 million and 40,6 million units in 14,6, respectively. Despite the efforts of operators to provide high-speed broadband services, some ... >>

Tweezers that destroy dangerous bacteria 15.05.2021

Researchers at Ben-Gurion University (BGU), Israel, along with American and German colleagues, have developed a new "molecular tweezer" to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria. "Our discovery prevents infection without increasing antibiotic resistance. It may be worth considering our approach as the basis for treatment without the use of antibiotics," says BGU Chemistry Professor Raz Jelinek. A research team led by Prof. Jelinek and his student Dr. Ravit Malishev tested their molecular tweezers on Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. It targets the biofilm, a thin layer of fibers that protects bacteria. Capturing fibers and destroying the protective layer, the tweezers destroy bacteria without affecting them directly. This prevents the formation of stability. ... >>

Notebooks Honor MagicBook X 15.05.2021

Honor has officially unveiled new thin, light and compact laptops enclosed in metal cases - MagicBook X14 and MagicBook X15. The first has a thickness of 15,9 millimeters and a weight of 1,38 kilograms, the second - 16,9 millimeters and 1,56 kilograms. As you might guess from the names, the MagicBook X14 has a 14-inch screen, while the MagicBook X15 has a 15,6-inch one. The resolution of the matrix in both cases is 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD). The base version of the MagicBook X14 has a Core i3-10110U processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD. The top version is Core i5-10210U, 16/512 GB. Prices for early buyers are $465 and $620, respectively. The base version of the MagicBook X15 received similar specifications and was priced at $480. The top one received the same as the older configuration, the X14 Core i5-10210U processor, but only 8 GB of RAM. It is valued at $555. ... >>

South Korea launches world's most powerful laser 14.05.2021

South Korean scientists have created the most powerful laser machine in the world. The intensity of the pulses of the installation is equal to all the light of the Sun falling on the Earth, focused into a beam with a diameter of 10 microns. The colossal energy of pulses on a micrometer target will make it possible to set up experiments that will help to penetrate into the essence of the interaction of light and matter, which will open the way for new directions in fundamental physics. Scientific discoveries will flow like water. For many years in a row, the most powerful pulsed laser was the installation in the USA - the HERCULES titanium-sapphire laser at the University of Michigan. At its peak, "Hercules" developed 10 ^ 22 watts per cm2. Researchers at the Center for Relativistic Laser Science of South Korea (CoReLS) were able to surpass this achievement by an order of magnitude and reported the creation of a pulsed laser with a power of 10^23 W per cm2. The pulse duration of such lasers is very, very small - only a few femtoseconds, and the target width is 50 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair and is ... >>

Increasing the strength of perovskite 14.05.2021

The use of perovskite panels instead of classic solar panels in the context of modern energy is truly one of the most promising moments - and therefore it is hardly surprising that many scientific teams continue to actively explore the possibilities for significantly improving perovskite as a separate material. And today it became known that a team of talented researchers in material engineering from Brown University in the United States has found a way to additionally increase the specific level of reliability and stability of perovskite panels in the long term. One of the most indicative and main problems in the development and use of solar panels is the problem of increasing the level of stability of these panels, since in this aspect they often lose to more traditional and widespread silicon solar panels. Today, however, a team of American material engineers from ... >>

Minicomputers Gigabyte Brix 13.05.2021

Gigabyte Technology has expanded its range of Brix minicomputers with a line of devices based on Intel Jasper Lake single-chip systems. The devices are made in a case with dimensions of 56,2 x 103 x 116,5 and, according to the vendor, have a 60% increase in performance relative to previous generation analogues. The heart of the new Gigabyte Brix is ​​one of the 10nm chips: Pentium Silver N6005 (4 cores/4 threads, 2,0/3,3 GHz), Celeron N5105 (4 cores/4 threads, 2,0/2,9 GHz) or Celeron N4500 (2 cores/2 threads, 1,1/2,8 GHz). In the latter case, a passive cooling system is used, since the TDP of the processor is only 6 watts. Mini PCs accept up to one DDR4-2933 SO-DIMM up to 16GB, an M.2 SSD, and a 2,5" SATA 6Gb/s device. The equipment of the systems includes a gigabit network interface, a Wi-Fi 5 wireless module and the Realtek ALC255 audio codec. An external adapter with a nominal value of 65 W is used for power. Gi nettops for sale ... >>

TRACO TPI small economical power supplies 13.05.2021

TRACO Electronic AG has introduced a new line of compact, low cost, open-top designs for industrial applications, the TPI family. It includes the TPI 30JP, TPI 65JP, TPI 100J, TPI 125J and TPI 150J series in the power range from 30 to 150 W with the possibility of peak overload up to 120...140% for up to 10 seconds (depending on the series). A feature of the family is a wide operating temperature range of -40...+85°C (with the dependence of the output power on the upper threshold). At full power, the sources operate in the range from -40 to +60 (50) ° С. At the same time, IP have a compact size and high efficiency. In models with a power of 100 W or more, a PFC circuit is implemented (PFC> 0,95). The products are designed in accordance with the European Energy Directive and consume less than 300 mW at idle. They are designed for industrial automation systems, test and measuring instruments, as well as wherever reliable small-sized power supplies with a wide temperature range are required. ... >>

Soil genetic analysis 12.05.2021

The soil microbial community is fundamental to plant development. In agricultural production, in addition to participating in soil structuring, microorganisms interact directly with the root system of the plant, helping to supply nutrients, protect against diseases, increase resistance and modulate plant growth. Thus, the more known about these microorganisms, the more effective is the management of resource use and the result in crop yields. The new technology will scan these organisms to help Brazilian farmers make decisions. Startup Biome4All is commercializing agroanalysis in Brazil, specifically a platform that analyzes the DNA of bacteria and fungi present in soil. Based on the information received, soil quality parameters will be established and conclusions will be drawn about agricultural productivity and biosecurity risks. It is an innovative tool for analyzing DNA sequencing data ... >>

CPU Cooler Zalman CNPS10X Performa Black 12.05.2021

Zalman introduced the Zalman CNPS10X Performa Black processor cooling system. When designing this cooling system, built according to the classic tower scheme, special attention was paid to reducing noise levels. Four heat pipes with a diameter of 8 mm are passed through the base of the product, directly in contact with the processor cover. They transfer heat to a block of aluminum plates, on which a proprietary 135mm fan is mounted. A feature of the latter is an impeller with saber-shaped blades, the ends of which are connected by a ring. Due to this, the entire air flow is formed in the axial direction. The fan speed with EBR bearing is adjustable in the range of 700-1500 rpm. The maximum speed corresponds to a flow of 128 m3/h and a noise of 27 dBA. The CNPS10X Performa Black cooling system is designed for processors with TDP up to 180W. ... >>

Sharks navigate by the Earth's magnetic field 11.05.2021

A new study shows that some sharks can read the Earth's field like a map and use it to navigate the high seas. In 2005, scientists reported that a great white shark swam from South Africa to Australia and back in almost a straight line, a feat that led some scientists to speculate that the shark relied on magnetic sense. Brian Keller, an environmentalist at Florida State University, and his colleagues decided to do an experiment. The researchers wrapped a bedroom-sized cage with copper wire and placed a small pool in the center of the cage. By passing an electric current through a wire, they were able to create a tunable magnetic field at the center of the pool. The scientists then selected 20 juveniles of the hammerhead shark, a species that migrates hundreds of miles, from the shallow waters off the coast of Florida. They placed the sharks one at a time in the pool and allowed them to swim freely under the influence of three different magnetic fields. One field imitated the natural field of the Earth in the place where ... >>

2nm technology from IBM 11.05.2021

IBM announced a breakthrough in semiconductor design and manufacturing with the introduction of the world's first chip based on 2nm nanosheet technology. IBM's new 2nm technology is expected to deliver 45% performance gains or 75% lower power consumption compared to today's leading edge 7nm solutions. Potential benefits of these advanced 2nm chips could include: Increased battery life for mobile phones, allowing users to charge their devices only once every 4 days. Reducing the carbon footprint of data centers, which account for one percent of global energy consumption. Significant acceleration of the functions of portable computers. Faster object detection and faster response times in autonomous vehicles. IBM Introduces World's First 2nm Chip Technology, It Will Deliver 45% Performance Boost New 2nm Technology ... >>

Stress inhibits immune cells 10.05.2021

The connection between the immune and sympathetic nervous systems has been studied for a long time. It is known that in the immune organs (for example, in the spleen and in the lymph nodes) there are sympathetic nerve fibers. But the main immune work is performed by special cells that wander through the tissues and synthesize a huge amount of signal proteins. How does the nervous system affect them? Sympathetic neurons work with the help of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. Employees of the University of Melbourne found that norepinephrine literally slows down T-cells - because of it, they begin to move more slowly. Experiments were performed with mice, in which it was possible to follow the movements of T-lymphocytes directly in the lymph nodes. In general, T-cells crawl quite quickly. But after they received the norepinephrine signal, they practically froze in place and pulled in protrusions of the cell membrane that help them move and with which they seem to feel everything around them. The cells stopped within a few minutes after ... >>

Battery of the future without sodium anode 10.05.2021

Scientists have created a prototype sodium-based battery without an anode. Unlike lithium-ion power supplies, it is cheap and does not pollute the environment. A typical lithium-ion battery has two electrodes, a cathode and an anode. They transfer the ions in the electrolyte solution to each other as the device charges and discharges. Scientists from Washington University in St. Louis tried to replace lithium with sodium metal. Why are researchers interested in him? The fact is that it is metallic sodium - a widespread material. When creating a power source, scientists abandoned the anode, adding instead a thin layer of copper foil. It is located on the anode side of the current collector, which collects free electrons as the battery discharges and directs them to the device that is powered. A thin layer of copper acts as one of the electrodes. The result is a power supply that is much smaller and cheaper to manufacture analogues. At the same time, productive ... >>

Solid State Drive for Mining Team Group Chia 09.05.2021

Team Group has announced the T-Create Expert series of solid state drives with increased reliability. Products are well suited for mining Chia cryptocurrency. Unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum, Chia mining is based on the process of storing information. And therefore, for the production of this cryptocurrency, productive drives with a large resource are needed. T-Create Expert solutions just meet these requirements. The drives are made in M.2 2280 format with dimensions of 22 x 80 mm. The PCIe 3.0 x4 interface is enabled (NVMe 1.3 specification). Modifications with a capacity of 1 and 2 TB are presented. As part of the products, specially designed flash memory chips are used. The TBW (Guaranteed Data Recording Capacity) is up to 12 TB. At the same time, the devices are provided with a record-breaking twelve-year warranty. The declared read speed of information reaches 000 MB / s, the write speed is 3400 MB / s. IOPS (I/O operations per second) pr ... >>

Convert infrared light to image 09.05.2021

US researchers have unveiled a new device that allows you to see through smog or fog, as well as create a map of human blood vessels. It does not use hazardous substances. The device detects a portion of the infrared spectrum called short wavelength light (1000 to 1400 nanometers), which is just outside the visible spectrum. The researchers note that short-wavelength infrared imaging should not be confused with thermal imaging—it detects much longer infrared waves emitted by the body. The visualizer illuminates the entire object or part of it with shortwave infrared light. It then converts the low energy infrared light that is reflected back into the device into short and high energy waves. They can be detected by the human eye. A new development allows you to see through smog and fog. It will also help to map human blood vessels and at the same time monitor ... >>

The length of the day on Venus is constantly different 08.05.2021

Scientists from the University of California at Los Angeles (USA) found that the length of the day on the planet Venus is constantly changing, the difference can be up to 20 minutes. New radar measurements show that the average day on Venus lasts 243,0226 Earth days - about two-thirds of an Earth year. Moreover, the speed of rotation of Venus is always changing: the value that was obtained in one observation will be slightly more or less than the previous one. "The difference in rotation speed seems to explain why previous estimates of the length of the day on Venus did not agree with each other," said Professor Jean-Luc Margot. It is likely that the heavy atmosphere of Venus causes the difference in measurements of the length of the day. According to the theory, the atmosphere exchanges a lot of momentum with the solid surface, speeding up or slowing down the rotation of the planet. There is such a phenomenon on Earth, but such a process takes away or adds only one millisecond every day. On Venus, this ef ... >>

Environmentally friendly material - a substitute for genuine leather 08.05.2021

Researchers at the Tufts University School of Engineering have found an alternative to natural leather in the form of an eco-friendly, non-toxic, environmentally friendly material. Its key component was known before - it is silk, the threads of which are woven into the fabric. However, the new technology of using silk has made it possible to create a material similar to leather with the same properties in terms of flexibility, rigidity and texture. Silk is a soft natural fabric obtained by weaving threads from the cocoon of a silkworm (butterfly of the true silkworm family). Its homeland is China, where butterflies began to be domesticated as early as the 400th-1500rd millennium BC. e. A silk thread from one cocoon can reach 20-30 m in length with a thickness of 25-75 microns. Silk fiber has a protein nature - it consists of XNUMX% sericin and XNUMX% fibroin. Moreover, sericin is typical only for silkworm caterpillars, and fibroin is secreted by various insects, including spiders that weave cobwebs from it. When under ... >>

Microchip MIC28514/5 buck converter 07.05.2021

Microchip has introduced a new MIC28514/5 buck converter certified for automotive applications according to the AEC-Q100 standard. These devices feature a high input voltage of 75 V and a Constant On-Time (COT) PWM control method, which achieves high efficiency, and also significantly reduces the number of external components, which positively affects the weight, size and price of the final device. The MIC28514/5 has integrated high-precision MOSFETs that convert high voltage to lower voltage. Main features: input voltage range 4,5...75 V; adjustable output voltage 0,6...32 V (limited by duty cycle); high current load 5 A; adaptive time constant; built-in reference voltage source 0,6 V; switching frequency of built-in switches 270...800 kHz; high voltage internal linear regulator (LDO) for single voltage operation; ... >>

Battery recycling without crushing and melting 07.05.2021

The proliferation of electric vehicles, smartphones and handheld devices is driving the world's battery production to about 25% annually. At the same time, existing methods for recycling batteries are far from perfect. Researchers at Aalto University have found that lithium battery electrodes containing cobalt can be reused by prescribing lithium. Compared to traditional recycling, which typically extracts metals from crushed batteries by melting or dissolving them, the new process saves valuable raw materials, energy and is environmentally friendly. With traditional battery recycling methods, some of the raw material is wasted, and lithium cobalt oxide is converted into other cobalt compounds that require a long chemical purification process to turn them back into electrode material. The new method avoids this painstaking process: by replenishing the spent lithium in the electrode using an electrolysis process, she ... >>

Electric bike ADO A20 06.05.2021

Popular electric bike manufacturer ADO has unveiled the ADO A20, which comes with an advanced electric motor as well as a 10,4Ah battery. The ADO A20 bike offers three modes of operation and a range of around 80 km. At the initial stage, it will be available for 639 euros (769 dollars), but then the price will rise to 1200 dollars. The power of the electric motor has been increased to 350 W, which allows the ADO A20 to reach a maximum speed of 35 km/h. The bike is equipped with a quality Shimano 7-speed ratchet, a phone holder with the ability to charge it, an air pump, a front fork with a shock absorber, and an LCD display on the handlebars. The ADO A20 electric bike is equipped with a highly efficient removable battery. You can charge it in two ways: fast charging allows you to charge it in 4-6 hours. This bike uses an aluminum alloy frame that is 40% lighter than carbon steel. ... >>

Intent Predictive Headphones 06.05.2021

The idea for the Enten headphones, which can read a person's intentions, was brought to life by Neurable under the direction of Dr. Ramses Alkaide. While still a student, he thought about developing technologies that could directly interact with the human brain. Initially, the techniques were interesting in the field of prosthetics. However, over time, the scientist realized that the application of technology could be much wider. The result of the work was a lot of interesting and useful devices. Neurable has announced the pre-order of the first pair of Enten headphones with BCI technology. Their work is based on the fact that the user has only a couple of hours of daily high productivity. The device suggests the user the best time to take a break in order to maintain high performance throughout the day. Also, the headphones have active elements to turn off notifications when the user is busy. Unlike traditional headphones, the new ones are made of fabric to make it easier to ... >>

Safe genetically modified mosquitoes 05.05.2021

Genetically modified mosquito larvae will be released on the Florida Keys in the southeastern United States. These are male insects, and they do not bite animals and people. The experiment is part of a program to curb the spread of diseases such as dengue fever, Zika virus and yellow fever. The mosquitoes will be released over the course of three weeks at six locations, bringing the total to hundreds of millions of larvae. Insects belong to the invasive species of yellow fever mosquitoes. However, they have a special gene that prevents offspring from surviving to adulthood. In this way, it will be possible to control the spread of insects that carry diseases. These mosquitoes make up only 4% of the population of all mosquitoes in the Florida Keys, but they are the ones that spread dangerous viruses to people and can transmit deadly diseases to animals. Insects have become resistant to traditional methods of control, so new ways have to be found. ... >>

Army Night Vision Goggles ENVG-B 05.05.2021

Newly developed by the US military, the ENVG-B night vision device combines computer vision, white phosphor tubes and a binocular design. The glasses can be used during the day in fog and smoke, and the image through them is extremely clear, bright and close to real. Traditional night vision devices are a monocular with a green phosphor tube. The image clarity of these devices is such that the observer has to think out a lot on his own, which is highly undesirable in combat and extreme conditions. Therefore, by order of the military, new night vision devices were developed, which not only increased the clarity of the image, but also brought binocular vision to the device, which makes it possible to navigate much better in the environment and better estimate the distance to the target. The ENVG-B instrument uses white phosphor tubes to bring the colors in the image closer to the real ones, as well as a computer system that draws the contour of the observed objects. ... >>

Thousands of molecules combined into a single quantum state 04.05.2021

The concept of many particles acting together as one big particle, sharing their quantum states, is not new. Scientists at the University of Chicago have been experimenting with clouds of individual atoms in a state of matter called a Bose-Einstein condensate. These clouds are formed from atoms cooled to a fraction above absolute zero (but not to absolute zero when the atoms stop moving). This causes them to descend to their lowest energy state, moving extremely slowly so that their energy differences disappear, causing them to overlap in a quantum superposition. The result is a high-density cloud of atoms that acts as a single "superatom" or material wave. Molecules, however, are made up of many atoms bonded together and are therefore much more difficult to tame. They then cooled the condensate even further and increased the magnetic field so that about 15 percent of the cesium atoms collided and bonded in pairs to form dec molecules. ... >>

A transistor that can be dissolved by sound and water 04.05.2021

Most of the old electronics ends up in landfills, not for recycling. Partly because it's hard to separate and retrieve the valuable materials that make it up. To solve this problem, engineers from the American Duke University have developed the world's first fully recyclable printed electronics, which are decomposed into their constituent parts using a bath of water and sound waves. Printed electronics are made using conductive inks to create thin and flexible electronic circuits. Recently, nanocellulose has been used as an experimental material. Nanocellulose is a biodegradable material that has been used in packaging for years. And although people have long known about the possibilities of its use as an insulator in electronics, no one has thought of using it in printing ink. "Specialists have found a way to combine nanocellulose with ink, reducing it to a crystalline form and adding a little salt. These dielectric inks are mixed ... >>

Efficient solar cell made from conventional silicon 03.05.2021

Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) have created a solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 26% from classic single-crystal silicon, which has become a world achievement. The new technology is simpler than the previously proposed Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) technology with contacts on the back of the cells and promises to approach the theoretical limit of silicon when converting solar energy into electricity. Today, the vast majority of solar panels are produced from ordinary single-crystal silicon - over 90%. It would be tempting to increase the efficiency of such panels without complicating the technology and increasing the cost of production. The IBC technology promised to help with this, when both current-carrying contacts in the cells are created on the back side of the cell, which does not obscure the panel and allows better use of the volume of the element in the process of knocking out electrons by photons. Unfortunately, although IBC panels are close to 26% in terms of efficiency, their production is quite expensive, so they ... >>

Finland to launch wooden satellite into space 03.05.2021

Finland is going to launch a unique satellite into space, which will be made of wood. With its help, scientists plan to find out how the tree will behave during a long stay in extreme conditions for this material. We are talking about high and low temperatures, as well as vacuum and radiation. The satellite will be a cube, will be about a dozen centimeters on each of the faces. The device will not weigh more than one kilogram. The launch is scheduled for the end of 2021 from a spaceport located not in Finland itself, but in New Zealand. It is noteworthy that the satellite will fly around the home planet. A full rotation, if everything goes according to plan, is planned to be completed every 90 minutes. It should be noted that in recent years, scientists, astronomers and engineers have been trying to explore space more actively, launching many interesting projects into production. For example, Japan has already announced its intention to launch into space an apparatus made of wood with the same ... >>

Microplastics break down human lung cells 02.05.2021

A growing body of research has begun to shed light on the widespread impact of plastic pollution and its subsequent impact on the environment and human health. A new study focused on the type of damage that microplastics can cause to human lungs, with researchers observing changes in the shape of lung cells and a slowdown in their metabolism when exposed to these tiny plastic particles. The study was conducted at Florida State University (FSU) and focused on small pieces of plastic waste that have broken down in the environment. In the last few years, we have seen microplastics found in Arctic ice, near the summit of Everest, and in human stool samples collected around the world. At the same time, scientists began to study how these tiny particles can affect the health of various organisms, and studies have shown that they can cause aneurysms in fish, impair shell selection in hermit crabs, and ... >>

Underwater volcanoes can warm entire continents 02.05.2021

The streams of hot water and ash that occur during eruptions on the ocean floor provide heat exchange between it and the earth's crust. A new study by two mathematicians from the University of Leeds has estimated the magnitude of heat released from deep-sea volcanic eruptions. Taking the thickness of volcanic deposits on the ocean floor as a starting point, and creating a mathematical model of their transport, the researchers showed that volcanic eruptions in a short time release energy equivalent to the annual energy consumption of the entire United States, and that the resulting hot flows significantly affect the temperature of the ocean depths, heating them noticeably. At the same time, most of the Earth's volcanic activity occurs not on land, but under water, mainly at a depth of several kilometers. But, unlike terrestrial volcanoes, these eruptions can be extremely difficult to even detect. As a result, the intensity of underwater volcanism and its impact on the World Ocean on a planetary scale ... >>

TRACO TXM compact power supplies for chassis mounting 01.05.2021

The Swiss company TRACO Electronic AG has introduced a new family of reliable compact MT from TRACO for installation on the chassis - TXM. It includes eight series with powers from 15 to 200 W (TXM 15, TXM 25, TXM 35, TXM 50, TXM 75, TXM 100, TXM 150, TXM 200). Series with output power from 100 W contain active PFC (PFC). All IP models have a universal input voltage range of 90 ... 264 V (AC), and they briefly withstand an increase in this voltage to 300 V (up to 5 sec.), Operating temperature range -25 (-20) ... 70 ( 65)°C. Models of the family are designed for standard output voltages from 3,3 to 48 V (depending on the series) with the possibility of manual adjustment. The sources have protection against short circuit, overload and exceeding Vout. Overload protection is based on the limitation of Iout. The new IP family replaces the existing TXL family (according to capacity) and is characterized by lower cost. IP are intended for use in industrial automation and control systems, in electric ... >>

Revealed the secret of flickering lightning 01.05.2021

Researchers from the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE), in collaboration with colleagues from the US, UK and South Africa, have for the first time recorded the formation and branching of luminous structures during lightning strikes and sometimes form glowing patterns that the human eye interprets as flickering Scientists used ultra-high-speed digital video cameras to record more than 200 upward flashes during summer thunderstorms in São Paulo (Brazil) and Rapid City (South Dakota, USA) between 2008 and 2019 gg. The ascending flashes they recorded were caused by positively charged cloud-to-ground lightning discharges, which are much more common, as described by the same INPE research team in a previous study. Upward lightning occurs at the top of a tower or from a lightning rod on a skyscraper, for example, when ... >>

World's most powerful tidal turbine launched 30.04.2021

Orbital Marine Power has launched the most powerful tidal turbine in Scottish waters. It is called Orbital O2, and its power reaches 2 MW. In the near future it will be connected to the European Center for Marine Energy. The construction of a turbine weighing 680 tons began in 2019. The length of the structure is 74 meters, the length of the blades is 10 meters, the coverage area of ​​the blades is more than 600 m2. The power of the turbine is enough to provide electricity to about 2000 households in the UK and offset about 2200 tons of carbon dioxide per year. ... >>

The most advanced space radar LeoLabs 30.04.2021

On the territory of Costa Rica, a new giant space radar has been completed, which is capable of tracking orbital debris up to two centimeters in size without any difficulties. It was built by LeoLabs, which is famous for providing commercial radar tracking services for objects in low Earth orbit. The new radar is currently the only one capable of not only recognizing, but also tracking objects the size of a golf ball and even smaller, moving at speeds up to 30,000 kilometers per hour. It is also noteworthy that this radar can, without any problems, monitor both active satellites and space debris, which make up the vast majority of artificial objects found in the orbit of our planet. The device is capable of presenting an opportunity to reduce, prevent and prevent various risks that various LeoLabs corporate clients want to monitor, for example ... >>

Global warming has shifted the earth's axis 29.04.2021

Research by the Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research has shown that the massive melting of glaciers as a result of global warming has provoked noticeable shifts in the Earth's axis of rotation. This process began around the 1990s. The problem of climate change, which has been provoked by human activity, clearly demonstrates the destructive impact of people on the planet. The geographic north and south poles of a planet are the points where its axis of rotation intersects the surface, but they are not fixed. Changes in the distribution of the Earth's mass cause the axis, and hence the poles, to move. In the past, only natural factors such as ocean currents, for example, have contributed to the repositioning of the poles. But new research shows that since the 1990s, the loss of hundreds of billions of tons of ice a year as a result of the climate crisis has sent the poles moving in new directions. Scientists have found that the direction of the poles has shifted from south to east in ... >>

Mechanical skeleton controlled by human neurons 29.04.2021

Scientists at North Carolina State University in the United States have developed a new kind of mechanical skeleton that does not require pre-programming, like traditional robots, it connects to the human body to freely control the mechanical skeleton. A large number of different mechanical prostheses have been developed around the world for patients with disabilities to help people live a normal life. However, these prostheses do not fit well into the human body and are not easy to manage. In recent years, with the advent of brain-computer interface neurotherapy, scientists hope to develop a mechanical skeleton controlled by neurons to help people with disabilities. Researchers have developed a neuron-controlled mechanical skeleton for a patient who lost mobility in the calf of his left leg. Through training, this patient coordinated and synchronized the mechanical skeleton and calves. 57-year-old patient lost sensation from knee to ankle ... >>

Counted the number of bubbles in a glass of beer 28.04.2021

Carbon dioxide is an important ingredient in what makes beer a refreshing drink. The tiny bubbles that are released when pouring beer into a glass not only give the drink a pleasant fizz, but also carry flavor and aroma compounds to the nose and tongue, to our receptors. A group of experts from the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS) set out to answer the question of how many bubbles form in a standard 250ml bottle of lager that is chilled to 6°C. The team calculated how much carbon dioxide would dissolve in beer poured into a tilted glass. It turns out that for the formation of bubbles in the microstructure of the glass itself, there must be tiny voids filled with air. These cavities must be at least 1,4 nanometers wide in order for bubble streams to form in them. Observations have shown that bubbles get larger as they rise to the surface, which captures more gas. Their formation slows down ... >>

Alpha Bonfire Pocket Bonfire 28.04.2021

Japanese brand for the manufacture of various outdoor gadgets and equipment The Brand Labo has introduced a compact model of the Alpha Bonfire electric fire. When folded, the device is a small aluminum box no larger than an average smartphone - the device measures 147x69x5 mm. And when the electric fire unfolds, it looks like five small aluminum sheets folded in the shape of the letter V in order to effectively and seamlessly hold any small pot or saucepan in its upper part. And if the user wants to cook meat using such a pocket fire, then it will be enough for him to take out special grill grates from the inside of the structure, up to eight pieces, if necessary. What's more, the Alpha Bonfire pocket bonfire also has a built-in set of utensils ranging from spoon, fork and knife to chopsticks, which is quite convenient. You can say perfect ... >>

Photonic chip converting waves with high efficiency 27.04.2021

American scientists have created a photonic chip capable of effectively changing the frequency of the incoming signal and amplifying it at the output using nonlinear optical effects. Coherent frequency conversion has many applications in the field of classical and quantum information transmission, visualization and detection. This process is crucial for the connection between classical and quantum devices - as a result of it, the frequency of the signal changes, but the initial phase and envelope of the wave remain the same. The authors of the new study have created photonic chips that can efficiently convert incoming frequencies using non-linear optical effects. Photonic devices were chosen for a reason - they consume low power, scale well and have a small size. In addition, optical effects that are not available for other platforms are possible in such chips. Physicists have presented a new circuit for highly efficient frequency conversion on a photonic chip. When generating total ... >>

Found stars of the second generation 27.04.2021

A team of astronomers conducted a spectroscopic study of 23 stars in the globular cluster NGC 6544 as part of the APOGEE survey. Scientists led by Felipe Grana of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile in Santiago conducted a chemical analysis of the red giant branch (RGB) stars NGC 6544 and found that the giants have an average metallicity of about -1,44 and an alpha element abundance of 0,2. For stars with an asymptotic giant branch (AGB), these values ​​were -1,66 and 0,25, respectively. According to scientists, 14 of the 23 stars studied had different chemical structures, which makes them so-called second-generation stars, that is, a cosmic object that arose from a substance enriched in heavy elements (heavier than helium). Globular cluster NGC 6544 is located at a distance of about 8 thousand light years from Earth. It is a medium-density cluster located 326 light-years from the galactic plane, which is the closest p ... >>

Efficient solar cell made from conventional silicon 26.04.2021

Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) have created a solar cell with a conversion efficiency of 26% from classic single-crystal silicon, which has become a world achievement. The new technology is simpler than the previously proposed Interdigitated Back Contact (IBC) technology with contacts on the back of the cells and promises to approach the theoretical limit of silicon when converting solar energy into electricity. Today, the vast majority of solar panels are produced from ordinary single-crystal silicon - over 90%. It would be tempting to increase the efficiency of such panels without complicating the technology and increasing the cost of production. The IBC technology promised to help with this, when both current-carrying contacts in the cells are created on the back side of the cell, which does not obscure the panel and allows better use of the volume of the element in the process of knocking out electrons by photons. Unfortunately, although IBC panels are close to 26% in terms of efficiency, their production is quite expensive, so they ... >>

JMGO Smart Wall O1 Ultra Short Throw Projector 26.04.2021

Chinese projector manufacturer JMGO has officially announced the new JMGO Smart Wall O1 home projector, which does not need to be placed far from the screen to get a large image. The minimum projection distance is only 27 cm. The projector uses ultra-short throw technology and its throw ratio (the ratio of projection distance to screen diagonal) is only 0,25:1, while the ratio of conventional projectors is usually 1,2:1 . The projector has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It took 12 months for engineers to achieve a reduction in projection distance while maintaining maximum image quality. JMGO Smart Wall O1 is also equipped with a color temperature sensor that adjusts the color temperature for different wall colors. In terms of hardware, Smart Wall O1 is equipped with MediaTek MT9669 single-chip system, which can realize intelligent noise reduction, supporting ... >>

Music from the web 26.04.2021

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), together with colleagues from Studio Tomás Saraceno, have studied the properties of the web and converted it into music. Dr. Markus Buhler, who has long been working on extracting rhythms and melodies of non-human origin from natural materials, compared the threads of the web to vibrating strings. The web seemed to the researcher to be a very promising material. The researchers scanned the web as it was being built with a laser to obtain XNUMXD cross-sections and then used computer algorithms to reconstruct the web's XNUMXD architecture. Its threads were assigned different frequencies of sound, peculiar notes. Thanks to this, it was possible to investigate the time sequence of building a network in sound form. It remains only to pull the threads on an instrument that looks like a harp. It turned out to play the music of the web - with unusual concerts, scientists even spoke to the public. Knowledge of the structure of the web and ... >>

Mindfulness enhances selfishness 25.04.2021

It is believed that mindfulness can overcome stress and anxiety, and generally begin to enjoy life. Psychological tricks and meditation techniques that help achieve mindfulness have recently become extremely popular. Many psychologists are trying to increase the awareness of their clients, and those who have not got a psychologist download applications and comprehend awareness using their own smartphone - anything is better than nothing. Researchers from the University of Buffalo tried to look at mindfulness from a different angle - they were interested in how it affects interpersonal relationships. In general, awareness is perceived as something absolutely positive, so it would be worth expecting the same joy from it for interpersonal relationships. However, experiments show that everything is not so simple. The study involved several hundred people who were primarily assessed for how prone they were to social interactions, how independent they felt, or, alternatively, ... >>

Graffiti Wall Cleaner 25.04.2021

Street art is different. Sometimes real masterpieces come across, but, as a rule, unauthorized drawings on the walls are assessed as ordinary bad taste and hooliganism. The problem, of course, falls on the shoulders of the owners and tenants, who have to clean and repaint the walls. Italian experts have created a special tool that will help you do this job faster and with less effort. We are talking about a nanostructured substance, the developers specify. The fact is that paints of different colors have a similar, but not the same chemical composition, experts say. Therefore, they are not equally washed off with special liquids. You can, for example, remove black and red, leaving yellow, which is the color of the wall itself. ... >>

Bananas under threat 24.04.2021

A highly infectious, chemical-resistant soil fungus is the reason bananas are endangered. Tropical Race 4 (TR4) disease was first detected back in 2019 in South America, the world's main supplier of bananas. Subsequently, some plantations in Honduras and Colombia closed, as contaminated soil on a farmer's shoes could lead to a general spread of infection. We are talking about 30-40 years of idleness of the affected areas. TR4 primarily affects Cavendish and accounts for about 95 percent of global trade. But bananas are one of the main products in the retail trade, so the increase in prices for them can be critical. This product is very important in the daily diet in many African and Asian countries, like potatoes and rice. Prior to this, some retail chains have already encountered difficulties when buying bananas, as they described a crop failure in Ecuador, seasonal high demand and ... >>

Transcend SSD2,5N 250" NAS Drives 24.04.2021

Transcend has announced the availability of 2,5-inch drives SSD250N series, designed for use in network attached storage (NAS). The devices feature a SATA 6Gb/s interface, use 3D NAND TLC memory chips and, according to the vendor, are "highly rugged, proven stability and guaranteed reliability." Transcend SSD250N drives will be offered in 1TB and 2TB versions. They are characterized by sequential read speeds up to 560 MB / s, writes up to 480 MB / s and a performance level when working with arbitrary blocks up to 82 thousand / 80 thousand IOPS (read / write). During the 5-year warranty, devices can be written to at least 1000 and 2000 TB of information, respectively. Among other features of the SSD250N, the manufacturer highlights the wear leveling system and the presence of a DDR3 buffer. The new items will go on sale in the coming weeks. The press service of Transcend does not disclose the recommended cost of drives, however, European stores ... >>

SpaceX will take astronauts to the moon 23.04.2021

Elon Musk's company will receive nearly $2,89 billion to build a lander to take two astronauts to the moon. US billionaire Elon Musk's company SpaceX has won a contract from the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to deliver astronauts to the moon as part of the Artemis program. The contract amounted to $ 2021 billion. SpaceX will develop the first commercial lander, which will have to deliver two American astronauts to the surface of the moon. NASA's Artemis lunar program includes three missions to the moon. The first stage is scheduled for 2023, the second - for XNUMX. During the third, astronauts are planned to land on the moon. ... >>

Simplifying the processing of wood into biofuels 23.04.2021

A new simplified process converts wood waste from agriculture and forestry into ethanol. Teams from the Lawrence Berkeley Lab and Sandia National Laboratories have come up with a simplified and efficient way to convert wood into liquid biofuels. It turned out that a simple trick turns wood waste into biofuel. It has previously been known that the addition of formaldehyde during wood pretreatment converts up to 80 percent of lignin into molecules that are used to make fuels and chemicals. The resulting ethanol, derived from plant biomass, can be used as an ingredient in the production of more complex diesel and jet fuels. Widespread, fast-growing trees such as poplar can be a sustainable source of biofuel that does not affect the food supply. The first step in today's biofuel production process is the removal of fiber. ... >>

Processor architecture LoongArch 22.04.2021

Loongson introduced its own LoongArch processor architecture and instruction set for it. Moreover, the latest Loongson 12A3 5000nm processor has been released and runs on a new architecture with LoongArch support. Developer Loongson is no longer dependent on the MIPS architecture and licenses that made it possible to produce all previous generations of national processors. Loongson has been in the process of creating its own architecture and command set for twenty years. It is possible that Loongson began to create its own set of instructions and a new microarchitecture after the disruption of Apple, which brought the owner of MIPS licenses, Imagination Technologies, to the verge of bankruptcy. Ultimately, MIPS, as part of Wave Computing, abandoned the further development of the architecture and command system of the same name. She switched to RISC, and the Chinese, as it turned out, very timely left MIPS in the direction of their own development. By the way, this is probably related to delays with p ... >>

Medical DC/DC Converters Mean Well MDS15/20 22.04.2021

Mean Well has introduced two DC/DC series for medical applications - MDS15 and MDS20 - with 15W and 20W output power. The main features of the new products are a high level of output power; safety compliant with 2XMOPP (for patient contact; IEC60601-1); wide temperature range -40...90°C and a small footprint (standard housing size 2"x1"). The converters feature ultra-low leakage current (less than 5 µA), reinforced isolation between input and output of 4 kV (AC), and a 2:1 input width. The models have protection against short circuit, overload and low input voltage. The transducers can be used in medical devices and systems such as oxygen monitoring and respiratory diagnostic devices, CT scanners, oral care devices, medical mobile stations and other devices that allow contact with the patient. Main technical parameters: Output power, W......15 ... >>

Ultra-white paint can replace air conditioning 21.04.2021

Purdue University scientists have made an ultra-white paint that reflects 98,1 percent of sunlight and has a cooling effect on par with air conditioners. Commercially available heat reflective paints are capable of reflecting 80 to 90 percent of sunlight. The new ink also has cooling properties thanks to particles of barium sulfate, a compound used in white photographic paper and cosmetics. Scientists changed the size of the particles and were able to control the ability of each of them to scatter light. Spectral dispersion contributes to high reflectivity. Experts have found that it keeps the surface temperature 10,5 degrees Celsius below ambient temperature at night and 8 degrees below daytime under sunlight. "If this paint is applied to a roof area of ​​about 1000 square feet (93 square meters), a cooling capacity of 10 kilowatts could be obtained. This is more than the air conditioners that are used in most homes," says Professor Machinist ... >>

Miniature 30W Charger 21.04.2021

Since the introduction of gallium nitride in chargers, there have been many pocket-sized adapters up to 120W on the market. Presented on the charger AOHi Magcube 30W is the smallest adapter of this power. This charger weighs 42 grams and measures 28 x 28 x 32mm. According to the manufacturer, this charger is approximately equal to a 5-watt Apple power supply. The AOHi Magcube 30W features a USB-C connector and also has a built-in LED indicator that glows amber when your device is fast charging, turns blue when it's charging at standard speed, and turns green when it's charging continuously. This adapter allows you to charge your iPhone 12 at 20W and also supports various charging protocols such as Power Delivery 2.0 and 3.0, PPS, Apple 2.4, BC 1.2 and Quick Charge 2.0, 3.0. and 4.0+. The adapter is compatible with Nintendo Switch and even has a mode for charging small ... >>

Premium electric car Mercedes-Benz EQS 20.04.2021

Mercedes-Benz has introduced the Mercedes-Benz EQS premium sedan. The model was the brand's first electric vehicle built on the new Daimler platform, aimed at upper-class models. The EQS 450+ and EQS 580 4MATIC configurations will be the first to enter the market, with other configurations to follow in the future. The designers of the novelty have retained the recognizable features of the related S-Class, but at the same time they have focused on the electric nature of the EQS, having designed the body in the form of a single extended arc with a cabin moved forward and a roof smoothly lowering towards the rear. As a result, it was possible to achieve a reduction in the level of aerodynamic resistance to a record mark for production cars of 0,20. The rear-wheel drive version of the Mercedes-Benz EQS 450+ received an eATS electric motor on the rear axle with a power of 245 kW and a torque of 568 Nm, which allows this large (5216x1926x1512 mm) sedan to accelerate to 100 km/h in 6,2 seconds. In turn, the all-wheel drive EQS 580 4MATIC with two eATS electric motors on ... >>

Implant to measure the level of oxygen in the body 20.04.2021

University of California engineers have created a tiny wireless implant that measures oxygen levels in tissues deep under the skin. The device, which is smaller than a regular ladybug, will help doctors monitor the condition of transplanted organs or tissues, as well as warn of a possible unsuccessful transplant. The technology also paves the way for a variety of miniaturized sensors that can track other key biochemical markers in the body, such as pH or carbon dioxide. One day, these sensors will become minimally invasive methods for monitoring the biochemistry of internal organs and tissues. Oxygen is a key component in the ability of cells to convert the food we eat into energy. Almost all tissues of the body need a constant supply of it. Most methods for measuring tissue oxygenation provide information about what is happening at the surface of the body. They can only penetrate a few centimeters. Some types of magnetic resonance imaging ... >>

Updated Efinix Titanium FPGA line 19.04.2021

Efinix announced the expansion of its Titanium Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) line. Now it has models containing up to 1 million logical elements. The expansion unlocks the true potential of the Titanium family, bringing high-performance, high-capacity FPGAs to the cost and power-sensitive mass market. FPGA Titanium outperforms "traditional" FPGAs in terms of power consumption, performance and area. In particular, the gain in power consumption reaches 70%. These FPGAs bring new possibilities to the mainstream market by providing density, flexibility and performance previously reserved for expensive high-end FPGAs. The Titanium family includes FPGAs with 35 to 1 million logic elements. They are designed for a wide range of applications - from consumer and peripheral devices to automotive electronics, communications and industrial automation. ... >>

5000 tons of extraterrestrial particles fall to Earth every year 19.04.2021

As the Earth moves in its orbit, it encounters this dust all the time. It is she who causes meteor showers, some of which can reach the earth in the form of micrometeorites. For 20 years, members of the international program have been observing the dome of Antarctica, at the Franco-Italian Concordia station, to estimate how much alien material falls on our heads every year. According to their estimates, on average, we are talking about 5200 tons of particles ranging in size from 30 to 200 micrometers. About 10 more tons of cosmic matter falling on the Earth are produced by relatively large meteorites. Approximately 80% of micrometeorites come from comets, mostly from the Jupiter family. The remaining 20 percent comes from asteroids. Results above 100 microns are in line with theoretical predictions about the amount of extraterrestrial dust we should see. But below 100 microns, we see far fewer micrometeorites than predicted based on the amount of dust that should be in the solar system. ... >>

Table microphone Yamaha Adecia RM-TT 18.04.2021

Yamaha introduced the RM-TT Wired Desktop Microphone. It joins the Adecia family of easy-to-install teleconference collaboration and study solutions: the RM-CR conference processor, the VXL1-16P Dante/PoE compatible speaker, and the SWR2311P-10G PoE network switch. Wired desktop microphones are connected using a LAN cable and a PoE switch. Scalability allows you to include up to eight microphone units in the system. The RM-TT's low-profile chassis houses an array of microphones and signal processing, including automatic source tracking (selects the microphone closest to the speaker based on signal strength), automatic gain control, adaptive echo and noise cancellation. The settings allow you to select the radiation pattern that is optimal for a particular room or usage scenario. Available in unidirectional, supercardioid, hypercardioid, omnidirectional, bidirectional and toroidal ... >>

Artificial nervous system that reacts to light 18.04.2021

The development of specialists from Korea imitates the human reaction to light, and also learns to perform some tasks. This system can be used to design prostheses or complex robots. The artificial nervous system was created by specialists from three universities in South Korea. It can demonstrate a response to various external stimuli. The system consists of a photodiode, a special material that can convert light into an electrical signal, a transistor that acts as a mechanical synapse, and an artificial neural circuit that acts as the brains of the entire system. As soon as the photodiode finds light, an electrical signal is sent through the transistor. Then this signal passes to an artificial neural network, where the message is received. ... >>

Lunar radio telescope 17.04.2021

NASA decided to continue work on the creation of the largest filled-aperture radio telescope in the solar system. It is planned to be built in a crater on the far side of the moon. The project was launched by participants in the NIAC (NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts) scientists support program back in 2020, the first phase of work was completed in April 2021, and now NASA has approved the next phase, which will take two years. $500 was allocated to create a plan for the telescope. If this stage is completed successfully, specialists from NASA and other companies will join the project. The Lunar Crater Radio Telescope (LCRT) will allow scientists to study the early universe at wavelengths that are reflected by the Earth's ionosphere and have not been previously described. The moon will become a kind of radio shield capable of isolating equipment from terrestrial radio interference. The DuAxel robots will deploy a wire mesh inside the crater where they will then place the receiver. ... >>

Robot dog Spot took part in military exercises 17.04.2021

Boston Dynamics' four-legged Spot robot was used during military exercises conducted by the French army. It was used for reconnaissance. The exercise was described as "raising students' awareness of the challenges of tomorrow", including "roboticizing the battlefield". Spot was one of several robots being tested by students at the French School of Combined Weapons to evaluate the usefulness of the robots on the battlefields of the future. During the two-day exercise, the soldiers carried out a range of scenarios, including offensive operations with the capture of a crossroads, defensive operations by day and night, and combat operations in an urban environment. Each scenario was run using only humans, and then using humans and robots together to see what changed with the addition of machines. One issue was Spot's battery life. Probably, during the exercises, its battery was discharged, and additionally it was necessary to solve the problem of replenishing the energy reserve. Robot Spot has a small pain ... >>

Glass developed to reduce energy consumption and regulate room temperature 16.04.2021

Scientists at the University of Kassel have developed a glass that reduces energy consumption and regulates the temperature in the room. The micromirror array is invulnerable to wind, window washing, or any weather because it sits in the space between the window glass filled with a gas such as argon or krypton. Glazing provides free solar heat in winter and prevents overheating in summer, while letting in natural daylight, saving energy by up to 35%, significantly reducing CO2 emissions by up to 30% and reducing the use of steel and concrete in multi-storey buildings by 10%. If there is no user indoors in summer, all mirrors switch vertically, keeping the sun's heat outside, this saves energy by minimizing heat transfer. When sensors detect the user's presence, the overhead mirrors open and reflect daylight onto the ceiling. The room stays cool, saving energy on air conditioning. Parts of the room that are away from the window can be effectively ... >>

Glue for the brain 16.04.2021

Brain glue, a reparative hydrogel that mimics the composition and mechanics of the brain, has been developed in the United States. This substance is designed to help people with disabilities after a traumatic brain injury. The hydrogel was created by the biotechnology company Regenerative Biosciences Center at the University of Georgia (USA). The gel not only protects against the loss of brain tissue after a severe head injury, but also contributes to the functional recovery of the nervous system. The "glue" mimics the structure and function of the sugar network that supports brain cells, and also contains key structures that bind to basic fibroblast growth factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. These are protective protein factors that can increase the survival and recovery of brain cells after severe injury. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 5,3 million people in the United States live with a permanent disability associated with a traumatic brain injury. Brain damage after a major TBI is usually not ... >>

New Salt Formula 15.04.2021

The American company MicroSalt has created an improved salt formula, which contains 50% less sodium. The product is positioned as more beneficial to health The developer describes his product as "particles coated with nanosized salt crystals." The carrier (usually maltodextrin) acts as a transport molecule to deliver small salt crystals. These crystals are naturally attached to the carrier using electrostatic forces. The salt dissolves almost immediately due to the extremely small size of the crystals. The updated salt formula is about 100 times smaller than the traditional salt formula and requires less to achieve the same level of flavor. The company claims that the new product has the same level of salinity compared to the traditional one, it contains 50% less sodium. In the future - to increase this figure to 80%. The company has already patented its technology and started collecting investments through crowdfunding. ... >>

Compact computer MINISFORUM GK50 15.04.2021

The company MINISFORUM, which specializes in the production of low-cost mini-PCs, has announced the GK50 nettop, made on the Intel Gemini Lake Refresh hardware platform. Used processor Pentium Silver N5030 with four cores without multithreading support. The base clock frequency is 1,1 GHz, the maximum is 3,1 GHz. The chip includes Intel 605 UHD graphics. The novelty is made in a case with dimensions of only 125 x 113 x 30 mm. The amount of LPDDR4 RAM is 8 GB, the capacity of the M.2 2280 solid-state module is 128 GB. A 2,5" drive can be installed. The equipment includes wireless adapters Wi-Fi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 5.0. There is also a dual-port gigabit Ethernet controller. There are four USB 3.0 ports on the front panel. On the side are headphone and microphone jacks, as well as a microSD card slot. At the back, you can find HDMI, DisplayPort and network cable jacks. Operating system in use ... >>

Organ transplantation without tissue rejection 14.04.2021

Scientists at the Brazilian University of Sao Paulo have managed to create an organ for transplantation that will not be rejected by the body. The technology has now been tested on rats. For them, the researchers grew a functional liver in a special incubator. The technology developed by the Brazilians involves the treatment of the organ of a deceased person with a special solution. It removes all the cells, leaving only the matrix, on which the cells of the future organ recipient are subsequently transplanted. Thanks to this method, doctors will be able to use in transplantation those organs that are now considered unsuitable. Also, due to the transplantation of own cells, the rejection of the transplanted organ does not occur. "The plan is to produce the human liver in the laboratory at the right scale. This will avoid a long wait for a compatible donor and reduce the risk of rejection of the transplanted organ," said one of the authors of the study, Luis Carlos de Caires-Junior. ... >>

Mornsun LD/R2 ultra-compact power supplies 14.04.2021

Mornsun has updated its popular LD(LDE) board mount line of miniature AC/DC converters with the next generation LD/R2 family. A feature of the new AC / DC is a reduced size and reduced cost compared to its predecessors. IP with power of 3, 5, 10, 15, 20 W operate in an extended input voltage range of 85...305 V (AC) at temperatures from -40 to +85ºC and have reinforced isolation "input-output" 4000 V (AC). According to EMC, the power supplies correspond to class B (CISPR32 / EN55032) and are equipped with built-in protection against exceeding Uout, against overload and short circuit; power consumption at XX - less than 100 mW. There is a choice of models for mounting on the chassis (with terminals) and on the DIN rail. The above parameters make it possible to consider the LD/R2 IP as one of the best in its class. The products are designed for industrial automation and control devices, for use in smart home systems, IoT applications and anywhere a compact power supply with good EMC and high ... >>

The concentration of carbon in the air has reached a record high 13.04.2021

If carbon emissions are not completely stopped by 2050, global climate change will no longer be stopped Scientists from the Mauna Loa Observatory and the University of California San Diego recorded record high levels of carbon concentration in the air. The research was carried out simultaneously by employees of the observatory in Hawaii and a university in the United States. The conclusions of scientists are identical. There is a lot of carbon in the atmosphere right now. This is the highest figure since the beginning of the industrial revolution. Atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases in March averaged 417,14 parts per million. According to scientists, this is an absolute record. The previous record monthly carbon dioxide concentration was 417,10 ppm in May 2020. The purity of the air was not affected even by the fact that during the year of the coronavirus pandemic, most industrial giants of the world reduced their production. Thus, carbon emissions into the atmosphere have also been reduced. "Perhaps the emissions were reduced ... >>

Protein nanomachines from bacteria 13.04.2021

A team of microbiologists from the University of Southern California in the US presented the results of their work on the study of the so-called theilocins - special natural protein nanomachines produced by living bacteria. Certain types of bacteria are particularly well-received in this field and represent a very promising type of bacteria with which to create completely controlled bacterial agents that can effectively fight various kinds of harmful cells in the human body - for example, cancer-infected cells that affect and on healthy cells too. These protein nanomachines are named so conditionally to emphasize their extremely high degree of efficiency and make them a full-fledged kind of bacterial machines that can influence the state of cells as such - scientists noted that their main purpose and functionality is hidden in attacking harmful cells and literally pull out ions and other structural ... >>

Humble Motors Humble One Solar Powered SUV 12.04.2021

Humble Motors has unveiled the five-seater Humble One SUV with a range of 800 km. The manufacturer plans to install solar panels on the roof and windows with a total area of ​​\u7,6b\u97babout 0,25 square meters, which, under ideal conditions, will be able to replenish a range of 1020 km. Of course, charging from solar energy will not be the main one. The car will be able to charge at the usual gas stations for electric vehicles. The manufacturer is working on reducing the weight of the car, the drag coefficient of which should be 300. In the maximum version, the engine power will be 2024 hp. With. The company has already begun accepting pre-orders, offering those who want to buy cars among the first to pay an initial fee of $2025. Production is expected to begin in 109 and customer deliveries could begin in 000. The base price of the car will be $20. Humble Motors said it has already received more than $XNUMX million in pre-orders. ... >>

Diamond nanowires are more efficient than Li-Ion batteries 12.04.2021

Scientists from the Queensland University of Technology (Australia) have designed a new energy storage device based on a spring. Only in this case, it is made of an extremely promising innovative material - diamond nanowires. So far, there are only small experimental samples of this material, but in the near future, when the production of threads becomes cheap and affordable, they will become the basis for many new technologies. A nanothread is a one-dimensional structure in the form of a chain of carbon atoms, which is flexible enough to twist it in an arbitrary way, but at the same time strong enough to withstand such deformations. If you take a few nanothreads and tie them into a bundle, you can twist it and get a tiny spring. When compressed, it will accumulate energy, when untwisted, it will release it - this is the good old principle on the basis of which many clockwork mechanisms work. The simulation showed that the hypothetical ... >>

Chip that determines the amount of alcohol in the blood 11.04.2021

Knowing the exact amount of alcohol in the body is useful not only for drivers, but also for those who take drugs that are incompatible with alcohol, or who are struggling with addiction to the green snake. Previously developed tools are not always practical, despite the reliability of the indicators. However, a recent study will address all possible inconveniences. Scientists from the US have created a chip that allows you to determine the amount of alcohol in the blood. Its peculiarity is that it is implanted under the skin. The development does not exceed 1 cubic millimeter in size. As a rule, the amount of alcohol in the blood is determined using a blood test or exhalation of air into a special device. Both methods are not always practical, as there are times when you need to monitor the level of alcohol constantly. For example, such cases include the treatment of people with alcohol dependence. Thanks to the development of scientists, it is possible to track the amount of alcohol and fluctuations in its level in the blood constantly and without additional accessories. ... >>

Eco-friendly plastic from fish waste 10.04.2021

Bioplastics could be used for almost the same purposes as conventional polyurethane, says team leader Francesca Kerton of Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN). Plastic based on fish waste is environmentally friendly. In addition, the invention solves the problem of recycling these food waste. After all, fish heads, bones, skin and intestines, usually sent to landfill, can be turned into a harmless, biodegradable material. The novelty will replace polyurethane, which today can be found everywhere: in shoes, clothes, refrigerators, building materials, etc. At the same time, polyurethane is obtained from crude oil and phosgene, it has a large carbon footprint and slowly decays. To produce the new material, the researchers used fat extracted from pieces of salmon left over from industrial processing. Chemists have developed a method for converting fish oil into a polyurethane-like polymer. First, they added oxygen to the fat to form epoxides. Then ... >>

Growing new teeth 10.04.2021

Japanese researchers have developed an experimental technique for growing teeth. Now this technology is being tested on laboratory animals. The method of treatment with monoclonal antibodies is described. These antibodies cause the body to grow new teeth. As part of the study, it was possible to fix that blocking a gene called USAG-1 leads to an increase in the activity of bone morphogenetic protein. These molecules regulate the growth of various organs and tissues, including teeth. However, this technology has several nuances. The fact is that the morphogenetic protein controls the development of a huge number of human organs. Interference with its work can cause many serious side effects. During the experiments, the team tested a number of different monoclonal antibodies that alter the ability of USAG-1 to interact with bone morphogenetic protein. Fortunately, the researchers found a specific antibody that didn't cause side effects. After that, met ... >>

New RECOM pulse converters with increased output current 09.04.2021

RECOM has increased the rated output current range of RPMH non-isolated switching products from 0,5A to 1,5A while maintaining their dimensions thanks to 3D Power Packaging technology. The new high efficiency converters are available in miniature packages measuring 12,19 x 12,19 x 3,75 mm and have output voltages of 3,3; 5; 12; 15 and 24 V adjustable. The input voltage is up to 60V and the operating temperature can reach 100°C or even higher at reduced power. The converters have the functions of remote control of turning on and off, regulation of the output voltage and monitoring its level, as well as protection against short circuit at the output, overcurrent and overvoltage. The series complies with EN55032 class B EMC requirements when using an external filter. RECOM's 3D Power Packaging technology allows the RPMH-1.5 to be housed in a 25-pin LGA package with hex shielding for EMC and thermal optimization ... >>

Old age is a disease 09.04.2021

Researchers at the University of Waterloo in Canada argue that the correct time of day to take anti-aging supplements is very important, and also that this depends on the age of the person. After all, there has long been talk that aging is a disease that lasts for decades. The World Health Organization has also made arguments that biological aging is a disease with an extremely destructive process, it is associated with all kinds of health problems, which ultimately leads to to suffering. The latest research has shown that the substances nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and resveratrol are useful for metabolism and increase the lifespan of various organisms. And now scientists have found that the effectiveness of these supplements depends on the time of day when they were taken. That is, metabolism and circadian rhythms are very important for their anti-aging activity. Scientists have found that young people need to take NMN six hours after waking up, and resveratrol does not ... >>

Intel Xeon Scalable Server Processors 08.04.2021

Intel has announced its most advanced processors to date, the 3rd generation Xeon Scalable, also known as the Ice Lake-SP family. These 10nm CPUs on the current Sunny Cove architecture belong to the Whitley server platform (LGA4189). Initially, Ice Lake-SP server chips were supposed to be released a couple of years ago, but due to problems with the development of the 10nm process technology, Intel postponed their release several times. The main areas of application of these new "stones" are hybrid clouds, high performance computing (High Performance Computing), network technologies and computing related to artificial intelligence and machine learning. Intel Announces 3rd Gen Xeon Scalable (Ice Lake-SP) Server Processors - 10nm, up to 40 Sunny Cove Cores, up to 6TB of RAM per socket, and 64 PCI Express 4.0 lanes 3rd Gen Intel Xeon Scalable CPUs have up to 40 Hyper-Threading capable cores, up to 60MB L1,5 cache (4MB per core), 32-channel DDRXNUMX-XNUMX memory controller ... >>

Samsung The Premiere 4K Laser Projectors 08.04.2021

Samsung Electronics introduced The Premiere laser ultra-short throw projectors. The lineup includes models LSP9T and LSP7T. The older LSP9T uses separate lasers for red, blue and green for the first time. Also, for the first time, the projector features Filmmaler Mode, which shows the film the way the director intended it to be. The Samsung The Premiere has a brightness of 2200 lumens, and the LSP9T can be positioned just 11cm from a wall for a 100-inch 4K image. For LSP7T, the distance with the same diagonal is 30 cm. The LSP9T model received a high-quality sound system and many acoustic holes directed in different directions to create a surround sound effect. The devices are equipped with all the features of the Samsung Smart TV platform, as well as the Smart HUB user interface. The price of new products - from 4000 USD. ... >>

Industrialization has changed the planet's climate 08.04.2021

Scientific journals publish many studies on the abnormally rapid increase in the average annual temperature of the planet. Many point out that the reason for this was industrialization and the use of fossil fuels on an industrial scale. However, for the first time, direct observations of the driving force of climate change appeared with scientists from NASA, 24 reports. values ​​- 280 ppm. Human activity has led to air pollution, which has affected our health and wildlife. Some of these particles are also present in the form of aerosols that reflect the sun's rays and have a cooling effect on a global level. Thus, aerosols cool and greenhouse gases warm the planet. The difference between the energy absorbed by the atmosphere ... >>

Musical camouflage for fireflies 07.04.2021

Leopard spots, zebra stripes, chameleon colors are typical examples of "visual" camouflage. But how to hide from a predator that seeks and overtakes prey, focusing on sound, and not on sight? Fireflies (Lampyridae) are known to everyone due to their glow, which is a calling signal for mating. It is logical to assume that the radiance in the dark will be a bait for everyone who is not averse to feasting on insects. However, fireflies are poisonous (or at least rather unpleasant in taste) to most predators, and the glow can eloquently warn them of this. However, in the case of blind-sighted bats, this signal light is unlikely to work. In a new study, scientists from Tel Aviv University and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) have found that fireflies have developed smart sonic armor to escape bats. And this discovery was made by accident. Insects make noise by moving their wings, and subsequent lab tests have found this behavior ... >>

New isotope of fluorine obtained 07.04.2021

Scientists at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory at the University of Michigan have obtained a new isotope of the chemical element fluorine, fluorine-13. Its atomic nucleus has nine protons and only four neutrons. Fluorine is known as the most chemically non-metal among the chemical elements, exhibiting the strongest oxidizing properties. It is also the lightest element of the halogen group. Under normal conditions, fluorine is a poisonous gas of pale yellow color, its molecule consists of two atoms (F2). All natural fluorine belongs to the only stable isotope, fluorine-19 (19F), which has nine protons and ten neutrons in its nucleus. But over the years of research, scientists have synthesized a number of other isotopes of fluorine from 14F to 31F and two nuclear isomers (18Fm and 26Fm). All these isomers are unstable and have rather short lifetimes. The longest-lived of these isomers, 18F, plays an important role in ... >>

LG abandons mobile phone business 06.04.2021

The South Korean company LG has officially announced the cessation of production of smartphones. The corresponding decision was made by the Board of Directors. "LG's exit from the highly competitive mobile phone sector will allow the company to focus resources on growth areas such as electric vehicle components, connected devices, smart homes, robotics, artificial intelligence and business solutions, and platforms and services," the statement said. Released LG phones will continue to be available for sale. The company will continue to provide service support and software updates to existing mobile product customers for a limited period of time, which varies by region. LG has promised to cooperate with suppliers and business partners throughout the period of closing the mobile phone business. Employees working in the production will retain their places in the company and will be transferred to the household appliances plant in the city ... >>

sapper bees 06.04.2021

In the Balkans, on the territory of the former Yugoslavia, after chaotic mining during a military conflict 20 years ago, people are still suffering from explosions. And so scientists from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia went on a very strange experiment, which they called "Tiramisu" and taught the bees to look for mines. They took advantage of the fact that these insects have a wonderful scent. And they were taught to sniff out TNT. Simply by mixing the sugar solution with the explosive. Now the bees fly where they feel TNT, stop in search of something sweet, but then fly away. And this gives people the opportunity to see where the danger lurks. So that people do not have to run after insects, drones follow them. ... >>

Microchip dsPIC16CK33MC 64-bit microcontrollers 05.04.2021

Microchip has expanded its line of high-performance 16-bit MCUs with cost-optimized devices in compact packages. The dsPIC33CK64MC series consists of six devices with either 32 kB or 64 kB program memory in 28, 36, or 48 pin packages. The devices have an extended operating temperature range of -40...150˚C and are designed to perform the following tasks: 1. Motor control - brushless, synchronous, asynchronous and step motors. It is realized thanks to the presence of high-resolution PWM modules and an encoder connection interface. 2. Pairing various sensors with a higher-level controller via the SENT interface thanks to rich analog peripherals - a high-speed 12-bit ADC, operational amplifiers and, in fact, the SENT interface. The dsPIC33CK64MC microcontrollers are a price-optimized version of the dsPIC33CK64MP series. The amount of memory and the body remained unchanged, and the quantitative composition of the periphery was cut. Characteristics of the mic ... >>

Powering wearable electronics with radio waves 05.04.2021

Man has learned to use radio waves not only to transmit information, take at least a microwave oven or Wi-Fi. An international team of researchers suggests using them to recharge wireless medical devices that measure a patient's vital signs. At the same time, devices will be able to produce energy continuously, regardless of the time of day and weather. Modern power supplies for wearable medical electronics are not ideal. Solar cells, for example, need to be kept in direct sunlight. Triboelectric devices require constant movement. Another option was developed by a group of specialists led by Professor Larry Chen from the University of Pennsylvania. Scientists have made a flexible broadband vibrator antenna capable of wirelessly transmitting data collected by medical sensors. The system consists of two metal antennas integrated on a conductive monatomic material graphene with a metal coating. Broadband design according to ... >>

coffee burns fat 04.04.2021

Specialists from the University of Granada have discovered the unique properties of coffee. In the course of the study, experts found that drinking coffee 30 minutes before exercising increases the rate of fat burning in a record time. Scientists said that they attracted volunteers to this unusual experiment, whose average age was 32 years. In a study, researchers found that drinking coffee or other caffeinated beverages increased maximum fat oxidation. Scientific work has once again proved that the combination of intense physical exercise and drinking coffee accelerates the process of burning fat by 13%. Researchers recommend combining caffeine and exercise in the afternoon, as the experiment showed that fat burning is more active at this time. ... >>

Smart backpack for the visually impaired 04.04.2021

Researchers at the University of Georgia have developed their own backpack system to help visually impaired people better understand and navigate their environment. The developed backpack uses the Luxonis OAK-D spatial camera, which in turn has an integrated artificial intelligence processor in conjunction with the image processing technology developed by Intel - Movidius. The built-in 4K camera, which captures information about the depth of space, and is also able to recognize objects by their colors, can be placed either in a vest or in a special fanny pack. The overall system for this technology uses a set of tools from Intel called OpenVINO. It is necessary in order to draw various logical conclusions. All this miracle can work up to eight hours when using a special pocket-sized battery placed in a belt pack. For even better orie ... >>

Bacteria help plants survive heat 03.04.2021

Root microbes from heat-tolerant plants help wheat cope with temperature stress. Plants relate to heat in different ways: in some, resistance to high temperatures is innate, in others it can be awakened by special methods. If we want to sow agricultural crops where it is very hot, then we must choose a special variety, or wait until it is developed. But breeding new varieties takes time, and they can be very capricious in other ways. However, there is another trick that allows plants to endure heat - they establish cooperation with soil bacteria. It is known that the microflora around the roots is often very favorable for plants in the sense that it allows them to endure difficult circumstances: drought, high salt content in the soil, or, for example, high temperatures. But if some bacteria are used to protecting some plants from the heat, will they also protect some other species? ... >>

durian patch 02.04.2021

Despite the fact that durian itself is not such a popular and beloved fruit by many people, it is still widely known as a fruit with a pleasant taste and an extremely unpleasant smell. In Thailand, for example, durian is such a popular food item that a talented material engineering team at Thai National University even decided to try it out as the basis for developing a new type of special hydrogel patch aimed at healing wounds as quickly as possible. And, what is most interesting, they actually managed to pull it off, despite all the difficulties. It is worth noting that durian skin is based on quite a lot of high quality cellulose, which has served as a replacement for more traditional synthetic polymers, widely used as a foundation for creating hydrogel patches. The hydrogel itself is not unusual and is widely used to accelerate wound healing. ... >>

Happiness can be learned 02.04.2021

Italian scientists from the University of Trento conducted an interesting experiment, the purpose of which was to prove that any person, without exception, can learn happiness. Specialists have developed a special intensive course, after which a person's level of anxiety, stress, anxiety decreases, and life satisfaction increases. Volunteers took part in the experiment, who had to attend courses for 9 months at the Institute of Tibetan Culture. Tsongkhapa, located in the Tuscan region. All this time, various presentations were read to them, video recordings of courses were included, the subjects took part in discussions about neurobiology and psychology. In addition, they conducted meditation practices and attended theoretical lessons in philosophy. The scientists paid particular attention to the brain activity and response of the volunteers. They studied its neuroplasticity, the physiology of anxiety and stress, pleasure and pain, negative and positive emotions, with ... >>

Dark matter can heat planets from the inside 01.04.2021

Astronomers have suggested that dark matter accumulates in the depths of massive exoplanets and its presence can be detected by an increase in their temperature. It is believed that most of the mass of galaxies falls not on stars, planets and gas clouds, but on dark matter. Its presence is detected by the gravitational influence on ordinary matter - stars, gas, and so on. It is believed that under the influence of dark matter, a large-scale structure of the Universe is formed, galaxies are born and evolve, surrounding them with an extensive "dark halo". However, dark matter does not participate in any other form of fundamental interactions, apart from gravitational ones. It does not emit or absorb electromagnetic waves, so it remains invisible to our telescopes. Astrophysicists are still arguing about what particles it consists of, where and how best to look for them. Yuri Smirnov of Ohio University and Rebecca Leane of Stanford propose a new line of research - in the cores of exoplanets. Indeed, ... >>

Electricity from mushrooms and wooden floor 01.04.2021

Wood consists of fibers of cellulose and hemicellulose polymers in a lignin matrix. Cellulose in the composition of wood can be amorphous and crystalline. The presence of the latter makes wood a piezoelectric material - a material in which electric charges arise under the action of deformation. When cellulose crystallites are compressed, the centers of gravity of positive and negative charges diverge in space, and charges arise on the surface of the crystallite to maintain electrostatic equilibrium. The piezoelectric properties of wood have been known since the fifties, but no one has made commercial materials and devices for generating electricity from it - due to the low piezoelectric modulus and the deformability of wood, this was considered unprofitable. Swiss scientists led by Ingo Burgert from ETH Zurich managed to enhance the piezoelectric properties of wood. Burgert and his colleagues have long been able to change the properties of wood and obtain ... >>

DC/DC Boost LED Drivers Mean Well LDH-25/65 31.03.2021

Mean Well has expanded its popular LDH DC/DC boost LED driver family with two new lower and higher power series, LDH-25 and LDH-65, respectively. The features of the new series are the universal input (9,5...32 V) and the ability to work from the input voltage of both 12 and 24 V with an increase in the output voltage to the appropriate level. In these series there is no special division into separate 12V and 24V versions, as in the LDH-45. Structurally, the drivers are available in two different versions: for mounting on a printed circuit board (DIP package) and for bulk mounting (with wires; suffix "W" in the name). All models have a control input and are smoothly dimmed by a 0...10 V signal, PWM in the range of 10-100%, and the dimming signal maintains the full extinction of the LEDs (off). Models of the LDH-25 series are manufactured with output currents of 250/350/500/700mA, while models of the LDH-65 series are available with 700/1050/1400/1750mA. The new series have high efficiency and are applicable for the manufacture of economically ... >>

Short-lived plant species are more climate sensitive 31.03.2021

Plant species with short generation times are more sensitive to climate change than those with long generation times. This is one of the results of a synthesis study carried out by scientists from the German Center for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv), the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg (MLU) and the Center for Environmental Research. Helmholtz (UFZ). The international team comprehensively collected data available around the world, mainly from Europe and North America, to answer the question of how plant populations are responding to climate change. The study shows that plant characteristics, such as generation time, can predict how sensitive species are to climate change. This is important for predicting which plant species require the most attention due to climate change. Climate change is considered one of the biggest threats to plant diversity. To prioritize correctly ... >>

Expansion card QM2-2P2G2T 30.03.2021

Storage specialist QNAP Systems has released the QM2-2P2G2T PCIe expansion card, which allows you to add two M.2 storage slots and two 2,5GbE ports to your system. The card can be used not only in storage with a network connection, but also in a PC or server, gaining a gain in the volume and speed of the storage subsystem and in the speed of data transfer over the network. 2.5GBASE-T ports support connection at lower speeds. The card is equipped with a PCIe Gen3 x4 interface. It is wired into ports and into M.2 slots (two lines each), designed for drives up to M.2 2280 in size. Thermal sensors allow you to monitor the temperature of the SSD in real time. Their readings are used to control the operation of the cooling system. QNAP offers QM2-2P2G2T expansion card with two M.2 slots and two 2.5GbE ports Compatible OS in case of NAS includes QTS or QuTS hero, and in case of PC or server, Windows 10, Linux, Windows Server For W ... >>

Battery as part of the body 30.03.2021

Scientists have come up with a battery cell that does not add extra weight to the car, as it is a component of the body. Batteries add quite a lot of extra mass to electric vehicles. But scientists have found a way to fix this: they have created a battery that can also be part of the body of a car. Heavy and bulky batteries are one of the main factors limiting the freedom of movement of electric vehicles - airplanes, cars and drones. Researchers around the world are working to create batteries with the highest possible energy storage density. In 2018, scientists at Chalmers University of Technology published a study that described a new type of carbon fiber with the right arrangement of crystals. This fiber combined the high rigidity required for use as a structural material in an automobile with the ability to store an electrical charge. Now this ... >>

Sounds of nature are good for health 30.03.2021

Scientists from the US analyzed the results of listening to natural sounds and found amazing benefits for human health. As part of the "Synthesizing the Health Benefits of Natural Sounds and Their Distribution in National Parks" study, the team determined that people experienced reduced pain, reduced stress, improved mood, and improved cognition. Water sounds were most effective in enhancing positive emotions and improving health, while bird sounds combat stress and irritation. Specialists carefully studied sound recordings from 251 objects in 66 US national parks. Dozens of Colorado State University students have identified different types of sounds in the recordings, the result of more than a decade of collaboration between CSU and the National Park Service. ... >>

Ring for continuous measurement of arterial pressure 29.03.2021

The ring-shaped Cnap2Go sensor was developed by scientists from Germany and Austria. The device provides continuous monitoring of blood pressure. The development was based on a finger cuff that measures blood pressure by increasing and decreasing pressure on a person's finger. The cuff is equipped with LEDs that record the blood flow using light radiation. Blood pressure is determined by the amount of light absorbed. Heart rate and rhythm are obtained from this indicator by certain calculations. "We get a blood pressure figure for each heartbeat. According to preliminary data, the device's performance is good," the developers say. Instead of LEDs, a rubber container with liquid was inserted into the ring, which provides uniform pressure on the finger and corrective operation of the device, scientists say. The Cnap2Go sensor was tested on 46 volunteers. They measured blood pressure with a ring and in the traditional way. In most cases, the readings match ... >>

Reduced pressure for superconductivity at room temperature 29.03.2021

A team of researchers from the University of Rochester, the State University of New York at Buffalo and the University of Nevada at Las Vegas reduced the pressure required for a material to become superconductive at room temperature. Scientists have been trying for many years to create materials with superconductivity at room temperature. Such a material will create colder electronics and dramatically increase the efficiency of the power grid. Only at the end of last year, the first such material was created - a hydrogen-rich compound, which, when compressed to 267 GPa, became superconducting. And while this feat was a step in the right direction, the need for high pressure made the material impractical for everyday use. In the new work, the same team found a way to drastically reduce the required pressure by changing the previous method - they combined hydrogen with yttrium instead of carbon and sulfur. Previous studies have shown that materials with a high hydrogen content are well suited ... >>

The superposition of an electronic state changed the properties of bremsstrahlung 28.03.2021

Physicists considered the influence of quantum interference on the spectral and spatial properties of bremsstrahlung during electron scattering by atoms and nano-undulators. Their calculations showed that giving the states of incident electrons a superposition shape can affect the directivity and monochromaticity of bremsstrahlung. Quantum electrodynamics (QED) is the most successful and precise branch of quantum field theory. It describes the electromagnetic interaction in all its manifestations and processes, the participants of which are mainly electrons, positrons and photons. Most QED effects find their confirmation in particle scattering experiments, be it atomic spectroscopy or elastic collisions. In this case, it is customary to describe the initial and final particles as states with a certain momentum, because, according to quantum mechanics, a particle that flies for a sufficiently long time without interaction (for example, in a spectrograph tube or in an accelerator) tends to ... >>

flower mask 28.03.2021

Dutch designer Marianne do Groot, known online as Marie Bee Bloom, has created a disposable biodegradable protective mask that is a container for germinating flower seeds. The material for such a mask is made from a mixture of rice, water and natural starch. Between layers of biodegradable fabric, Marianne placed flower seeds. These masks cost $3,5 each. “Anyone who uses masks with such a beautiful name will be able to grow flowers on a balcony, in a garden or in a planter in a room without spending money on purchasing seedlings or seeds,” the author of the idea wrote. However, doctors have already warned residents of the country that rice paper has never been tested as a means of personal protection, so it is not clear whether the mask will protect against coronavirus. ... >>

MRI images become clearer 27.03.2021

Physicists have been able to increase the resolution of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images by changing the geometry of the dipoles inside the magnetic coil. The method allows to improve image clarity without changing the characteristics of the MRI machine. MRI allows you to study the internal organs without surgery and without the use of ionizing radiation that is dangerous for the body, as is the case with x-ray tomography. At the same time, MRI also has disadvantages - firstly, the devices for magnetic resonance imaging are extremely expensive, and secondly, the accuracy of the images they produce is not always high. The principle of operation of MRI is based on a radio frequency magnetic field that interacts with hydrogen nuclei. To create a field, phased antenna arrays are used, the elements of which can be dipole antennas. During operation, a connection is formed between the active dipoles, which reduces the efficiency of the entire coil. To prevent this, additional passive dipoles are used. But the latter can spoil ... >>

Finding toxins with mussels 27.03.2021

American scientists have developed a Fitbit water quality detector that monitors mussel activity. When mussels feed, they open their shells, but if there is something harmful in the water, they immediately close. In the new system, the developers observe the behavior of the mussels to determine how often the mussels close their shells, at what speed, and how they coordinate with each other. Specifically, the system uses two inertial measurement units (IMUs) on each mussel. Each of the IMUS includes a magnetometer and an accelerometer: your smartphone probably has these too and monitors its movement from place to place. One IMU is attached to the top shell of the mussel, the other to the bottom. This allows researchers to compare the movement of the halves of the shell relative to each other. In other words, it allows the researchers to determine if the mussel closes its shell accurately. When placed in a natural environment, the data acquisition system is powered by a solar panel and ... >>

Winds on Jupiter three times faster than tornadoes on Earth 26.03.2021

Astronomers for the first time managed to fix stratospheric winds on Jupiter and calculate their speed - it reaches 1450 km / h. Scientists have found an alternative way to measure wind speed. In 1994, the planet Jupiter collided with a comet, as a result of which new molecules appeared in the giant planet's stratosphere, which have remained there since then and are carried by the winds. Astronomers have observed the movement of one type of molecule - hydrogen cyanide - to measure stratospheric "jets". So scientists call narrow bands of wind, similar to wind jets in the Earth's atmosphere. Scientists have calculated that the speed of the jets near the poles reached 400 m / s, or 1450 km / h, and this is three times more than the speed of the most powerful tornadoes on Earth. In addition, near the planet's equator, the average speed of stratospheric winds reaches 600 km/h. “Measurements show that the jets can behave like a giant vortex, whose diameter is four times the diameter of the Earth, and the height reaches 900 kilometers. ... >>

Edible food film for products 26.03.2021

A joint team of Indian and Russian scientists has developed and manufactured a prototype of an edible food film for food packaging. This material will be suitable for packaging any food products: from fruits to fish. The film is completely safe for human health, and after disposal, in just a day it will dissolve in water almost completely, without causing any damage to the environment. At the heart of the eco-film is a biopolymer from seaweed. It is also used in the food industry as a thickening agent. It is useful for restoring and maintaining healthy bones, muscles and human skin. Molecules of ferulic acid are added to this component, which is obtained from the products of processing of trees from the Laurel family. In addition, antiviral agents can be added to the composition of the film, which will make it possible to preserve products much longer. By antiviral agents, scientists mean only natural ingredients: ginger and turmeric. Most importantly, for the manufacture of t ... >>

New type of basalt discovered 25.03.2021

An international team of researchers, including the University of Leeds, has discovered a previously unknown form of basalt after drilling through the Pacific Ocean floor. This new type of rock was formed during large and extremely hot volcanic eruptions. The discovery suggests that the eruptions emanating from the Earth's mantle were much more powerful and hot than previously thought. Dr Ivan Savov of the Leeds Institute of Geophysics and Tectonics at the university's School of Earth and Environment, one of the study's authors, said: make a lot of discoveries. The new type of basalt differs from known rocks both in its chemical and mineral composition. And previously its existence was not known for the most part because no new examples were formed over millions of years. As a result, this type of basalt ... >>

Lunar ark for biomaterials 25.03.2021

Each creature - 50 samples: on the moon they want to build an ark with the DNA of millions of species. This ambitious project aims to save humanity - as well as animals, plants and fungi - in the event of a global crisis. Scientists from the University of Arizona (USA) proposed to create a sperm bank on the Moon in case the Earth dies. Researchers want to send samples of the reproductive cells of 6,7 million species of living organisms, including humans, to a natural satellite. The alleged "ark" is planned to be kept under the surface of the moon. As University of Arizona scientist Jekan Thanga said during an aerospace conference of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, today the Earth is unstable due to natural disasters, drought, asteroids and the possibility of nuclear war. Therefore, he believes, it is necessary to preserve life in the variety in which we know it. The repository with biomaterial is supposed to be created in lunar lava tubes - tunnels up to ... >>

A method for spontaneous learning of memristor neural networks has been developed 24.03.2021

A new technology that can improve the learnability of artificial neural networks has been unveiled by an international team of researchers affiliated with the Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) and Tsinghua University in China. The proposed method exploits the "resistance drift" (rise in electrical resistance) of a phase change material in semiconductor memory during training. Information updates are recorded by increasing the electrical resistance in the memristor, which acts as a synapse and additionally takes into account the relationship between the changing template and the training data. The effectiveness of this method was demonstrated using experimental phase change memristor (PCM) arrays that worked as a neural network. In tests to classify handwritten text consisting of numbers from 0 to 9, such devices showed the effect of improving learning ability by about 3%. In particular, the accuracy of ... >>

Garbage magnet in orbit 24.03.2021

A huge magnet of the ELSA-d spacecraft was launched into Earth's orbit, the task of which is to collect metal space debris. The Japanese-made device was launched into space with the help of a satellite in which it was mounted. In the future, the magnet can become an effective "fighter" with debris. Devices of this type are launched into orbit for the first time. The era of satellite constellations begins. Some of them may break and return to earth, and some may remain in space and develop there, stumbling with other space devices. In addition to adding to the ranks of garbage, this will be a huge risk to the world's population. The weight of the satellite is 200 kilograms. After garbage collection, it will burn in the Earth's atmosphere, and all the data obtained in the future is used to produce a similar "ecosystem" of devices. It is known that the second research launch of the satellite will take place in 2023. The main positive factor of the device is its autonomy. ... >>

Dogs adversely affect the ecology and climate of the planet 23.03.2021

Scientists from the University of California at Los Angeles said that dogs affect the ecology and climate of our planet no less than humans. Pets are bad for the environment because they eat too much meat, which releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Scientists estimate that in 2017, approximately 160 million dogs and cats emitted 64 million tons of CO2, which is comparable to the consequences of using 13 million cars in a year. Scientists noted that, depending on where the dog lives, the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere can vary. For example, in the Netherlands, a medium-sized dog emits between 4,2 and 17 tons of CO2, while in Japan, a pet of the same size emits 1,5-9,9 tons of CO2. Despite the results of the study, the animal nutrition expert said the situation is not as critical as most pets are fed offal from the food industry. But es ... >>

Mosquitoes weaned from drinking blood 23.03.2021

An international group of scientists has collected and summarized an extensive information base regarding the mosquito genome. This data will help scientists "wean" mosquitoes to drink human blood and thus carry parasites that cause such a dangerous disease as malaria. Having carefully studied all the available material, scientists will be able to find exactly those genes that are responsible in the body of mosquitoes for the transmission from person to person of this most dangerous disease. The study was launched three years ago, and soon experts will be able to use genetics to influence those types of mosquitoes that carry malaria. It is planned that scientists will be able to force them to stop drinking human blood. Or eliminate the possibility of them carrying parasites. Previously, scientists could only operate on one reference genome of one of the mosquito species. Now they have at their disposal the genomes of two more species of malaria pathogens from Africa. In total, more than four hundred varieties of these rats belong to malarial species. ... >>

Sodium-ion batteries 22.03.2021

Today, lithium-ion batteries dominate the market for efficient energy storage systems, but the latest sodium-ion batteries are already poised to replace them in data centers, telecommunications, and home and energy backup systems. Sodium-ion batteries promise to be cheaper, safer and more environmentally friendly than lithium-ion. They do not contain metals and substances hazardous to human health either in the cathodes or in the electrolyte, and the reserves of sodium in the earth's crust are thousands of times greater than those of lithium. The only thing in which sodium-ion batteries are inferior to lithium ones is about half the specific energy storage density. So, if commercial lithium-containing batteries can store an average of 285 Wh / kg, then promising sodium-ion batteries promise up to 140 Wh / kg. But this only means that sodium-ion batteries are unprofitable in small devices such as smartphones, while this is not critical for backup power supplies. For large systems, it is important ... >>

Wasps can recognize each other 22.03.2021

Paper wasps are a very large and widespread group of social insects. By chewing wood, they get paper, from which they build nests for the family, usually from several tens or hundreds of individuals. Their social life is complex and varied, the polists are able to remember and recognize each other "by sight", by details of the head and coloration that are often indistinguishable for us. Moreover, as experiments with American leaflets Polistes fuscatus have shown, this mechanism works for them in the same way as for us. People recognize each other's faces not so much by bright details, but by its appearance as a whole, perceiving the image "holistically". We are unlikely to recognize a single nose or chin even from an old acquaintance, but we can easily notice these features as part of a whole face. Just "holistically", holistically recognize each other and wasps. Scientists from the University of Michigan - conducted experiments with American paper wasps Polistes fuscatus. To begin with, they photographed several individuals, after which ... >>

Highly elastic OLED 21.03.2021

Researchers at Yonsei University in Seoul have developed an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) that can be easily stretched to a large extent. The secret is that everything from the substrate and electrodes to the OLED stack is made from flexible materials. The researchers claim this is the first time an OLED has been built from stretchable components. Previous attempts have built on the integration of rigid OLEDs on a stretchable substrate. The elastic components use materials such as silicone rubber, silver nanowires, and newly developed OLED stack materials. All of them were deposited on the substrate in the form of solutions. According to project participants, OLED performance and performance remained good even after 200 cycles of stretching at 40% followed by compression. However, even significant stretching did not lead to damage. It is important that the LED can withstand not only stretching in one direction, but also arbitrary deformations. The researchers were able to ... >>

Reducing the harm from fatty foods 21.03.2021

Eating fatty foods leads to metabolic disorders, aging and other problems. To reduce all these factors, scientists from Sweden came up with an original way. The risk of metabolic disorders can be reduced by lowering the level of apolipoprotein C3. Improper nutrition with the use of a large number of fatty foods leads to the occurrence of diseases of the liver, blood vessels, heart, as well as to the development of diabetes. However, a method has been found to help reduce or even completely eliminate the consequences of eating fatty foods. For a long time, Swedish scientists have been experimenting. For their study, they selected several mice and divided them into two groups. In one group, the rodents were given only fatty foods, while the mice in the second group received healthy foods. As a result, after some time, mice from the first group began to rapidly gain weight, suffered from obesity and other diseases, but after they received a drug to reduce ... >>

Carbon for quantum dots 20.03.2021

Fluorescent semiconductor particles less than 10 nm in diameter, called quantum dots, are used in various medical and electronic technologies. The problem is that easy-to-make carbon-based dots emit less light than those made from toxic and expensive metals. A new study by scientists from the University of Urbana-Champagne (Illinois) shows that not all carbon dots are mediocre sources of radiation. Experts suggest that by choosing only "super-emitters" from them, such a purified population of carbon dots can be proposed as an alternative to quantum dots of toxic metals in many applications. By combining their previously developed absorption scanning tunneling microscope with the capability of femtosecond time resolution, the researchers were able to detect quantum dots in an excited state for the first time. "We found that in large populations, approximately 20% of carbon nanodots are ideal ... >>

Mean Well Fanless Digital Power Supply PHP-3500 20.03.2021

Mean Well has developed a line of powerful PHP-3500 IPs, built entirely on digital circuitry, which has made it possible to achieve high performance and rich functional richness. 3,5 kW output power, high efficiency (96%), programmable (controlled) outputs and fanless design. To increase power (if necessary), the power supply can be connected in parallel according to the 3 + 1 scheme and, in the limit, create a power system up to 14 kW. IP control protocol - PMBus (default) or CAN (optional, on request). To operate the IP at full power, water cooling is required. To do this, you can order a special metal base with a pressed copper tube (HS-656) or purchase a similar one from an external supplier. The new series has a compact size (380x141x60 mm), power factor correction, remote on-off, output voltage presence signal (DC Ok), thermal protection trip signal and additional (auxiliary) output voltage. ... >>

Background music interferes with creativity 19.03.2021

Background music, contrary to popular belief, does not improve, but worsens a person's creative abilities. This conclusion was made by researchers from Sweden and the UK. They asked the study participants to complete a series of tasks with words that required a creative approach. As it turned out, background music significantly impaired people's verbal abilities. It did not matter whether the participants liked the music or what genres they listened to. At the same time, the researchers found that in the library, where there is also background noise, the participants in the experiment coped with creative tasks as well as in complete silence. Renowned psychologist John Marsh claims that this can be explained by the fact that the background noise in the library is stable and doesn't change, meaning it doesn't interfere much. ... >>

Ultra Low Gravity Measurement 19.03.2021

Precise experiments made it possible to measure the attraction between objects with a mass of only 0,09 grams and showed that Newton's law also applies at this level. It has been known since the time of Isaac Newton that the force of gravitational attraction between a pair of objects is directly proportional to the product of their masses and inversely proportional to the square of the distance between them. The general theory of relativity, which appeared at the beginning of the 90th century, which considers gravity as geometric deformations of space-time, more accurately describes the behavior of massive topics on astronomical scales. But how gravity behaves on the opposite side of the scale, at the level of elementary particles, is unknown. Even tests of Newtonian formulas are carried out, as a rule, with objects with a mass of the order of kilograms and grams: their gravity is so small that it is extremely difficult to measure it. Recently, however, the team of Tobias Westphal of the Austrian Academy of Sciences was able to do this work for gold spheres as small as XNUMX milligrams, ... >>

Hydrogel for flexible electronics 18.03.2021

In the field of robotics, metals have advantages such as strength, durability, and electrical conductivity. But they are heavy and rigid, properties that are undesirable in soft and flexible laptop and human-machine interface systems. On the other hand, hydrogels are lightweight, stretchable, and biocompatible, making them excellent materials for making contact lenses and tissue engineering scaffolds. However, they are poor conductors of electricity, which is essential for digital circuits and bioelectronics applications. Researchers at the Soft Machines Lab at Carnegie Mellon University have developed a unique silver-hydrogel composite that is highly electrically conductive and able to conduct direct current while maintaining soft pliability and deformability. The team placed micrometer-sized silver flakes in a polyacrylamide-alginate hydrogel matrix. After passing through the process of partial dehydration, the flakes formed percolation ... >>

A simple adapter will turn ordinary headphones into smart ones 18.03.2021

Engineers at Rutgers University (USA) have developed an adapter that helps make "smart" touch sensors out of ordinary headphones that can identify users, track their heart rate and perform other tasks. The device, dubbed HeadFi, is a small adapter that connects regular headphones and a smartphone. Unlike smart headphones, conventional headphones do not have sensors. HeadFi will allow users not to spend money on special "smart" headphones to use touch functions: they can now be "embedded" in regular headphones. When connected to HeadFi, the converted headphones can recognize and play music at the same time. HeadFi can achieve 97,2 to 99,5 percent accuracy in user identification, 96,8 to 99,2 percent in heart rate monitoring, and 97,7 to 99,3 percent in gesture recognition. ... >>

Artificial muscle fiber steak 17.03.2021

Scientists from the University of Tokyo have created an artificial steak: in the laboratory, they managed to grow the muscle fibers of cows. Prior to this, artificial meat was created only in the form of minced meat. The new product, according to scientists, when cooked, tastes almost the same as natural. The specialists managed to grow a sample of muscle tissue with a size of 1 cm2 and a thickness of several millimeters. The head of the study noted that at this stage the result is more like liquid minced meat than natural fibers, but when cooked, it tastes almost impossible to distinguish from real beef. To grow artificial meat, the scientists used a technique that is used in regenerative medicine to restore lost muscle tissue: it is done by growing thin layers of muscle from stem cells on a special basis inside the body. Japanese biotechnologists used the same approach for planted on a polymer hydrogel-based culture of stv ... >>

Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Tachyon motherboard 17.03.2021

Gigabyte Technology has officially unveiled the Z590 Aorus Tachyon motherboard for 10th/11th generation Intel Core processors. Its target audience is the masters of the overclocker shop. Especially for them, a 12-phase power supply system is provided, based on a combination of an Intersil ISL69269 PWM controller and 100-amp Vishay SiC840 DrMOS, as well as a number of useful "chips" for extreme overclocking. The Gigabyte Z590 Aorus Tachyon motherboard, as you might guess, uses the top Intel Z590 chipset. It belongs to Extended ATX format solutions, equipped with two slots for DDR4 RAM, a pair of PCI Express 4.0 x16 slots (x16/x0 or x8/x8) and two PCI-E 3.0 x16, however, they work in x4 and x1 modes. There are eight SATA 6 Gb / s ports and two M.2 connectors for connecting drives, one of which supports PCI-E 4.0 x4 (when working with Rocket Lake-S processors). The sound subsystem is based on the Realtek ALC1220-VB audio codec. Networking capabilities ... >>

Photocells for indoor use 16.03.2021

Scottish scientists have developed organic photovoltaic cells that turn indoor light into electricity. The new technology was proposed by scientists from the University of Strathclyde and the University of St. Andrews. Scientists have designed and manufactured organic photovoltaic cells from plastic-like materials similar to those used in smartphone OLED displays. The result is photocells that allow stable and efficient conversion of indoor light into electricity. The new solar panel captures light energy and simultaneously provides high-speed visible light communication (VLC) using a MIMO technique that increases the channel bandwidth. Four photocells made of plastic-like materials were combined into a panel, during the experiments it demonstrated the ability to provide wireless optical communication at a speed of 363 Mbps, while simultaneously producing 11 MWh of electricity. Use as a source of information ... >>

In a hot air balloon - into the stratosphere 16.03.2021

Space Perspective has agreed to lease a space and provide pre-flight preparation services at the Kosmodrome. Kennedy in Florida. They are not competitors to SpaceX or other private space companies - Space Perspective is engaged in balloon flights into the stratosphere. More precisely, they are just about to make their first flight and immediately with commercial passengers on board. The startup was launched back in 2013 by Taber McCallum and Jane Pointer. The very first experiments showed that they were far from building a large balloon, so in the following years the company launched small balloons with various souvenirs as part of the popularization of the idea. The most significant was an advertising contract with KFC to launch a chicken sandwich into the stratosphere. And now Space Perspective says they are ready to send people flying. The announcement uses the term "flight to the edge of space" and gives a value of 100 feet (about 000 km). However, according to the generally accepted interpretation, space begins three times ... >>

Metabolism fast and slow 15.03.2021

Scientists at the University of Mississippi in the United States investigated the factors that affect the metabolic rate in the human body. It is known that many people who complain about their metabolism mean that they are not burning enough calories. It is believed that the body of people with a fast metabolism spends more energy on certain physiological tasks, and with a slow one - less. The metabolic process is not as simple as it is commonly believed. There are many factors that affect the rate of metabolic processes. Metabolism refers to the chemical reactions that keep the human body alive. This process performs three main functions: the extraction of energy from food, the synthesis of proteins, fats, carbohydrates and nucleic acids, and the release of metabolic products. All of these functions require energy. Calories expended on providing basic processes in the body are referred to as "basic metabolism". However, a person is not at rest all the time. Scientists ... >>

New bonding material for batteries 15.03.2021

The Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology presents the results of a new study that promises a breakthrough in battery development. A new binder material developed by the Japanese shows a more efficient charge retention. Compared to the current performance of lithium-ion batteries, future battery systems can power electric vehicles and smartphones at a higher level. There are many moving parts inside a battery. Each of these contributes to a decrease in performance. And now, the work carried out by scientists at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology is focused on such an important component of the battery structure as a binder material between the electrodes and electrolyte. The bonding material plays an important role in protecting the battery's graphite anode, one of the two system electrodes. The binder material holds the particles together and keeps them in contact with the current collector. The currently used link ... >>

Silicon Carbide MOSFET CoolSiC Series 14.03.2021

Drawing on a wealth of experience and know-how in the field of power electronics, Infineon introduces the CoolSiC MOSFET, a revolutionary technology that can dramatically improve device performance. Compared to traditional silicon-based switches such as IGBTs and MOSFETs, silicon carbide (SiC) FETs offer significant advantages. CoolSiC devices are available in 1700, 1200 and 650V voltages. They are ideal for applications such as solar inverters, energy storage systems, electric drives, various battery chargers and key power supplies. Silicon carbide transistors combine excellent performance, reliability and ease of use in development. CoolSiC technology significantly increases the efficiency and reliability of new power electronics devices. ... >>

Programmable photonic quantum chip 14.03.2021

A team of researchers and engineers at Canadian company Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc., working with the US National Institute of Standards and Technology, has developed a programmable, scalable photonic quantum chip that can run multiple algorithms. Engineers around the world are working to create a truly useful quantum computer that can perform calculations that traditional computers would take millions of years to complete. To date, most such efforts have been focused on two main architectures - based on superconducting electrical circuits and based on trapped ion technology. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and both must operate in a supercooled environment, making them difficult to scale. Less attention is paid to work based on the photon approach to building a quantum computer. This approach is considered less feasible due to the problems associated with the generation of quantum states, as well as with the transformation ... >>

Artificial sun against viruses 13.03.2021

The project of an artificial sun was presented by the social design laboratory of the Dutch artist Daan Roosegaarde. It will be able to disinfect public spaces using ultraviolet radiation. Urban Sun uses a shorter wavelength type of ultraviolet that can kill viruses, according to Dezeen. Artist Daan Roosegaarde is convinced that thanks to the artificial sun, any venue can be quickly prepared for mass events. "We can clear a space of viruses by 99,9 percent in minutes, regardless of the weather and location. Therefore, the likelihood of infection is greatly reduced," says the artist. The artificial sun project was created by scientists and designers from the USA, the Netherlands, Japan and Italy. They used a 2018 study from Columbia University and the University of Hiroshima. Scientists say that ultraviolet light with a wavelength of 222 nm is safe for humans, but at the same time ... >>

18GB SK Hynix LPDDR5 chip 13.03.2021

South Korean firm SK Hynix announced the start of mass production of LPDDR5 chips with a record volume of 18 GB. These chips are designed for use in mobile devices, such as the upcoming ASUS ROG Phone 5 gaming smartphone. The effective frequency of 18 GB SK Hynix LPDDR5 chips is 6400 MHz, which is about 20% higher than currently used solutions. The LPDDR5 (Low Power Double Data Rate 5) RAM standard was approved by the JEDEC committee in February 2019 and allows the release of chips up to 32 GB. This type of RAM is used in mobile devices like smartphones, tablets and ultrabooks. According to Omdia, an analytics company, LPDDR5 chips now account for 10% of the total mobile DRAM market, and by 2023 this figure will be more than 50%. ... >>

Sony IMX661 large format CMOS image sensor 12.03.2021

Sony has announced the upcoming release of the IMX661 large format image sensor. It is a CMOS type sensor with a diagonal size of 56,73mm and an effective resolution of 13 x 400 pixels (9528MP) is the highest in the industry. The global shutter sensor is designed for industrial applications. The pixel size is 127,68 µm. The optical format of the sensor is 3,45 inches. In terms of area and resolution, the IMX3,6 is nearly 661 times larger than the "conventional image sensors" of the 10-inch optical format, mainly used in C-mount industrial cameras. Pregius proprietary global shutter technology allows you to capture moving objects without distortion. In addition, the sensor's original configuration and high-speed interface enable image capture at up to four times the speed of "conventional sensors". More specifically, a 1,1 MP image with a 127,68-bit data representation can be read 10 times per ... >>

The world may go coal-free 12.03.2021

The UN Secretary-General believes that the world can move away from coal in three stages and focus on the development of clean energy sources. G7 members may announce a phase-out of dependence on coal for electricity at the June 2021 summit. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres shared his hopes for this at a meeting organized by Britain and Canada on the use of coal in the energy sector. Guterres has said it's time for the world to move away from coal, which he considers "the dirtiest fossil fuel in the world." Which, moreover, constantly rises in price. He is convinced that mines need to be closed, not forgetting to provide jobs for employees of power plants and miners. They can find a job if the world develops renewable energy sources. The head of the United Nations emphasized that every fifth death in the world is associated with environmental pollution, the cause of which is the use of fossil fuels. He considers, ... >>

Durable Hitachi Zosen Batteries 11.03.2021

Hitachi Zosen has introduced the world's most capacious solid state lithium batteries. Such batteries are not afraid of freezing to very low temperatures and are less flammable than traditional lithium batteries on a liquid electrolyte. Hitachi Zosen developers have succeeded in increasing the capacity of solid-state batteries by seven times, which is a world record. Last year, Hitachi Zosen began small-scale production of 140mAh solid-state lithium batteries. This is much less than wet lithium batteries provide, but Hitachi Zosen batteries promise to operate in temperatures ranging from -40°C to 120°C. Such a range "kills" conventional lithium batteries and does not allow them to claim the role of batteries in the aerospace industry and in industrial equipment. The only disadvantage of solid-state batteries is an order of magnitude lower charge density. Fortunately, Hitachi Zosen continues to develop and recently introduced a new ... >>

Childhood addiction to social media leads to overeating 11.03.2021

Children of nine or ten years old, who spend a lot of time on social networks, begin to eat too much. Scientists analyzed the behavior of more than 11 thousand children, who were observed in 2016-2019. The researchers analyzed the time that children spend on social networks and in front of TVs, how much they correspond in instant messengers, etc. Parents were also asked about the behavior of their children. According to research, every hour spent on social media increases the likelihood that a child will overeat in the next year by 62%. We are talking about short periods when a person experiences an attack of overeating. Watching videos increases this risk by 39%. This eating disorder can lead to diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Scientists note that the reasons for this may be different: food advertising on the Internet, lack of control while on social networks or when watching a movie, etc. ... >>

Farming fish on the moon 10.03.2021

Fertilized eggs are able to survive the journey, and water can be found on the moon. Biologists are now testing fish candidates that can supplement the diet of the inhabitants of the lunar village. As part of a project called Lunar Hatch, experts are simulating the impact of vibrations and g-forces during a space launch on fertilized fish eggs. Caviar of two species - sea bass (Dicentrus labrax) and croaker (Argyrosomus regius) - survived loads that simulate the start. Meanwhile, NASA confirmed last October that there is water on the moon's sunlit surface, and not just in the deep, permanently shadowed south pole craters, as previously thought. Thus, the creation of a fish farm on the Moon no longer looks like a fantasy. Farming fish on the moon will provide astronauts with essential amino acids, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and vitamin B12, as well as an alternative to unattractive freeze-dried foods. NASA intends to send people to the moon by 2024, and the European ... >>

Gaming OLED TV LG OLED 48CX TV 10.03.2021

The Korean company LG presented a new TV OLED 48CX TV, which is positioned as an ideal solution for working as part of gaming systems. The novelty received a 48-inch matrix on organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) with a resolution of 4K 3840 x 2160 pixels with support for high dynamic range HDR. The novelty supports Nvidia G-Sync adaptive synchronization technology, which allows you to get rid of tearing and make the gameplay as smooth and dynamic as possible. At the heart of the TV is a proprietary Alpha 9 Gen 3 processor that delivers the latest in gaming technology and picture enhancement features, including higher frame rates, Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM) and Enhanced Audio Return Channel (eARC). The matrix response time is 1 ms. The LG OLED 48CX supports Dolby Vision IQ, Dolby Atmos, Apple AirPlay 2 and HomeKit, as well as Google Assistant and Alexa voice assistants. ... >>

Ion-optical quantum microscope sees individual atoms 09.03.2021

Researchers at the University of Stuttgart have developed a new ion-optical microscope that uses quantum effects to create images of individual atoms. Note that in recent years, scientists have created many variants of the so-called gas quantum microscopes, but their resolution allows you to consider objects with a size of about 0,5 micrometers. This is enough to be able to consider isolated groups of atoms, and now German researchers have pushed the boundaries of human visual perception to the level of individual atoms. The key component of the new microscope is the so-called electrostatic lens, through which and on the surface of which charged particles such as electrons and ions can move. Electrostatic lenses work similarly to conventional lenses used in conventional cameras and phone cameras. But if ordinary lenses refract and focus light due to the curvature of their surface, then electr ... >>

Jupiter doesn't revolve around the sun 09.03.2021

The earth revolves around the sun. Mars revolves around the sun. Venus, Mercury, Neptune, Uranus, and Saturn too. The Moon and the International Space Station revolve around the Earth. But with the giant planet Jupiter, everything is somewhat more complicated. When in outer space a less massive body revolves around a more massive one, the light does not describe perfect circles around the center of the heavy. In fact, both rotate, and the center of this rotation is the center of mass of both bodies. If the difference in mass is very large - as, for example, between our planet and the Sun - then the center of mass is located inside a more massive body, at a negligibly small distance from its geometric center. But if the mass of two bodies is comparable, then the center of mass can also be located in space outside both bodies. The mass of Jupiter is 2,5 times the mass of all other objects in the solar system. The mass of Jupiter is 1 kg, and the mass of the Sun is 898 kg, with the difference sun ... >>

Power supplies Dark Power 12 08.03.2021

The range of power supplies from the German company be quiet! has replenished with a line of Dark Power 12 devices. This series has occupied a niche for Dark Power Pro 12 and is represented by models with a nominal value of 750, 850 and 1000 W. All boast 80 Plus Titanium energy efficiency certification (up to 96% efficiency on 230V), a 10-year manufacturer's warranty and a modular cable management system. The maximum load on 12-volt lines is from 744 W (62 A) to 996 W (83 A) depending on the rating of the power supply. It is worth noting the presence of the Overclocking Key switch, which allows you to combine four "virtual" +12 V lines into one heavy-duty channel, which will interest fans of sports overclocking. A 12 mm Silent Wings 135 fan with a frameless design is responsible for cooling the "stuffing" of the Dark Power Pro 3 blocks. The noise level of the older model, according to the manufacturer, does not exceed 25,8 dBA. Overvoltage, undervoltage and overcurrent protection systems are provided ... >>

DC/DC converters TEQ 20/40WIR 08.03.2021

TRACO has expanded its TEQ/WIR chassis-mounted DC/DC converter family for railroad and industrial applications with the TEQ 20WIR and TEQ 40WIR series. The expansion took place in the direction of decreasing power. At the moment, in addition to 100/160/200/300 W converters, 40 and 20 W products have become available. The transducers have a 4:1 wide input (9...36; 18...75; 43...160 V), operate in an extended temperature range of -40...92/93°C and meet the requirements of EN 50155, and for EMC they meet the requirements of class B without additional components. The product line includes models with a bipolar output for + -12, + -15 and + -24 V. The products implement protection against short circuit, overheating, overvoltage and undervoltage (UVLO). The converters are recommended to be used in a wide temperature range in various critical applications where high reliability of the power supply system is important. ... >>

Rivian frost-resistant electric vehicles 07.03.2021

Most modern electric vehicles lose some of the traction battery charge after prolonged exposure to frost. Manufacturers recommend leaving them plugged into a power outlet in such conditions, but this is not always possible. Rivian developed its own approach to heating traction batteries, which was tested in -40 degrees below zero. Pre-series samples of pickups were sent for testing to the border with Canada, where the site has freezers that allow vehicles to be tested at temperatures of minus XNUMX degrees Celsius. Many automakers are trying to equip their EVs and hybrids with optional electric battery heaters that either use their own charge or are powered by a wall outlet. Rivian also sacrifices part of the traction battery charge for its own heating in such conditions, but does not use additional heaters. The company's engineers managed to teach the electric motor and inverter to generate heat ... >>

PlayStation VR headset for PS5 07.03.2021

Sony has announced work on a next-generation VR headset for the PlayStation 5 console. The PlayStation VR team has built up a lot of experience since the launch of the headset on PS4 and promises to provide the ultimate immersive experience in the new development. Improvements will be made to all components of the system, including screens with higher resolution and field of view, new input devices and the overall usability of the helmet. You only need one cable to connect to your PS5, simplifying setup and delivering high quality images. Separately, it is said about the virtual reality controller, which will include some of the key features of the DualSense wireless controller, as well as pay special attention to ergonomics. For at least another year, the PlayStation VR headset of the first revision will continue to be the current VR solution for PS5 and PS4. Despite its age by industry standards (it was released in 2016), Sony continues to actively support PSVR and is ready to ... >>

energy from the ear 06.03.2021

Experts have discovered a new power source, which is convenient because it is always near you and never runs out of power. Moreover, you yourself are such a source of nutrition, or rather, your inner ear. Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology were able to learn how to turn the cochlea of ​​the inner ear of mammals into a source, albeit a small one, but still energy. The cochlea is a tube coiled and filled with liquid. It is with its help that all mammals perceive sounds, and a small amount of energy is produced in it. For example, a guinea pig snail is capable of generating an electric current of up to 28 milliamps, and a voltage of 30 to 55 volts. In order to collect information about the electricity generated by the guinea pig's snail, experts designed a special chip measuring 9 by 11 millimeters. This little device ran on the energy generated by the inner ear for 5 hours. ... >>

Smart soft material 06.03.2021

Engineers at China's Southeast University have printed liquid metal circuits on a single piece of soft polymer, creating a smart material that twists under pressure or mechanical stress. Ideally, soft robots could mimic the intelligent and autonomous behaviors of nature — such as the sudden collapse of a Venus flytrap plant — by combining sensation and controlled movement. But technically, this can be difficult to accomplish: it is necessary to build sensors and moving parts into the robot, use an external computer. A one-piece design is required that responds to environmental stimuli such as mechanical pressure or stretch. Liquid metals could be a solution, and some scientists have already explored their use in soft robots. These materials can be used to create thin, flexible circuits in soft materials, and these circuits can quickly generate heat when an electrical current is generated - either from an electrical source. ... >>

The computer will write any term paper 05.03.2021

American researchers have found that artificial intelligence can write a term paper for students in just 20 minutes. The quality of such work will be sufficient to close the subject. During the experiment, the researchers asked students to write papers on various topics: US history, law, research, and creativity. In addition to students, the same work was written by the algorithm. On average, the AI ​​called GPT-3 scored "satisfactory" for all essays. The algorithm coped best with works on US history and law - only one student was able to write a legal text with a higher score. But about the vaccine against COVID-19, artificial intelligence wrote the worst. The findings of the researchers say that the algorithm wrote shallow, less descriptive compared to human texts. But it took people much longer to get the job done than GPT-3. On average, students completed the task in 3 days. In general, teachers' feedback on the work of the algorithm and ... >>

Apples are good for the brain 05.03.2021

Apples in the human diet can improve brain function. Experts from the University of Queensland and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases have found that apples in the human diet can improve brain function. Scientists isolated stem cells from the brains of adult mice and added quercetin or 2-hydroxybenzoic acid, phytonutrients found in apples, to them. The researchers concluded that the high concentration of phytonutrients in apples stimulate the formation of new neurons - neurogenesis. ... >>

Huawei smart home 04.03.2021

Huawei unveiled its first comprehensive smart home project at MWC Shanghai 2021 in China. The 550 m2 house includes a living room, kitchen, office, home gym, entertainment room and garage. The smart home is a key component in Huawei's strategy to build the Seamless AI Life ecosystem of device interactions. The project integrates technologies such as Huawei HiLink, HarmonyOS and Huawei HiCar, and uses an AI-based voice assistant to control smart home systems. The user only needs to say a few words to turn on the voice assistant and activate the "Return Home" mode, in which the smart home system will start the air purifier, turn on the lights, and the curtains will automatically close. The smart home kitchen is equipped with household appliances running HarmonyOS. Connecting to them is provided with one touch of a smartphone. Recipes are loaded into the steamer, blender and other kitchen devices, thanks to which cooking becomes ... >>

Magnetic nanomaterial to protect securities from counterfeiting 04.03.2021

An international team of scientists has developed a new composite nanomaterial based on iron, cobalt and nickel with controlled magnetic properties. The resulting material can be used to protect money and securities from counterfeiting. Currency falsification is becoming more and more difficult every year, and all thanks to modern science and new, complex composite materials Today, the development of technologies for the synthesis of new magnetic nanomaterials with improved and controlled functional properties are promising areas of research. Due to nanosize and, accordingly, special electrical and magnetic properties, such materials have the potential to be used from mobile electronic devices to space technologies, where special requirements are imposed on materials in terms of the quality and size of products made from them. To obtain a magnetic nanomaterial based on the iron-cobalt-nickel ternary system, the technology of chemical deposition was used, followed by reduction. ... >>

The Gulf Stream slowed down due to global warming 03.03.2021

Scientists have found that significant changes have taken place in the system of the Atlantic Gulf Stream, which bring heat to the territory of Europe. We are talking not only about the current along the eastern coast of North America, but also about the entire system of Atlantic currents associated with it, affecting the northwestern coast of Africa, Western Europe, Scandinavia, the Barents Sea, and the Arctic Ocean. A study in the journal Nature Geoscience shows that the Gulf Stream has slowed to record levels over the past millennium. Experts called the slowdown in the current sharp, as it happened contrary to all forecasts. At the same time, researchers associate this phenomenon with global climate change on the planet. Stefan Ramstorf from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research believes that the reason is anthropogenic influence on nature. Over the past hundred years, the speed of the Gulf Stream has decreased by 15%. This has already affected the weather, in particular leading to more frequent heat waves in the south of Europe. ... >>

Ulefone External IR Camera 03.03.2021

Ulefone has introduced an external infrared night vision camera that can be used by any smartphone equipped with a USB-C connector. A video was also published showing the accessory in operation. Ulefone's new night vision camera uses a Sony STARVIS IMX307 photosensitive CMOS image sensor (1920 x 1080 pixels resolution). It allows you to take high-quality photos and videos even in low light conditions. The developers claim that the accessory is useful for those who love hiking, hunting, outdoor recreation, wildlife observation and so on. The camera is equipped with a lens with a viewing angle of 116°. Thanks to four infrared LEDs, the camera allows you to take clear photos at a distance of up to 5 meters in absolute darkness. You can control the camera using a special Ulefone application. There are also several buttons on the USB cable that allow you to easily control the camera without touching your smartphone. The price of the novelty is 70 dollars. ... >>

Modular Framework Laptop 02.03.2021

San Francisco-based startup Framework has developed a thin, light, and powerful laptop that can be "upgraded, customized and repaired like no other laptop." Framework founder Nirav Patel previously worked at Oculus and Apple and became frustrated with consumer technology companies. According to him, consumer electronics companies depend on the constant production of products and their promotion to consumers. But this approach encourages waste and inefficiency, and ultimately damages the environment. One way to deal with this situation is the new Framework Laptop. Its concept in many ways resembles the approach to desktop systems. The laptop supports the ability to replace components and upgrades. Developers see Framework Laptop not just as a specific product, but as an entire ecosystem. In the basic version, the laptop is equipped with a 13,5-inch display with a resolution of 2256x1504 pixels and a processor ... >>

Photosphere temperature of red supergiants measured 02.03.2021

Scientists at the University of Tokyo in Japan have for the first time accurately measured the temperature of the photosphere of red supergiants. Red supergiants are the brightest, shortest-lived, and largest stars in the universe. Usually, at the end of their lives, they explode as a supernova, but astronomers cannot yet predict exactly when this will happen. This is due to the fact that scientists until recently could not determine the exact temperature of the photosphere of these stars - the lower layer of their atmosphere, in which most of the star's radiation is produced. To measure the temperature of a red supergiant, it is necessary to find clearly visible parts of the star's photosphere, the emission spectrum of which was not affected by the upper layers of their atmosphere. In addition, there is no one specific absorption line that would unambiguously indicate the surface temperature of such stars. Thus, astronomers determined the temperature of the photosphere of ten nearby red supergiants with an accuracy of 30-70 kelvins. In particular, for Betelgeuse it is 334 ... >>

Communication with sleepers 01.03.2021

New scientific experiments have demonstrated the ability to ask questions to a person in a lucid dream - and even get the right answers to them. Some special techniques and mental states allow you to experience lucid dreams, in which a person understands that he is in a dream, and can even control its content. This is a very curious phenomenon that opens up completely unique possibilities for studying sleep. Scientists have been able to demonstrate that a connection can be established between a lucid dreamer and the real world. Until now, such contacts have remained one-way: having plunged into a lucid dream, people could communicate this with eye movements or perform a prearranged task. But recently a connection has been shown in both directions: people heard the questions of the experimenters and answered them while remaining in a dream. The work involved several teams of scientists from Europe and the United States under the leadership of Ken Paller (Ken ... >>

Samsung ISOCELL GN2 image sensor 01.03.2021

Samsung Electronics has unveiled a new flagship image sensor for smartphones. The 50-megapixel ISOCELL GN2 is the successor to last year's ISOCELL GN1. Although the resolution of the novelty has been preserved, it brings a number of improvements in other parameters, including larger pixels and faster autofocus. The 1/1,12-inch sensor has a pixel size of 1,4 micrometers. As the manufacturer promises, the new sensor provides high-quality photos up to 100 megapixels, improved Dual Pixel Pro autofocus, HDR and Smart ISO Pro, depending on lighting conditions. In poor light conditions, the sensor can use 4 pixels as a single 2,8 micrometer. In 100MP mode, the sensor re-arranges the pixels to create three separate 50MP layers in green, red and blue. These frames are then scaled and combined to produce a single 100MP photo. Dual Pixel Pro technology delivers ... >>

Contraceptive pills affect memory 28.02.2021

The memory of women who take birth control pills: changes under their influence. They remember the essence of emotionally rich events better, but forget the details. Such features of memory are usually more characteristic of men. They remember the essence of emotionally rich events better, but forget the details. Such features of memory are usually more characteristic of men. Over 100 million women around the world take oral contraceptives. Scientists at the University of California, who over the past 10 years have studied the characteristics of the memory of both sexes, decided to find out how birth control pills affect memories. They conducted an experiment in which women were shown pictures of their mother, son, and a car accident, and told a story about a boy who was hit by a car. After some time, scientists checked what the participants in the experiment remembered. Women taking birth control pills remembered key events such as an accident, transportation of an injured ... >>

Wind Turbine Challenergy Resistant to High Winds 28.02.2021

The Japanese company Challenergy has developed turbines for power generation that can withstand wind speeds of up to 40 m/s versus 25 m/s found in conventional blade-type generators. Structurally, the turbines of the Magnus VAWT family have the following feature - due to wind energy, not the blades rotate, but vertically oriented cylinders with higher dynamic stability. The classic solution with blades allows you to work safely in the wind speed range from 4 to 25 m/s, at higher speeds the rotation stops to prevent damage to the installation. Six months ago, Challenergy launched a 10 kW experimental wind turbine on an island in Japan. The service life of the turbine is twenty years, it will allow supplying the surrounding area with electricity, regardless of external sources. A similar power plant will appear in the Philippines, and its installation and purchase will be partially subsidized by the Japanese government. ... >>

Thermites for biofuel production 27.02.2021

Wheat straw is a potential source of biofuels and commercial chemicals. But before straw can be turned into useful products in biorefineries, the polymers that make it up must be broken down into building blocks. In order to convert straw into bio-raw materials, it is first necessary to break down lignin, a particularly strong polymer in straw. Microbes from the intestines of certain termite species can do the job. In straw and other dried plant material, the three main polymers - cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin - are woven into a complex three-dimensional structure. The first two polymers are polysaccharides that can be broken down into sugars and then turned into fuel in bioreactors. Lignin, on the other hand, is an aromatic polymer that can be converted into useful industrial chemicals. Fungal enzymes can degrade lignin, which is the most difficult of the three to degrade. ... >>

Cold is good for training 27.02.2021

Physical activity is an indispensable means of combating both general health and overweight. Understanding the intricacies of such a struggle becomes especially relevant in a world that is undergoing a virtual transformation, when many are switching to remote work. At the same time, consciousness goes into the virtual space, and the body firmly sticks to the sofa and sometimes does not leave this familiar place for weeks. Winter is the time when you can effectively deal with the fat that grows from such a lifestyle. This was found out by Canadian researchers from Laurentian University, in the province of Ontario. Scientists did not force the participants in the experiment to perform any exhausting exercises. All you had to do was to pedal the exercise bike at maximum speed ten times a minute in the evening, and then rest for a minute and a half. Moreover, the speed was determined exactly - by oxygen consumption, respectively, 90 and 30% of the peak value previously identified in the laboratory for each participant. quarter hour ... >>

Nanocatalyst on orange peel 26.02.2021

An international team of scientists has created a catalyst by simple mixing in a special mill, without solvents and other additional substances. The basis was the orange peel, which was previously ground. It was placed in the mill chamber, anhydrous form of zinc acetate and 18 steel balls with a diameter of 1 cm were added. The mixture was stirred for 20 minutes at a frequency of 350 rpm, then heated at a temperature of 2 degrees for 200 hours. The orange peel collected zinc acetate on its surface and helped form transition compounds. During firing, it was partially removed from the mixture - zinc oxide nanoparticles were obtained. After that, using a mill, the zinc oxide nanoparticles were combined with particles containing niobium so that the metal concentration in the final catalyst was from 2,5 to 10%. The effect of the nanocatalyst was tested by scientists using the example of the conversion of levulinic acid into nitrogen-containing heterocycles. The concentration in which 10% particles with niobium and 90% nanoparticles ... >>

Everyone has their own reality 26.02.2021

A new experiment in the field of quantum physics has demonstrated a startling idea that was previously expressed only in the framework of the theory. It turned out that under the right conditions, two people can observe the same event with different results - and both will be right. According to a study published on ArXiv, physicists at Heriot-Watt University have demonstrated for the first time how two people can experience a "different reality" by recreating a classic speculative experiment from quantum physics in practice. The experiment involves two people who observe the same photon - the smallest quantitative unit of light, which under different conditions can exhibit the properties of both a wave and a particle. A photon can exist in one of these two states, but before anyone can measure it, it is in a so-called "superposition" - that is, both conditions are met at the same time. As part of a thought experiment, one scientist calmly analyzes ... >>

Holographic buttons for contactless control of equipment 25.02.2021

Specialists of the Japanese company Murakami have developed holographic buttons for non-contact control of equipment. They are supposed to be used in public toilets so that a person comes into less contact with surfaces. The development works on the principle of touch displays, however, in this case, the image is not displayed on the surface, but is projected in the air. To press the button, you only need to touch it in the air, that is, there is no need to contact the surface. It is known that the hologram itself is projected by means of a special light source and a large number of mirrors. Recognition, in turn, is carried out thanks to infrared sensors. It is assumed that holographic buttons can be implemented even in ordinary doors to avoid touching the handles. ... >>

Hard drives with FC-MAMR technology 25.02.2021

Toshiba has announced the release of the MG09 hard drive series. The series includes drives with a capacity of 16 and 18 TB. These are the world's first mass-produced hard drives that use a local energy effect on the media using a microwave field. We are talking about proprietary technology Flux Control - Microwave Assisted Magnetic Recording (FC-MAMR), which made it possible to increase the density of conventional magnetic recording (CMR) up to 2 TB per platter. Since nine platters can be installed in the third-generation helium-filled containment area, the total HDD capacity reaches 18 TB. The platters themselves are manufactured by Showa Denko KK (SDK), a longtime partner of Toshiba. Each aluminum plate has a thickness of 0,635 mm and a recording density of about 1,5 Tbit/sq. inch. The essence of the FC-MAMR technology lies in the local heating of the nanodomains of the magnetic layer of the plates by microwave radiation, which makes it possible to reduce the size of the recording area of ​​each bit of information while maintaining ... >>

Geospatial Intelligence 24.02.2021

In the United States, geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) is being created, which will monitor everything that happens on the territory of the country and opponents: from people and their movements to places and objects on the surface of the Earth. In US government and military circles, they believe that the GEOINT system will help the country regain the technological superiority lost after the end of the Cold War and improve economic performance. GEOINT includes all sorts of information about people, places and objects on the Earth's surface, and has a wide range of applications from mapping to mineral exploration and commercial logistics, but is especially valuable for military users seeking to understand the actions of potential adversaries. But even today, according to Lauren Thompson, chief operating officer of the Lexington Institute, there is a threat that this project will not be carried out in the form in which its creators plan. This is due to the fact that foreign companies invest their ... >>

Huawei Pig Farm 24.02.2021

The president of Huawei's machine vision division, announced a new development of the company, which concerns animal husbandry. We are talking about an intelligent software and hardware platform for breeding pigs. The system consists of many components: the so-called "dashboard" for monitoring, software for analyzing the collected data, and a digital control panel. The platform widely uses artificial intelligence - for object and image recognition, learning, forecasting and decision making. Full automation of the process provides for the presence of robots, which, if necessary, can be connected remotely. Back in October last year, Huawei announced its AI-based 5G program for pig farms at a forum in China on the application of advanced technologies in animal husbandry, and now the system seems to be ready for operation. ... >>

D-Link DCS-8325LH Cloud Wireless Camera 23.02.2021

D-Link has introduced a new DCS-8325LH cloud-based Full HD wireless camera with support for artificial intelligence technologies. The device is designed for round-the-clock remote audio and video monitoring in home and office video surveillance systems. The DCS-8325LH is equipped with intelligent video analytics to reduce false alarms, and a human body detection mode to ignore indoor pets. The camera has a high degree of image detail - 1080p up to 30 frames / s. It has wide viewing angles: horizontally 126°, diagonally 151° and allows for round-the-clock video surveillance in conditions of limited illumination due to the use of infrared illumination up to 5 m. opening), when crossing the established line, entering or exiting the surveillance area, etc. Also in the presence of a built-in ... >>

Foam alternative 23.02.2021

Thermoboxes for food, cooler bags for soft drinks, isothermal containers for transporting medicines - all these and similar containers are made of materials that do not allow the products placed in them to change their initial temperature. And most often, polymers such as polystyrene foam and expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) are used as insulation. A lot speaks in their favor: they have good thermal insulation properties, weigh very little, are highly durable, and withstand heavy loads. But all these advantages are covered by a significant drawback: expanded polystyrene and polystyrene are not biodegradable, and their waste, which can decompose into thousands of small particles, greatly pollutes the environment. Scientists at the Institute for Natural Materials Processing Technology at the Technical University of Dresden have come up with an alternative to them by creating a biodegradable insulation material from ... waste paper. Scientists subjected scrap paper to special ... >>

Solar panels LG NeON R and NeON R Prime 22.02.2021

LG Business Solutions USA announced the release of two new solar panels with increased energy output. These are the company's most powerful and high-performance modules to date. The new 66-cell LG NeON R and NeON R Prime modules based on Back Contact Technology will be available to builders and homeowners in the US this spring. At the same time, the LG NeON R residential solar panel has an output power of up to 440 W, and the LG NeON R Prime - up to 425 W. As a rule, solar panels provide power output from 250 to 400 watts. Thus, new products from LG are among the most powerful solutions on the market. Both versions have an efficiency of up to 22,1%, while for most solutions available on the market this figure is in the range of 15-20%. The Back Contact Technology used allows all interconnects to be placed on the underside of the cubicle. This, in turn, makes it possible to increase the solar absorption potential. ... >>

DC/DC Converter Mean Well RSD-500 22.02.2021

Mean Well has expanded its family of DC/DC converters for rail vehicles with the new RSD-500 series, which has an output power of 500W and complies with EN50155 requirements. The RSD-30/100/150/200/300/500 series are currently available in the family with 2:1 input voltage range and 24V, 48V and 110V ratings. up to 41 mm), full silicone molding of the printed circuit board and partial molding of components, which increases impact resistance and provides protection against dust and moisture, as well as an industrial operating temperature range of -40...80°C. The converters have increased "input-output" insulation strength (up to 4 kV) and are able to withstand vibration loads up to 5 G. Additionally, the converters have an upward adjustment of the output voltage for more precise tuning of the power system and compensation for voltage drops on the wires. Into the transfiguration ... >>

Helicopter to search for submarines 21.02.2021

The American company Northrop Grumman tested the carrier-based unmanned helicopter MQ-8C FireScout by searching for submarines. The checks were carried out as part of a project to expand the list of tasks for which MQ-8C drones can be used. The MQ-8C was tested by Northrop Grumman in conjunction with the British company Ultra, which manufactures sonar buoys and containers for their launch. The Bell 407 manned multi-purpose helicopter was used for testing. The MQ-8C deck drone was made on the basis of this particular helicopter. During the tests, one container for launching sonar buoys was installed on the helicopter, containing 24 such devices. At the same time, the retrofitting project for the MQ-8C provides for the possibility of installing two containers of 24 sonar buoys in each. Other details about the tests were not disclosed, but it is known that the developers recognized the tests as successful. Currently, to search for submarines and ... >>

Rugged smartphone Ulefone Armor 11 5G 21.02.2021

The Chinese company Ulefone presented a secure smartphone Armor 11 5G. The novelty is positioned as the world's first indestructible gadget with night vision and support for fifth-generation networks. The body of the model complies with IP68/IP69K certification and US military standard MIL-STD-810G. The gadget is absolutely not afraid of dust, is able to withstand immersion in water, as well as withstand pressure and temperature drops, vibration, shaking and other hardships and hardships. Moreover, the device is able to survive even high-temperature pressure washing. The new phone received a 6,1-inch screen and a MediaTek Dimensity 800 5G single-chip system. Provided 8 GB of RAM and 256 GB of permanent memory. The main camera has five sensors, but so far only two of them are known: the main 48-megapixel Sony IMX582 and 20-megapixel for night vision. The front camera has a 16-megapixel sensor. Battery capacity - 5200 mAh. ... >>

Ion-sound waves for finding space debris 20.02.2021

An international team of scientists has proposed a new way to detect space debris using ion-sound waves resulting from the movement of debris objects in low Earth orbit. Space debris is non-functional objects launched by man into space, and their fragments, as well as meteoroids and other non-man-made inactive objects in near-Earth outer space. These objects move in the plasma that surrounds Earth orbit. Since the speed of space debris can reach 10 km/s, even fragments of a few microns in size can cause serious damage to aircraft, especially manned ones. By comparison, the human eye is unable to see particles smaller than 40 microns. Space debris monitoring work has been going on for a long time, and observation of the waves that arise in plasma as a result of the movement of debris charged under the influence of solar radiation and other types of cosmic radiation can become one ... >>

Bioactive coating for bone implants 20.02.2021

Scientists from the University of Macau and Nanjing University, China, in collaboration with the National Dental Center of Singapore, have developed a bioactive coating that can be chemically bonded to the surface of titanium, a metal commonly used in bone implants, to protect bone from inflammation. Osteoporosis is a disease in which bone tissue becomes less dense and very fragile. In addition to the fact that the pathology affects the condition of the bones, it also impairs the function of titanium bone implants. Because there is less bone at the implant site, implants can easily become loose, often resulting in inflammation. A bioactive coating made from a chemically modified glycan (chain of sugars) can consistently "turn on" and "off" inflammation on bone implants. In the setting of osteoporosis, it first turns on "good inflammation" by instructing human macrophages to release molecules that can activate bone cells and ... >>

Quantum receiver operating at any radio frequency 19.02.2021

Researchers at the US Military Research Laboratory have created the first of its kind quantum receiver capable of receiving signals in any part of the radio frequency spectrum. The sensitivity range of this receiver starts at 0 Hz and ends at 20 GHz, making it capable of receiving AM, FM, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and other communications technology radio signals. The detectors in the new receiver are so-called Rydberg atoms, which are atoms of certain elements that are in the highest possible state of excitation. The atoms are placed on top of a special microwave circuit, and a beam of laser light is used to excite them. It is known that Rydberg atoms are extremely sensitive to electric and magnetic fields, and the sequential arrangement of several atoms at certain points of the detector device allows them to cover the entire spectrum of radio frequencies with their help. All Ridbe ... >>

Apples promote the growth of new neurons 19.02.2021

Natural compounds found in apples and a number of other fruits can stimulate the formation of new neurons. Such results were shown by a study conducted with mouse cells. Nature has taken care of us better than we think! As it turns out, even a simple apple can have a big impact on brain function Scientists have long known that phytonutrients (chemicals found in plants) can have a positive effect on various human organs, including the brain. Researchers at the University of Queensland in the US and the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases have found that high concentrations of phytonutrients from apples stimulate the generation of new neurons, a process called neurogenesis. The study found that lab-grown adult mouse brain stem cells generate more neurons when they encounter quercetin or dihydroxybenzoic acid, phytonutrients found in apples. Subsequent tests in mice showed that ... >>

Plasma with ultra-fast cooling mechanism 18.02.2021

Researchers at Advanced Imaging of Matter have made a breakthrough by creating a completely new type of plasma by combining state-of-the-art technology using ultrashort laser pulses and ultracold atomic gases. They reported on a new mechanism of electron cooling in such a plasma. Matter exists in four states - solid, gaseous, liquid and plasma, and plasma is the most common state in the visible Universe. It is made up of free charged particles such as ions and electrons. Plasma can exist in a huge range of temperatures and densities: from the core of the Sun to lightning or flames. The challenge in understanding plasma dynamics is to first identify universal mechanisms and then compare them to a controlled laboratory experiment. At the Center for Optical Quantum Technology at the University of Hamburg, researchers cool and trap atoms with laser light. They use the intense light field of an ultrashort laser and ... >>

E-book with a color screen PocketBook InkPad Color 18.02.2021

PocketBook has released the InkPad Color, a 7,8-inch device that uses the latest E Ink color screen technology. This is the first device to feature the new Kaleido panel. The updated Kaleido has a different color filter pattern that offers better contrast and color saturation compared to the original Kaleido which is still fairly new technology. The screen refresh rate has been software-improved. The specifications of the new Kaleido panel are otherwise the same as those of the previous generation: 300 dpi for monochrome content and 100 dpi for color display, the number of displayed shades is 4096. The total screen resolution is increased to 1404 x 1872 due to the larger physical size. The InkPad Color weighs 225 grams and is 8mm thick, so it should be fairly portable. Other specifications: 16 GB internal memory; microSD card slot; dimensions 195 x 136,5 x ... >>

The songs of whales will help in the study of the geology of the seabed 17.02.2021

Geologists have discovered that the low-frequency acoustic signals of whales are able to penetrate into the thickness of the earth's crust, and the signal reflected from it allows you to "enlighten" rocks deep below the ocean floor. Blue whales and fin whales close to them communicate with "songs", emitting the lowest frequency sound waves in the entire animal kingdom - from 16 to 40 hertz. Such waves can reach an energy of 189 decibels, spreading far in the water and even penetrating deep into the sedimentary rocks at the bottom of the sea. The signal reflected by the earth's crust can be registered by obtaining new information about the structure of the earth's crust in a particular part of the ocean. This proposal was made by John Nabelek and Vaclav Kuna from the Institute of Geophysics of the Czech Academy of Sciences. Scientists have demonstrated in practice that vocalizations of fin whales can serve as tools for studying the structure of the oceanic crust. The authors used recordings of six songs of the same fin whale made in the northeast Pacific Ocean in 2012-2013. Each of them ... >>

Graphene for microchips 17.02.2021

A new study from the University of Sussex (UK) shows that changing the structure of nanomaterials such as graphene can effectively unlock their electronic properties. "We mechanically create folds in the graphene layer. It's a bit like nano-origami," said Alan Dalton, professor in the School of Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the University of Sussex. This kind of technology - "straintronics" - allows you to fit more chips inside any device. "Everything we want to do with computers to make them run faster can be done by deforming graphene in this way," he added. It has been previously shown that deformation of the structure of 2D nanomaterials can reveal their key electronic properties, but the exact effect of various "folds" is still poorly understood. Scientists from Sussex conducted an in-depth study of the structural changes in graphene, as well as molybdenum disulfide, and the stresses they introduce. They demonstrated how targeted ... >>

Transcend CFexpress 820 Type B Memory Cards 16.02.2021

Transcend has introduced new products for professional photographers. These are CFexpress 820 Type B memory cards and the RDE2 device designed to work with them. New removable media lets you shoot high-definition video and high-speed continuous shooting, while a card reader helps increase productivity by reducing the time it takes to transfer footage to a computer. CFexpress 820 Type B memory cards are equipped with PCIe Gen 3x2 interface and support NVMe protocol. This allows you to get read speeds up to 1700 MB / s and write speeds up to 1300 MB / s. The cards are available in capacities up to 512 GB, which is enough to store 4K video and thousands of RAW photos. The cards are guaranteed to operate in temperatures from -10°C to +70°C. The RDE2 is equipped with a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gb/s) interface. The kit includes cables that provide connection to USB Type-A and Type-C connectors. The RDE2's rubber-coated metal housing won't scratch or chip. ... >>

New principle of X-ray generation 16.02.2021

X-rays, which are widely used in medicine, flaw detection and many other fields, are usually obtained using special vacuum devices called X-ray tubes. Inside these tubes, electrons are accelerated by a high electrical potential and collide with a metal anode. The energy of accelerated electrons is transferred to the metal atoms, which pass into an excited state, a complex oscillatory process occurs that generates a radiation flux in the X-ray range. Unfortunately, the generated radiation flux spreads uniformly in all directions, and the properties of X-rays greatly complicate the task of focusing them and forming a narrow directional beam; moreover, the X-ray pulse front in most cases has an absolutely random shape. However, physicists from the University of Göttingen have developed a new principle for generating X-rays, which makes it possible to obtain a beam directed at ... >>

Silicon-carbon will extend battery life 15.02.2021

Huawei has patented a silicon-carbon composite material and a method for producing it. This material is planned to be used in new lithium-ion batteries to extend their service life. According to the patent description, we are talking about a durable composite material that includes a core (core) coated with an alkaline layer. The silicon core is filled with amorphous carbon, while the pore size does not exceed 50 nm. The patent states that the tiny pore structure of the silicon-carbon composite material can effectively reduce the contact area between the silicon material and the electrolyte, which reduces the possibility of side reactions and prolongs battery life. At the same time, the graphite framework can effectively reduce the volumetric expansion and contraction of the material to improve the structural stability and energy density of the composite material. ... >>

memory enhancing molecule 15.02.2021

Scientists from the University of Cadiz and the University of Seville in Spain have discovered a molecule that promotes neuronal repair, improves memory and cognition. The researchers obtained the substance (diterpene) from a plant of the Euphorbia genus (Euphorbia). The compound is said to activate protein kinase C, also referred to as PKC, and promote the formation of new neurons in the hippocampus, an area of ​​the brain that is involved in the mechanism of emotion formation and memory consolidation. This was confirmed by experiments on mice. In the future, the substance can be used in the treatment of patients with brain injuries, the researchers note. ... >>

Mean Well HRP/N power supplies 14.02.2021

Mean Well has developed a family of power supplies capable of short-term safe operation at up to 2,5 times the rated power (up to 5 seconds). The new family consists of three series: HRP-150N, HRP-300N and HRP-600N with power ratings of 150W, 300W and 600W, respectively. In addition, the power supplies have excellent functional saturation: they have a power correction stage (PFC; PFC> 0,95), the ability to compensate for voltage drops on the wires, the ability to remotely turn on / off, and are resistant to input voltage increased up to 300 V (up to 5 seconds) and have a "DC Ok" signal to control the output voltage. With all this, these power supplies are operable in the temperature range of -40 ... 70 ° C and have an efficiency of 89%. This family of power supplies is in demand in industrial installations using electric motors or with capacitive loads. At the moment of starting, the specified load consumes increased power, therefore ... >>

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock 14.02.2021

Razer has prepared a docking station for laptops equipped with Thunderbolt 4 interface. The novelty is called Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock and is compatible with USB 4. As befits a docking station for laptops, the device contains a large number of various connection ports. The front panel houses a UHS-II SD card slot, a 3,5mm audio headphone jack, and one Thunderbolt 4 port for direct connection to a computer. On the rear panel, there are three Thunderbolt 4 ports for connecting displays and accessories (including support for the Razer Core X external graphics card case), a Gigabit Ethernet port, and three USB Type-A 3.1 Gen 2 ports. And there is also a cylindrical connector for a 135W power supply. Additionally, the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock is equipped with a Chroma RGB lighting system. The novelty supports PD and can transmit up to 90 watts of energy to laptops. Declared support for connecting external monitors with high resolution: up to two 4K displays per hour ... >>

Body temperature affects life expectancy 13.02.2021

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute have shown that reducing calories is associated with an increase in life expectancy and a reduced risk of developing cardiovascular disease, dementia and diabetes. These diseases are associated with age and significantly reduce the quality of life in old age. During the experiment, two groups of mice received a reduced calorie diet, with one group kept at room temperature and the other placed in a warm place where the temperature was about 30 degrees Celsius. In such conditions, it is more difficult for animals to lower their body temperature. Two more groups of mice ate as usual and lived in the conditions of the first or second group. During the experiment, scientists found that temperature has the same effect on the state of the body as a decrease in calories, and maybe more. When the animals ate less food, their body temperature dropped. But a decrease in body temperature, even without food restriction, had a positive effect on ... >>

DuraCore ProScene short throw projector 13.02.2021

The Taiwanese company Optoma Corporation officially presented the world's first short-throw projector with a brightness of 7000 lumens - the DuraCore ProScene model. The novelty is capable of producing an image with a diagonal of up to 300 inches (7,62 meters) and a WUXGA resolution of 1920 x 1200 pixels. But there is also support for 4K content with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels. Moreover, the image can be formed from a minimum distance from the screen. The weight of the novelty is 12,7 kg, which sounds like a lot, but is actually about two times lighter than similar models. The contrast ratio is 1000000:1. HDR High Dynamic Range support is provided. The lens of the novelty is fixed, but the possibility of changing the lens is provided. The maximum magnification is 1,26x. HDBaseT input/output, three HDMI, VGA, LAN ports and 3D Sync input/output are provided. Also in the projector housing fit two speakers with a capacity of 10 watts each. The DuraCore ProScene is priced at $6000. ... >>

A polymer that responds to mechanical stress like a muscle 12.02.2021

Scientists have created segmented polyurethane elastomers with mechanochromic and self-reinforcing features. The development is useful for intuitive damage detection and the creation of adaptive materials. An important ability of such a biological tissue as muscles is self-healing and self-reinforcing. It occurs in response to damage caused by external forces. Most artificial polymers break down irreversibly when subjected to sufficient mechanical stress. This makes them less useful for, for example, the production of artificial organs. But what if you could create polymers that react chemically to mechanical stress and use that energy to improve their properties? A team of scientists from Tokyo Institute of Technology, Yamagata University and Sagami Institute of Chemical Research, Japan, has made significant progress in the field of bulk self-reinforcing substances. Their new polymer reacts to mechanical stress almost like a muscle. Synthesized segments ... >>

Three-layer graphene improves superconductivity at room temperature 12.02.2021

Harvard scientists reported successfully stacking three sheets of graphene and then turning each of them to the desired angle. This improved system makes it possible to obtain an even higher temperature superconductivity effect compared to two layers, already at 3K (-270°C). It is also more sensitive to an externally applied electric field, which allows you to adjust the level of conduction. But the most important result, which made it possible to talk about the prospects for obtaining superconductivity at room temperatures, was the production of a more stable strong interaction of electrons in graphene under the action of an external field. In most ordinary conductors, electrons move at high speed, sometimes collide, and thus affect each other. Upon the onset of superconductivity, they form the so-called. Cooper pairs, which allows them to avoid energy losses when passing through the crystal lattice. In this case, their interaction effects are said to be weak. With a strong interaction ... >>

Used medical masks for road construction 11.02.2021

Australian scientists propose to recycle medical masks for the production of paving slabs and road construction. Due to the pandemic, the use of disposable protective masks and gloves has increased significantly and this poses a serious threat to the environment, because they are not biodegradable. About 6,9 billion masks are produced every day in the world. Once used, they are sent to landfill or incinerated, and microplastic particles litter the land and oceans and pose a danger to animals. The experiment of scientists showed that if you crush disposable medical masks and add a small amount of this material - from 1% to 3% - to recycled concrete filler, it will not only not lose its properties, but will also become stronger. Accordingly, the masks can be effectively used for the production of pavement. According to experts, this will help not only get rid of tons of garbage, but also reduce the amount of harmful emissions that are released when plastic is burned. Cost Recycled Build ... >>

PCI Express 5.0 Switches 11.02.2021

Microchip has released the world's first PCI Express (PCIe) 5.0 switches, the Switchtec PFX PCIe 5.0 family. Next-generation appliances double the interconnect performance for high-intensity computing, networking, and NVM Express (NVMe) storage. The new products are compatible with XpressConnect timing restorers, which also support PCIe Gen 5. Switchtec PFX PCIe 5.0 family switches can have from 28 to 100 lanes and up to 48 NTB bridges. Devices support hot and unexpected plugging and secure boot authentication. They also have a set of tools for debugging and diagnostics. Microchip has additionally released a complete set of tools needed to develop end-to-end solutions based on new products. These tools include design documentation, reference design examples, evaluation boards, and other tools. ... >>

Medical nano gel 10.02.2021

There is an active debate in modern medicine regarding the need to develop and implement even more effective and versatile options for administering various drugs and drug compounds for those patients who experience various kinds of problems with the traditional invasive method of drug administration. A team of medical researchers from Stanford University presented their new development of a special nano-gel, which is perfectly amenable to external control and can slowly dissolve in living tissues, thus meeting the main requirement of such a development as a whole. And the main requirement of a new research project to develop a nano-gel is the need for a gradual and controlled dissolution of such a gel, which can serve as a kind of carrier for various drugs and compounds. The fact is that this kind of gel can serve as a really effective method for integrating drug compounds. ... >>

New Single Lens Technology 10.02.2021

Metalenz intends to fundamentally improve smartphone cameras by replacing modern lens groups in lenses with a single flat lens consisting of nanostructures. A camera with such a lens focuses the image in the same way, but at the same time collects more light for better photos. In addition, the technology allows you to make camera modules much more compact. Today, every smartphone camera has multiple lenses (lens elements) stacked after each other. In the iPhone 12 Pro, for example, the main rear camera module uses a seven-lens lens. Due to the lens system, manufacturers achieve a compact design and at the same time a sharp, focused image on the matrix. More lenses allow manufacturers to compensate for issues such as chromatic aberrations (color flaking at the edges of an image) or lens distortion (when straight lines in a photo look curved). However, placing lenses on top of each other requires more space. ... >>

mushroom bricks 09.02.2021

Mushrooms are useful not only for pizza toppings: a growing number of entrepreneurs are looking at them as an environmentally friendly building material. Engineers are already experimenting with mushrooms that could significantly reduce the construction industry's carbon footprint. They also decompose easily when it comes time to demolish a building. The construction industry is currently responsible for 39% of anthropogenic CO2 emissions, with 21% of these emissions coming from steel and concrete production. Construction also uses a huge amount of natural resources, such as sand, the extraction of which is also often associated with environmental damage. To create a mushroom "brick", the mycelium of the mushroom is mixed with straw or other agricultural waste and allowed to germinate for two weeks. The brick is then fired in an oven or treated with chemicals to kill the fungus. A block sprouted with mycelium threads is an excellent building material, durable, fire resistant, light - and neutral in terms of ... >>

Optical Neural Network Accelerator 09.02.2021

Researchers from the George Washington University (USA) and the University of California, together with specialists from a startup in the field of photonics Optelligence LLC, have created a special optical accelerator for a convolutional neural network. It is a photonics based solution based on the unique scaling laws in optics. The non-iterative timing of the processor, combined with fast programmability and massive parallelism, allows an optical machine learning system to outperform even the most modern graphics chipsets by more than an order of magnitude. And in the future, the new system can be further optimized. Existing electronic machine learning hardware processes information sequentially. And the new optical processor uses Fourier optics, a frequency filtering concept that allows you to perform the necessary neural network convolution operations, as well as simpler element-wise multiplications using digital mirror technology. The new processor can handle ... >>

Segway Ninebot RC Scooter 08.02.2021

The American electric scooter rental company Spin operates in various cities in the United States and provides scooter rentals that you can leave at your destination. In San Francisco, California, where Spin has the largest fleet of scooters, the San Francisco Department of Transportation requires operators to respond to improperly parked scooters within two hours and can fine the operator $100 for each such scooter. This is to prevent scooters from parking on the pavement where they interfere with the movement of pedestrians and people with disabilities. Spin said it takes this very seriously. The average parking time for her scooters over the past three months is 54 minutes. Spin plans to return them to the base in the future without involving employees. To achieve this goal, Spin has announced an alliance with Tortoise to launch a new type of scooter called the Spin S-200. This remote control scooter will appear ... >>

The fastest computer mouse 08.02.2021

Razer has released a mouse for gamers with record performance. The Razer Viper 8K is the fastest mouse on the market, according to the company. Created by an American company, the device operates at a frequency of 8000 hertz, that is, it receives data from the sensor eight thousand times per second. This is about eight times faster than the sensor frequency in conventional computer mice. The increase in speed was due to HyperPolling technology, which collects data from an optical sensor and transfers it to a computer via a high-speed USB microcontroller. Optical sensor latency has been reduced from 1 millisecond to 1/8 millisecond. Razer says that this speed is impossible to assess with the naked eye, but you can notice smoother cursor movement and the absence of microlags in operation. The rest of the Razer Viper 8K has not changed compared to the previous version of the device. The model received the latest generation of optical switches, the latest optical sensor ... >>

Ion microscope 07.02.2021

Scientists from the University of Stuttgart (Germany) have developed a powerful ion microscope to study quantum gases. Unlike most microscopes designed to study quantum gases, this device is not limited to the reconstruction of two-dimensional systems and allows you to study with spatial and temporal resolution completely different systems, such as samples in the ground state, Rydberg ensembles, or cold ions immersed in quantum gases. The researchers plan to use the new tool to expand research on cold ion-atom hybrid flows, and intend to prove the collision energies in these flows in ultracold mode. ... >>

Dedicated accelerometer IIS2ICLX 07.02.2021

The IIS2ICLX MEMS accelerometer from STMicroelectronics received the CES Innovation Award 2021 in the Smart City category as a high-precision inclinometer (tilt meter) with a machine learning core. The combination of high stability and repeatability, high accuracy and resolution makes the IIS2ICLX ideal for industrial applications such as antenna system positioning, platform leveling, construction machinery, machine tool mounting and position monitoring, and Industry 4.0 applications such as robots and autonomous guided vehicles. funds. When monitoring the condition of structures, accurately measuring tilt and vibration with the IIS2ICLX can help assess the integrity of construction sites and infrastructure, such as bridges or tunnels. The IIS2ICLX has a switchable full scale of +-0,5/+-1/+-2/+-3 g and transmits measured values ​​via I2C or SPI digital interfaces. High precision, temperature stability and repeatability make ... >>

Lobsters helped make concrete stronger 06.02.2021

Buildings printed on a 3D printer have become an integral part of our lives. But how can you make them stronger? Researchers from the Royal Melbourne University of Technology (RMIT University) have found the answer to this question. They have developed a new type of 3D printing that significantly increases the strength of concrete. To achieve the desired effect, the authors of the know-how have adopted a special pattern and structure of the lobster shell. This invention will certainly be in demand by the authors of complex architectural projects. So says Jonathan Tran, lead researcher in the Department of Structured Materials and Design at RMIT University. The most common pattern that a 3D printer uses is unidirectional. With it, the layers are superimposed on each other in parallel lines. Instead, the team experimented with layering the concrete in helicoidal patterns inspired by the structure of a lobster shell. In addition, 1-2 percent steel fibers were included in the concrete. It contributed to a faster ... >>

Video card GeForce RTX 3090 Hall of Fame 06.02.2021

Galax introduced the GeForce RTX 3090 video card in the Hall of Fame (HOF) flagship modification, designed for enthusiasts and overclockers. It has four solutions that differ in the delivery kit and factory overclocking of the Nvidia GA102 core. The new products are based on a printed circuit board with a 26-phase power system, which we talked about last week. The base solution of the line is the Galax GeForce RTX 3090 HOF. It is characterized by a GPU boost frequency of 1815 MHz, and the package includes gloves with the Hall of Fame logo and a graphics card stand. Up a notch is the GeForce RTX 3090 HOF Premium. In terms of characteristics, it does not differ from the above model, but it is equipped with a 4,3-inch HOF Panel III display with a resolution of 480x272. It connects to the system via a USB interface and is fixed on magnets, thanks to which it can be installed not only on the end of a video card. Galax GeForce RTX 3090 HOF Limited Edition has the same kit ... >>

Wireless microwave charging 05.02.2021

Xiaomi has developed a wireless charger Mi Air Charge, capable of charging gadgets literally through the air. Mi Air Charge is the name of a technology and at the same time a small device, inside of which there are specialized antennas. Some of these antennas are used to track the location of the gadget in the room, while others are responsible for the directional transmission of energy. Mi Air Charge will not work with existing smartphones on the market - Xiaomi has reserved this technology for its future innovations. The main Mi Air Charge box contains five phase antennas for "spying" on a smartphone or other compatible device. Xiaomi has said that this technology will be suitable for its smartwatches, bracelets and other portable electronics in the future. Mi Air Charge takes milliseconds to track the location of the device for recharging. An array of 144 antennas is responsible for the charging itself, allowing the millimeter waves to be directed. This is fundamentally different ... >>

tissue that kills viruses 05.02.2021

American scientists design tissue capable of destroying viruses. The study aims to create safer medical clothing for healthcare workers. The project is headed by Patricia Dolez. Her goal is to develop a textile treatment that kills viruses, including COVID-19, on contact: "We are developing something that will make the fabric self-disinfecting." Building on existing technology, scientists are trying to adapt a chemical used to disinfect swimming pools to treat textiles. This chemical is sensitive to light, so Dolez and colleagues want to make it a light-resistant compound that can be applied to fabric. At the same time, so that protective clothing does not lose its properties after washing and can be reused. A new chemical compound will break the chain of cross-contamination: "Imagine that a person does not infect anyone, even himself, by touching his mask. Bacteria or in ... >>

Windmills above the Eiffel Tower 04.02.2021

In the largest onshore wind park in Europe, Markbygden, which is being built in Sweden, they are going to install giant wind turbines 300 meters high. Their size will be comparable to the height of the Eiffel Tower. Bloomberg writes about it. By the end of the first quarter of 2021, the company Svevind, which operates the wind farm, is going to submit a request for the placement of record-breaking wind turbines. Obtaining a permit can take two to three years. In addition, at the moment, windmills of this size have not yet been invented. The largest rig currently on the market is the 5.8-170 from Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy SA. The higher the windmills, the more energy they will produce. By the end of the decade, 1101 installations will be operating in the park - together they will provide about eight percent of Sweden's electricity needs. By 2035, the demand for electricity in Sweden will grow by 70 percent, so already now cor ... >>

Biodegradable displays for green electronics 04.02.2021

Scientists from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT, Germany) have created biodegradable printed displays that can be recycled after use. The new development will help save resources and reduce the amount of electronic waste. The new display works due to the so-called electrochromic effect of the original organic material. When voltage is applied through conductive electrodes, the material changes its color. Electrochromic displays have low power consumption and simpler architecture compared to commercially available displays such as LED, LCD and E-paper. A further advantage is that these displays can be produced by inkjet printing in an inexpensive and economical manner. Mostly natural or biocompatible materials are used. Sealing with gelatin makes the display adhesive and flexible so it can be worn directly on the skin. The display is generally suitable for applications with a short life cycle in various sectors. Yes, in medicine ... >>

Wireless Implant for Remote Brain Control 03.02.2021

Scientists from South Korea have developed a new type of brain implant, which they tested on a laboratory rat. For example, researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) implanted a tiny device into the brain of a rat, injected it with a dose of cocaine, and then were able to control the animal using a smartphone app. Thanks to the implant, scientists were able to block the behavior caused by cocaine. A feature and advantage of the new type of neuroimplant is the ability to charge via a wireless network, which eliminates the need for a surgical operation in the event of a battery discharge. In addition, without wires on the body, patients will be able to feel more natural. The neuroimplant receives commands from the smartphone via Bluetooth. According to scientists, their technology will be able to improve the conduct of experiments on animals, since remote control does not restrict their movements. The researchers also hope that the development will open up new research opportunities. ... >>

Vector network analyzer up to 26,5 GHz from Rohde & Schwarz 03.02.2021

A new product from Rohde & Schwarz is the R&S ZNH, a complete two-port handheld network analyzer with AFT/antenna analysis and full S-parameter measurements. Both of these functions are available in the basic version. The R&S ZNH is easy to operate, highly configurable and compact, ideal for field testing. The R&S ZNH is a handheld vector network analyzer that allows you to identify faulty RF cables and communication system components. The R&S ZNH can also measure microwave components in the laboratory and in the field up to 26,5 GHz. The R&S ZNH is a reference instrument for standard measurement tasks such as cable and antenna analysis and full two-port S-parameter measurements. The analyzer has built-in receiver step attenuators on both test ports, which prevents them from possible overload. The R&S ZNH four-receiver architecture supports the unknown jumper calibration technique. ... >>

Processing food waste into food 02.02.2021

Microbiologists from the University of California (USA) have found that fermented food waste can stimulate the growth of bacteria, increasing the growth of crops. Thanks to these bacteria, plants become more resistant to pathogens and reduce carbon emissions from agriculture, according to a press service from the University of California. The authors of the work examined the by-products of two types of food waste: beer wort, a by-product of beer production, and mixed food waste thrown away by grocery stores. Both waste types were fermented by River Road Research. They were added to the irrigation system for watering citrus fruits in the greenhouse. Within 24 hours, the average population of beneficial bacteria was two to three orders of magnitude greater than that of plants that had not received treatment, a trend that continued each time the researchers added the drug. The environmental scientists then studied the nutrients, such as carbon and nitrogen, in the soil. ... >>

biofuel rocket 02.02.2021

Startup bluShift Aerospace has launched an ultralight biofuel rocket. According to the director of the company, the fuel is so non-toxic that he can give it to his daughters. US company bluShift Aerospace, which is developing a rocket to launch small satellites into space, conducted its first major test on Sunday. The developers launched a small-sized six-meter Stardust 1.0 rocket, powered by biofuel, to a height of about 1,2 kilometers. It can lift up to eight kilograms of payload. The low-altitude demonstration run at Limestone was the culmination of six years of research and development and over two hundred engine tests. The power plants and control systems of the aircraft were tested. The company is betting on becoming a faster and more efficient way to transport satellites into space. According to him, a unique patented formula of safe biofuel was used for the launch. The company spent $800 on ... >>

Renewables have overtaken fossil fuels 01.02.2021

For the first time in 2020, European Union residents received more electricity from renewable sources than from fossil fuels, according to the annual report of the Agora Energiewende Institute in Berlin and analysts from Ember. The report, which has been tracking the EU's energy sector since 2015, shows that last year renewables generated 38% of electricity compared to 37% from fossil fuels. This is due to the targeted policy of the European Union on the development of alternative energy sources. Statistics say wind and solar power have almost doubled since 2015 and accounted for one-fifth of EU electricity generation last year. Also in 2020, electricity generation from coal decreased by 20% - now this source provides only 13% of all electricity produced in the EU. "The rapid growth of wind and solar energy has led to a reduction in coal, but this is only the beginning, - ... >>

Lead is stronger than steel 01.02.2021

Lead is a very soft metal that can be easily minted and bent, but only under normal conditions. When extreme pressure is applied to lead, it becomes ten times harder than steel. Scientists created extreme pressure using a laser system at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, and subjected it to lead. The metal found itself in conditions typical of the Earth's core - the pressure inside the metal was about 400 gigapascals. The scientists, led by Andrew Kreiger of Lawrence Livermore University, observed fluctuations in lead, which was under incredible pressure. "The increase in vibration was relatively slow - our sample was calculated to be two hundred and fifty times stronger than lead under normal conditions. This means that lead under extreme pressure can be ten times harder than the highest strength steel," says Kreiger. Experiments have shown that high pressure changes the structural properties of lead - the metal is not ... >>

Bilingualism improves perception of information and attentiveness 31.01.2021

A group of scientists from Stanford, Cambridge and Reading Universities conducted a study in which it turned out that learning a second language in early childhood increases attentiveness and improves cognitive abilities. According to scientists, the brains of bilinguals are more plastic because they process large amounts of information from early childhood. In addition, people who started learning a second language between the ages of 0 and 3 switch between tasks much faster. "If children grow up in a more complex language environment, they learn to use different sources of information - not only speech, but also, for example, gestures, slight changes in facial expressions, articulation. Children from bilingual families adapt to their more complex language environment by choosing more samples visual environment and paying more attention to new information," said Professor Dean D'Souza. Bilingual children are also better at puzzles and, as adults, are more effective at making decisions and planning. ... >>

Self-cleaning surfaces 31.01.2021

Algae is not only a source of iodine and other trace elements necessary for the human body, but also the basis of promising antibacterial agents. Scientists have learned to use the antimicrobial ability of algae to create self-cleaning surfaces. A new technology based on the antibacterial properties of algae was created by specialists from the British-Dutch company Unilever, who worked in collaboration with experts from Innova Partnerships. The new solution will be commercialized by the startup Penrhos Bio. It is about creating self-cleaning surfaces that are based on the natural cleaning process of algae. Marine plants use a compound called lactam to repel invaders. Scientists have found that on the basis of such a composition, revolutionary cleaning products can be created. Seaweeds show some truly unique properties, especially in terms of fighting bacteria. The use of substances from algae allows the effect ... >>

Graphene water filter 30.01.2021

When sheets of two-dimensional nanomaterials, such as graphene, are stacked on top of each other, tiny gaps form between the sheets, which have many potential uses. A team of researchers at Brown University has found a way to orient these gaps so that they can be used to filter water and other liquids from nano-sized contaminants. The gaps between the graphene sheets in question are called nanochannels. In fact, they are difficult to use for water filtration due to the location of the nanochannels. Imagine a notebook with sheets of graphene instead of sheets of paper. They are thinner in the vertical direction compared to the length and width in the horizontal plane. This means that the channels between the sheets are also oriented horizontally, which is not ideal for filtration: the liquid has to travel a relatively long distance to get from one end of the channel to the other. It would be better if the channels were perpendicular ... >>

Determining the authenticity of coffee 30.01.2021

There are two main varieties of coffee - the more expensive Arabica and the cheaper Robusta. To get the best price, producers often mix beans of two varieties, believing that after roasting it will be very difficult to determine their ratio. In laboratory conditions, chromatography and spectroscopy methods are used to authenticate coffee varieties, which are costly and time consuming. With a simpler and cheaper version of extraction with chloroform, it is not possible to determine all the necessary types of compounds. Scientists from the University of Guelph and the National Research Council of Canada have developed a new method to quantify the composition of coffee in a package based on the nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method. In particular, using NMR, the researchers successfully identified all 12 compounds that are commonly studied in tests of pure coffee, and whose concentrations differ depending on the variety and geographical origin of the beans - caffeine, trigonelline, 3- and 5-caffeylquine. ... >>

Network BLE coprocessor 29.01.2021

STMicroelectronics introduced the BlueNRG-2N Bluetooth 5.0 certified network processor with improved power consumption and support for the latest Bluetooth features that increase throughput and enhance data privacy and security (Figure 1). The BlueNRG-2N network coprocessor is pre-programmed and ready to be connected to an external microcontroller for Bluetooth communication. It can be applied in smart medical handheld devices, PC peripherals, remote controls, lighting, industrial and home automation. The network processor allows you to optimize the choice of microcontroller in accordance with the requirements of a particular product. The latest Bluetooth enhancements introduced with the BlueNRG-2N include support for Data Length Extension, which speeds up over-the-air (OTA) firmware updates by up to 2,5x and boosts data rates up to 700 kbps on ... >>

Lavo home hydrogen batteries 29.01.2021

The Australian company Lavo introduced the world's first hydrogen battery for home use. The Lavo system stores 40kWh and costs $27. This is three times the capacity of the Tesla Powerwall 2 system, with a relatively small difference in the cost of three Tesla installations versus one Lavo. As conceived by the developers, the hydrogen battery should utilize excess electricity from home solar panels. To do this, the system provides the necessary terminals for connecting panels. Also, the battery is connected through a purification filter to a source of running water to extract hydrogen from it. A built-in lithium battery with a capacity of 5 kWh insures against drops in the generated voltage. All this is enclosed in a cabinet with sides of 1680 x 1240 x 400 mm, which weighs 324 kg. Excess electricity from the solar panel produces water electrolysis and stores hydrogen in special containers with sponge filler at a pressure of 30 bar (in the images, containers with hydrogen - next ... >>

Superconducting DNA wires 28.01.2021

Physicists have figured out how to use DNA origami technology to produce superconducting nanowires of arbitrary shape and length. Due to this, it is possible that they can be used for the production of nanoelectronics. In recent years, scientists have identified many organic compounds that could replace silicon and other semiconductors in computer chips. Many of these compounds are already used in the development of LED and liquid crystal displays, sensors and various medical and scientific devices. At the same time, it turned out to be much more difficult to synthesize organic molecules that could conduct current and, due to this, replace metals. For example, scientists found one such substance only three years ago. It is an integrin protein that coats the surface of human cells. It turned out that its fragments can conduct current almost without loss. Researchers from Israel and the United States have found that DNA molecules with metal nanoparticles attached to them can be used as scaffolds for ... >>

Raspberry Pi Pico microcontroller board 28.01.2021

The Raspberry Pi Foundation, widely known for its Raspberry Pi single-board microcomputers among engineers and electronics enthusiasts, has unveiled its first microcontroller board called the Raspberry Pi Pico. Now it is the most affordable board in the Raspberry Pi range - its price in the US is only 4 dollars (113 hryvnias). The Raspberry Pi Pico can be considered the answer to competing Arduino Nano microcontrollers for home DIY gadgets. The basis of the Raspberry Pi Pico board is a new microcontroller of our own design RP2040. The main goals that were pursued during its development were high performance, especially for integer calculations, wide possibilities for connecting external devices and low price. The result is a tiny "crystal" with an area of ​​two square millimeters in a QFN-56 package with dimensions of 7x7 mm.‎ The dimensions of the Raspberry Pi Pico board itself are 51x21 mm. RP2040 Microcontroller Specifications: Dual Core ... >>

Stretching the diamond 27.01.2021

To say that diamond is not the most elastic material in the world is a gross understatement. While the stretch coefficient of the most elastic materials can be hundreds of percent, this value for diamond, the hardest material in the world, does not exceed 0.4 percent. However, a group of scientists from Hong Kong managed to find a way to stretch nano-sized diamonds to such an extent that it radically changes their electronic and optical properties. This, in turn, can serve as the first step into the world of new "diamond" devices and instruments. Researchers from the City University of Hong Kong have found that at the nanoscale, diamond has a higher elasticity than in the normal form of this material. And the first experiments, carried out several years ago, served as experimental confirmation that nanosized diamond "needles" withstood the impact, which caused an elastic deformation of as much as 9 percent. In recent studies, ... >>

Biological magnetoreception 27.01.2021

Scientists have long suspected that because magnets can attract and repel electrons, the Earth's magnetic or geomagnetic field could influence animal behavior through chemical reactions. When certain molecules are excited by light, an electron can jump from one molecule to another and create two molecules with single electrons, known as radical pairs. Single electrons can be in one of two different spin states. If two radicals have the same electron spin, their subsequent chemical reactions proceed slowly, while pairs of radicals with opposite electron spins can react faster. Magnetic fields can affect the spin states of electrons and thus directly affect chemical reactions involving radical pairs. So the Japanese became interested in flavin molecules. They are a subunit of cryptochromes, which are molecules capable of glowing or fluorescence when exposed to blue light. ... >>

Navigation system for firefighters 26.01.2021

Every year, hundreds of firefighters die worldwide, and tens of thousands are injured and maimed. One of the main reasons for such sad statistics is thick smoke. With heavy smoke, people risk getting lost and trapped. To remedy the situation, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Science and Technology has teamed up with NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to create a new navigation technology. The development allows you to more accurately determine the location of people in burning buildings. The transmitters and the POINTER command station were deployed in a 5-storey building with an area of ​​about 750 square meters. The design imitated a residential five-story building. The command station tracked the movement of transmitters inside the building at a distance of up to 70 meters. The POINTER system was able to accurately locate the transmitters to within 1 meter in XNUMXD space. But in most cases, the error was several tens of centimeters. The transmitter itself is ... >>

Mini computer Shuttle XPC DA320 26.01.2021

Shuttle introduced the XPC DA320 computer with support for AM4 hybrid chips. In the assortment of Taiwanese, this is the first mini-PC on the AMD platform in eight years. The device is made in a case with dimensions of 190(L) x 165(W) x 43(H) mm and built on a motherboard with A320 logic. Shuttle XPC DA320 is compatible with Ryzen/Athlon hybrid chips based on Zen and Zen+ microarchitecture. Ryzen 4000G APUs released last year are not supported. The computer supports two SO-DIMM DDR4 memory modules (maximum 32 GB), a 2,5-inch SATA 6 Gb / s drive and an M.2 SSD. An M.2 connector for the wireless module is also available on the board. The system equipment includes two gigabit network interfaces on Realtek RTL8111H controllers, six USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, a pair of USB 2.0, two 3,5 mm audio jacks powered by the Realtek ALC662 chip, an SD card reader slot, DisplayPort 1.4 (x2) and HDMI 2.0 video outputs , as well as two serial ports. For pit ... >>

Smart brake light for bicycles 25.01.2021

Like any smart device, smart bike brake lights can be annoyingly difficult to use. As a rule, existing models on the market need to be synchronized with a smartphone or smart watch, since they rely on third-party sensors and GPS modules to work. The new Otto brake light, designed by Texan engineers Jeff Johnson and Jonathan Fehn, doesn't need anything like that. Despite the presence of smart functions, this gadget is made as simple as possible. The user just needs to install Otto on the bike and forget about it. After installation, the device does everything on its own. When the user gets on the bike, the integrated inertial sensor detects movement. The device is activated and the ambient light sensor measures the brightness of the environment. This allows Otto to automatically adjust the brightness of the glow depending on the weather and time of day. Perhaps the most interesting feature is the brake light. When the bike slows down, Otto starts ... >>

Biodegradable stent for children with respiratory diseases 25.01.2021

Narrowing of the airways is a complex pathology for children. Usually it is treated with surgical methods and a special tube is installed - a stent, so that the airways do not close and do not interfere with the access of air to the body. Over time, stents (usually made of metal or silicone) are removed because they can damage the airways. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh in the US have found a way to create a magnesium alloy stent that is biodegradable. In laboratory experiments, the stent showed ultra-high plasticity, due to which there is no damage to body tissues, and showed better results than those used so far. ... >>

Quantum communication system based on drones 24.01.2021

A team of Chinese scientists managed to deploy a quantum communication system using drones. Thus, they managed to create an experimental communication system protected by quantum encryption. In such systems, pairs of entangled photons are usually used, transmitting one of them to the recipient. The laws of quantum mechanics do not allow an outsider to unauthorizedly measure the state of the sent photon, while not giving himself away by changing the corresponding state of the second one. However, the transmission of entangled particles over long distances is still a difficult task - especially by air, with a laser beam. The priority for the deployment of global communications remains low-orbit satellites in combination with ground-based infrastructure. But in order to deploy a quantum communication system in limited areas, ground stations and drones can be used. This possibility was demonstrated by Chinese scientists. A compact entangled photon generator was placed on board each drone. One of ... >>

Metal liquid alloys with drawings 24.01.2021

Liquid alloys are able to solidify with patterns like those of zebras or leopards. Such a structure, according to experts, opens up completely new opportunities in metallurgy. The authors of the discovery were employees of the Sydney University of New South Wales and the University of Auckland. Pattern formation is widely used in artificial systems and industry, especially in metallurgy. Today there is even a whole branch of "matellography", which specializes in the study of microscale structures and compositions of metals and alloys. A team of specialists studied exactly what types of patterns are found on the surface of hardened alloys. For this, two-component metal mixtures were used. This phenomenon was previously ignored, but it improves the understanding of liquid metal alloys and their phase transition processes. ... >>

Drone that forms clouds and causes precipitation 23.01.2021

Drone Ganlin-1 (translated from Chinese - "sweet rain") generates artificial precipitation. Climate change has begun to change the face of the planet, so scientists are increasingly beginning to come up with technologies that change natural processes. Back in March 2019, Chinese researchers launched a project to change the weather - namely, to call rain. By order of meteorologists, they created the Ganlin-1 drone (translated from Chinese as "sweet rain"), which generates artificial precipitation. In January, the unmanned aerial vehicle successfully made its first test flight, spending more than 30 minutes in the air. The drone is trained to spray substances with an undisclosed composition that contribute to the formation of clouds and precipitation. Previously, instead of drones for these purposes, the Chinese used aircraft and missiles that spray silver iodide in the air. ... >>

Sound card Creative Sound Blaster Z SE 23.01.2021

Creative Technology has introduced the Sound Blaster Z SE sound card. The device uses a high-performance quad-core Sound Core3D processor to process audio and speech signals. This chip makes it possible to remove the load from the main processor of the computer. The card is equipped with a headphone amplifier that allows you to use studio-level devices with an impedance of up to 600 ohms. The novelty supports 7.1-channel virtual surround sound in speakers and headphones, as well as discrete 5.1-channel sound in speakers. The Sound Blaster Z SE comes with support for audio profiles for popular games like PUBG, as well as microphone EQ presets to further improve voice communication. In particular, the microphone equalizer (available through the Sound Blaster Command software) balances the sound quality of the built-in headset microphone by reducing the harshness of the tonality, sounding more natural and rich, or boosting ... >>

Bilateral solar panels 22.01.2021

An international team from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia (KAUST) and the University of Toronto Engineering (Canada) has developed a solar cell that combines the best features of perovskite and silicon technologies. Today there are tandem solar cells that combine perovskite and silicon. Compared to conventional silicon batteries, these cells are more efficient at converting sunlight into electricity by absorbing additional spectrum. Specialists offer a two-way tandem configuration, which not only absorbs the widest possible spectrum of direct sunlight, but also captures scattered reflected light (albedo). This design allows the battery to generate a record amount of energy. The new batteries are double sided. Their front part captures direct sunlight, and the back part captures the light that is reflected from the ground or other surfaces. It is important that such batteries can be ... >>

Transferring data from a computer to the genome of living bacteria 22.01.2021

Scientists from Columbia University have learned how to transfer data from a computer into the genome of living bacteria. During the study, the specialists managed to realize the conditions under which it is possible to write 72 bits of data directly into DNA. As a result, scientists wrote down the encoded phrase "Hello world!" into plasmids of live E. coli bacteria. Moreover, the recorded phrase could be read after DNA sequencing of live bacteria. Traditional data records in DNA are based on encoding the ones and zeros of the data file as a combination of four nitrogenous bases: adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine. At the same time, for reading, in this case, the process of sequencing the encoded sequences is necessary. The cost of the described process can be $3500 per Mbps. Moreover, this is not the most reliable method of recording information in DNA. Thanks to computer coding in the DNA of living bacteria, the specialists did not resort to artificial DNA synthesis, thanks to which they managed to save money at least at this stage. ... >>

Biosensor for highly sensitive detection of molecules 21.01.2021

Imec has unveiled the smallest silicon FinFET that functions as a biosensor. The developers managed to create an ultra-small transistor: the edge width is 13 nm, and the gate length is 50 nm. Due to their high degree of integration and low cost, field-effect transistors (FETs) have generated great interest for biosensing applications such as DNA, protein, virus and pH detection. When biomolecules bind to the chemically modified dielectric surface of the gate, its threshold voltage changes, resulting in a measurable signal. Despite the continuous progress of research in this area, biosensitive transistors - BioFET devices - have not yet shown their full potential in the market. Imec has been investigating how an advanced generation of CMOS FET devices (finFET short length XNUMXD gate transistors) can improve BioFET sensitivity. This will help to use applied medicine. Such finFET transistors have ... >>

metallic fuel 20.01.2021

Microgravity is helping to provide answers and models for improving the processes needed to efficiently burn solid fuels such as iron dust. Solid propellants are used to burn matches, to light sparklers on New Year's Eve, and as fuel in the boosters of many rockets. But metals like iron can also burn as a powder, they are completely smokeless and contain no carbon. Metals can be produced using clean energy, such as solar panels or wind turbines. This electricity is stored as chemical energy in metal powder with energy densities that are comparable to fossil fuels. The technology has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions globally, but an obstacle to the implementation of this technology is the development of combustion systems that can efficiently burn metallic fuels, which requires a solid understanding of the physics of their combustion. To understand the physics of combustion of metallic fuel ... >>

Combat laser HELIOS 20.01.2021

The US Navy received a combat laser for mounting on a warship. The HELIOS system will be installed on the USS Preble (Arleigh Burke class) destroyer during maintenance. Thus, the US Navy will receive the world's only unique combat laser installation for testing in real conditions. The HELIOS system or high-energy laser with integrated optical blinding and surveillance systems is a composite source of high-quality laser radiation. This is a fiber optic laser based on spectral combining technology, where several individual lasers are combined to form a beam of increased power (almost like the Death Star, but smaller). The power of the HELIOS plant exceeded 60 kW, which is higher than that stated in the project. By the way, composite lasers are highly scalable, which allows you to create a setup for land, mobile or air-based with its own specific requirements. Similar projects are being developed in other countries ... >>

Huawei Smart Life Air Purifier 1Pro 19.01.2021

Huawei introduced the Smart Life Air Purifier 1Pro. The model is equipped with a 5-inch color IPS screen and supports management through the Huawei Smart Life proprietary mobile application. The device is able to rid the air of more than 99% of the bacteria hovering in it. The novelty also knows how to deal with allergens and chemical impurities. Depending on the set cleaning mode, the performance of the novelty ranges from 400 to 800 cubic meters of air per hour. At the same time, the device is characterized by a low noise level - only 31 dB. The Smart Life Air Purifier 1Pro is priced at $338. ... >>

Characteristics of polarons determined 19.01.2021

Researchers at Stanford University's SLAC National Linear Accelerator Laboratory used one of their X-ray lasers to track the origin and formation of so-called polarons, and to measure the basic characteristics of these formations. Polarons are deformations of the crystal lattice of a material that arise around moving free electrons and disappear without a trace after trillionths of a second. Despite such a short "lifespan", these deformations, according to scientists, affect some properties of the material and change its behavior, in particular, the response to light photons, which is especially pronounced in materials belonging to the perovskite class. Perovskites are transparent materials whose name is derived from perovskite, a naturally occurring transparent mineral. About ten years ago, it was noticed that the inclusion of materials of this class in the composition of solar cells ... >>

Types of Curiosity 19.01.2021

At the University of Pennsylvania, an experiment was conducted where scientists divided people into two groups depending on their curiosity. The study involved 149 volunteers of both sexes. They were offered with Wikipedia sections that had tutorial directions. Participants had to look through the information they were interested in, devoting 15 minutes to each section. The experiment lasted for 21 hours. During this time, volunteers have read more than 18 articles. According to the results of the collected data, the scientists concluded that people can be divided into two groups: "hunters" and "troublemakers". Hunters were only interested in viewing specific information. The troublemakers were tracking unrelated data, which equates to general curiosity. Scientific research done in the United States of America should help in the future. Based on these data, the experts want to create a new technology for teaching in educational institutions. ... >>

Photons instead of electrons for revolutionary processors 18.01.2021

Modern computing capabilities of classical processor architectures have exhausted themselves, IBM is sure. Moreover, they have become an obstacle to the development of machine learning and artificial intelligence systems. A breakthrough is seen in the development of silicon photonics and memory computing, where data is processed where it is stored. And today, IBM proved that they have found the way to the electronics of the future, in which photons will fly through circuits instead of electrons. IBM teamed up with scientists from several countries to develop and implement an optical computing system to accelerate neural networks. In particular, the company created a "photonic tensor core" that is capable of performing the so-called convolution operation - a mathematical operation on two functions that outputs a third function - in one time step. This is usually a simple addition or multiplication, but processing a single piece of data requires billions of such operations, so low latency and low sweat ... >>

Powerful graphene material for high-performance supercapacitors 18.01.2021

A team of scientists working with a professor of inorganic and organometallic chemistry at the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has developed a new, powerful and stable graphene hybrid material for supercapacitors. It serves as the positive electrode in the energy storage device. The researchers combine it with a proven negative electrode based on titanium and carbon. The new energy storage device not only provides an energy density of up to 73 kWh per kg, which is roughly equivalent to the energy density of a NiMH battery. At the same time, the new device performs much better than most other supercapacitors, at a power density of 16 kWh per kg. The secret of the new supercapacitor lies in the combination of different materials, which is why chemists call the supercapacitor "asymmetrical". The idea of ​​combining basic materials was carried over to supercapacitors. As a basis, they used a new positive storage electrode with a chemically modified graph. ... >>

Liquid-fueled microscopic robot 17.01.2021

Researchers at the University of Southern California's Autonomous Microrobot Laboratory (AMSL) have created the world's smallest, lightest, fully autonomous crawling microscopic robot. The device, called the RoBeetle, has a mass of just 88 milligrams - roughly the equivalent mass of three grains of rice. The robot uses a fundamentally new type of actuator that functions like an artificial muscle. The artificial musculature of the RoBeetle robot is powered by controlled catalytic combustion, a technology that will enable the development of a new generation of micro-robots capable of functioning on land, water and air. Small robots require a highly efficient source of autonomous energy. At the same time, the existing technologies of electric batteries are still inferior in terms of specific energy to liquid fuel. Thus, the specific energy of ordinary methanol (20 MJ/kg) is approximately an order of magnitude higher than that of the most advanced batteries (1,8 MJ/kg). The "muscles" of RoBeetle are based on thin wires. ... >>

Power Supply SilverStone NJ700 17.01.2021

SilverStone Technology's product range is complemented by the NJ700 power supply, which is designed without a fan. The 700W unit is 80 Plus Titanium certified, proving that the efficiency never drops below 90% under any load. The power supply is built according to a scheme with a single 12 V bus. The manufacturer notes that it uses only Japanese-made capacitors, and the deviation of the output voltages from the nominal value does not exceed + -2%. Of course, there is protection against abnormal situations, including voltage, current and power overload, overheating and short circuit. The advantages of the novelty include a modular cable system and small dimensions - 170 x 150 x 86 mm. ... >>

Healing properties of gold 16.01.2021

Scientists from the Spanish University URV found that the nanoparticles found in gold can kill pathogenic bacteria. Specialists in the laboratory synthesized nanoparticles, the diameter of which is eight times smaller than the thickness of a hair. It turned out that in the presence of these particles, bacterial cells change, because their walls can not cope with the "pressure". Thus, inert nanoparticles kill pathogenic bacteria. Scientists also modeled the disease process - as a result of the experiment, they confirmed their conclusions about the healing properties of gold. It is a fairly strong antiseptic, experts say. It is not known whether gold can be used to prevent diseases. The reason for this is the cost of the precious metal. In addition, it is assumed that any noble metal has similar healing properties. ... >>

High-entropy alloys for new superconductors 16.01.2021

Researchers at Tokyo Metropolitan University have developed a new high-entropy alloy superconductor using extensive data on simple superconducting substances with a specific crystal structure. High-entropy alloys are known to retain superconducting characteristics up to extremely high pressures. The new superconductor Co0.2Ni0.1Cu0.1Rh0.3Ir0.3Zr2 has a superconducting transition at 8K, which is a relatively high temperature for alloys. The team's approach can be applied to the discovery of new superconducting materials with specific desirable properties. More than a hundred years have passed since the discovery of superconductivity, when it was found that some materials suddenly exhibit minimal resistance to electric currents below the transition temperature. As we explore ways to eliminate energy waste, a way to significantly reduce transmission losses is an exciting prospect. But widespread use ... >>

Nio ET7 electric sedan 15.01.2021

Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer Nio has unveiled a new model, the ET7 premium all-electric sedan with impressive performance. The Nio ET7 is built on a 480kW twin motor platform (180kW permanent magnet motor on the front axle and 300kW asynchronous motor on the rear axle), which equates to 653 hp. Peak torque is 850 Nm, which allows the electric car to accelerate to 100 km/h in just 3,9 seconds. In comparison, the upcoming 1100-horsepower Model S Plaid will be able to accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in less than 2 seconds. The range of the base Nio ET7 with a 70 kWh battery is 500 km (according to the NEDC cycle). For the variant with a battery capacity of 100 kWh, they promise 700 km on a single charge, and the top version with a solid-state battery with a capacity of 150 kWh is capable of traveling over 1000 km without recharging. The new brainchild of the "Chinese Tesla" also impresses with a complex of different sensors and subsystems for autonomous driving. "Brain" Nio ET7 ... >>

Shampost - compost after growing champignons 15.01.2021

Spanish scientists in a common project have developed a technology that allows you to recycle compost after growing champignon mushrooms. In general, the compost for growing champignons has several components, in particular, straw, horse or bird droppings, etc. are added. It is watered and compacted. But the problem is that then this compost needs to be disposed of. They found a way out: compost utilization occurs through a biogas plant. The pilot project was launched in the Rioja region, which is mainly known for winemaking. But in fact, Rioja is also the largest region in Spain where champignons are grown. In 2018, within the framework of a European project, a biogas plant was built, which produces the so-called "shampost" (two words - "champignon" and "compost" were put together). The recycling process began in September this year. Capacity - up to 100 thousand tons. The production technology is quite simple: three containers were built at a 50 kW plant, compost enters the container for ... >>

Thermal curtains 14.01.2021

Students at the Berlin University of the Arts have developed thermal curtains that maintain a room temperature of 25°C without the use of electricity. The effect of maintaining temperature is achieved through the use of materials with a phase change. The material changes temperature, releasing heat when the state of aggregation changes (this usually happens during the crystallization of salts from a supersaturated solution). Therefore, curtains do not need electricity or any other source of energy. To enhance the thermoregulatory effect, a layer of foam was applied to the curtains. However, no changes were made to the sewing technology of ordinary curtains. Therefore, "smart" curtains can be made at any garment factory. ... >>

Bed with retractable transparent OLED TV from LG 14.01.2021

LG Display has unveiled the concept of a 55-inch transparent OLED TV used in the bedroom. The screen offers 40% transparency, which is superior to transparent LCDs that only offer 10% transparency. LG envisions using such a screen at the foot of the bed, where it can be partially or fully raised to display information or video without blocking the view of the surroundings behind it. In this case, an additional panel can be pulled out behind the screen, which will make the screen opaque. The TV has built-in speakers. Such a transparent OLED display can be moved around the house if the user wishes to install it elsewhere (so far, however, this is only a prototype that may not even reach the market). The company views the product as a smart home device. "Transparent OLED displays are a technology that maximizes the benefits of OLED and can be used in various places in our daily lives. ... >>

Converting coal to anode grade graphite 13.01.2021

American scientists have succeeded in turning raw carbon powder into nanographite, which is used in lithium-ion batteries. The coal industry can radically change its mission from environmentally dirty combustion in the furnaces of thermal power plants to an element necessary for creating "green" energy accumulators. Scientists have successfully converted raw carbon powder into nanographite, which is used in lithium-ion batteries, among other things. Previous research has shown that microwaves can be used to reduce the moisture content of coal and remove sulfur and other minerals, but in this latest experiment, the only treatment needed was to grind raw coal from the Powder River Basin in Wyoming into powder. During the experiment, charcoal powder was placed on copper foil and sealed in glass containers with a gas mixture of argon and hydrogen before being placed in a microwave oven. Then high temperatures, copper foil and gas ... >>

Intel RealSense ID Secure Face Recognition Device 13.01.2021

Intel introduced RealSense ID, a face recognition solution based on RealSense depth technology. RealSense technology was originally the basis for a Kinect-style camera designed for non-contact interaction. Other uses for the technology followed, and now the company offers devices for secure facial recognition. In a compact device, Intel specialists were able to fit scanning elements based on depth technology, a neural network for face identification, a dedicated system-on-a-chip, and a security element that encrypts and processes user data. The device must learn and be able to adapt to changes in the face that are possible over time. For example, it must understand that it is the same face, even if it has hair or glasses, or a change in skin tone. The proposed module can be integrated into other products or used as a ... >>

Charging gadgets with hot water 12.01.2021

Thermoelectric devices are made from materials capable of converting temperature differences into electricity. Previous research has shown that thermoelectric devices can store residual heat and generate electricity from it, thereby replacing batteries on spacecraft. Researchers at the China Rocket Research Institute, one of the country's top rocket manufacturers, have developed a type of insulated water bottle equipped with a thermoelectric chip that can turn water heat into electricity to charge a mobile phone. As mobile phones become more powerful processors and larger touch screen interfaces, their power consumption increases accordingly. And many people often face the problem of charging their phones, especially when traveling or out of town excursions. In the demo video, the thermoelectric device was built ... >>

Magnetar Research 12.01.2021

A team of astrophysicists from NASA, using one of the most powerful telescopes Chandra X-Ray, managed to detect one of the most unusual cosmic bodies - we are talking about the so-called magnetar J1818.0-1607, belonging to the class of space objects of the same name and representing a really promising specimen for study and disclosure of some secrets of the formation of the Universe. In particular, a team of NASA researchers today noted the fact that they have already managed to reveal some information regarding the formation and location of this magnetar. A magnetar is a special cosmic object that is formed after a massive supernova decay and has a truly amazing magnetic field - for comparison, if the Earth's magnetic field is about 100 gauss, then the average magnetar has a similar indicator several million times more - thus, if such a magnetar turned out to be close to the Earth ... >>

Solar-powered ultralight self-propelled trains 11.01.2021

Testing of a self-propelled ultra-light rail vehicle designed for rural railways or underutilized railway lines should start by the end of 2021 in France. The first Taxirail route is expected to be launched in 2023, when regional routes are opened for operation in accordance with a competitive tender. Discussions were held with almost all regions of France, including Brittany, where the company is based. The company is also considering exporting Taxirail to other countries, potential buyers have already been identified - Switzerland and Canada. Taxirail will weigh less than eight tons and carry up to forty passengers. The cars are powered by battery or hybrid traction, as well as the use of artificial intelligence. The vehicle will operate autonomously, but in constant contact with the control center. Solar energy will be used to run lighting, heating, air conditioning and r ... >>

High-strength wood-based cement 11.01.2021

A group of advanced materials, engineering and science scientists from China, led by Faheng Wang, have developed new cement materials based on a unidirectional porous architecture that mimics natural wood structures. The resulting wood cement material showed higher strength at the same density, along with multifunctional properties for effective thermal insulation, water permeability and ease of water repellency control. This has made wood cement a promising new building material for high performance timber structures. Cement-based porous materials have low thermal conductivity for thermal insulation, high sound absorption capacity, excellent air and water permeability while maintaining light weight and fire resistance. However, the key challenge remains to achieve simultaneous improvement in both mechanical and multifunctional properties, including mechanical performance. ... >>

SPHEREx telescope 10.01.2021

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at the California Institute of Technology is working on a new SPHEREx space telescope project that will explore the history of the universe. A small car-sized telescope would use a spectroscopy technique to separate near-infrared light into individual wavelengths or colors. Spectroscopy data can show what an object is made of, as individual chemical elements absorb and emit light of a certain length. SPHEREx can be used to estimate the distance of an object from the Earth - and SPHEREx will build a 102D sky map. SPHEREx will be the first NASA mission to map all-sky spectroscopy in the near-infrared region, observing 1 colors in this range, JPL says. The telescope will have three main tasks: 2. Search for evidence of what could have happened less than one billionth of a billionth of a second after the big bang; XNUMX. Studying the history of ha formation ... >>

CPU cooler ID-Cooling SE-50 10.01.2021

The Chinese company ID-Cooling announced the release of a new tower-type processor cooler, which was called the ID-Cooling SE-50. We have a solution with a large aluminum heatsink that is pierced by five 6mm nickel-plated copper heatpipes that are pressed and polished into the base and have direct contact with the CPU cover. On top of the heat sink there is a black metal plate with the company logo, and the protruding ends of the tubes are covered with caps. Two 120mm black PWM fans TF-12025 are attached to both sides of the heatsink with brackets. The propellers operate at a variable speed of 700 - 1800 rpm, create an airflow of up to 76,16 cubic feet per minute and are characterized by sound pressure from 15,2 to 35,2 dBA. The ID-Cooling SE-50 model is capable of handling heat dissipation up to 220 W, and thanks to the universal mounting system, it can be installed on Intel LGA1200/115x/20xx and AMD AM4 sockets. The novelty has dimensions of 108 x 128 x 154 mm and weighs 1200 grams. VC ... >>

Smart hydrogel for XNUMXD printing 09.01.2021

American engineers at Rutgers have developed a "smart" gel that can be used to print XNUMXD images. It is able to take on a new shape and display colors when exposed to light. Experts relied on the amazing ability of cephalopods (squid, octopus, cuttlefish) to change the texture and color of the skin. They do this to communicate with each other or in case of danger. This ability allows them to protect themselves. It is known that the skin of a mollusk contains thousands of chromatophores surrounded by muscles and nerves. The color changes during the deformation of the bag filled with pigment granules. This is the approach taken by a group of scientists. The head of the study is Professor Ho-Won Lee. "Smart" gel is a malleable material. It is made up of polymer molecules. The new material could be used to create flexible displays, soft camouflage for the military or robotics. ... >>

Identification of a person by blood vessels 09.01.2021

Japanese companies have developed a method for identifying a person by the image of blood vessels. They want to use it for making contactless payments and registering at hotels. Normee has introduced a system that allows you to recognize a person by the lines and shape of his blood vessels. For such identification, an ordinary photo taken on a smartphone is sufficient. A similar invention was presented by another Japanese company - Hitachi. This company proposed to identify a person by blood vessels on the fingers. However, for this smartphone is not enough - you need a special device. ... >>

Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Monitor 08.01.2021

Dell has introduced its first 40" Dell UltraSharp 40 Curved Ultra Wide Curved Display, model U4021QW, which has a resolution of 5120 x 2160. The monitor can provide an ultra wide field of view and 4K (3840 x 2160) video playback. It offers wide color gamut coverage, Thunderbolt 3 interface, which can provide 90W computer charging, and RJ45 network interface for fast data transfer. ... >>

Plant stress measuring device 08.01.2021

Scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Singapore SMART and the Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory have created a portable optical sensor to detect the state of stress in plants. The Raman device can be attached to plant leaves and is a useful tool in precision farming. The built-in sensor in the invention will allow farmers to diagnose at an early stage nitrogen deficiency in plants, so they spoil prematurely and lose crops. Scientists have created a device to measure nitrogen levels in plants. But in the end, it turned out that the invention could also identify plant stresses, such as lack of water and minerals, excessive heat and cold. The sensor consists of a 3D printed clamp that is placed around a Raman fiber optic sensor. The developers are confident that thanks to this, farmers will increase crop yields and reduce the negative impact on the environment. They bind the ecology of the mouth ... >>

A new form of matter - liquid glass 07.01.2021

Scientists from the University of Konstanz in Germany announced the discovery of a new state of matter - liquid glass. The atoms of this substance exhibit strange behavior that chemists have observed for the first time. We are talking about the Bose-Einstein Condensate, which is formed when particles are cooled to ultra-low temperatures and can exhibit quantum properties. There is a common misconception that glass is a liquid. Yes, at one of the stages of glass creation, some minerals (most often - quartz sand, soda ash, dolomite, limestone and others) are heated to a fluid state. Chemists from the University of Konstanz in Germany have confirmed that the atoms of glass can be made to move, thereby discovering a new state of matter, which is still called "liquid glass". Mixtures of certain solids in liquids can move to form a liquid glass state, according to a new study. Scientists have confirmed that the particles of matter analyzed by them at a higher ... >>

Battery ZMI 20 25000 mAh 07.01.2021

ZMI introduced a power bank with a total output power of 200W. The ZMI 20 device has a large capacity of 25000mAh, it is equipped with an LED screen on the side to display the remaining capacity in real time. The top has two USB-C ports and a USB-A port. To charge the Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra smartphone at this power, you will need an appropriate cable, while charging takes only 25 minutes. USB-C connectors deliver up to 65 and 15 watts of power, respectively. The ZMI 20 external battery supports 65-watt charging, while 60% capacity can be replenished in an hour, and a full charge takes 2 hours. The price of the novelty is 60 dollars. ... >>

Quantum teleportation 44 km 06.01.2021

Scientists at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, a US Department of Energy national laboratory affiliated with the University of Chicago, along with partners from five institutions, have taken a significant step towards realizing the quantum Internet. The researchers were able to transmit a quantum state over 44 km with over 90% accuracy over fiber optic networks similar to those that form the backbone of the current internet. "We are delighted with these results. This is a key advance towards creating a technology that will redefine the development of global communication," says physicist Panagiotis Spentsouris of the Fermilab Particle Physics and Accelerator Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech). Both data transmission accuracy and transmission distance are critical when it comes to building a real, working quantum internet. Making progress on any of these fronts is cause for celebration. ... >>

Processor based on superconductors 06.01.2021

Researchers at Yokohama National University in Japan have developed a prototype microprocessor using superconducting components that are about 80 times more energy efficient than the current semiconductor devices traditionally used in today's microprocessors. The development could help reduce the consumption of data centers and network infrastructure, which will soon require up to half of human energy. It is believed that today telecommunications and data centers consume about 10% of the electricity generated by mankind. If nothing is changed in chip production technologies, then in ten years, according to experts, the information and telecommunications industry will consume up to half of all generated energy (and someone fears that electric vehicles will become a problem for power engineers). The trouble is that the operation of a modern electronic base is still accompanied by huge losses due to the generated heat, leaks and careless programmers. ... >>

New membrane will reduce the cost of water filtration 05.01.2021

Researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and Pennsylvania (USA) have created a new membrane for water purification with a uniform density at the nanoscale. This structure of the membrane allows you to get more clean water and make the filtration process cheaper. Desalination membranes remove salt and other chemicals from water. The way the purification takes place is a seemingly very simple process: salt water is passed through a filter - pure water flows out from the other side. But there are many subtleties and complexities within the process. The research team determined that the desalination membranes are incompatible in terms of density and mass distribution, which can hinder their performance. Uniform density at the nanoscale is the key to increasing the amount of pure water that these membranes can produce. The uniform density made the new membrane significantly thicker than current counterparts. However, as previous studies have shown, thick membranes are actually more permeable. ... >>

Link between air pollution and lightning storms 05.01.2021

Scientists in the framework of the study found that air pollution is associated with increased thunderstorms and lightning. The conclusions were voiced by experts from MIT in the USA. The meteorological monitoring carried out in recent years shows that the frequency and intensity of natural disasters is increasing. The problem is hidden not only in climate change, but also in the impressive volumes of pollution entering the atmosphere. Small aerosol particles produced in the process of forest fires or fuel combustion can provoke thunderstorms and lightning. This becomes clear from the analysis of satellite imagery of the ocean, which shows that usually the brightest lightning is observed along the busiest trade routes. Speaking about the mechanisms of action of aerosol particles, scientists noted an increase in humidity due to their entry into the atmosphere. This makes it more difficult for the droplets to evaporate during ascent to altitude. Once above, they freeze. After that, against the backdrop of friction ... >>

Dell Latitude 9000, 7000 and 5000 laptops 04.01.2021

Dell has announced a number of new products ahead of CES 2021, including updates to the Latitude 9000, 7000, and 5000 laptops. The Latitude 9000 is equipped with the latest 11th generation Intel processors and a new webcam designed with privacy in mind. The Latitude 9420 and 9520 laptops are equipped with a SafeShutter camera. This is an automatic shutter that locks the camera when not in use. This means that the camera will only be active during video calls. The updated Latitude 9000 series will feature a standard clamshell and 2-in-1 form factor with improvements to important features for working or studying from home. For example, you get better camera picture quality and better speakers. The Latitude 9420 starts at $1949, with the 9520 priced to be announced this spring. Sales of the Latitude 9420 will also begin this spring. The Latitude 7520 module offers a 15-inch 4K UHD display and a Full HD webcam. Listed price from ... >>

The film absorbs sweat and charges the gadget 04.01.2021

A team of researchers from the National University of Singapore (NUS) has created a new film that absorbs sweat from our skin very effectively to keep us cool and comfortable during exercise. The moisture obtained from human sweat can be used to charge wearable electronic devices: watches, fitness bracelets and other gadgets. Sweating is a natural process of thermoregulation of our body. Sweat is mostly water. When water evaporates from the surface of the skin, it lowers the temperature of the skin. The new moisture-absorbing film helps make this process faster. And use it to get energy for electronic devices. The main components of the film are two hygroscopic chemicals - cobalt chloride and ethanolamine. In addition to being very absorbent, this film can rapidly release water when exposed to sunlight. It changes color after absorption of moisture from blue to purple and - further - to pink. This function can use ... >>

Singing can increase life expectancy 03.01.2021

Scientists have said that singing can increase life expectancy by lowering blood pressure and promoting brain health. Singing also reduces the risk of dementia and helps fight depression. Such a discovery was made by specialists from Yale and Harvard universities, USA In particular, scientists noted a higher level of intelligence among vocalists and musicians than other people. This is because singing helps to make thinking clearer by engaging and oxygenating different parts of the brain. When a person sings, his body produces endorphins, which affect the emotional state and make you feel a sense of joy. At the same time, the vocal data does not matter, the researchers believe: the response of the sacculus receptor, which is located in the ear and reacts to frequencies while singing, causes a feeling of satisfaction, regardless of the sound of the musical motive. ... >>

eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT and eGPU Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5700 Docks 03.01.2021

Sonnet Technologies has launched the Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT eGPU and Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5700 eGPU docking stations, which use AMD Radeon RX 5500 XT and AMD Radeon RX 5700 graphics cards, respectively. Thunderbolt 3 is used to connect to a computer. Replacing the discontinued Radeon RX 560 and Radeon RX 570 eGPU eGFX Breakaway Pucks, the new models retain their portable form factor, but deliver over four times the performance in many cases. In addition, the new models received two USB 3.2 Type-A ports for connecting peripherals and a second Thunderbolt port with support for Thunderbolt / USB-C monitors, including Apple Pro Display XDR 6K resolution. The Breakaway Puck Radeon RX 5500 XT and Radeon RX 5700 eGPU docking stations are designed for professionals who need to run on an Intel-based MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac mini, or iMac with Thunderbol ports ... >>

transparent solar cell 02.01.2021

Experts from Incheon National University in Korea have conducted a study proving the existence of the possibility of creating a completely transparent solar cell. It can generate electricity. Professor Jundong Kim has already demonstrated the first transparent solar cell. The innovative method of this development lies in its special part. The artificial sun of Korea set a thermal record: 20 seconds its temperature was 100 million degrees. It is on the heterojunction, which consists of thin films of materials, each of which is responsible for absorbing light. Scientists have managed to combine the unique properties of titanium dioxide and nickel oxide semiconductors. Thanks to this approach, specialists have created an efficient transparent solar cell. Five years after the signing of the Paris Climate Agreement, world powers are paying attention to a possible carbon-free future for the planet. An important component in the transition to this goal remains the search for fuel, which ... >>

Recycling plastic into fuel and wax 02.01.2021

Scientists in Japan have created a new catalyst to turn ordinary plastic into useful products like fuel and wax. Plastics are by design extremely resistant to chemical reactions. This makes them excellent for bottles and chemical containers. But on the other hand, it is precisely because of this that plastic is extremely difficult to recycle. For example, the thermal processing process requires a temperature of 300 to 900 degrees Celsius, which consumes a lot of energy. In a new study, scientists from Japan decided to find a catalyst that could destroy plastic at lower temperatures. The team found that combining ruthenium and cerium dioxide creates a catalyst capable of processing polyolefin plastics at temperatures as low as 200 degrees Celsius. "Our approach has proven to be more efficient than metal-based catalysts. In addition, plastic bags and plastic waste can be recycled into valuable chemicals," ... >>

happiness Formula 01.01.2021

Scientists at Madison State University shared their discovery that will help make a person happy. The researchers devoted their work to the method of dealing with depression, as a result of which it was possible to develop several areas on which the level of human happiness depends. It is believed that the realization of this potential depends on attention and care for others. In this case, a person can get rid of social isolation, which provokes psychological disorders, depression, apathy, etc. To be happy, you need to develop a sense of purpose (helps you feel involved in important social processes), build awareness (helps you stay healthy) and insight (helps you focus on your emotions). According to scientists, this is an effective tool for improving mental health, which enables a person to feel happy. ... >>

The secret of the evergreen spruce is revealed 01.01.2021

Scientists have managed to solve the mystery of conifers and find out why they stay green in winter and summer. Many people know that, due to their smaller surface area and denser skin, the needles of fir trees are more resistant to low temperatures than the leaves. They are also protected by a layer of wax. A team of scientists from Sweden, the Netherlands and Canada has conducted a new study of conifers growing in the cold. At the same time, for the purity of the experiment, the study took place on the street. As a result, they managed to decipher the mechanism of photosynthesis in coniferous plants. In winter, spruces switch to a special mode that protects photosynthetic proteins from damage. The fact is that in winter, due to frost, many biochemical reactions of plants slow down. Tree needles absorb sunlight, but the process of photosynthesis has a shorter cycle and cannot reach the end. Also, the very internal structure of the firs has a special appearance. Unlike deciduous plants, conifers have two apparatus for photosynthesis. At high temperature pho ... >>

Drones to search for people lost in the forest 31.12.2020

Scientists at the Johannes Kepler University (Linz, Austria) have developed a new method based on machine learning technologies that should radically increase the efficiency of finding people lost in areas with dense vegetation. Today, if it is necessary to urgently find people lost in the forest, search and rescue teams usually use helicopters or drones. Rescuers fly over the area where the missing are most likely to be found. The problem is that in conditions of dense vegetation it is almost impossible to see human figures in the thickets. Thermal imagers help a little in this situation, allowing you to "see" through the crowns of trees. But here, too, there are significant limitations. Unfortunately, in some cases, thermal imaging is also not particularly effective, for example, when the sun heats trees to a temperature close to human body temperature. However, as researchers have proven, using artificial intelligence technologies can partly solve this problem. ... >>

Time-inverted optical waves 31.12.2020

A team of researchers from the University of Queensland and Nokia Bell Labs have developed a new method to produce time-inverted optical waves. Temporal inversion in physics does not at all mean the possibility of traveling "back to the future". This term describes a special type of wave that can travel back through an object exactly along the path taken by the first non-inverted wave. It's like shooting a wave propagating backwards, and this method can be used in completely new imaging technologies, in communication and other technologies related to the movement of light in various environments. “Imagine a short light pulse moving from a point source of light to an object consisting of a scattering material, such as fog,” the researchers explain the essence of their achievement, “When the light reaches the fog, it scatters, splitting into many rays that arrive at various points in ... >>

Raven is not inferior to primacy in mental abilities 30.12.2020

Biologists from the Institute for Cognitive Sciences at the University of Osnabrück have found that the mental abilities of ravens are not inferior to great apes. Birds can communicate with each other and are able to learn. German scientists led by Simone Pick compared the intelligence level of ravens with great apes using a series of tests for primates. Eight crows raised at the Max Planck Institute for Ornithology were selected for the study. Their ages were four, eight, 12 and 16 months. During the study, the biologists analyzed spatial memory, understanding of object permanence, understanding of relative quantities, numbers, and addition, as well as the birds' ability to communicate with other crows and learn from the human experimenter. The results obtained were compared with those obtained in two species of great apes ? 106 chimpanzees and 32 orangutans. The researchers concluded that the intelligence of birds is formed by the age of four months. The researchers also found ... >>

Huawei Smart Pillow 30.12.2020

Huawei has introduced a smart pillow Smart Choice Mok Planet Smart Latex Pillow, which allows you to monitor heart rate and many other data. The device is priced at $70. The Huawei Smart Choice Mok Planet Smart Latex Pillow has a two-layer design, it consists of a 9 cm thick latex layer with an additional 2 cm removable extension. The height of the pillow can be adjusted according to the anatomical features of people. The content of natural latex reaches 93%. It has excellent elasticity and can perfectly support the neck and relieve pressure. Inside the pillow, there are tens of thousands of honeycomb holes that provide natural ventilation and keep you feeling fresh. The pillow meets the anti-fungal standard, the degree of protection against mites is 99%, and the formaldehyde content is reduced to zero. The smart latex pillows are embedded with ultra-thin non-inductive sensors that can track ... >>

External battery ZMI 20 Power Bank with 120W charger 29.12.2020

The Chinese company ZMI has introduced a new external battery ZMI 20 Power Bank, the main distinguishing feature of which was support for super-powerful fast charging at 120W. True, it is immediately worth noting that at the moment there is exactly one gadget on the market that can be recharged with such power - Xiaomi Mi 10 Pro Extreme Edition. The capacity of the power bank is a mighty 25 mAh. This amount of energy is enough, for example, to recharge the iPhone SE (000) eight times. There are two USB-C and one USB-A ports for connecting rechargeable devices. The total output power of the device is capable of reaching up to 2020 watts. The ZMI 200 Power Bank itself only supports fast charging up to 20W. An external battery can reach 65% charge in an hour, and it will take 60 hours to fully charge it. ... >>

Fuel from photosynthesis 29.12.2020

Professor of Energy in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology Daniel Nocera and his colleagues at Harvard University have created two devices - an artificial leaf and a bionic leaf - that use solar energy to produce liquid fuel. The artificial sheet is a silicon-based solar cell with various catalytic materials attached to both sides. When immersed in water, the device uses the energy of sunlight to split water into oxygen and hydrogen. The bionic leaf, thanks to the bacterium Ralstonia eutropha, absorbs carbon dioxide from the air and combines it with hydrogen, which produces artificial leaves. Liquid fuel is produced by artificial photosynthesis. The scientist noted that in 2020, researchers replaced the bacterium with Xanthobacter autotrophicus. This allowed the development of a device that combines nitrogen from the air and hydrogen from an artificial leaf to make fertilizer. He added that artificial photosynthesis in ... >>

GPU chip design 28.12.2020

AMD has filed an application with the US Patent Office, in which it described the idea of ​​​​creating a graphics processor with a chiplet structure. To do this, the company's engineers have to solve a number of problems specific to such a design. Standard GPU programming techniques are ineffective for multi-GPU operation (which basically reflects the almost complete abandonment of Crossfire/SLI graphics bundles), as it is difficult to distribute parallelism across multiple active dies in a system. The paper describes one possible way to synchronize memory content across multiple GPU chipsets. AMD believes that such problems could be avoided by implementing "passive, high-bandwidth cross-links." The first GPU chipset will be directly "communicated" to the CPU, while each of the chiplets in the array will be passively cross-linked to the first GPU. ... >>

Axiomtek AIE100-903-FL-NX Compact System 28.12.2020

Axiomtek has launched a compact AIE100-903-FL-NX system designed to solve the so-called smart city edge AI tasks that require high performance. It is based on the "single-board supercomputer" Nvidia Jetson Xavier NX, built on a single-chip system with six Nvidia Carmel processor cores on the Arm architecture and the Volta accelerator with 384 CUDA cores and 48 tensor cores. The AIE100-903-FL-NX is equipped with an HDMI 2.0 video output, a USB 3.1 Gen 2 port and two Gigabit Ethernet ports, one of which supports PoE and can provide power up to 15W. The built-in 16GB eMMC can be upgraded with an M.2 PCIe x4 SSD and a microSD card. Expansion options are provided by the Mini PCIe slot, where USB and PCIe signals are output. In addition, there is a slot for a SIM card. Based on the application, the passively cooled IP40 system is designed for XNUMX/XNUMX operation in the range ... >>

Bracelet shoots antiseptic 27.12.2020

An international team of engineers created the SprayCare wristband. It will disinfect hands and objects where it is not always convenient to get an antiseptic. For example, in public transport, elevator, shop or car. This is reported by Naked Science. On the body of the device there is a small bottle with an antiseptic and a button that sprays the product. According to the developers, they noticed how often they touch dirty surfaces during the day, and decided to create a simple device that will help them feel safe. The bracelet is a vial of antiseptic attached to a silicone strap. The size of the device is close to the Apple Watch. Inside there is a sprayer and a pump that starts a single button. After pressing it, the device sprays the antiseptic on any surface for 3 seconds at a distance of up to 1,5 m. The antiseptic in the bottle is enough for about 40 applications, after which the person will be able to add the desired agent (if it is not very thick). Besides ... >>

Measuring Difficulty 27.12.2020

An algorithm for quantifying the complexity of structures has been developed. It is able to work not only with physical systems up to quantum ones, but also with images, video and even music. An intuitive understanding of the complexity of systems and processes is inherent in any person. For example, one can easily distinguish the complexity of two drawings based on the dissimilarity of their elements to each other and the number of differing details. This is key information for the human brain to distinguish between objects of approximately the same size and shape. But how to digitize an idea of ​​the complexity of an object and express it mathematically? After all, the need for a mathematical description that properly reflects the complexity of hierarchical non-random structures exists in many fields of science, from physics and geology to the social sciences. An international team of scientists has developed a universal machine algorithm that can quantify, with a single number, the complexity of any two-dimensional or three-dimensional system. ... >>

Diamond stretching for microelectronics 26.12.2020

Scientists from the University of Hong Kong have developed a uniform, stretchable diamond array using a nanomechanical approach. Deformed diamonds will now be used in functional devices in microelectronics, photonics and quantum information technologies, experts said. All studies as a result showed the uniform elasticity of the diamond. Diamond is considered an efficient electronic and photonic material due to its ultra-high thermal conductivity. Therefore, they believe that liquid diamond will be the best material to use in electronics. ... >>

high speed jet engine 26.12.2020

Scientists from China have developed an air-jet engine, the capabilities of which allow you to fly around the planet in 2 hours. During testing, the engine was able to exceed the speed of nine Mach numbers, however, this level is able to increase, because during the test, not very powerful equipment was used, which reduced the capabilities of the device. The motor accelerates to Mach 16 - in this case, aircraft can go around the Earth in just 2 hours. At the moment, only a prototype is being tested, for this reason, the full implementation of the project is expected by 2023. The scientists gave some details about the engine: hydrogen fuel is ignited using a shock wave. The alloys used in the creation of the prototype can withstand quite a high load and temperature. ... >>

New MOSFET OptiMOS 5 with double-sided cooling 25.12.2020

Infineon has introduced a new line of dual-cooled MOSFETs as part of the OptiMOS 5 family. The new transistors come in a SuperSO8 5x6 SC (super cooling) package to improve heat dissipation and create applications with maximum efficiency and power density. Currently, the line includes solutions with an operating voltage of 60 and 100 V. Despite the presence of double-sided cooling, the new MOSFETs are fully compatible with the standard SuperSO8 pad, and also have a low Rds (on) resistance and low switching losses, which makes they are an excellent choice for use in telecommunications systems, server applications, power tools, motor control systems and many other applications. Features: Lower thermal resistance than without dual cooling; RthJC top<1K/W; Temperature resistance 175°C; Can be installed on a standard SuperSO8 pad. Applications ... >>

Yogurt fights depression 25.12.2020

The probiotics found in natural yogurt improve people's mood as they affect brain function. UCLA researchers found that the brain activity of people who ate probiotic yogurt twice a day for a month changed. This was observed both during brain rest and in response to an "emotional attention task" that tracked how the brain responded to certain emotions. Symbiotic gut bacteria, the complex ecosystem of microorganisms that live in the human digestive system, has long been known to protect against disease by boosting the immune system, aiding digestion, and promoting healthy weight and blood pressure. It is known that the brain sends signals to the intestines, so stress and other emotions can lead to diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. A new study shows that the signals are moving in the opposite direction. Scientists selected 36 women with a healthy weight ... >>

Temperature maintenance record for a fusion reactor 24.12.2020

A fusion power device from South Korea's National Fusion Fusion Research Institute (NFRI) maintained a temperature of 20 million degrees Fahrenheit, or 180 million degrees Celsius, for 100 seconds. The Korea Superconducting Tokamak Advanced Research (KSTAR) fusion reactor recently set a world record by keeping its plasma superhot at 180 million degrees Fahrenheit for 20 seconds. It may not sound like much, but no previous fusion plant has lasted more than 10 seconds under these conditions - even the KSTAR reactor only lasted eight seconds in 2019. The key was to improve the internal transport barrier, which helps contain the plasma and keep it stable. KSTAR's ultimate goal is to have five minutes of continuous operation at extreme temperatures by 2025. Fusion reactors could be vital if they become a reality. ... >>

Toyota Tiny C+pod electric car 24.12.2020

The Japanese automaker Toyota has announced an ultra-compact electric car Tiny C + pod, the characteristics of which are significantly different from the usual electric models. However, the novelty will be sold in the Japanese market, where users have long been accustomed to miniature cars. The dimensions of the Toyota Tiny C + pod model are 2490x1290x1550 mm (weight - 670-690 kg) - this is less than that of Smart ForTwo (2500x1520x1530 mm). Given the minimum width (1290 mm) and turning radius (3,9 m), it is most logical to use it on the narrow streets of Japanese cities, and not on the highway. The rear-wheel drive model is driven by an electric motor with a maximum peak power of just 9 kW (2,6 kW continuous power) and a torque of 56 Nm. As a result, the electric car can only accelerate to 60 km/h. From a full charge of the 9,06 kWh battery, the Toyota Tiny C+pod travels up to 150 km on the WLTC measuring cycle with an average consumption of 54 Wh/km. A full battery charge from a 200V / 16A network lasts 5 hours ... >>

Mystery of the Lost Moon 23.12.2020

According to history, in May 1110, the moon completely disappeared from the sky. Scientists from the University of Geneva in Switzerland were able to solve the mystery of such an unusual phenomenon. Between 1100 and 1120 there were 7 total lunar eclipses, but the May event was exceptional when the satellite completely disappeared from the sky. Scientists have found that the reason for this was the volcanic eruption and the release of sulfur particles into the stratosphere. Initially, it was thought that this happened to the Hekla volcano in Iceland. Swiss scientists, after conducting a study, realized that he did not have such power. The reason for the disappearance of the moon was the Japanese mountain Asama, where a serious eruption took place for several months in 1108. Traces of this process remained in ice cores - these are samples taken from the depths of glaciers. They contained sulfur aerosols. The particles first spread through the stratosphere, making the sky dark for a long time. After the cloud fell to the ground and left its traces in the glaciers. ... >>

NASA compact lunar rover 23.12.2020

A new model of a compact lunar rover, created by a private company, has been successfully tested at the NASA Research Center in Florida. Researchers at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida recently tested a new robotic rover in a 120-ton container of rocks and regolith dust that simulates the surface of the moon. The four-wheeled CubeRover traversed abrasive dust dunes, turned on the spot, then moved up and down steep trench walls and completed over 150 mobility tests. The test rover has a standardized size, which makes it easier to transport it into space. The commercial development of small rovers allows engineers, entrepreneurs and scientists to test new, existing and risky concepts first on Earth and then on the Moon. CubeRovers are the first to demonstrate a range of capabilities, such as recharging from a centralized power source in a regolith environment, recovering surface materials, and creating a local communications network. ... >>

Xiaomi Mi Reader Pro e-book 22.12.2020

The Chinese company Xiaomi has introduced a new e-book Mi Reader Pro. The model received a 7,8-inch display with a resolution of 1872 x 1404 pixels with a dual-mode backlight (warm and cold glow) with 24 brightness levels. At the heart of the reader is not yet named quad-core processor with low power consumption. Provided 2 GB of RAM and 32 GB of permanent memory. The gadget is running a modified version of the Android 8.1 operating system. The thickness of the body of the e-book is only 7 millimeters. Device weight - 251 grams. A USB port and Wi-Fi (2,4 and 5 GHz) and Bluetooth 5.0 wireless modules are provided. The battery capacity of 3200 mAh is responsible for the autonomy of the device. According to the manufacturer, its capabilities are enough for 70 days of autonomous service. The price of new items is $170. ... >>

New tape density record 22.12.2020

IBM Research specialists announced a new record density record data on magnetic tape - 317 gigabits per square inch. This is 27 times the performance of current LTO cartridges and is the sixth record in this area set by IBM Research since 2006. Tape storage technology was developed over 60 years ago and has traditionally been used for archiving and backing up data. It was then that IBM released its first commercial product. At that time, the capacity of the 726 Magnetic Tape Unit with a half-inch wide magnetic tape was about 2 MB. Since then, tape has remained the most reliable, energy-efficient, and cost-effective way to store vast amounts of archive and backup data. The previous record, set in 2017, was beaten using a prototype strontium ferrite (SrFe) tape developed in collaboration with Fujifilm. Available now ... >>

Optical waves with time reversal 21.12.2020

Physicists have presented a new technique with which they have demonstrated the reversal of time for optical waves. The discovery will help in the field of telecommunications and biomedical imaging. Reversing time in physics does not mean traveling "back to the future". This property means that you can follow the movement of the wave along its path in the opposite direction, as if we were watching a movie in rewind. Imagine that we threw a heavy object into the pool. At the same time, we would see a splash of water and the formation of waves on its surface, which would eventually subside. Now, if time-reversed waves are sent into the pool, they will eventually add up and form the splash that we observed after a heavy object fell into the pool. Until now, such a reversal has not been observed for electromagnetic waves in the visible range in three-dimensional space. Scientists from the University of Queensland and Nokia Bell Labs were able to do this. They created a device that allows you to control ... >>

DC/DC Converters OPTIREG Switcher TLS412xD0x 21.12.2020

Infineon has introduced a new family of pin-to-pin DC/DC buck converters, the OPTIREG Switcher TLS412xD0x. Designed for automotive applications, these converters are compact and require only five additional piping components. From an input voltage of 3,7V to 35V, the converters are capable of delivering 3V to 10V output at 2A or 2,5A. systems such as: ADAS, communication systems, dashboards, multimedia and more. In addition to the converters themselves, Infineon also offers customers evaluation boards based on them, which simplify the process of connecting and prototyping. Features: Wide input voltage range (412…0 V); Pin-to-pin compatible, output current 94 and 3,7 A; Compact dimensions, only five additional strapping components; Low current consumption ... >>

Intercontinental travel of bacteria 20.12.2020

The work of scientists from the University of Granada in Spain has revealed the secret of the transfer of microorganisms from one continent to another. Bacteria travel in atmospheric dust particles called iberulite, which can be inhaled by humans, according to a new study. Iberulites are large polymineral atmospheric bioaerosols, averaging about one hundred microns in size, which are characterized by intercontinental travel with the transport of living microorganisms. As scientists say, iberulites are "boosters" for bacteria. In the current study, scientists analyzed atmospheric dust deposits in the city of Granada in Spain. They found that the composition of these deposits was heterogeneous - in addition to various minerals, bacteria and other unicellular organisms are a biological component. According to the study, the dust originated from the Sahara desert and local soils. Analyzing iberulites, the researchers found that they were formed as a result of chemical and physical interaction between dust particles, ... >>

Robotic dogs will fly to Mars 20.12.2020

NASA unveiled the four-legged robot Au-Spot with artificial intelligence - a modified version of the Spot robot from Boston Dynamics. Scientists are equipping four-legged animal-simulating robots with artificial intelligence (AI) and a suite of sensory equipment to help them autonomously navigate the Red Planet. It is assumed that robotic dogs will be able to maneuver better than the Spirit, Opportunity, Curiosity and Perseverance rovers. The maneuverability and stability of the new robots are combined with sensors that allow them to avoid obstacles, choose between multiple paths, and build virtual maps of buried tunnels and caves for home base operators. Traditional rovers are limited to mostly flat surfaces, but many scientifically interesting regions of Mars are located in rugged terrain or underground. Robotic dogs are well suited for such tasks - even if they fall, they can get up again. Martian dogs will ... >>

Phantom images of molecules 19.12.2020

Engineers and scientists at Brookhaven National Laboratory have designed and built a new X-ray microscope that takes advantage of the strange features of the mysterious world of quantum physics. Thanks to this, the new microscope makes it possible to obtain "phantom images" of biomolecules in the highest resolution, exposing them to a lower dose of harmful radiation. X-ray microscopes are very useful tools when it comes to taking high-resolution images of various molecules, materials, and the like. However, a sufficiently high level of hard X-ray radiation is usually detrimental and fatal to the samples under study, if these samples are viruses, bacteria and cells of living tissues. Reducing the radiation dose is one way to solve this problem, but an undesirable side effect of this is a decrease in image resolution. Conventional X-ray microscopes use a single beam ... >>

A new method of observing the Sun 19.12.2020

An international team of scientists has developed a new deep learning method for stable classification and quality quantification of solar images from ground-based solar observatories. To ensure constant monitoring of the Sun, regardless of the schedule of the day, night and local weather conditions, ground-based telescopes are located around the globe. However, the Earth's atmosphere imposes the strongest restrictions on observations of the Sun - clouds can obscure the solar disk, and air vibrations can blur the image. In order to select the best observations from multiple simultaneous observations and detect local deterioration in quality, an objective evaluation of the image quality is required. The scientists applied artificial intelligence to obtain a quality score similar to human interpretation: a neural network was developed to learn the characteristics of high-quality images and estimate the deviation of real observations from an ideal reference. The approach of scientists is based on the generator ... >>

MXene Smart Fabric 18.12.2020

Materials engineers at Drexel University have unveiled an ultra-reflection fabric that also reflects certain wavelengths of radiation, among other things. Developments of this type are always something very promising and interesting, since they can be applied in a whole range of different tasks and directions, not to mention the fact that they can play the role of a full-fledged technological platform. The new fabric is a kind of electrically conductive fabric for clothing, but the electricity in it does not pass through, but is retained as an active component and an element for further reflection of electromagnetic waves. Given the fact that many similar developments have been presented in one way or another by many other companies, it becomes clear that MXene has a very interesting character - simply because it offers a much wider functionality and range. ... >>

Intel Clover Falls Auxiliary Chip 18.12.2020

Intel - presented a new auxiliary chip Clover Falls, which should make laptops smarter and safer with the help of artificial intelligence. The new device will be installed on the motherboard and, among other things, "bring new low power capabilities to the computer, helping it to recognize and adapt to its environment." For example, the chip will help the laptop detect the presence of the user and automatically increase the brightness of the screen. We can say that Clover Falls is a kind of low-power AI-based co-processor that constantly monitors the laptop in a semi-passive mode. The novelty will become an integral part of the Evo project, in which Intel and its partners are working to create top-end laptops. ... >>

Washbasin without plumbing 17.12.2020

Japanese inventors have created a wireless washstand that can be installed directly on the street or in public places. The device does not require connection to the water network and works by recycling water. "We do not want to provoke crowds, but we want to show that Ginza is a safe place. Therefore, the goal of this project is to remind people of cleanliness and hygiene rules as often as possible," says Akira Ito, head of organizing mass events. Non-contact wash-hand basin: the faucet and soap dispenser are operated by motion sensors. And most importantly, it is environmentally friendly: it does not connect to the water supply, but works by processing water. Purification takes place in 3 stages: first filtration, then chlorine treatment and finally disinfection with ultraviolet light. On average, 20 liters of water is enough for half a thousand procedures. After 2 thousand uses, the filters are replaced. "Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, we thought it would be great if people could wash their hands anywhere, anytime. ... >>

Atomic clock on quantum entanglement 17.12.2020

To date, atomic clocks are the most accurate timepieces on Earth. The best devices of this type will be only a second behind in 15 billion years. However, in the future, scientists may need even more accurate timepieces to conduct research and control spacecraft. Conventional atomic clocks have a limit to the accuracy of time measurement. It is limited by quantum fluctuations that interfere with tracking the vibrations of atoms. Atomic clocks use lasers to measure the vibration frequency of atoms. The period of these oscillations is so stable that its measurement allows you to count time with incredible accuracy. For example, the cesium-133 atom vibrates exactly 9 times per second, and atomic clocks based on this element are used to calculate world time. Now physicists have been able to make such chronometers even more accurate. To do this, scientists collected a cloud of 192 cooled atoms of ytterbium-631, the vibration frequency of which is even higher than that of cesium-770, and placed them in ... >>

Radeon RX 6900 XT NITRO+ graphics card 16.12.2020

Sapphire has introduced the flagship graphics accelerator Radeon RX 6900 XT in a proprietary version of NITRO +. Previously, the manufacturer showed the Radeon RX 6800 XT and RX 6800 models in the same version. Due to its huge cooling system, the Sapphire Radeon RX 6900 XT NITRO+ requires three free expansion slots inside the computer case. The length of the video card is 310 mm. The presented version of the Radeon RX 6900 XT received a slight factory overclocking of the GPU. For gaming and boost modes, the manufacturer claims frequencies of 2050 and 2285 MHz, respectively, which is 1,6% higher than the reference values ​​announced by AMD for this model. The card received a dual BIOS system with quiet and productive modes. For additional power, the card is equipped with 8-pin connectors, which is rather curious, since most of the non-reference Radeon RX 6900 XT variants presented so far are equipped with three of these connectors. On the other hand, in ... >>

Molecular sensor for smartphones 16.12.2020

Science fiction films demonstrate advanced technologies for collecting and analyzing a variety of information about a person. No less modern technology was prepared by a German company that developed a sensor for conducting a full-fledged molecular analysis using a smartphone. Smartphones with tricorders have appeared more than once at various exhibitions, but they were all too big. But the development of the German company Trinamix just differs from all analogs in size: the sensor will be located inside the phone and will be no larger than the size of the camera module. The operation of the infrared spectroscopic sensor is based on Qualcomm AI Engine technology to process the captured molecular data. This will solve a range of problems, from scanning the body for optimal skin care and dietary advice, to detecting counterfeit fabrics and any other products. The key feature of the technology is its versatility, because in order to get new functions, you will only need to update the software. ... >>

Quantum teleportation using conventional equipment 15.12.2020

Researchers from the Fermilab laboratory during the experiment were able to ensure the instantaneous transmission of a quantum state over optical networks. The distance at the same time was 44 km. Quantum teleportation (transmission of a quantum state over a distance using an entangled pair separated in space and a classical communication channel, in which the state is destroyed at the point of departure during the measurement and recreated at the point of reception) is carried out by spreading the so-called entangled qubits over a certain distance (when the qubits an unobservable relationship is imposed, which is expressed in the fact that with any change over one of several qubits, the rest change in accordance with it). During the tests, Fermilab used ordinary single-photon sensors, optical networks and new laboratory equipment. It was possible to transfer a quantum qubit to another qubit associated with it and 44 km away with an accuracy of 90%, which is considered a very good indicator. In the future, scientists ... >>

Magnetic field improves muscles 15.12.2020

Over time, muscles age and weaken. You can strengthen them with physical exercises: the load activates various biochemical processes in muscle cells that help the muscles renew themselves. As it turned out, the same anti-aging processes are activated if muscle cells are simply treated with an alternating magnetic field. Researchers at the National University of Singapore, along with colleagues at ETH Zurich, describe in Advanced Biosystems how a magnetic field affects the TRPC1 protein. It works as an ion channel, passing sodium and calcium through the inner cell membranes. Many biochemical signals are associated with calcium ions, on which, among other things, the work of mitochondria depends - intracellular organelles that provide the cell with energy. Energy resources (that is, the activity of mitochondria) affect the ability of cells to divide. And the redistribution of calcium ions between different parts of the cell affects the functioning of mitochondria. It is known that physical exercise ... >>

Tree rings told about the reason for the victories of Genghis Khan 14.12.2020

Dendrochronology is a field of science that was born just over a century ago. It became a hobby for astronomer Andrew Douglas of the University of Arizona. He became interested in tree rings because they could tell a lot about past solar cycles and how they affected the Earth's climate. Douglas began to collect a base of tree rings growing from the middle of the 15th century. He then began to investigate an even more ancient source of data - wooden beams from the ruins of Puebloan in the southwestern United States. This is how dendrochronology appeared. Researcher Valerie Truet believes that the tree rings recorded other important moments in human history. The unusually rainy years from 1211 to 1225 may have allowed the grass to cover the steppes of Central Asia, which became fodder for Genghis Khan's horses and the key to conquering the world of the Mongol Empire. The accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986 left its mark on the oddly aligned rings of surviving pine trees. Patterns on the violin by Antonio Stradivari, price ... >>

Synthetic fuel Haru Oni 14.12.2020

Porsche AG and Siemens Energy, together with other international companies, are building the world's first integrated facility for the production of climate-neutral synthetic fuels (eFuels) on an industrial scale in Chile. The "Haru Oni" pilot project, deployed in the province of Magallanes, uses the rich wind resources in southern Chile to produce climate-neutral fuel using "green" electricity generated by wind turbines. As part of Germany's national hydrogen strategy, Siemens Energy receives funding for this project of about 8 million euros from the Federal Ministry of Economics and Energy. At the pilot stage of the project, about 2022 liters of synthetic fuel will be produced already in 130. Then, in two stages, the production volume is planned to be increased to about 000 million liters per year by 2024, and to about 55 million liters per year by 2026. At the end of the pilot phase, the project participants plan to bring the joint development ... >>

176-layer 4D NAND Flash 13.12.2020

SK Hynix announced the completion of the "industry's most layered" 176-layer 4Gb TLC 512D NAND flash memory. In November, memory samples were sent to controller manufacturers. The manufacturer is pushing the memory, which it calls 4D NAND, starting with 96-layer Charge Trap Flash or CTF memory. A feature of 4D NAND is the integration under layers with memory cells of a layer with peripheral circuits. SK Hynix estimates that the move to 176-layer memory has enabled 35% more memory per wafer compared to previous generation 4D NAND flash. The read access time was reduced by 20% using the new cell array selection technology, and the data transfer rate was increased by 33% to 1,6 Gbps. SK Hynix plans to start deliveries of the new memory in the middle of next year, starting with memory for mobile devices, in which case the increase in read speed reaches 70%, and write speed - 35%. P ... >>

invisible material 13.12.2020

South Korean scientists have developed a new kind of camouflage "skin" that will allow the military to blend in with the environment. This material hides a person not only from conventional cameras, but also from infrared night cameras. The new material consists of "pixels" that contain thermochromic liquid crystals that can change color. The material also reacts to the ambient temperature - it is able to cool or heat up in order to "hide" from thermal imaging cameras. In the experiment, the research team demonstrated the work of the "skin" using a patch glued to the hand. The hand was placed on different backgrounds and exposed to different temperatures. For example, on a blue background, the material also took on a blue color. Despite this impressive achievement, the research team still has a lot of work to do. The researchers want the technology to independently react to the surrounding color and change accordingly. Currently, the data that allows you to change the color is entered ... >>

Advanced EV batteries from QuantumScape 12.12.2020

QuantumScape's solid-state lithium metal batteries promise to be second-generation electric vehicle batteries with range comparable to ICE vehicles. Previously, solid state lithium metal batteries were considered promising, but suffering from a lot of negative side effects. In particular, they were safer and more capacious than lithium-ion, but had a narrow operating temperature range. QuantumScape batteries are said to be free from the childhood ailments of solid-state lithium metal batteries and could be commercially viable in as little as four years. New batteries do not have an anode. More precisely, in the production of QuantumScape batteries, the anode is not manufactured. This electrode is formed in an already assembled battery cell by deposition of lithium metal during the cell charging process. The declared rate of lithium deposition in the process of anode formation exceeds all previous indicators and reaches one micron ... >>

Improvement of clean methanol fuel cells 12.12.2020

Due to the many environmental problems caused by the use of fossil fuels, many scientists around the world are focused on finding effective alternatives. While there are high hopes for hydrogen fuel cells, the reality is that transporting, storing, and using pure hydrogen comes with huge additional costs, making it difficult for today's technologies. In contrast, methanol (CH3O3), a type of alcohol, does not require refrigeration, has a higher energy density, and is easier and safer to transport. Thus, a transition to a methanol-based economy is a more realistic goal. However, generating electricity from methanol at room temperature requires a direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC), a device that has so far offered poor performance. One of the major problems with DMFC is the undesired "methanol oxidation" reaction that occurs during the methanol transition," ... >>

Sliding doors made of transparent OLED displays 11.12.2020

LG has announced a partnership with Swedish manufacturer Assa Abloy Entrance Systems. The companies will work together to develop automatic sliding doors with built-in transparent OLED displays. Such doors will be focused on the corporate segment. As noted by LG, they will be able to greet customers, communicate with employees or display ads. LG has been showcasing its transparent displays for several years now, and introduced a range of transparent signage early last year. Recently, the company has already begun to implement similar panels in real-life conditions. In August, LG announced that its displays are used in subway car windows in Beijing and Shenzhen in China, and Panasonic and Xiaomi transparent OLED TVs use LG panels. ... >>

Heat resistant bioplastic 11.12.2020

Plastics can take hundreds or even thousands of years to decompose, while bioplastics can take several years. Previously, these materials could not withstand high temperatures, but now researchers have been able to make bioplastic products resistant even to boiling water. Conventional plastics have strength and flexibility compared to materials made from biomass. But most importantly, many synthetic polymers are stable at temperatures around 100°C, which is not the case with bioplastics. American scientists have found a way to modify biodegradable plastics to increase their heat resistance. The scientists took as a basis polylactic acid, a cheap bioplastic that is commonly used for food packaging, bottles and disposable tableware. Typically, this material begins to break down already at 60°C. But the researchers found that the melting point of this polymeric material is highly dependent on its internal structure. The authors changed the method for the synthesis of polylactic acid so ... >>

Seagate RISC-V Processors 10.12.2020

Seagate Technology announced the development of two processors based on the open RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA). This is the first announcement of the results of several years of cooperation between Seagate and RISC-V International. One of the processors is optimized in terms of performance, and the other is optimized in terms of the minimum die area. The high-performance processor has already been manufactured and tested in hard disk drives. The area-optimized version has been designed and is in the manufacturing stage. Seagate estimates that a high-performance processor outperforms critical real-time hard drive workloads by up to three times over existing solutions. In particular, this opens the way to more accurate head positioning through the implementation of advanced servo control algorithms. The area-optimized processor boasts a highly configurable microarchitecture and feature set. ... >>

Moon origin modeled 10.12.2020

The hypothesis of the origin of the Earth's satellite as a result of the collision of two planets was tested using a new algorithm. British scientists believe that the Moon could have been formed about 4,5 billion years ago as a result of the collision of the Earth with the hypothetical planet Theia. Theia is a hypothetical planet that formed 4,6 billion years ago, like other planets in the solar system, which could have been similar in size to Mars. She is named after Theia, one of the Titanide sisters in ancient Greek mythology, the mother of Helios, Eos and Selene (the moon goddess). Interest in impact theory has grown due to the recent discovery of heterogeneity in oxygen isotopes in lunar samples. The scientists simulated the alleged collision between the proto-Earth and Theia and studied the effect of different rotation speeds of the hypothetical planet on the impact that forms the Moon. It is emphasized that the conclusions are not the final proof of the origin of the Moon, however, they are an important step in understanding how ... >>

Named the new height of Everest 09.12.2020

The heads of China and Nepal, Xi Jingping and Bidhya Devi Bhandari, officially announced the new height of Everest. "I would like, together with President Bhandari, to officially announce to the world on behalf of China and Nepal that the height of Everest is 8848,86 meters," the Chinese leader said in a letter. Earlier Tuesday, a video conference was held with the participation of the foreign ministers of the two countries, at which new data obtained by Nepalese and Chinese researchers were announced. The Department of Geodesy of the Ministry of Land Management of Nepal assures that the measurements are accurate to the centimeter. The error of the new data on the height of Everest, obtained by comparing data from the GPS and Beidou satellite systems, is plus or minus two cm. Recall that an agreement on the joint measurement of Everest was reached last year during Xi Jinping's visit to Nepal. Such a need arose after the assumptions of a number of scientists that the mountain could have decreased due to earthquakes in 2015. Nepal and China disagree on heights ... >>

Wired video intercom Logitech Circle View Doorbell 09.12.2020

Logitech has unveiled the Circle View Doorbell, which it says is the first wired video intercom designed specifically for the Apple HomeKit. The Circle View Doorbell is said to provide crisp portrait video from less than a meter away, support face detection, HDR for processing high-contrast scenes, and color night vision up to two meters away. The device is compatible with most existing wired doorbell systems and supports automation for video settings, notifications, storage and sharing. HomeKit Secure Video, a powerful and secure smart home platform available on over a billion active iOS and iPadOS devices, provides intelligent object detection in the field of view to know when a person, animal or vehicle is approaching a call. User can access Circle View Doorbell in Home app or by contacting Sir ... >>

Charging wearable devices from the user's breath 08.12.2020

An international team of researchers led by scientists from the University of Pennsylvania (USA) has developed an elastic system that collects energy from human breathing and movement to charge "smart" wearable devices - for example, fitness bracelets. According to the authors of the work, current versions of batteries and supercapacitors that power wearable and stretchable devices for monitoring and diagnosing health conditions have many disadvantages, including low energy density and insufficient elasticity. An alternative to batteries are micro-supercapacitors, energy storage devices that can supplement or replace lithium-ion batteries in wearable devices. Of the advantages: micro-supercapacitors are small in size, have a high power density. On the downside, they have a "multi-layered" folded geometry, so these power sources don't stretch well, making them difficult to connect to wearable electronics. Therefore, scientists decided to explore alternative ... >>

artificial sun 08.12.2020

In China, scientists have managed to launch an "artificial sun", which should generate thermonuclear energy. Corresponding experiments are being carried out in the city of Chengdu. Specialists from the research center are studying a fusion reactor, which is a representative of a new generation of such devices. This development is able to maintain performance at a temperature that is ten times higher than the core of the Sun. In particular, the apparatus called HL-2M of the tokamak type "heats up" to 150 million degrees Celsius. This result is almost three times higher than the previous model, which bore the name HL-2A. The device is like a vacuum chamber, where the heated plasma is rotated due to the magnetic field. The synthesis reaction is observed due to extremely high temperatures. It is also noted that the apparatus can hold the magnetic plasma for 10 seconds. ... >>

Preservation of the properties of transparent electrodes when heated 07.12.2020

A heat treatment method that avoids the deterioration of the electrical properties of a transparent electrode made of indium tin oxide has been found by an international group of researchers. In the practical application of transparent electrodes in electronics, the heat treatment of the material occurs at temperatures of about 400°C. Scientists were looking for processing methods that would maximize the preservation of the electrical and optical properties of the material. The researchers subjected tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) to treatment at temperatures in the range of 200-400°C under various annealing atmospheres - oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. After processing, the structural, optical and electrical properties of the conductor were evaluated. Samples treated with both oxygen and nitrogen show deterioration in the structural, optical, and conductive properties of ITO, while the carbon dioxide atmosphere prevents ITO decomposition at 400°C. ... >>

Pocket DNA Sequencer 07.12.2020

American scientists have developed the world's first handheld device with a connected application that can decipher the genome of any living creature, no matter where the user is. It is noted that at the moment the device is associated with the application for iOS. The portable device is intended, first of all, for scientists who conduct field work on the study of DNA of various animal and human species. The tiny device for analyzing the genetic sequence was created by the Oxford Nanopore company, and the staff of the Laboratory at Cold Spring Harbor created the concept of the device and the application for it. According to the authors, you can transfer data from a device to an iPhone or iPad and save it even without Internet access. This feature enables sequencing in the most remote locations on the globe. Scientists have already demonstrated how the device can decipher the DNA sequences of viral pathogens such as influenza or Zika, as well as detect mutations, ... >>

Replacing silicon to reduce transistor size 06.12.2020

Silicon has been the dominant microchip material for decades, but its dominance may be ending. MIT researchers have found that an indium gallium arsenide alloy could be the basis for making smaller, more energy efficient transistors. Transistors are the building blocks of computers. They act as switches, either interrupting the electric current, or allowing it to continue, and thereby ensure the operation of computers. However, in order for the growth of computer power not to stop, more compact transistors are needed. Today, semiconductor manufacturing is based on silicon, but there are alternatives. For example, indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs). This material has excellent electron transport properties. InGaAs transistors can process signals quickly and operate at relatively low voltage, which means they can really improve the performance of computers. But there is one catch ... >>

The temperature in the Arctic has reached a maximum 06.12.2020

The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) testifies that global warming has created a "completely different climate" in the Arctic. The climate crisis, provoked by human activity, has changed the northern continent beyond recognition. This was told in their new study by NOAA experts. For the past seven years, the Arctic has recorded the highest temperatures since 1900. Until September 2020, the second warmest 12-month period was recorded in the northern polar region. The Arctic is warming at twice the rate of the rest of the planet and has already turned into a hotter, greener area, with less ice every year. The anthropogenic climate crisis has led to the fact that in some Arctic regions it was abnormally hot in 2020. In some regions of Siberia, for example, the average temperature in the first half of the year reached a record 5 °C. And in June, in the city of Verkhoyansk, thermometers ... >>

Drones can smell 05.12.2020

University of Washington engineers connected a live moth's antenna to an electronics suite and used it to point the drone at specific smells. They call the created machine Smellicopter. "Nature is head and shoulders above our artificial odor sensors. By using the olfactory antenna of a real moth on a Smellicopter drone, we can get the best of both worlds: the sensitivity of a biological organism on a robotic platform that can be controlled," says Melanie Anderson, lead author of the study. The hollow tubular antenna is borrowed from the tobacco hawk moth (manduca sexta). Small electrodes are inserted into each end of the antenna, which pick up the signal from its receptors. The antenna remains biologically and chemically active for up to four hours after removal, but its shelf life can be extended if the component is refrigerated. To test the resulting cyborg's sense of smell, the team placed the sensor in a wind tunnel, where ... >>

Brain implants to restore vision 05.12.2020

Researchers at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience are one step closer to restoring vision to blind people. The new invention has been successfully tested on macaques. Implants with 1024 electrodes were implanted into the cerebral cortex of macaques. The electrodes conduct electrical signals to the brain, stimulating the part of the cortex responsible for vision. As a result, the signals are converted into an image. As lead researcher Peter Roelfsema explained, stimulating the cortex with a single electrode can produce an image of a single point. But when a set of electrodes is used, an image can be created. During the tests, the monkeys completed a number of tasks. With the help of implanted implants, they had to recognize various objects, including lines, moving dots, letters. And they did it. Neuroscientists believe that the new technology will someday help restore vision to people. According to Peter Roelfsema, in the future, a person will be able to see with the help of a camera built into glasses. Images from to ... >>

Ultracold molecular quantum gas 04.12.2020

For the first time, American physicists have obtained a controlled state of an ultracold molecular quantum gas, which can have many practical applications - from ultraprecise measurement devices to quantum computing. In the classical sense, a gas consists of a large number of randomly moving particles. When the gas is cooled to near absolute zero, the molecules stop behaving like particles and take on the properties of waves that overlap. This state is called a quantum gas, and the transition temperature of a molecular gas to a quantum state is called the degeneracy temperature. The properties of a quantum gas depend on the degree of its degeneracy, when the gas molecules, like particles, repel each other, but interact at large distances due to their overlapping waves, electric dipole moments, and other characteristics. Researchers from JILA - a joint institution of the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the University of Colorado at Boulder - developed ... >>

Musical and mathematical gift are interconnected 04.12.2020

There has long been a widespread belief that people who are talented in music are also talented in mathematics and reading. Scientists have confirmed this in several studies. Music educator Martin Burgee from the US never believed this theory. He was sure that background factors, such as the social class or race of the participants, influenced the results of the studies. For example, if a musical child succeeds in mathematics, this indicates, first of all, that he has access to quality education and enough time for classes. Burgey did the research hoping to debunk the "myth". To his amazement, he only proved that the connection between talents in music, mathematics and reading is even stronger than it seems. The study covers more than 1 middle school students, taking into account their race, social class and other factors. As it turned out, the ability to music, mathematics and reading are really connected, regardless of social conditions and other factors. Burgi and his soa ... >>

Playing with dolls develops empathy 03.12.2020

Psychologists at Cardiff University (UK) conducted a study that confirmed that playing with dolls contributes to the development of empathy in children. Even if the child plays alone, he masters the skills of processing social information. Empathy is a complex concept that includes the ability to determine the needs and desires of other people, to build one's own behavior accordingly, to interact, taking into account the interests of others, to take other points of view and resolve conflicts. The problem of developing social skills in children came to the fore in 2020 due to forced quarantine. Since the spring of 2020, the population of most countries has been in a situation of isolation, children have lost the usual opportunity to communicate with their peers, go to kindergarten and school. In the survey already mentioned, more than 70% of parents admitted that they were concerned about how the lockdown and life "locked down" could affect younger family members and their ability to socialize. 74% of the respondents stated that ... >>

Paper against coronavirus 03.12.2020

In the Czech Republic, scientists have invented a special paper that destroys various types of viruses, including the new coronavirus. The researchers hoped that representatives of the Treasury, as well as enterprises printing documents of national importance, would be interested in their discovery. But it turned out that there is much more demand for such paper in ordinary hospitals. Previously, it was experimentally proved that coronavirus persists on paper for a day. On a novelty presented by the Czech Institute of Chemical Processes, viruses die within half an hour. The secret is that during production, a special composition with zinc and silver is added to the paper. Initially, the researchers believed that their paper could be used to print banknotes, certificates, transport tickets. Now it has become clear that such a sphere of use is real, but much more new paper is in demand in hospitals: you can write medical prescriptions on it, use it for pasting walls in sterile wards. Even sick leave ... >>

Laser projector Epson Pro L30000UNL 02.12.2020

Epson has introduced a new professional laser projector Pro L30000UNL. The device is intended primarily for use during various events. The model received a solid-state laser with a claimed service life of up to 20 hours and a brightness of up to 000 lumens, which allows you to use the projector even in well-lit rooms. The picture resolution is WUXGA 30 x 000 pixels, but there is a 1920K Enhancement function. It also supports HDR1200 High Dynamic Range. The projector can create a gigantic image - up to 4 inches or 10 meters diagonally. Contrast reaches 1000:25,4. DVI-D, HDMI (HDCP 2), D-Sub, USB 500 and RJ000 interfaces are provided for connecting signal sources and peripherals. The dimensions of the projector are 1 x 2.2 x 2.0 mm. ... >>

martian flood 02.12.2020

A team of specialists studying data from the Curiosity rover concluded that in the distant past, Mars was subjected to a planetary-scale flood, which could be triggered by a space disaster. The work was carried out by employees of Jackson State University (USA), the University of Hawaii and the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Scientists studied data from Curiosity obtained in the Gale crater, whose age is estimated at 3,5-3,8 billion years. Scientists have come to the conclusion that the sedimentary rocks contained in the Gale crater appeared as a result of a flood, accompanied by a rapid movement of fluid flows. Researchers believe that a huge flood on the Red Planet occurred about 4 billion years ago as a result of a collision with another cosmic body. This event triggered a release of energy, resulting in a large-scale melting of ice. At the same time, water vapor, carbon dioxide and methane released into the atmosphere provoked changes ... >>

ASRock Mars 4000U Mini PC 01.12.2020

Taiwanese manufacturer ASRock has unveiled the world's thinnest nettop based on AMD Ryzen 4000U (Renoir) series APUs. The novelty is called Mars 4000U and is ready to offer as a basis the installation of a processor up to the Ryzen 7 4800U model, equipped with 8 cores, 16 threads and operating at a frequency of up to 4,2 GHz. The company proposes to equip the compact nettop with dual-channel DDR4-3200 RAM up to 64 GB. The graphics capabilities of the system are provided by the Radeon graphics integrated into the central processor. Wireless networking capabilities of the system can be provided by the Intel AX200 modem module with support for the Wi-Fi 6 standard. Despite the compact size of the computer, which is 194 × 150 × 26 mm (0,7 liter volume), the novelty can be equipped with an NVMe M. 2 and a 2,5" hard drive. The ASRock Mars 4000U nettop is equipped with seven USB connectors: one USB 3.2 Type-C, four USB 3.2 Type-A and two USB 2. ... >>

Dolphins control their heartbeat 01.12.2020

Scientists from the Spanish Oceanography Foundation have announced that dolphins are able to control their heartbeat. Before diving, they can slow it down, and they do it "consciously", depending on how long the dive is planned. During the study, scientists conducted experiments with three captive bottlenose dolphins. They were taught in advance to hold their breath: at the command of a person, they stopped breathing for a short, long, or arbitrary time. The researchers monitored their breathing and heartbeat. Just before the dolphins stopped breathing, or along with the stop, their heartbeat slowed down. The deceleration was faster and stronger when the animals were preparing for a long air hold. “Dolphins can vary their heart rate in the same way that you and I can control our breathing. This both allows you to retain oxygen longer and reduces many of the risks associated with diving, such as developing decompression. ... >>

Foldable UV Sterilizer 30.11.2020

Electronics and accessories manufacturer Moshi has launched an original Kickstarter campaign in the spirit of our times. The company has developed a foldable UV sterilizer that can be carried around and used to disinfect small items. The device is slightly smaller than an A4 sheet and, when folded, has a thickness of only 2 cm. To prepare the sterilizer for work, you need to unfold it and connect it to the network via USB-C. Any smartphone, glasses, pens and similar trifles will fit inside. Moreover, it is enough just to put objects in the "box" - the design is made in such a way that UV-C also falls on the lower surface. A complete disinfection cycle takes 4 minutes and does not require any user participation. LEDs were used as a light source. They should be enough for at least 10 years of work. Inside the case there is a UV indicator that reacts to radiation - it can be used to judge what "portion" of light the objects inside received. For two weeks ... >>

Life in space causes genetic changes 30.11.2020

Genetic changes may be responsible for many of the pathologies seen in astronauts, including problems with vision and blood flow. An experiment to study the effect of gravity on DNA was developed by scientists from the University of Exeter (UK). Researchers have found that cells of the nervous system, neurons, are especially strongly affected in space. Recently, more and more materials have appeared in scientific publications about how a long-term stay in space can be displayed on the human body. This topic has become especially relevant against the backdrop of the long-awaited landing of NASA astronauts on the moon. In addition, in the 2030s, the US space agency plans to organize a flight to Mars, and, according to preliminary estimates, it will last 8 months. Since the first crew arrived on the ISS in 2000, a lot of research has been done on the station involving worms, fruit flies, mice and humans. Genetic changes can be the cause of many pathologies, ... >>

smallest storage device 29.11.2020

Engineers from the US and UK have created the world's smallest atomic data storage device. Its performance is one hundred times higher than that of modern flash drives, according to the press service of the University of Texas at Austin (USA). Scientists called the new device "atomristor" (combining the words "atom" and "memristor"). They used molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) as the main nanomaterial. Previously, researchers have created a similar device, reducing its thickness to one atomic layer. This time they went even further and reduced not only the thickness but also the cross-sectional area of ​​the device. The resulting version of the memristor promises a performance of about 25 terabits per square centimeter. "When another metal atom enters this nanoscale hole and fills it, it transfers some of its conductivity to the material, and this leads to a change or memory effect," said study leader Deji Akinwande, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Tech. ... >>

Artificial intelligence recognizes silent speech 29.11.2020

American scientists have developed a system consisting of electromyographic sensors that perceive the activity of the facial muscles, and an algorithm that predicts words from the signals of the early stage of articulation and synthesizes them into speech. The technology can be used to help people with speech disorders or improve the capabilities of voice assistants. A device for recognizing silent speech was invented by specialists from the University of California at Berkeley. They used the approach of "transferring the sound from a vocalized recording to a silent one while preserving the utterance," according to Venture Beat. For subsequent speech generation, they used the WaveNet decoder. Compared to standard speechless speech programs trained using vocalized electromyography data, the scientists' approach reduced the error rate from 64% to 4% when transcribing sentences from books. In order to spur the development of this area, the researchers posted in the public domain almost 20 hours ... >>

Video on e-books with color ink 28.11.2020

E-readers with E Ink displays have led to a new and extremely convenient class of reading devices in any environment, day or night. The only thing they were unable to do was video playback. The E Ink screen refreshes too slowly. With color, too, it does not add up yet, but video is clearly not the strong point of this technology. The Chinese promise to fix this, and the old Philips research helps them in this. South China Normal University (SCNU) announced the progress in the development of color reflective displays with the ability to show video. Back in 2012, a group for the development of "paper" displays was created as part of the university, led by former Philips engineers. Later, the team began working with a local company, Shenzhen Guohua Optoelectronics Ltd, which is likely to commercialize the development. So far, the efforts of E Ink and other companies that have tried to create an alternative technology for reflective ... >>

Capacitors Panasonic SVT OS-CON 28.11.2020

Panasonic Industry Europe has introduced a new series of SVT capacitors with low ESR and good noise reduction capability. The latest series of capacitors, part of the OS-CON family of high conductive polymer aluminum solid capacitors, is designed for surface mounting. Capacitors of the OS-CON family are characterized by long service life, stability of the equivalent series resistance over the nominal temperature range and are available for both lead and surface mounting. OS-CON capacitors use materials such as aluminum and highly conductive polymers to achieve low ESR and excellent noise and ripple current reduction. The family is suitable for highly reliable applications requiring large capacitances and relatively high voltages. The new SVT series capacitors feature low ESR even at low temperatures, as well as good frequency response, high noise ... >>

Wasps vs planes 27.11.2020

In the US alone, more than 757 bird strikes occur each year. Often such incidents lead to equipment damage and even plane crashes. But much smaller creatures can also threaten flight safety. Air pressure receivers, which are placed on the cockpit fuselage and used to measure airspeed, are vulnerable to insects. If they clog the pitot tubes that make up the sensors, the pilots will not be able to assess the speed of takeoff or landing, which is fraught with disaster. The February 1996 crash of a Boeing 189 in the Dominican Republic that killed XNUMX people is believed to have been caused by a Sphecidae wasp that built a clay nest in one of the pitot tubes. A team of researchers led by Alan House from Eco Logical Australia decided to find out how dangerous for aviation are solitary wasps Pachodynerus nasidens, which build nests of earth and clay (they contain eggs and food for birds). ... >>

Sensor for smart home Mi Human Sensor 2 27.11.2020

Xiaomi has unveiled its new device, the new Mi Human Sensor 2 motion sensor, which is offered at a price of $7 at the stage of collective financing. The new Mi Human Sensor 2 can be placed in any part of the house or apartment. It tracks movements and triggers actions set by the user. The device can be connected to other smart home devices, and scenarios can be set up in the Mijia app. It supports Wi-Fi Mesh. Xiaomi claims that it can accurately track movements in bright sunlight or complete darkness. Since it can be connected to other smart home devices, it has a wide range of use cases. For example, the user can set it to turn on the light at night when motion is detected. It can be configured to record video through the smart camera and transmit the video. Mi Human Sensor 2 uses low power technology and comes with a standard CR2450 battery, which, according to the statement ... >>

Oxygen stops aging 26.11.2020

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is used for decompression sickness, carbon monoxide poisoning, injuries that led to severe blood loss, burns, and severe infections (although its effectiveness has not yet been confirmed in all cases). The essence of the procedure is that the patient is in a chamber (pressure chamber) with a pressure that is higher than normal atmospheric pressure. Under such conditions, the blood is better saturated with oxygen - it is carried not only by erythrocytes, but also to a large extent by blood plasma. Researchers at Tel Aviv University have found that telomeres lengthen in human immune cells after hyperbaric oxygen therapy. So called end sections of chromosomes, in which no genetic information is encoded. Their job is to protect the rest of the chromosome from damage. Telomeres shorten over time, and the shorter it is, the greater the likelihood of various age-related anomalies. Therefore, they are called one of the indicators of aging. On the other hand, cells have an enzyme that ... >>

Upgrading Perovskite Solar Panels 26.11.2020

Perovskite solar panels are gradually becoming more interesting and unusual for most users and organizations in need of alternative sources of electricity - moreover, it is perovskite as the main composite material that is now gradually bypassing more traditional silicon solar panels and pads in popularity and relevance, despite the fact that that it still features a slightly higher level of cost to create, as well as a much slower design process. A team of physical engineers from Stanford University presented the results of their interesting experiment aimed at increasing the speed and density of production of perovskite solar panels - for this they used their new method, which consists in applying a special spray applied to the first layer of the perovskite panel, and then a thickener to spray applied to the second layer of the panel. With such a complex and ... >>

Logitech G Pro X Superlight Ultralight Wireless Mouse 25.11.2020

Logitech has unveiled the new Logitech G Pro X Superlight wireless gaming mouse, which the company calls the lightest wireless mouse for professional eSports players. The model has already been tested by the players of the Danish team Astralis in the 12th season of the ESL PRO League Final, as well as the French team G2 Esports in the League of Legends European Championship 2020. Redesigned and specially designed to reduce weight while increasing performance, the mouse weighs less than 63 grams and nearly 25% lighter than a standard PRO wireless mouse. In addition, the Pro X Superlight features more responsive 2,4GHz Lightspeed wireless technology for offline gaming and up to 70 hours of battery life. The new mouse also features large Teflon-coated feet for low friction and improved accuracy, speed and agility. The mouse is equipped with a Logitech G HERO 25K sensor with ... >>

Magnetic spray creates robots 25.11.2020

Tiny robotic devices require miniaturized electronics, making such mechanisms difficult and expensive to produce. Researchers from Hong Kong talked about a new technology that allows you to turn any microscopic objects into robots using a special magnetic spray. A team of scientists announced the creation of a unique spray, after processing which any objects receive the functions of robots and can be controlled due to magnetic properties. The spray consists of polyvinyl alcohol, gluten and iron particles. It instantly adheres to any objects, regardless of their structure and size, after which a film with a thickness of 0,1 to 0,25 mm is formed on the surface. After applying the spray, the object is magnetized, depending on how it will be further controlled under the influence of a magnetic field. After the end of the procedure, the researchers receive the so-called millirobots with different modes of movement: they can crawl, walk, ... >>

New technology for optical imaging of nanoparticles 24.11.2020

Scientists from the University of Houston and the Cancer Center at the University of Texas (USA) have developed a new PANORAMA optical imaging technology that can detect nanoparticles as small as 25 nanometers. Experts note that the size of the smallest transparent object that a standard microscope can display today is from 100 to 200 nanometers. In addition to being so small, these objects do not reflect, absorb, or "scatter" enough light to allow imaging systems to detect their presence. Labeling is another widely used method; this requires researchers to know something about the particle they are studying—for example, that a virus has a spiked shell (like the "solar corona" of coronaviruses)—and develop a way to tag that feature with a fluorescent dye or some other method to make it easier to was to detect a particle. "Otherwise it will appear invisible under the microscope ... >>

TerraMaster F5-221 NAS 24.11.2020

The F5-221 network-attached storage, targeted at small businesses and home users, has expanded the TerraMaster product range. The storage is built on a dual-core Intel Celeron J3355 processor operating at a frequency of 2,0-2,5 GHz, which has 2 GB of RAM. The memory can be expanded up to 6 GB. The TerraMaster F5-221 has five bays that can accommodate 2,5" or 3,5" SATA drives up to a total capacity of 80TB. Supports hot swap and configurations Single, JBOD, RAID 0, RAID 1, RAID5, RAID 6, RAID 10. The NAS equipment includes two 1GbE ports and two USB 3.0 ports. According to the manufacturer, the write speed reaches 118 MB / s, the read speed - 119 MB / s. The storage supports hardware data encryption and 4K video transcoding. Using TerraMaster F5-221, you can easily create a personal cloud storage, organizing backup and archiving, remote access and ... >>

Artificial diamond obtained at room temperature 23.11.2020

The new technology makes it possible to synthesize artificial diamonds without strong heating and obtain even the rarest lonsdaleite with especially strong crystals. Under natural conditions, diamonds are formed deep in the bowels of the Earth. Its formation takes a long time, requires high pressure and heating above 1000 °C. It is possible to obtain synthetic diamonds faster, although the process still takes place at enormous pressures and temperatures. Scientists have learned to do without heating only now, having developed the synthesis of diamonds at ordinary room temperature. Carbon atoms can form a variety of structures - from flat and black graphene to ultra-strong and transparent diamond. However, diamonds are also different: the particles in its crystals can be combined not only into a "classical" cubic, but also into a hexagonal crystal lattice, forming a special form of diamond - lonsdaleite. It is even more hard than cubic, but it is much less common in nature. Yes, in the lab ... >>

Mixed reality for cars 23.11.2020

Volvo announced the use of gaming technology in the development of vehicles. The Swedish automaker's engineers have begun using mixed reality technologies to develop new models and test technologies in the areas of safe driving and autopilot. This is helped by a new simulator, which includes a movable driver's seat, a steering wheel with tactile feedback and virtual reality glasses. The simulator allows you to simulate driving a car on various roads right within the walls of the laboratory. To do this, we used the Unity real-time 3D modeling platform, realistic high-definition XNUMXD graphics, augmented reality glasses and a Teslasuit full body suit that provides tactile feedback from the virtual world and tracking body reactions, as well as the experience of Finnish experts in the field of virtual reality. and mixed reality Varjo. As the authors of the project note, testing of active safety systems, etc. ... >>

Li-ion solid electrolyte transistor 22.11.2020

One of the hottest areas of applied physics, spintronics, deals with devices that use the spin of electrons to perform useful functions. However, measuring this fundamental quantum property and, in general, manipulating it remains a difficult task. The results of the study, undertaken by a team of scientists from the University of Tokyo and the National Institute of Materials Science (NIMS), should help address some of the limitations of current spintronic devices, such as excessive power consumption, low operating temperatures, and the need for rare and expensive materials. Japanese engineers have presented a simple yet effective strategy for changing the angle of magnetization in a typical ferromagnetic material, magnetite (Fe3O4). The team was able to design a redox (redox) transistor containing a thin film of magnetite on magnesium oxide and a solid lithium silicate electrolyte with a micro-zirconium addition. Wwe ... >>

Insulation of houses with cigarette butts 22.11.2020

Australian scientists have proposed using crushed cigarette butts to keep the house warm. They plan to add them to the clay from which bricks are made. Just one percent of cigarette butts in clay can reduce the energy required to fire bricks by 20 billion megajoules. Such bricks will become lighter in weight, and their thermal conductivity will be lower. So that cigarette butts do not leave an unpleasant odor and harmful bacteria, they will be treated with ozone and ultraviolet light. Such technology, among other things, will help get rid of thousands of tons of decaying waste. ... >>

External video cards Gigabyte Aorus RTX 3080/3090 Gaming Box 21.11.2020

Gigabyte has expanded its Aorus Gaming Box line of external graphics cards with devices based on the GeForce RTX 3080/3090. The novelties continue the ideas embodied in the Aorus RTX 2080 Ti Gaming Box, including the use of liquid cooling, and are connected to the computer via Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb / s). Inside the Aorus RTX 3080/3090 Gaming Box, the vendor placed a maintenance-free LSS with a 240mm aluminum radiator. The contact plate of the water block is made of copper and contains two heat pipes designed to improve the efficiency of heat dissipation. There is also a "golden" power supply with a nominal value of 550 watts. The body dimensions of the new Aorus Gaming Box are 300 x 140 x 173 mm. The set of interfaces on the edges of the devices is represented by three USB 3.2 Gen1 ports, single Thunderbolt 3 and Gigabit Ethernet, as well as HDMI 2.1 (x2) and DisplayPort 1.4 (x3) video outputs. The operating frequencies of the GPU correspond to those recommended by Nvidia: 1440-1710 MHz for the GeForce RTX 3080 model and 1395-1695 MHz for the GeF variant ... >>

Water can have several liquid states 21.11.2020

Scientists have experimentally proved that supercooled water can exist in the form of two immiscible liquid phases with different densities. The research results are published in the journal Science. Water is one of the most common substances. At the same time, it has unique physical properties - when pressure and temperature change, it behaves differently from other liquids. Anomalies of the phase states of water have been studied by physicists and chemists all over the world for many years. Everyone is familiar with the usual liquid state of water at normal temperature. However, thirty years ago, scientists suggested that at ultra-low temperatures, water could have several liquid states. Researchers from the United States, Canada, Sweden and South Korea, led by Nicolas Giovambattista, professor at the City University of New York and head of the Department of Physics at Brooklyn College, experimentally proved that at minus 63 degrees Celsius, water can exist as a liquid at low pressure. ... >>

Hydrogen trains 20.11.2020

German railway company Deutsche Bahn and Siemens Mobility intend to launch a Mireo Plus H train powered by hydrogen. The vehicle will receive a hydrogen drive, which in terms of power will not be inferior to the electric counterpart. The train will be able to move at a speed of 160 km/h and cover up to 600 km. Deutsche Bahn is busy developing a station to fill a train in 15 minutes. Hydrogen is planned to be produced in Tübingen and a maintenance facility will be built in Ulm. The companies plan to start testing as early as 2024, and they will last for a year in Baden-Württemberg. The Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure is ready to finance this project. ... >>

Microcontrollers Microchip PIC18F-Q41 20.11.2020

The American manufacturer Microchip has released a new series of microcontrollers based on the PIC core. For the first time, devices of the PIC18 line received an operational amplifier in low-pin packages. PIC18F-Q41 is a new series of controllers designed to improve the accuracy of working with an analog signal, and therefore - developed on the basis of a series of sensors. To accomplish this task, the devices are equipped with an operational amplifier, a 12-bit ADC with a post-computer (averaging, low-pass filtering, comparison with a threshold, and other functions), two 8-bit DACs, two comparators, and a reference voltage shaper. In total, there are six devices in the family with a memory capacity of 16, 32 and 64 kB in packages with 14 and 20 pins. Simultaneously with the Q41 series, the Q40 series was released, which differs only in the absence of an operational amplifier in the periphery. Memory capacity and package types are the same as Q41 series. Each series developed its own development board: PIC18F16Q40 Curiosity ... >>

Silicon optical transmitter 19.11.2020

Silicon photonics experts at the Optoelectronics Research Center (ORC) have demonstrated the first all-silicon optical transmitter that operates at 100 Gbps without the use of digital signal processing. The optical modulator almost doubles the maximum data rate of today's devices, demonstrating the potential for low-power, low-cost all-silicon solutions. They avoid the complexity of manufacturing processes using new materials that are incompatible with CMOS. CMOS (complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor structure; English CMOS, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor) is a set of semiconductor technologies for building integrated circuits and the corresponding circuitry of microcircuits. The vast majority of modern digital circuits are CMOS. The optical modulator is an important component in systems serving modern information and communication technologies. And not t ... >>

Disposable gourd cups 19.11.2020

New York-based design company Creme has taken the issue of plastic waste into the planet and come up with an unusual solution to this problem - to grow pumpkin disposable coffee cups. Everything ingenious is simple, the designers decided and, looking back, found a great way to store liquids. For this, our ancestors used the dried peel of pumpkin fruits, which retains its shape for a long time. Thus began the Pumpkin project, which aims to produce experimental batches of biosoluble cups and flasks that can be used to serve hot coffee and also store beans. June Isaac, director of Creme, says that on a farm in Pennsylvania, the company grows pumpkins and squash, giving them the desired shape. Just like in Japan, for more comfortable transportation, watermelons are grown in containers, giving the fruits a square shape. For this, modern technologies and equipment are used, which allows not only to give the fruits the correct shape ... >>

WD Blue SN550 2TB NVMe SSD 18.11.2020

Western Digital has released a new 2TB NVMe M.2 SSD called the WD Blue SN550. In addition, the company announced three more solid-state drives, which are currently in development. The new drive boasts twice the capacity of the previous flagship of the WD Blue SN550 family. The series also includes 1TB, 500GB and 250GB SSDs. The WD Blue family is designed for use in consumer PCs and notebooks. All previous models in the series provided sequential read speeds up to 2400 MB / s, so although this parameter was not named for the new drive, we can assume that the speed will remain at the same level. Two more drives, which are still in development, will be included in the IX SN530 series. According to the company, the IX family includes SSD models with industrial-grade non-volatile memory capable of operating at temperatures from -40 to +85 degrees Celsius, providing at ... >>

Controlling lightning with a laser 18.11.2020

By directing the lightning with a laser beam, the energy stored in the thundercloud can be discharged where it will cause less harm. Physicists from universities in Australia and the United States have demonstrated technology that allows you to control the trajectory of lightning using a laser beam. The researchers simulated in the laboratory atmospheric conditions similar to those observed during a thunderstorm. In nature, lightning follows the path of least resistance. It can be created artificially - for this, scientists used conductive microparticles of graphene. When heated, they cause ionization of neighboring air particles and create a path for a stepped lightning leader. By directing the lightning with a laser beam, the energy stored in the thundercloud can be discharged where it will cause less harm. This means avoiding human casualties and forest fires, like those that hit Australia in August 2019. Electric discharge control technology can also find application in medicine: we are talking about optical scalpels for ... >>

HyperX Specter computer glasses 17.11.2020

HyperX, the gaming division of Kingston Technology, has announced the sale of Specter glasses that block blue light. These goggles are designed to reduce eye strain for gamers, students and professionals using computers. There are three models available - Stealth, Reach and Scout (for younger users). The Specter Eyewear collection offers a wide range of lens options, designs, colors and sizes. Designed for maximum comfort and minimum pressure when used with a headset, the HyperX Specter Stealth line features flexible stainless steel metal temples, plastic tips and flexible loops. These goggles use premium nylon lenses designed to reduce color distortion. The glasses are available in three frame styles with three color options. They cost $80. The HyperX Specter React line offers optional polarized lenses for sunglasses that attach easily with magnets, ... >>

Mean Well MPM-45/65/90 compact power supplies for medical devices 17.11.2020

The range of compact, encapsulated, board-mounted power supplies - MPM - has been expanded by Mean Well in the direction of increasing power. The MPM-45, MPM-65 and MPM-90 series are now available in this family with output power of 45W, 65W and 90W, respectively. IP are manufactured in a case filled with a compound for two mounting options: on a printed circuit board (soldering leads) and on a chassis (screw terminal block). The suffix ST (Screw Terminal) has been added to the chassis-mounted power supplies. The main features of the new series are small size (considering the value of output power), compliance with EN55011 class B EMC requirements without external components, low no-load power consumption (<100 mW), high efficiency - up to 93%, wide operating temperature range - from -30 up to + 80?, compliance with the latest edition of medical safety standards IEC / EN / ANSI / AAMI60601-1 with an isolation level of 2xMOPP (leakage current <100 μA). The power supplies are intended for such devices of type BF (contact ... >>

Gossip is good for the team 16.11.2020

Scientists from the Netherlands have confirmed that gossip at work is beneficial for the team. To test the theory, the researchers interviewed 220 students. Among the questions were whether they gossiped about them, did they gossip, for what reason did the students do it, who would they not gossip about. As a result, scientists have said that gossip allows people to easily collect and verify information about a particular person. Also, with the help of gossip, employees divide the team into "us" and "them". "Often gossip is seen as selfish and harmful behavior aimed at manipulating others," says researcher Bianca Bershma from the University of Amsterdam. In fact, gossip can increase the productivity of an employee by stimulating him to work, revealing his weaknesses. And the fears of a person about whom they can talk are better stimulated to work. ... >>

Samsung Exynos 5 1080nm SoC 16.11.2020

Samsung has introduced Exynos 1080, a single-chip system for the next generation of mobile devices. And this is Samsung's first 5nm SoC (until now, only TSMC has been able to do 5nm). Samsung announced Exynos 1080, its first 5nm SoC for the next generation of smartphones 1080 nm with hard ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. Another benefit of the Exynos 980 over competing SoCs is the built-in 8G modem. That is, on the PCB and therefore in the device case, this SoC will take up less space than any other platform when combined with a separate 8G modem. The module provides data transfer rates of 5 Gbps in 1080G NR Sub-5 GHz networks and up to 5 Gbps in 5,1G NR mmWave networks. Also, Samsung Exynos 5 supports the new hundred ... >>

ASRock iBOX-V2000 Mini PC 15.11.2020

The lineup of ASRock Industrial brand mini-computers has been replenished with two new devices based on the AMD Ryzen Embedded V2000 platform: iBOX-V2000V and iBOX-V2000M. Both new items are made in an aluminum case measuring 171,8 x 109,5 x 50 mm, which acts as a radiator. ASRock iBOX-V2000V and iBOX-V2000M fanless mini PCs use Ryzen Embedded 2516 (6 cores/12 threads, 2,1/3,95 GHz) and Ryzen Embedded V2718 (8 cores/16 threads, 1,7/4,15 .12 GHz) respectively. The integrated video core based on the improved Vega architecture is responsible for graphics processing. An external adapter with a voltage of 19-4 V is used to power nettops. Computers support the installation of two SO-DIMM DDR3200-64 RAM modules (maximum 2,5 GB), a 6-inch SATA 2 Gb / s drive and an SSD in the form -factor M.2,5. Among other things, it is worth highlighting the presence of a gigabit and 2-gigabit network interface, as well as an M.XNUMX connector for a wireless module. ... >>

Cooling material based on camel fur 15.11.2020

The researchers took inspiration from camel fur and developed a material that can lower its temperature without consuming electricity. Materials cool when water evaporates from their surface. But as soon as all the water evaporates, the cooling effect disappears. Camels, like no other, are adapted to life in the desert. Although at first glance it seems that a "bald" camel will cool more efficiently than a fur-covered one, in fact this is not the case. Fur protects the animal's skin from heat and at the same time allows sweat to evaporate more slowly. As a result, cooling lasts longer, which allows the camel to save water by cooling the skin. A new material created by researchers at MIT works in a similar way. It consists of two layers: a hydrogel is located on the bottom, and a porous silica-based airgel is located on top. The hydrogel is 97% water, which evaporates when heated. As a result, the temperature of the material is lowered when ... >>

Intel H3C XG3 310D Server Accelerator 14.11.2020

Intel introduced its first discrete graphics processor for data centers. Based on the Xe-LP microarchitecture, the Intel Server GPU is specifically designed for high-density, low-latency Android game cloud processing and media streaming services. As the world continues to grow in the number of smart devices and see exponential growth in data, there is a shift in emphasis in computing. Instead of CPUs alone, mixtures of architectures such as CPUs, GPUs, FPGAs, and other accelerators are increasingly being used. Intel collectively describes this as an XPU. The release of the Intel Server GPU is a step towards the XPU era. At the same time, to unlock the potential of such devices, not only hardware solutions are required, but also a complex software stack, which is offered as the Intel oneAPI tool kit. A combination of Intel Xeon Scalable processors, Intel Server GPUs, and open source and licensed call software ... >>

Laser Internet for Africa 14.11.2020

Alphabet's Taara has entered into an agreement to deploy a network of laser internet communication stations in sub-Saharan Africa. Today, the main way to connect cities and other settlements to the Internet is underground cables, but there are many areas on our planet where it is unprofitable or even impossible to lay them for various reasons. In this case, wireless Internet can help - from mobile to satellite, but satellite communications are still very expensive. Some companies believe that in this case it is possible to place signal repeaters on stratospheric balloons or high-altitude drones. Others, such as Taara, backed by Econet, are suggesting the use of a laser, which can transmit data much faster than radio. As part of a pilot project, engineers are going to develop communications in sub-Saharan Africa - primarily in Kenya. The laser will connect the individual sections of the optical ... >>

Space amethyst in a dying star 13.11.2020

On Earth, amethysts can form when gas bubbles in lava cool under the right conditions. In space, a dying star with a mass similar to the Sun can create a structure that rivals these beautiful gems in terms of attractiveness. When stars like the Sun burn their fuel, they shed their outer layers and the core of the star shrinks. Using NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory, astronomers have detected a bubble of superhot gas at the center of one such outflowing star, a planetary nebula in our galaxy called IC 4593. Located about 7800 light-years from Earth, IC 4593 is the most distant planetary nebula detected by Chandra. In this new image of IC 4593, Chandra's magenta X-rays are reminiscent of amethysts. The bubble discovered by Chandra is a gas heated to over a million degrees. These high temperatures were likely caused by material that had come loose from the wrinkled self. ... >>

Frost protection for LED headlights 13.11.2020

The Finnish company Canatu announced the creation of a film that will help protect the LED headlights of cars from freezing. Owners of cars with LED headlights will have a difficult choice - either put up with frosting on the optics, or attach a warm heated cap on top. More and more modern cars are switching to LED optics - such headlights have become an attribute not only of premium models, but also of quite budget cars. And all owners suffer from one problem - freezing headlights in cold weather. Car headlight lenses are made of plastic, which does not allow them to be equipped with a heating system, which can lead to deformation or clouding of the element. The heat emitted by halogen or xenon incandescent lamps is sufficient to heat the lens and, while maintaining its integrity, prevent snow from freezing while driving. LEDs, which are energy efficient, do not emit as much heat, so they are covered with dirt or snow ... >>

Ford E-Transit electric van 12.11.2020

Ford has prepared the release of the E-Transit van. This is an electric version of her versatile and popular Transit van. The E-Transit was one of the first all-electric vehicles announced by Ford in 2016. Although the car has been in development for a long time, the company does not plan to put it into production until 2022. However, the automaker is already ready to share details about this electric vehicle. Ford says the E-Transit is equipped with a 67 kWh usable battery pack and a 198 kW (266 hp) electric motor. The low roof cargo van has a claimed range of 126 miles (about 202 km). At the choice of customers, modifications with different roof heights (3 options), body lengths (3 options) and cargo compartment options will be available. Various modifications offer different load capacities from 3240 feet (about 1470 kg) to 3800 pounds (about 1725 kg). E-Transit will receive support for fast charging ... >>

Bacteria for the space mining industry 12.11.2020

A biomineralization experiment on the International Space Station demonstrates the extraction of rare earth elements in microgravity and Martian gravity. It is assumed that bacteria can extract useful materials from rocks on Mars and the Moon and open the way for new technologies that will help people explore new worlds and establish settlements there. The study is based on tests conducted by astronauts on the International Space Station who received 18 matchbox-sized mining devices - so-called biodevelopment reactors - sent by researchers from the University of Edinburgh aboard a SpaceX rocket launched from Cape Canaveral in Florida, USA, in July 2019. . Small pieces of basalt, a rock commonly found on Earth's natural satellite and on Mars, were loaded into each device and immersed in a bacterial solution for three weeks under zero gravity. The team's findings show that bacteria can improve extract ... >>

XNUMXD semiconductor processor 11.11.2020

Swiss engineers have developed a computer chip of a fundamentally new type, which implements data storage and processing functions inside a single two-dimensional layer of molybdenum sulfide. This will allow you to create more compact, faster and more energy efficient devices. Until now, the energy efficiency of computer chips has been limited by the currently used von Neumann architecture, in which data processing and storage are performed in two separate blocks. This means that data must be constantly transferred between two devices, which requires a significant amount of time and energy. Engineers at the EPFL's Laboratory for Nanoscale Electronics and Structures have developed a revolutionary technology that uses 2D material to create a single architecture that combines logic operations with memory function. By combining two blocks into a single semiconductor layer, the authors have achieved a significant reduction in energy losses, which ... >>

Mobile trap to move antimatter between research labs 11.11.2020

It is known that antimatter is a substance, the storage and transportation of which are fraught with many difficulties due to the fact that it, this antimatter, immediately seeks to destroy the material of the container in which it is being placed. And recently, CERN BASE scientists have found a way to safely move antimatter to scientific instruments in other laboratories, where scientists will use it to try to "reveal" some of the fundamental mysteries of our universe. The Antimatter Decelerator (AD) facility is one of the few places on Earth where antimatter is produced. However, the specifics of the operation of this installation, in particular, the strongest magnetic fields used in it, make its location completely unsuitable for carrying out other experiments. And then there is the problem of transporting antimatter to other places more suitable for research. BASE scientists have already completed the design of a mobile trap, which ... >>

Artificial Burger McPlant 10.11.2020

McDonalds is one of the largest producers and suppliers of fast food in the global market, with a truly recognizable marketing and positioning features. The company announced its intention to release its own version of the artificial meat burger called McPlant, in an attempt to compete with food industry giants such as Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat, which initially became companies that were interested in the opportunity to offer their audience a fully real-life artificial burger for vegetarians. and enthusiasts. Previously, McDonalds didn't pay too much attention to the possibility of doing something like this, preferring to focus solely on its internal line of classic and relatively classic products. But now that the popularity of various plant-based alternatives to standard meat patties continues to grow throughout the world, McDonalds management is seriously interested in the opportunity to ... >>

The growth of the smart toy market 10.11.2020

ResearchAndMarkets.com has prepared a report related to the smart toys market. According to analysts, this market is expected to grow steadily in the coming years. Although the pandemic has affected production and the consumer component, the market is gradually recovering. This year, the volume of this market in monetary terms is estimated at $4,1 billion, and by 2027 it will reach $5,6 billion. These values ​​correspond to an average annual growth rate of 4,5% during the period from 2020 to 2027 covered by the forecast. However, app-enabled mechanical toys are expected to grow above the industry average. It will average 5,5% per year. For comparison: the segment of toys without screens will show an average annual growth rate of 4,1%, and the segment of toys with voice or image recognition functions - 5,1%. Geographically, the US market is the largest. This year its volume is estimated at $1,2 billion. ... >>

Monitor Acer Nitro EI322QURP 09.11.2020

Acer has unveiled a new 1500R curved matrix gaming monitor, the Acer Nitro EI322QURP. The novelty received a 31,5-inch VA-display with a resolution of WQHD 2560 x 1440 pixels with an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a picture refresh rate of 165 Hz. Viewing angles vertically and horizontally are 178 degrees. The monitor is characterized by 93% coverage of the DCI-P3 color space. The matrix response time is 1 ms. Supports High Dynamic Range HDR (VESA DisplayHDR 400), as well as FreeSync Premium Pro technology, which eliminates image tearing by synchronizing the refresh rate of the monitor and graphics card. There is also support for user eye protection technologies: Flicker-less to reduce flicker, BlueLightShield to eliminate blue light radiation, Low Dimming to reduce display brightness when working in dark rooms. The brightness of the picture is up to 400 cd/m2. Static contrast - 3000: 1, dynamic - 10 ... >>

Processing moon dust into oxygen 09.11.2020

Materials technology company Metalysis has won a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop a method to extract oxygen from lunar dust and soil. Also, the company, which is based in South Yorkshire, will extract iron, aluminum and other metals from lunar resources. They will be useful for building a base on the moon. Metalysis has received about £250 (about $000) from ESA to improve the technology in the extraterrestrial environment. This was told by the managing director of the company Jan Mellor. A few months earlier, Metalysis technologists said they could extract 329 percent of the oxygen from lunar regolith found on the surface of Earth's natural satellite. And from the remains of rocks - to create a metal alloy that can be used in construction. The method, which has already been tested on Earth, was invented at the University of Cambridge. If the technology is successfully implemented, space ... >>

Antimicrobial film for household surfaces 08.11.2020

Veraco launches a line of products to reduce germs on the surfaces people touch the most. The British manufacturer has designed and manufactured a range of antimicrobial adhesive pads and wraps for use on doorknobs, shopping carts, railings and other "microbial" areas. The materials use "silver ion" technology, which destroys the biological composition of microorganisms in order to stop the spread and reproduction of dangerous pathogens. The products kill up to 99,99% of common bacteria and are also effective against COVID-19. Approximate shelf life of wraps is up to two years after installation on surfaces. Antimicrobial silver technology is not new and has been used in paints and coatings for hospitals, but so far no one has produced a generic product for general use. Veraco has already signed contracts with brands such as Toyota and COS. The company also cooperates with the University of London ... >>

Oxidizing molecules slow down aging 08.11.2020

Aggressive oxidizing molecules, or oxygen radicals, damage the cell's DNA, proteins and lipids, so that there seems to be no benefit from them. These oxidizing agents are inevitably formed during normal biochemical reactions, and cells have special enzymes that neutralize oxygen radicals. However, it happens that more of them are formed than usual, or that those enzymes that neutralize them begin to work poorly - and then oxidative stress occurs in the cell. It is believed that oxidative stress is one of the main causes of aging, and that many chronic diseases occur due to aggressive oxygen oxidants. However, oddly enough, they can also be useful. For example, hydrogen peroxide, which is very unstable and easily decomposes with the formation of those same radicals - and so, hydrogen peroxide slows down aging. How he does it, found out the staff of the Technical University of Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg. They studied yeast and their Tsa1 enzyme, which serves as ... >>

Biodegradable sneakers 07.11.2020

Startup Thousand Fell (USA) creates the world's first fully recyclable sneakers. Thousand Fell, aiming to change the reality of the shoe industry, when 97% of the products end up in landfills, has created a line of sneakers from materials that can be 100% recycled, writes green queen. The shoe's coating is a bio-based resin made from corn waste. Castor oil is used to soften the coating itself, while a natural quartz barrier ensures it is water resistant and stain resistant. At the same time, Thousand Fells sneakers are heavy-duty - and can withstand up to 2,4 million steps. Each pair combines thoughtful design with modern and sustainable materials, making them durable, comfortable and recyclable. The products are designed for a long service life. ... >>

External video adapter Aorus RTX 3080 Gaming Box from Gigabyte 07.11.2020

Gigabyte Technology is gearing up to ship the Aorus RTX 3080 Gaming Box external graphics card for laptops and mini PCs. The device is made in a case with dimensions of 300 x 140 x 170 mm, weighs about 3,8 kg and connects to a computer via Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gb / s). Inside the Aorus RTX 3080 Gaming Box (GV-N3080IXEB-10GD) is a slightly modified Aorus GeForce RTX 3080 Xtreme WaterForce video adapter equipped with a liquid cooling system with a 240mm radiator. The operating frequencies of the GPU correspond to the reference values: from 1440 to 1710 MHz in dynamic overclocking. The device is powered by a built-in power supply unit with a nominal value of 550 watts. Three USB ports, an RJ-45 gigabit network interface connector, HDMI 2.1 (x2) and DisplayPort 1.4 (x3) video outputs, as well as a Thunderbolt 3 port used to connect and charge a laptop are available on the sides of the case. Among other things, we can distinguish the presence of dust filters and RGB lighting at the bottom. ... >>

Hyperloop overclocked to 1019 km / h 06.11.2020

The fourth industrial revolution will require not only the robotization of production, but also new types of public transport for a "hyper-connected" society. Such transport should combine low costs, low emissions and be very fast. As a working option, transportation of people in "hypertubes" with pumped-out Hyperloop air is considered, the speed of movement in which will exceed 1000 km / h. The Koreans proved that all this is possible, however, only on the layout. The Korea Railway Research Institute successfully passed the 1019 km/h speed mark on the Hypertube mock-up. It is claimed to be a world record in the study of a promising form of public transport. The 1:17 scale model of the "hypertube" recreates the accelerating unit, the vacuum tube for movement, the transport capsule and the braking system. Each part of the layout provides an opportunity to test methods, technologies and design elements before building a full-scale solution. Speed ​​in 1019 km ... >>

Microcircuits on clothes 06.11.2020

A special ink has been invented that can be used to print chips for clothing. This will help make working electronics that can be imprinted directly onto clothing. Such chips will act like smartwatches but will cover the entire body. For example, with the help of such clothes it will be possible to monitor your health, assess the temperature and even treat wounds immediately after they are applied. And this is not all the functions that microcircuits will have. At the moment, scientists are already applying microcircuits to fabric, but so far this process is long, complicated and not very convenient. Researchers from the University of Oregon came up with another version of this application. They created an ink consisting of a mixture of cesium and tin. These elements, when combined, create iodide, which has a perovskite structure. It is a semiconductor, which is the reason for its use as a chip material. With this method, scientists can now print thermistors. Most ... >>

Household chemicals and intestines 05.11.2020

A team of researchers has found for the first time a correlation between the levels of bacteria and fungi in children's gastrointestinal tracts and the amount of common chemicals found in their home environment. The work could lead to a better understanding of how these semi-volatile organic compounds can affect human health. The gut microbiome - the community of microbes that live in our intestinal tract - has attracted increasing interest from researchers in recent years. The microbes in our gut, which are rich in bacteria and fungi, are believed to influence everything from nutrient absorption to our immunity, and an unhealthy microbiome is implicated in diseases from obesity to asthma and dementia. In the study, researchers measured the levels of ubiquitous semi-organic compounds in the blood and urine of 69 toddlers and preschool children, and then studied the children's gut microbiomes using fecal samples. They measured semi-volatile ... >>

Recovery of lithium iron phosphate batteries 05.11.2020

Most modern lithium batteries use cobalt as the cathode component. This metal is quite expensive and rare, and its mining causes considerable harm to the environment. Lithium iron phosphate batteries that use LiFePO4 as the cathode are more environmentally friendly. Scientists from the University of California have developed a method that allows you to replace the expensive disposal of such batteries with cheap recovery. Cobalt mining leads to the degradation of landscapes and water resources. Therefore, many companies (IBM and Tesla) and scientists are looking for alternative battery components. For example, this year Tesla will start selling a Model 3 car with a lithium iron phosphate battery. These batteries are safer, have a longer life and are cheaper to manufacture. Still, these batteries have a serious drawback: they are expensive to dispose of. Therefore, engineers from the University of California focused on finding methods for the disposal and recovery of such batteries. ... >>

Medical masks with copper nanolayer 04.11.2020

In the UK, doctors will very soon be able to recommend nano-copper-coated medical masks to patients, which not only cause no side effects for wearers, but can also stop coronavirus and other pathogens. Such masks will be widely used by the end of the year. The secret of the mask is that its five layers prevent the smallest particles of saliva from penetrating into the nose and mouth. In contrast, standard three-layer masks, although they greatly reduce the risk of infection, still allow the virus to remain on the surface. And if a person takes off and disposes of the mask incorrectly, he can catch a dangerous infection. Copper has long been known to scientists for its ability to resist viruses. Back in June, researchers at the University of Birmingham found that copper was effective in killing the coronavirus. For example, within 2-6 hours, even raw metal destroyed the pathogen with an efficiency of 99%. And now, using nanotechnology, scientists have been able to use useful ... >>

Film capacitors ECQUA class X2 04.11.2020

Panasonic has extended the operating voltage range to 310 VAC for ECQUA series capacitors (safety class X2). This series of metallized polypropylene film capacitors uses the original proprietary Patterned Metallization process with the function of a safety mechanism. This unique Panasonic technology protects the capacitor from explosion and complete failure during breakdown, which significantly increases the service life and reliability of the final product. To date, ECQUA series capacitors have rated AC voltages of 275 and 310 V and a range of rated capacitances of 0,1 ... 10 μF. The operating temperature range of the capacitors is -40...110°C. The use of a flame retardant plastic housing and flame retardant polymer (resin) allows for UL/CSA and European safety class X2 accreditation. All products are fully RoHS compliant ... >>

Ultra-durable sensor for smart textiles 03.11.2020

Researchers at the Harvard School of Engineering and Applied Sciences. John A. Paulson and the Wyss Institute of Biological Engineering (USA) have developed an ultra-sensitive and reliable sensor that can be embedded in smart sportswear, medical devices or VR devices, the Harvard SEAS press service reports. "Modern soft strain gauges are indeed sensitive, but also very fragile," said Oluwaseun Araromi, a research fellow in materials and mechanical engineering at SEAS and the Wyss Institute and lead author of the paper. fragile, but very strong sensors are usually not very sensitive. So we had to find mechanisms that would allow us to get enough of each property." To solve this problem, the researchers designed the sensor to be both robust and sensitive at the same time. Unlike modern tensile sensors, ... >>

Quantum computers for solving global problems 03.11.2020

American scientists are developing quantum computers capable of solving global problems. The power that quantum computers have allows them to analyze and process data faster than modern computers, and therefore can make significant changes in various areas of human activity, from science to aviation or finance. In August, the US government invested $1 billion in scientific research in the field of the latest technologies, including the development of quantum computers and the development of artificial intelligence. Now US companies are already working on their creation, which use modern technologies to organize the computing process. IonQ, for example, uses a laser aimed at individual atoms. At the same time, quantum developments are actively pursued by companies such as Google, IBM and Rigetti Computing. ... >>

Heat resistant bioplastic 02.11.2020

Japanese scientists have created the most heat-resistant plastic using a special macromolecular design that was obtained from natural materials. Most of the plastics we use on a daily basis are synthetic materials derived from petroleum. Many scientists have long been trying to come up with a replacement for plastic using more environmentally friendly materials such as plants, eggshells, chicken feathers, etc. These alternative ways of producing plastics could not only reduce humanity's dependence on fossil fuels, but also lead to more "friendly" to the environment" materials, as they will be able to decompose faster in natural conditions. But, unfortunately, to date, all alternatives are less durable and flexible than petroleum-based plastics. Therefore, Japanese scientists thought about a way to make a more durable and stable alternative. Researchers from the Institute of Science and Technology and from the University of Tokyo observed the sulfate ... >>

Bats' immunity to transmissible viruses explained 02.11.2020

Bats may be reservoirs for many zoonotic viruses, including SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV, Ebola, and most likely SARS-CoV-2. However, the molecular mechanisms by which bats can safely carry human-lethal pathogens have not yet been clear. Scientists at Duke Noos Medical School in Singapore seem to have found a solution to this puzzle. Researchers have discovered unique strategies in animals to prevent the development of hyperimmune reactions. These strategies protect animals from disease caused by zoonotic viruses. Biologists analyzed three species of bats - Pteropus alecto, Eonycteris spelaea (cave nectar bat) and Myotis davidii (steppe bat). As a result, researchers have identified mechanisms that reduce the activity of key proteins of the immune system responsible for the development of inflammatory reactions and the immune response. These mechanisms allow bats to carry zoonotic pathogens without harm. ... >>

The smallest boat 01.11.2020

Scientists at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands have 3D printed the smallest boat in the world. The size of the boat is only 30 micrometers (0,03 mm), which allows it to fit inside a human hair. But despite its diminutiveness, the mini-ship is capable of independent navigation. The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide on a platinum catalyst helps it to move on the surface. The facility was designed to study microscopic floating organisms such as bacterial cells, the scientists said. It is known that their movement in water differs from objects of a large scale. The liquid for them is a more viscous substance, and in order to study such organisms in swimming, scientists conduct experiments with tiny spheres. In addition to the mini-boat, the university staff printed some more unusual details that tend to rotate in the water. Previously, research was carried out on particles of a spherical shape, but 3D printing has opened up new possibilities for scientists. ... >>

10000 PPI OLED display 01.11.2020

Display pixel density may not always be clear to users. For example, the density of 800 PPI is 2 times higher than the density of 400 PPI, but it cannot be said that the difference is noticeable to the eye, especially when it comes to smartphone displays. In fact, high pixel density is important in cases where the display is placed close to the human eye, such as in virtual reality headsets. In such devices, the displays are located literally centimeters from the eyes, and individual pixels can be noticeable even if the density index exceeds 500 PPI. To overcome this problem, Samsung researchers and colleagues at Stanford University have developed a new type of OLED display that has a pixel density of 10000 PPI. The display uses light resonance technology. Its concept is the same as sonic resonance, such as when the body of a guitar resonates with the strings to create sound. In this case, the light resonates on n ... >>

Electricity from clothes 31.10.2020

Scientists in Switzerland have found a way to generate electricity using wear-resistant polymers applied to clothing. Until now, solar concentrators have only existed in the form factor of rigid, airtight cells. This made them unsuitable for use in the structure of textile materials. But now everything has changed. The discovery made by Swiss scientists is based on materials that are able to use even scattered light to generate energy. These materials contain luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) that capture ambient light and transfer its energy to a solar cell, which then in turn converts the light into electrical energy. The discovery was made by a research team led by Luciano Boesel from the Biomimetic Membrane and Textile Laboratory of the Swiss Federal Laboratory for Materials Science and Technology (EMPA). It was they who found a way to incorporate these luminescent materials into a polymer fabric, possessing ... >>

Burger King Restaurants of Tomorrow 31.10.2020

The concept of new restaurants with contactless delivery of orders was demonstrated by Burger King. They are planning to open next year. New restaurants in the company were called "restaurants of tomorrow". Burger King noted that they were created "from scratch, without a preconceived notion of what a Burger King restaurant should look like." Restaurants are made in two design options, while the sites will be 60% smaller than the existing ones. In the first version, they will be equipped with special lockers, from where you can pick up an order without contacting the staff of the establishment. Food will be delivered to the cells directly from the kitchen. Visitors will receive a special "key" with which they can open the desired section and pick up food when they place an order through the official application. A similar solution is used in KFC restaurants in Japan, where they are also interested in contactless delivery of orders. Outside, they will also be equipped with multiple order and pick-up points. Visitors will be able ... >>

Smartphone hurts work 30.10.2020

Researchers from Rutgers University have proven that using a smartphone at work, even in between tasks, reduces productivity. Scientists conducted an experiment in which college students were asked to solve complex puzzles. In the middle of the experiment, some of the volunteers took a break to check their smartphones. Another part of the students could rest by reading a brochure or using a computer. The rest were solving puzzles without a break. The researchers saw that those volunteers who were interrupted by smartphones experienced the highest levels of mental exhaustion afterwards. It became more and more difficult for them to solve puzzles. The productivity of these students was the same as if they did not take breaks for rest at all. As a result, it can be argued that the smartphone is too distracting and prevents you from focusing on work again. ... >>

Compact optical quantum switch 30.10.2020

Quantum computers based on lasers with qubits in the form of trapped ions are interesting, but very cumbersome. The laser beam travels many meters across a whole system of mirrors, lenses and other equipment before hitting a pair of entangled ions. Scaling such systems up to hundreds and thousands of qubits is another concern. Especially when you consider that the traps (qubits) are cooled almost to absolute zero. But there is a solution to the problem, and it has been tested. A few years ago, a group of researchers from MIT proposed directing a laser beam at qubits not through air (as in the example in the photo below), but through waveguides inside a chip with an ion trap. This proposal was recently implemented by a group of scientists from the ETH Zurich (ETH Zurich). Researchers have designed, built and tested what is essentially an optical quantum switch that could pave the way for scalable general purpose quantum computers. A silicon chip with ... >>

Suction cup holder for transferring grafts and biosensors 29.10.2020

Thin tissue grafts and flexible electronics today find many applications in medicine. But transferring them from a nutrient medium in a Petri dish to a patient is not an easy task. With which a new device, created like an octopus sucker, can now handle. It quickly transfers delicate tissues or thin electronic sheets to the patient without damaging them. The new device was developed by scientists at the University of Illinois (USA). "During the operation, surgeons must minimize the risk of soft tissue injury and quickly transplant the graft without contamination. In addition, the transfer of ultra-thin materials without wrinkling or damage is another important aspect," said study leader Hyunjun Kong, professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering. Looking for a way to quickly assemble and move thin, delicate sheets of cells or electronics without damaging them, researchers turned to the animal kingdom for inspiration. The natural model for their device was the octopus suckers, ... >>

PNY XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB DDR4 Memory Modules 29.10.2020

PNY has announced new XLR8 Gaming EPIC-X RGB DDR4 memory modules designed for use in gaming-grade desktops. The presented products operate at a frequency of 3600 MHz with a supply voltage of 1,35 V. Timings - 18-20-20 (CAS 18, tRAS 42). Module capacity is 8 GB; they will be offered in sets of two with a total capacity of 16 GB. A heatsink is provided, which PNY says has an aggressive geometric design. At the top is a double-sided strip of multi-color RGB lighting. You can control its operation through a motherboard with ASUS Aura Sync technology, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync and ASRock Polychrome Sync. Support for Intel XMP 2.0 overclocking profiles has been implemented - this will simplify the selection of settings for the RAM subsystem in UEFI. The products have a lifetime warranty. 8MG XLR4 Gaming EPIC-X RGB DDR3600 Kit Sales ... >>

Microbial colonies on jewelry 28.10.2020

Perhaps everyone knows that microbes and viruses can live on various surfaces, including jewelry. Many people often forget to clean their accessories without thinking about how much bacteria can build up there. American scientists decided to visually show what jewelry looks like if you do not clean them for one week. The results of the experiment were shared by the Dailymail edition. Researchers have proven that 400 times more bacteria can live on earrings, rings, watches and other accessories than on a toilet seat. Scientists studied the surface of jewelry and found up to 21 thousand different bacteria on them. The most dangerous of them was Staphylococcus aureus, which can cause sepsis or pneumonia. On the ring, scientists found more than 500 bacterial colonies. Among them was black mold, the spores of which can enter the body through the respiratory tract. But on the earrings, a "wax" bacterium was found, which can cause severe poisoning. There were as many germs on the watch as there were on ... >>

Solar Roof - solar panel in the form of a roof 28.10.2020

Tesla CEO Elon Musk is confident that Tesla's next "killer product" or "killer product" (as it is customary to call a product that leaves no chance for competitors in its category) is a solar roof-shaped battery - Solar Roof . According to Musk, this will become "obvious" next year. “When you look at your neighborhood in the future, ten years from now, what do you want? What products will make your life better? What future do you want? resilient and in every way better than a conventional roof, and filled with energy - this is the future we want. Solar Roof is a killer product. It will become evident next year, "Musk said. Total solar panel deployments more than doubled in the third quarter to 57 MW qoq, with Solar Roof deployments increasing ... >>

Dual Channel Isolated SiC MOSFET Drivers 2EDF0275F and 2EDS9265H 27.10.2020

Infineon has introduced two new isolated SiC MOSFET gate drivers, the 2EDF9275F and 2EDS9265H, expanding its EiceDRIVER family of chips. These products are +4 A / -8 A dual-channel drivers and work well with Infineon's main FET families: CoolMOS, OptiMOS and CoolSIC. They improve control efficiency with low propagation delay (37 ns) and high degree of synchronization depending on the operating temperature. Reverse current up to 5 A, high isolation level, made according to proprietary coreless transformer technology, as well as CMTI > 150 V / ns - these parameters allow these microcircuits to be used in high-performance power conversion systems. The new drivers come in compact DSO-16 packages and are targeted at industrial SMPS, server hardware, uninterruptible power supplies, electric vehicle charging systems, and more. ... >>

Biodiesel from chicken bones 27.10.2020

Brazilian researchers are exploring the possibility of converting poultry bone waste into biodiesel through hydrogenation. The Brazilian agricultural research corporation Embrapa Agroenergia, in collaboration with Haka Bioprocessos, intends to determine the chemical components of bio-oil to start pre-treatment, hydrogenation and for the production of fuel from chicken bones. "We will use the hydrogenation process to produce paraffinic hydrocarbons with properties similar to diesel fuel from fossil sources," said Itania Soares, head of research at Embrapa. The project will last 2 years to develop a composition similar to conventional diesel fuel. ... >>

Plextor M8V Plus Solid State Drives 26.10.2020

Plextor introduced the M8V Plus series of SSDs. This is the development of the M8V series, released at the beginning of 2018. Like its predecessor, the new series includes M.2-2280 and 2,5-inch models with SATA 6Gb/s interface. The novelty is the use of Kioxia's 96-layer TLC NAND flash instead of Toshiba's 64-layer TLC NAND flash (remember, Kioxia was taken over by spin-off and renaming of Toshiba's respective business line). The choice in favor of memory with more density has allowed to increase the volume of drives. While the M8V series includes 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB models, the M8V Plus series includes 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB drives. The Silicon Motion SM2258 controller has been updated to the latest version and now supports Plextor Plex Compress technology. Its essence lies in the fact that during idle moments, the controller compresses files that have not been accessed over the past 30 days or more. In addition, fu ... >>

Biodegradable patch 26.10.2020

Researchers at the University of Tampere in Finland have developed a biodegradable, transparent, flexible and fast-acting therapeutic patch made from Sacred ficus leaves. The specialists attached the nanowires to the skeleton of the leaf, and the surface was enclosed in a biodegradable transparent tape. In orthopedics, thermotherapy is used to reduce pain, improve circulation, and reduce inflammation. It is also used in the treatment of arthritis, joint stiffness, cervical spondylosis and injuries. Traditional thermal patches often lead to burns, as they are made from opaque materials and a person cannot track the reaction of the skin. The new patch is based on herbal ingredients. ... >>

pig city 25.10.2020

Atop the forested Mount Yaji, about 64 kilometers northeast of Beijing, a private farming company is building a veritable pig city, a cluster of high-rise residential buildings, or rather industrial farms, designed to house the world's largest herd of pigs. Why build a whole city for pigs, and even on a mountain? It is hoped that Guangxi Yangxiang's six apartment buildings will protect valuable pig stock from the risk of diseases such as African swine fever, which has killed 2018 million animals (half the world's pig population) since 200. The houses are completely isolated, which should prevent infection. One of the buildings will have 13 floors, making it the tallest pigsty in the world. "There are many important advantages to having a multi-storey building," says farm manager Xu Jiajing. "It saves energy and resources. The land is not that big, but you can raise a lot of pigs." The cost of the complex is about 6,5 million dollars. ... >>

Kamikaze Drone Mass Launch Complex 25.10.2020

The Chinese Academy of Electronics and Information Technology has developed the Swarm ("Roy") complex, which allows you to simultaneously launch up to 48 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Drones can perform both reconnaissance and strike functions. The Chinese Academy of Electronics and Information Technology (CAEIT), a subsidiary of the Chinese state-owned China Electronics Technology Group Corporation, has tested a new complex mounted on a wheeled chassis. Loitering ammunition with retractable wings, a camera and high-explosive fragmentation warheads are presented - such drones can fly over the territory while the operator is looking for potential targets, and then attack them. There is no information about the drones, but according to the publication, we are talking about the first Chinese tactical drone CH-901. Such a UAV is capable of flying in the air without landing for up to 2 hours and reaches a maximum speed of up to 160 km/h. Swarm can also be installed on helicopters. ... >>

Fastest Wireless Charging 24.10.2020

The Chinese company Xiaomi has introduced the world's fastest wireless charging. According to the manufacturer, the new technology allows you to fully charge a 4000 mAh battery in just 19 minutes. It takes 50 minutes to replenish the energy supply by 8%. The power of this charger is 80W. For the first time, wireless charging from Xiaomi appeared in the Mi Mix 2S smartphone, presented two years ago. It had a power of only 7,5 watts. Mi Mix 3 received support for 10-watt wireless charging. Last year, the power increased to 20 W - the flagship smartphone Xiaomi Mi 9 received such wireless charging. This year, Xiaomi increased the power of wireless charging twice already: in March to 40 W and up to 50 W in August, when the flagship Xiaomi Mi 10 was introduced. Ultra. The Chinese company does not plan to stop at this achievement. Xiaomi is already working on 100W wireless charging. ... >>

Global satellite map of the rainforest 24.10.2020

The Norwegian authorities implemented the project with the financial assistance of the International Climate and Forest Initiative (NICFI). The NICFI initiative awarded a $44 million contract to Airbus, Planet and Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) satellite surveillance systems to access their ever-changing data. And now this data, in particular those relating to the tropics of the planet, can be obtained absolutely free of charge by anyone. First of all, the map is addressed to those who are not indifferent to the fate of forests. The map data will be updated monthly. Prior to the advent of the map, high-resolution images were not available in many parts of the world. And where they were available, not everyone could afford to use them. The company's specialists have always believed that the results of observing changes on the planet should help people make smart decisions, said the CEO. And first of all - about the operational stop of deforestation, and not just the banal count of trees ... >>

64 MP OmniVision sensor for smartphone cameras 23.10.2020

OmniVision, the world's third largest camera sensor manufacturer, has launched a new OV64A sensor with even larger 1µm pixels. The sensor is characterized by a resolution of 64 megapixels and a diagonal of 1 / 1,3 inches. The new OmniVision OV64A sensor can be used in wide-angle and ultra-wide-angle smartphone cameras. Its larger pixels are 60% more sensitive to light compared to 0,8 micron pixels. Thus, the new sensor can provide better shooting in low light conditions. A 4-cell Bayer color filter is used for pixel placement. When shooting still images and recording 4K video, four adjacent pixels can be combined into one larger 2µm pixel to capture even more light. In this mode, the resolution of photos is reduced to 16 megapixels. It is also noted that the sensor can be used to record video in 8K resolution at 30 frames per second. ... >>

Passive cooling of the car interior 23.10.2020

Scientists from the Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST, Korea) have created the first passive radiant device that absorbs heat from the inside of a hot object and radiates it from the outside. If you've ever gotten into a car parked in the sun, you probably know how hot it can get inside. Why is this happening? Sunlight passes through the transparent windows, but the heat radiated in the cabin cannot escape. Therefore, a "greenhouse effect" is created - and the interior heats up (the temperature can reach 60-82 ° C, the authors of the work note). Such a high temperature is especially dangerous for the elderly and children, as the risk of heat stroke or hyperthermia increases. Korean scientists have developed a new type of passive cooling technology to help solve this problem. They named their device the Janus Emitter (JET), after the two-faced Greek god Janus. JET consists of patterned thin layers of quartz, silver and polydimeth ... >>

Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 1769 programmable controller 22.10.2020

The Allen-Bradley CompactLogix 1769 Series controller is a compact, feature-rich, low-cost system for distributed control of today's I/O, communication, and control devices. The 1769-L35E programmable controller in this series has the following features: RSLogix 5000 software; built-in communication ports for communication over EtherNet/IP networks and an RS-232 serial port for system or user protocols; 1769-SDN communication interface module for controlling I/O devices and configuring remote devices over a DeviceNet network; built-in serial port; compact I/O modules for panel or DIN rail mounting; 1,5 MB built-in memory, which provides support for up to eight tasks; the number of supported local I/O modules is 30. When designing a CompactLogix system, consider the following device features: CompactLogix controller all ... >>

An upper limit on the speed of sound has been determined 22.10.2020

An international group of scientists has calculated the value of the upper (maximum) limit of the speed of propagation of sound waves. This value turned out to be 36 kilometers per second, twice the speed of sound in diamond, the hardest known material today. Waves, such as sound and electromagnetic waves, are vibrations that move the energy contained in them from one place to another. Sound waves can propagate in various media, in air, in water and in solids, and in each of these media the speed of sound propagation has its own value. For example, the denser the medium, the faster sound travels through it, which explains why you can learn about the approach of a train much earlier by putting your ear to the rail of the railway track. Albert Einstein's theory of special relativity sets an absolute maximum limit on any speed limit, which is equal to the speed of light in a vacuum and is about ... >>

Energy from exhaled carbon dioxide 21.10.2020

Finnish scientists have learned how to get energy directly from carbon dioxide exhaled by people. So, experts have developed a unique machine that absorbs CO2 and produces methane fuel. The mechanism of operation of the technology is based on the passage of air through a chamber filled with large granules containing compounds capable of interacting with carbon dioxide molecules. These pellets are heated up to 120 degrees, thereby releasing the absorbed CO2. The machine is also equipped with an electrolyser, thanks to which hydrogen is obtained from ordinary water. At the last stage, water and carbon dioxide combine in the reactor to produce pure gaseous methane. As for the technical features, the height of the device is two meters, while the length is five, and the width is one. The device processes about three cubic meters of air per second. ... >>

artificial black soil 21.10.2020

Abu Dhabi scientists work to transform desert sand into fertile soil Due to the disruption of established import channels during the pandemic, UAE scientists have begun to look for ways to address the lack of a stable source of food, which they see in the study of the properties of black soil. The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed weaknesses even in the stable economy of the United Arab Emirates. Therefore, the authorities are concerned that the state is almost completely dependent on food imports from other agricultural countries. Due to quarantine restrictions on imports into the country, discussions have arisen on how best to stimulate the development of agriculture in the country. In this regard, researchers are developing an artificial fertile soil based on desert sand, but which will be similar in properties to Ukrainian black soil. Scientists at Khalifa University in Abu Dhabi have received the first results of the study: samples that were previously worked on showed a similarity in structure ... >>

MIC28516/7 - 70V/8A Synchronous DC/DC Buck Converters 20.10.2020

Microchip has introduced new synchronous DC/DC buck converters with a wide input voltage range (up to 70 V) and current up to 8 A. They use the latest high-voltage controllers, combined with a pair of powerful N-channel switches. The output voltage can vary in the range of 0,6...32 V with an accuracy of +-1%. The converters are based on the unique Hyper Speed ​​Control architecture, which has increased the high-Vin/low-Vout ratio at up to 95% efficiency. MIC28516 contains a complete set of functions to protect the microcircuit in the event of abnormal situations. These features include undervoltage protection (UVLO) to ensure proper operation in the event of a power failure, soft start to reduce inrush current, short circuit protection, and overtemperature protection. MIC28517 contains a similar set of protective functions, but instead of a soft start, it allows you to choose one of two modes of operation of the microcircuit. HyperLight Load mode improves efficiency ... >>

The ability to concentrate is more important than the amount of memory 20.10.2020

Scientists from the Ural Federal University, together with colleagues from the Institute of Medical Psychology of the University of Tübingen (Germany), found out that work efficiency depends on a person's attention, and not on the amount of his memory. The ability to structure information, manipulate it and mentally return to the necessary components affects the performance of working memory more than the ability to keep many tasks in the head. Most real-life working memory tasks require both short-term storage and execution components. For example, remembering a phone number before dialing it requires converting verbal information into a sequence of button presses. The task also involves switching attention between the current number to be dialed and pressing the buttons on the phone panel. A more complex example is transforming a shopping list into an optimal shopping path. This task, in addition to translating a list into a sequence of spatial locations, is also ... >>

Bird flight record 19.10.2020

Scientists from the Global Flyway Network, an international association that tracks long-range flights of birds, said the blue-tailed godwit has set a new world record for the longest continuous flight, flying over 12 kilometers in 000 days. According to the scientist, the godwit left Alaska on September 11 and arrived in a bay near the New Zealand city of Auckland on September 16. The bird was caught at the end of 27; a 2019-gram receiver was then hung on its paw, which transmitted data on the location of the bird to the satellite. As satellite data showed, the godwit covered only 5 kilometers, flying at speeds up to 12 kilometers per hour. According to Conklin, in reality the bird flew about 854 km (the difference is due to inaccurate measurements), but this is still a new record. Scientists recorded the previous record for the longest continuous flight in 88,5: then the bird flew 12 km. ... >>

Self-degrading plastic from industrial waste 19.10.2020

Scientists from the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Systems and Design Technology (IPK, Germany), in collaboration with partners from the Department of Bioprocess Technology of the Technical University of Berlin, as well as researchers from the USA, Malaysia and Colombia, have developed a process for obtaining plastic from industrial waste that does not require recycling. A new type of plastic made from recycled waste decomposes quickly in less than a year. A substance that will soon be used for the cleaner production and degradation of mostly disposables is called polyhydroxybutyrate. This innovative material can be produced commercially. To create it, scientists took the fats remaining after industrial production. Fats contain high levels of minerals. In a special device, bacteria turn the residue into a biopolymer, but this plastic is not yet ready for use, because it needs to harden. Raw to ... >>

Found the key to the working memory of the brain 18.10.2020

Working memory - the ability to keep thoughts in mind even when distracted - is the basis of abstract reasoning and a defining characteristic of the human brain. It is seriously impaired in disorders such as schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, but can sometimes fail a healthy person. American researchers at Yale University have discovered a key molecule that helps neurons retain information in working memory, which could potentially lead to a treatment for neurocognitive disorders, according to the journal Neuron. Working memory arises from neural circuits in the prefrontal cortex. Neurons encourage each other to keep information "in memory". These diagrams act as a sort of mental notepad, allowing us to remember that onions are being cooked in a frying pan in the kitchen while we are looking for scissors in another room. A new study shows that these prefrontal cortical circuits are dependent on the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, which stimulates M1 muscarinic receptors, located ... >>

AVR-DВ microcontrollers with three operational amplifiers 18.10.2020

A new series of general purpose microcontrollers from Microchip. The family belongs to the line of high-performance devices and is built on the basis of the AVR core, which can now operate at a frequency of 24 MHz over the entire supply voltage range. The series consists of 11 devices with memory sizes from 32 to 128 kB, in packages from 28 to 64 pins. The series is designed to bring analog signal processing, real-time control, and multi-voltage support on a single board to areas such as industrial devices, home appliances, automotive, and the Internet of things. For the first time in the history of microcontrollers with the AVR architecture, devices have three operational amplifiers, thanks to which it is possible to form gain stages and filtering functions without the use of external components. The analog peripheral set also includes a 12-bit differential ADC, a 10-bit DAC, three comparators, and analog voltage zero-crossing detectors. ... >>

soft robot for the ocean 17.10.2020

The underwater environment is one of the least explored by mankind. And specifically to help researchers study it in more detail, while not harming corals, as well as marine life in general, engineers from the University of California at San Diego decided and successfully created a squid robot that should be ideal for this purpose. The peculiarity of this robot is that it is "soft". And in general, this is its main advantage, because, unlike hard robots, it will cause much less harm to underwater life than "hard" ones. In order to create this squid robot, the researchers used almost exclusively soft materials, such as acrylic polymer. The most rigid parts can only be considered those that were printed on a 3D printer and also cut by a laser. The research team, in her own words, drew inspiration from how a real squid moves underwater so that the robot can move independently. Ra ... >>

Zeptoseconds measured 17.10.2020

The record for measuring the speed of physical processes was set by German scientists from Frankfurt University (Germany). They measured the process as 247 zeptoseconds long. A zeptosecond is a trillionth of a billionth of a second. This surpasses the achievements of the Egyptian chemist Ahmed Zeway, who received the Nobel Prize in 1999 for measuring the rate at which molecules change their shape. The formation and disintegration of chemical bonds occurs in the femtosecond region. A femtosecond is equal to 0,000000000000001 seconds. Scientists from the University of Frankfurt have studied for the first time a process that is shorter than a femtosecond. They measured how long it takes for a photon to cross a hydrogen molecule (H2) containing two nuclei and two electrons. It turned out that this is approximately 247 zeptoseconds. This is the shortest amount of time that has been successfully measured today. To carry out measurements, scientists irradiated a hydrogen molecule with X-rays. As a result of this irradiation, the photon knocked out both electrons in turn ... >>

Graphene based infinite energy generator 16.10.2020

A group of physicists at the University of Arkansas have developed an electrical circuit capable of converting graphene's thermal vibrations into electrical current. The research supports a theory developed three years ago that free graphene - a single layer of carbon atoms - bends and vibrates in such a way that the energy of these vibrations can be harnessed. The idea of ​​generating energy from graphene is highly controversial, as it disproves Richard Feynman's well-known claim that the thermal motion of atoms (known as Brownian motion) cannot do useful work. The scientists found that at room temperature, the thermal motion of graphene actually causes an alternating current in the circuit, which seemed impossible. In the 1950s, the physicist Léon Brillouin published a landmark paper disproving the fact that adding a single diode to a circuit would make use of the energy of Brownian motion. Knowing this, a group of scientists created a circuit with two diodes that convert alternating current to direct current. ... >>

Bicycle wheel purifies the air 16.10.2020

Kristen Tapping, a student from London, has created a bicycle wheel that purifies the air as you move. The device, called ROLLOE, passes air through filters that trap pollutants. “While cycling around London, I can see and feel pollution from tires and exhaust pipes,” Tapping told Designboom. “I thought, why not use a vehicle to filter the air? If it turns out that the product has a future, I will try to bring it to a commercial level.” ROLLOE can be mounted in front of a standard bike frame. The wheel has three levels of filters. The first is a sponge made of eco-friendly material based on loofah, which traps large particles. The second is a HEPA air filter and the third is an activated carbon filter that absorbs the smallest particles. When a person rides through the city, polluted air enters the bicycle wheels through a cylindrical hole, then pushes ... >>

The smell of malice 15.10.2020

The smell gives information about the freshness of the food, and disgust means that the food is unfit for food. Following the same principle, pain protects the body from serious injury, such as causing a person to pull their hand away from a hot iron. Psychologists believe that these types of survival reflexes can also be triggered in response to other people's bad behavior. A research team at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) found that unhealthy behavior triggers a brain response similar to that of a bad smell. "These connections have been demonstrated through associations between situations and sensations," says Prof. Corrado Corradi-Dell'Aqua, a researcher in the UNIGE Department of Psychology and lead researcher of the study. "For example, if I drink something while reading an article about corruption, which affects my moral judgments, I may find that my drink smells bad and tastes nasty.The reverse is also true: smells can generate inappropriate moral judgments. ... >>

Changing the speed of movement of individual objects in the video 15.10.2020

Computer technology that allows you to change the speed of the selected object in videos, created by a team of specialists from Google and the University of Oxford. Scientists have taught the neural network to slow down or speed up the speed of the selected objects relative to each other. At the same time, the frame does not deteriorate, and the fact that it has been manipulated with a change in the speed of movement is completely imperceptible. To implement this effect, the specialists had to teach the neural network to recognize individual objects and people in the frame, divide the video frames into layers and reproduce the sequential display of these layers at different speeds. As an example of the operation of this machine algorithm, experts showed a video in which three children jump into the pool at random. The algorithm "corrected" the video, making the jump of the kids almost synchronous. ... >>

Vitamin B6 helps you remember dreams better 14.10.2020

Taking vitamin B6 improves the ability to remember dreams. This conclusion was reached by scientists from the University of Adelaide in Australia, who conducted an experiment involving 100 volunteers. Thus, study participants took 240 milligrams of vitamin B6 or a placebo at bedtime for five days. As a result, taking the vitamin did not affect the brightness of dreams or other characteristics of dreams, but after taking B6, participants were more likely to remember their dream. Researchers are not yet able to explain this effect. Water-soluble vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is one of the eight B vitamins. It is involved in the reaction of 150 enzymes that help the body process proteins, carbohydrates and fats from food, and is also associated with the function of the nervous system and immunity. B6 is found in foods such as banana, milk, red meat, liver, fish, eggs, cheese, potatoes, spinach, avocados. ... >>

artificial shrimp 14.10.2020

Singaporean startup Shiok Meats, founded just two years ago, has in vitro grown artificial shrimp from real crustacean cells and is preparing to launch a new product on the market. The authors of the startup claim that in two years they will be able to mass-produce artificial shrimp. “We are seeing a lot of new players entering the market. The next five years will determine who will survive, who will go through a series of layoffs, and who will be able to support companies like ours and take this important step towards large-scale production,” explains the CEO and Shiok Meats co-founder Sandhya Sriram. ShiokMeats created bioreactors and placed microscopic crustacean cells in them. There they are heated to 82 degrees and "fed" with pre-prepared substances that mimic the diet of real shrimp. The result is an analogue of a real shrimp with the same nutritional properties and taste. The key goal of Shiok Meats is to make "meat out of p ... >>

Fish scales will speed up planes 13.10.2020

Aircraft designers regularly turn to the animal world in search of new solutions. For example, not so long ago, the complex wing movements of locusts prompted them to design more efficient aircraft wings. Similarly, the authors of a new study from the University of London and Stuttgart found inspiration in how scales help fish move smoothly through the water. As you know, in order to minimize resistance during swimming, the skin of fish is covered with small scales of complex shape. By studying the surface topology of the scales of European sea bass and carp, scientists have found something interesting. Research was carried out using digital microscopes, and then, for the geometric reconstruction of intricate patterns, computer modeling was used. It turned out that the overlapping areas on the surface of the fish scales lead to a zigzag movement of the liquid upon contact with it. This, in turn, creates a "banded flow" that cancels out the restless ... >>

New stage of human evolution 13.10.2020

Australian scientists say they have discovered a new stage in the evolution of modern man, in which wisdom teeth disappear and an additional artery appears. “More and more children in the world are born without wisdom teeth embedded in their jaws,” Australian scientists say after analyzing human development data over the past 250 years. According to them, over the past two centuries, human physiology has changed the fastest in the history of evolution. modern humans, compared with their relatively recent ancestors, have become smaller in the face, an additional artery has appeared on the forearm, and additional bones have appeared in the legs, ”says scientists from Flinders University in South Australia in a report. It is noted that most people are born with wisdom teeth, which in adolescence, or later, begin to come out. Scientists believe that these teeth were needed by people in ancient times for chewing raw or very hard food, however, now they are becoming superfluous. "Ta ... >>

Chip MediaTek MT9602 12.10.2020

MediaTek has announced the MT9602 system on a chip, which is designed for use in smart 4K TVs with artificial intelligence to improve picture and audio quality. The product contains four ARM Cortex-A53 cores with a clock speed of up to 1,5 GHz and an ARM Mali-G52 MC1 graphics accelerator. Hardware decoding of AV1, AVS2, HEVC, VP9, ​​H.264, SHVC video materials is possible. TVs based on the MediaTek MT9602 platform will be able to carry up to 2 GB of DDR3 RAM. We are talking about support for images with a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels and a refresh rate of up to 60 Hz. Developers will be able to equip devices based on the new processor with HDMI 2.1a, HDMI 2.0 / 1.4 and USB 2.0 interfaces, Dolby Atmos audio system and an array of four microphones to pick up voice commands. The first TVs based on the MediaTek MT9602 platform will be Motorola's new smart panels, which are expected to be announced tomorrow, October 9th. H ... >>

Antiseptic from water 12.10.2020

A device that converts ordinary water into a sanitizer, developed by Kharkov scientists from the Mechnikov Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, will be mass-produced. The developers called the device IOON. The technology is based on the targeted synthesis of trivalent silver, which destroys the bacterial or viral membrane, disrupts metabolism and microbial separation (reproduction) processes. According to the scientists, they sought to create an antiseptic that would act very quickly, was not toxic, killed most bacteria, and to which the bacteria could not adapt. The startup team won a $25000 grant from Ukrainian Startup Found and received mentoring support from Polish-Ukrainian Startup Bridge and EO Business Incubator. "We invested the grant won in the improvement of our device for serial production. There is both a new case and electronics, which were developed by engineers from the Ukrainian representative office of a German company," the scientists said. ... >>

TerraMaster D8 Thunderbolt 3 Storage 11.10.2020

TerraMaster has started selling professional level RAID storage D8 Thunderbolt 3. The manufacturer considers large volume and high data transfer rate - up to 1600 MB/s to the advantages of storage addressed to professionals who create content. The storage has eight 3,5" or 2,5" SATA drive bays, up to a total capacity of 128TB. The Thunderbolt 3 interface provides high read and write speeds. Of course, the speed depends on the installed drives and array configuration. Dual Thunderbolt 3 ports let you daisy chain up to five more compatible devices. In particular, you can daisy-chain up to two 4K monitors or one 5K monitor. For better cooling, the storage case is made of aluminum alloy, and there are two 90mm fans on the back wall. Fans can be turned on at maximum speed, select automatic mode when ... >>

Budget microcontrollers Microchip PIC16F152 11.10.2020

Microchip, the world leader in the production of 8-bit controllers, has released a new series of controllers based on the PIC architecture. The PIC16F152 is a general purpose controller family designed to reduce the cost of a variety of sensors, meters and real-time controllers. The family includes 14 devices with a memory range from 3,5 to 28 kB in packages from 8 to 44 pins. To reduce the cost of devices, the set of peripherals has been simplified and includes only the most necessary modules: a 10-bit ADC, one 8-bit and two 16-bit timers, two 10-bit PWM modules, one USART transceiver and one SPI/ I2C. To increase flexibility, Peripheral Pin Select (PPS) technology is used, which allows you to reassign the pins used by the peripherals. To evaluate the capabilities of the Microchip series, it did not provide a specialized debug board and offers to use universal debugs for PIC controllers in PDIP packages - Curios ... >>

Gardening is one of the best antidepressants 10.10.2020

A group of Portuguese scientists found that physical activity at least once a week throughout life can protect a person from the manifestations of depression. In the study, which lasted for four years, the researchers followed 32 people from 14 European countries, ranging in age from late middle to old. This is because the prevalence of depression is highest among the 55 to 74 age group. After analyzing all the data, the researchers concluded that physical activity, whether it's brisk walking, gardening or doing household chores, at least once a week, significantly reduces the number of depressive symptoms in the subjects. At the same time, it was also found that any physical activity, even the most minimal, can serve as both a prevention of depressive symptoms and an effective method of getting rid of them. The data of many studies speak in favor of horticulture. In addition to regular physical ... >>

New Class Drones Dragonfly Pictures 10.10.2020

Dragonfly Pictures Inc. (DPI) has developed a new class of drones - tethered drones that maintain a constant (stationary) position (hover-in-place) relative to a ship or other vehicle equipped with a base station. Unlike battery-powered multicopters (multi-rotor drones, or quadcopters) that require battery replacement every 20 minutes, tethered drones are powered by a cable connected to a base station. With this capability, these devices can operate in flight for many hours and even days. Tethered copters track and accompany mobile platforms - sea ships, ships, trucks and other land vehicles. Compared to fixed-wing drones, the new drones have several advantages, including vertical takeoff and landing. These drones do not require a landing strip, launch pad, or maintenance equipment. Unlike the drones ... >>

Handwriting makes kids smarter 09.10.2020

Scientists from the Norwegian Institute of Natural and Technical Sciences (NTNU) conducted a study with children and young people, which showed that writing by hand causes much more activity in the sensorimotor parts of the brain, the press service of the university reports. The first such study was conducted by NTNU scientists in 2017: then they observed the brain activity of 20 students. Now 12 young people and 12 children participated in the experiment. It took 45 minutes to examine each person, and the researchers received 500 data items per second. Both times - now and three years ago - the researchers used EEG to track and record participants' brain wave activity. The subjects were put on hoods with more than 250 electrodes. Sensors in the electrodes picked up the electrical activity occurring in the brain as participants wrote by hand and typed on a keyboard. The results showed that the brains of both young people and children are much more active when people write by hand, ... >>

Heat reduces school performance 09.10.2020

An international group of scientists has stated that rising air temperatures can negatively affect the performance of schoolchildren. According to them, future climate change will affect the education system, especially in hot countries. The study analyzed data on school performance in 58 countries, which were obtained from 2000 to 2015. The work took place in two stages. At the first, scientists reviewed the results of tests in mathematics, science and reading of the International Program for Student Assessment (PISA), which during the study were taken by more than 144 million students around the world. On the second - the results of exams that are annually taken by students in the United States as part of the annual national testing in mathematics and English (ELA). The collected data were correlated with the indicators of the average annual temperature. It turned out that temperatures above 26,7 degrees Celsius negatively affect cognitive abilities, endurance and working memory. ... >>

AR glasses for military dogs 08.10.2020

Dogs have been helping people for centuries. However, while a person has more and more gadgets and electronic assistants, our smaller brothers still rely only on their own strength. It's time to change that! US military dogs will now have AR glasses! Military dogs are responsible for reconnaissance of the area for explosives, but usually, along with the animal, there should also be a dog handler nearby who would give commands. Since humans do not yet know how to sniff out bombs, they are not as careful as dogs on dangerous sites and can accidentally set off explosives. They can also be targeted by the enemy when working outdoors. Augmented reality glasses will allow dog handlers to give commands and monitor the work of the dog without being in dangerous places. The device was developed by the Command Sight team as part of a project for the US Army Research Laboratory. According to the official website, the goggles can show visual cues to dogs. ... >>

A new method for printing films from organic transistors 08.10.2020

Japanese scientists have developed a new way to create surfaces from thin-film organic transistors, which will allow them to be produced on an industrial scale. Fast and low-power transistors can serve as the emergence of completely new technologies for creating liquid crystal screens of various devices. Over the past ten years, virtually all types of liquid crystal displays in phones and computers have used thin film transistors as a control element. These inorganic transistors consume very little power, but they also have some limitations that scientists at the University of Tokyo are trying to overcome. The idea of ​​organic thin-film transistors is not new, but researchers have proposed a new way to print transistor-based organic conductive films that will allow them to be produced on an industrial scale. Efficient printing was achieved by applying thin-film transistors to a special lyophobic - ott ... >>

Global warming asymmetry 07.10.2020

New research shows that stronger nighttime warming is more common worldwide than stronger daytime warming. Scientists at the University of Exeter studied warming from 1983 to 2017 and found a difference in average annual temperature of more than 0,25°C between daytime and nighttime warming over more than half of the land surface. Days warmed faster in some places and nights warmed faster in others, but the total area of ​​disproportionate warming at night was twice that. The "warming asymmetry" was mainly due to changes in cloud levels. Increased cloud cover cools the surface during the day and retains heat at night, resulting in even more warming at night. "Warming asymmetries could have major implications for the natural world," said lead author Dr Daniel Cox of the Institute for Environment and Sustainability at Exeter's Penryn campus in Cornwall. Stronger nighttime warming associated with wetter climate ... >>

Tattoos make you sweat 07.10.2020

Tattoo machines pierce the skin at a speed of 80-150 times per second, using special needles to inject pigment into the dermis of the skin. It would be strange if the sweat glands that sit in the dermis did not feel this. Sweat has previously been shown to contain more sodium after tattoos. That is, the work of the sweat glands after a tattoo is different from the work of the sweat glands in normal skin. Another feature of "clogged" skin was revealed by employees of the Southern Methodist University and other scientific centers. They set up an experiment with several volunteers who had tattoos on their forearms or shoulders. The person put on a special suit that maintained the temperature at 48 ° C, and remained in such a suit for half an hour or a little more. The researchers measured the general body temperature and skin temperature of the tattooed and non-tattooed areas, as well as the amount of sweat that was released on them. It turned out that tattooed and non-tattooed skin begins to sweat at the same temperature. ... >>

Spinach as fuel for electric cars 06.10.2020

American scientists can turn spinach into fuel for electric vehicles. Professor Shouzhong Zou from an American university, together with a group of scientists, made carbon nanolayers from spinach greens. They perform the function of a catalyst in the elements of fuel systems and batteries. This came about as a result of working on the problem of slow oxygen renewal, which helps to limit the energy output to the battery. Not all carbon based catalysts do this well. Even those based on platinum. The researchers managed to invent a more budget accelerator - spinach. It also has a less toxic effect. Zou stated that with this method, based on carbon from spinach, it is possible to obtain catalysts with high activity. It is a biomass that can be renewed. There is speculation that spinach may be used in electric vehicles. Previously, similar approaches to the development of catalysts based on vegetable ... >>

Mini Robot for Moon Exploration 06.10.2020

Astrobotic has completed work on the CubeRover device - it is heading to NASA's Kennedy Space Center. If the CubeRover passes all the tests, it will be used to explore the surface of the moon. The CubeRover was co-developed with Carnegie Mellon University and Astrobotic claims it is the lightest commercial planetary rover humans have ever built. It weighs only about four kilograms. As part of the upcoming tests, which will continue for several months, YFCF engineers will find out what types of surfaces, slopes and climbs the compact wheeled robot is ready for. In addition, its rollover protection system will be tested. The rover will be given the ability to bounce so that it can return to its wheels if it gets into a difficult situation while already on the surface of the moon. The NASA team at Kennedy's Granular Mechanics and Regolith Laboratory (GMRO) will now spend several months ... >>

Identification of a person by gait 05.10.2020

A new technology for identifying people by gait was developed by a team of Japanese scientists led by Osaka University professor Yasushi Yagi. The technology is able to identify people based on images from surveillance cameras, and, allegedly, using only a small piece of video. It is expected that the method will be used in criminal investigations. According to Yagi, who specializes in visual information processing, gait recognition has been used in criminal investigations in Japan since 2009 and has been introduced as evidence in trials. To obtain accurate results, it was necessary to have images that capture at least four steps - two steps each with the right and left feet. The team used video footage of about 5000 people walking and analyzed it using machine learning algorithms. The scientists were reportedly able to extrapolate data on four steps from a single frame of a person's gait. The team stated that by founding ... >>

XBOOM Go Jellybean long-playing wireless speaker 05.10.2020

The Korean company LG Electronics has introduced a new long-playing wireless speaker XBOOM Go Jellybean. The model was created in collaboration with the British "audiophile" brand Meridian Audio. On a single charge, the novelty can work up to 10 hours. The column dimensions are 126 x 82 x 80 mm. It uses a 5W speaker, which, according to the manufacturer, provides "premium sound quality with deep bass and clear vocals." There is a special Sound Boost button that allows you to increase the sound power and expand the sound field. Thanks to its rounded shape and rubberized finish, the speaker is easy and comfortable to carry in your hands. In addition to the classic black and white colors, LG XBOOM Go will be offered in light yellow, soft pink, light blue, light green and cherry colors. The first models will be available in light yellow, soft pink and light blue colors. ... >>

Robot waiter Servi 04.10.2020

Bear Robotics, a robotics and artificial intelligence company, and SoftBank Robotics Group, a leading robotics manufacturer and solution provider, have jointly unveiled a new robot. It is called Servi and is intended for the catering industry. According to the partners, Servi was designed to be the new go-to in the food service industry, assisting staff and improving the customer experience. It has already been tested in several institutions in the US, South Korea and Japan. Measuring 445 x 430 x 1046 mm and weighing 33 kg, the robot is designed for a payload of up to 30 kg. Without recharging, it works 8-12 hours. The robot can move around the hall, detecting obstacles and avoiding them, in particular, avoiding collisions with visitors. He is able to deliver orders and act as an assistant waiter, taking dirty dishes to the sink. The versatility of the robot is provided by interchangeable trays. Multiple robots possible ... >>

Lenses that restore vision 04.10.2020

Researchers at the Imes Innovation Center (Belgium) are actively developing smart contact lenses. According to Professor Andrés Vasquez Quintero, of the Imec Center, the iris has been prototyped by combining flexible electronics and new materials used in ophthalmology. The invention can help millions of people suffering from both nearsightedness and farsightedness. There are many eye diseases that prevent the iris of the eye from responding correctly to changes in lighting: if it is too active, a person can see everything blurry, and if the light is limited, it can be shrouded in darkness. Thanks to the liquid crystal display, the lens can actually change the aperture, controlling the amount of light that hits the retina. It is noteworthy that such lenses do not require recharging during the day. Imec employees are confident that after conducting clinical trials, their development can become a mass medical device. Thanks to the creation of ... >>

Xiaomi Mijia Braun Waterproof Electric Shaver 03.10.2020

Xiaomi has joined forces with renowned German manufacturer Braun to introduce the new Xiaomi Mijia Braun Electric Shaver. The Xiaomi Mijia Braun electric shaver will be available for just $29 at the crowdfunding stage, and will increase to $36 upon release. The novelty has a very compact body, so it is convenient to carry. The device received German knives and a mesh with 899 holes. The razor received two independent cutting heads that adapt to the contour of the face. The motor rotates at 7200 rpm. As for battery life, the Xiaomi Mijia Braun electric shaver allows you to shave for 40 minutes without recharging, that is, one charge will be enough for several sessions. A 5-minute charge is enough to keep the shaver running for several minutes. A full charge takes 1 hour. Xiaomi Mijia Braun electric shaver is fully waterproof and supports both dry and wet shaving using foam ... >>

Safe nuclear fuel based on thorium 03.10.2020

The Idaho National Laboratory at the US Department of Energy, together with Texas A&M University and Clean Core Thorium Energy, began work on introducing a new type of fuel to nuclear power plants. It was called ANEEL (Advanced Nuclear Energy for Enriched Life) and differs in that it consists almost entirely of safe thorium, not uranium. The technology is patented, all details are classified, but the Americans promise to establish cooperation with all interested parties. Since thorium is a weakly radioactive metal, it will not decay on its own, so you need to add some uranium to it to start a chain reaction. But it requires relatively little relative to the total volume of fuel loaded into the reactor - de facto it is thorium that will burn out in it. It has a higher melting point but lower operating temperature than uranium. This means that the fuel can burn longer without the risk of a core meltdown. According to the developers of ANEEL, to ... >>

apocalypse timer 02.10.2020

A "climatic clock" has been installed in Union Square in New York, which counts down until the moment when the supply of hydrocarbons on the planet is depleted. Now the clock is 7 years and 98 days. As explained in the project description, if the industry does not change its approach to hydrocarbons, irreversible changes will occur on the planet by the specified date, leading to increased natural disasters and economic disasters. The authors of the timer are artists Gan Golan and Andrew Boyd. Currently, the climate clock gives humanity 7 years and 98 days. This period is calculated based on current resource utilization rates. The timer also shows the percentage of world energy derived from renewable sources. Now this figure is more than 27,7%. According to the authors of the project, in order to prevent a climate apocalypse, this number should be brought up to 100. ... >>

Quasi-resonant controllers Infineon CoolSET 02.10.2020

Infineon has introduced new quasi-resonant PWM flyback controllers as part of the fifth generation CoolSET family. PWM controllers are optimized for industrial switching power supplies (SMPS) and are great for use in telecom applications, server power systems, personal computers, home appliances and more. Newer models, such as the ICE5QSBG, are designed to be used with high-voltage MOSFETs, but the company also offers hybrid solutions (ICE5QR2280BG, ICE5QR4780BG, ICE5QR1680BG, and ICE5QR0680BG) with built-in CoolMOS P7 super-junction transistors. PWM controllers are supplied in compact PG-DSO-8 and DSO-12 packages and do not require any special cooling systems. Features: Availability of combined solutions with built-in MOSFETs CoolMOS P7 800 V, made using super-junction technology; Protection complex: from ... >>

Temperature and synthesis of pure polymers 01.10.2020

Florida State University researchers have figured out how temperature during the synthesis process affects the properties of the final polymer. The discovery will help create new environmentally friendly plastics. Plastics made from petroleum and other non-renewable resources can take centuries or millennia to decompose. All because of the stability of their structure, due to strong bonds between long molecular chains. These bonds, as well as the position of the chains, are formed in the process of synthesis. Therefore, the final properties of the polymer also depend on the synthesis conditions. Finding the right temperature is key to getting the best materials that can replace inexpensive petroleum-based polymers with economically viable, environmentally friendly materials. As an object of study, scientists used polyacetals with large internodal distances. This class of polymers is most often used for the production of various kinds of plastics. As a rule, these materials are obtained from ... >>

Mining from asteroids 01.10.2020

The private Chinese space company Origin Space has announced preparations for the launch of the first spacecraft in the history of this country to extract useful resources outside the Earth. A small robotic probe, dubbed NEO-1, will be launched into Earth orbit this November. NEO-1 is not a mining machine. Its weight is only 30 kilograms and its main task will be space reconnaissance. However, the next probe, which is scheduled to launch in a couple of years, will most likely already be a full-fledged space miner. The robotic probe NEO-1 is planned to be launched into a sun-synchronous orbit, at an altitude of about 500 kilometers above the Earth's surface. His target will be asteroids. "The challenge is to master all aspects of small space object hunting: learn how to detect asteroids, perform docking maneuvers, manage groups of interceptor ships," said Yu Tianhong, co-founder of Origin Space. Zap ... >>

Quiet aircraft landing gear 30.09.2020

The French company Safran, together with the American aircraft manufacturer Boeing, has tested a "quiet" landing gear, which creates less aerodynamic noise than the conventional landing gear of modern aircraft. The tests were carried out on an Etihad Airways Boeing 787-10 and were considered successful. International aviation authorities periodically update the requirements for aircraft in terms of noise level. In order to reduce the noise of aircraft, and hence airports, developers around the world are creating new technologies that would make aircraft quieter. Quiet landing gear tests were carried out at Glasgow Airport in Montana, USA. To carry out the tests, Safran equipped the main landing gear and nose landing gear with pads designed to reduce the occurrence of turbulent flows. The devices tested are linings on the landing gear and flap edges. On the landing gear, such pads close the gaps between the element ... >>

75,6 TB of data on a piece of quartz 30.09.2020

The amount of digital data generated by humans is growing at an extremely high rate. Meanwhile, physical media are not developing so fast. This means that in order to create cloud storage, you need to purchase more and more expensive hard drives. The way out of this situation may be a new Microsoft technology that allows you to write tens of terabytes of data on a piece of quartz. Microsoft Project Silica is based on the technology of writing data on ultra-strong quartz glass using a laser by deforming its structure. During the experiments, the researchers were able to "pack" 75,6 TB of data into a piece of fused silica the size of a 2,5-inch disk. If we draw analogies, then the most capacious 3,5-inch hard drive has a capacity of 20 TB. The main problem faced by the Project Silica team is that the quartz media cannot be overwritten. Therefore, the information on it is read-only. This will cause problems with the backup copy. ... >>

New ISOCELL sensors from Samsung 29.09.2020

Samsung has updated its line of ISOCELL sensors for smartphone cameras with four new models: JD1 32MP, GM5 48MP, GW3 64MP and HM2 108MP. The novelties are united by the size of a light-sensitive cell (pixel) - in all it is 0,7 microns. By the way, Samsung released the first sensor with a pixel size of 0,7 microns last year (ISOCELL Slim GH1). Hence the main feature of new products - compactness. According to the manufacturer, the new sensors with a pixel size of 0,7 microns are 15% more compact than models of the same resolution with a pixel size of 0,8 microns. Separately, it is stipulated that the height of the camera module has decreased by 10%. That is, new sensors take up less space, allowing you to reduce the protrusion of the camera and the thickness of the smartphone body. The manufacturer also highlights improved ISOCELL 2.0 technology - light sensitivity by 12% compared to ISOCELL. Now more about each model. ISOCELL HM2 is the third generation of Samsung's flagship sensor after ... >>

Glucose control patch 29.09.2020

A team of researchers from the Institute of Industrial Sciences at the University of Tokyo has developed a microneedle patch combined with a paper sensor to monitor glucose levels. Microneedles are tiny needles less than 1 mm long that are so short that they do not contact neurons when they enter the skin, meaning they do not cause pain. They do not pierce the skin to the point of blood, but they can collect subcutaneous fluid, which contains most of the important biomarkers. Engineers around the world have already developed several types of microneedles, but until now, creating a practical device that quickly analyzes a liquid and produces a result seemed elusive. Japanese scientists have overcome this problem by developing a way to combine porous microneedles with paper sensors. The result is an inexpensive, painless, easy-to-use, and highly practical one-time test for diagnosing prediabetes or controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes. For productions ... >>

Combined under-screen sensor for bezel-less smartphones 28.09.2020

AMS announced the creation of an advanced combined sensor that will help smartphone developers in the production of devices with minimal bezels around the display. The product received the designation TMD3719. It combines the functions of light sensor, proximity sensor and flicker sensor. In other words, the solution combines the capabilities of several individual chips. The module is designed to be placed directly behind an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display. This eliminates the need to install the appropriate sensors on the screen frame, which allows you to reduce the width of the latter to a minimum. Based on the TMD3719, such functions as automatic adjustment of the display brightness depending on the current lighting conditions, turning off the backlight and the touch layer when the smartphone approaches the ear, etc. can be implemented. Together with the under-screen camera, the presented product will allow creating smartphones with a truly frameless design. Such devices have ... >>

The danger of carbonated drinks 28.09.2020

According to researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, sugary soft drinks can also be a predictor of aggressive behavior in adolescents aged 11-13 years. Sweet carbonated drinks, according to scientists, not only arouse aggression in teenagers, but also lead to the fact that by the age of 16 they begin to increase their consumption. So, we can talk about addiction. Experts note that in order to reduce aggression in the behavior of adolescents, it is necessary to reduce the amount of carbonated drinks. At the same time, researchers do not exclude that reducing the number of such drinks can lead to depression. Earlier studies have already confirmed the relationship between aggressiveness and mental problems in adolescents. It was among these children that cases of increased hyperactivity, depression, and suicidal tendencies were more common. ... >>

Magnetoelectric effect of a symmetrical crystal 27.09.2020

Scientists have discovered a strange magnetoelectric effect in a symmetrical crystal. These two properties, magnetism and electricity, are related to each other in many strange and, according to scientists, surprising ways, and the magnetoelectric effect is one of them. It can be seen in some crystals. This is manifested in those cases when the electrical properties of the crystal act on the magnetic field and vice versa. Another completely impossible way of interaction was unexpectedly discovered by science. A new magnetoelectric effect has been discovered in a symmetrical crystal. It was revealed in a special type of crystal - in langasite. This crystal is composed of lanthanum, gallium, silicon and oxygen, as well as holmium atoms. It has a symmetrical structure and was previously thought to eliminate the relationship between electricity and magnetism. Experts suggest that the relationship between the electrical and magnetic properties of crystals depends on the internal symmetry of the crystal. high degree of symmetry, ... >>

Logitech MX Anywhere 3 Wireless Mouse 27.09.2020

Logitech has announced the MX Anywhere 3 and MX Anywhere 3 for Mac mice that use a wireless connection to communicate with your computer. In the Russian market, new items will go on sale until the end of September. Manipulators can connect to a PC in two ways: via Bluetooth Low Energy or via a Unifying RF transceiver with a USB interface. The claimed range reaches ten meters. The design provides for the presence of an electromagnetic wheel MagSpeed. It provides scrolling up to 1000 lines per second and the ability to instantly stop the cursor at any desired location. Another advantage of the novelty is the ability to work on almost any surface, including glass. The mouse is not afraid of dust, withstands bumps and drops associated with a mobile lifestyle. Claimed battery life on a single battery charge up to 70 days. Recharging is done via the USB Type-C port; with one minute of energy supply hwa ... >>

New water state discovered 26.09.2020

Supercooled water is two liquids in one. American researchers came to this conclusion after conducting the first-ever measurements of liquid water at temperatures well below its usual freezing point. Despite the extremely wide distribution, water as a chemical substance is still not fully understood. Scientists sometimes call it the most mysterious substance on Earth. The fact is that water is not like other liquids - when it freezes, it expands, and does not shrink, like everyone else, its density decreases. Therefore, water ice does not sink, but floats on the surface. Water has a high boiling point and is an excellent solvent, therefore, under various conditions, most organic and inorganic substances dissolve in it. And finally, it has a huge coefficient of surface tension. Thanks to all these unique properties, water has become the basis of life on Earth. Water has another interesting quality - it freezes very "reluctantly". If a ... >>

Controlling a computer with a language 26.09.2020

Dorothy Clasen, an MA from the Cologne International School of Design, has come up with an unusual way to interact with a computer. With its special controller, you can control the device in your own language! The prototype of the device is a dental retainer with a ball and a magnet attached to it, which can ride on special "rails". The idea is simple: the wearer attaches the device to their mouth and then simply moves the ball back and forth with their tongue. To communicate with a computer via a WI-FI network, the device has a special wire that is attached to a small sensor on the outside (it can be hidden behind the ear). According to Klasen, her device can greatly facilitate the lives of the disabled, as well as help people whose hands are busy. To demonstrate how the prototype works, Klasen played the game Tong, in which you have to hit the opponent's ball so that it doesn't "miss" the controller. The idea came to the girl in a very strange situation ... when she was riding a horse: "Because I am engaged in faith ... >>

Mornsun RS-485 Transceiver Module 25.09.2020

Mornsun has developed the TDH485D3,3H5 and TDH301D485H2 series of high speed 501V and 485V modular RS-2 transceivers. The main feature of these modules is that they integrate a high-performance isolated DC/DC converter with an electrical insulation strength of 5000 V (AC) and ESD protection elements. The data transfer rate is up to 1 Mbps, the through capacitance is less than 6 pF, and the signal rise and fall speed is about 45 V / μs. The modules are manufactured in a compact DIP-10 package and operate in an ultra-wide temperature range of -40...105°C. The products are intended for wide application in RS-485 data transmission devices, where it is required to provide extra-high isolation voltage (single-phase/three-phase electricity meters, special industrial controllers). ... >>

Air pollution measurement 25.09.2020

Researchers from the US analyzed existing scientific publications and found that tree leaves can trap magnetic particles that enter the atmosphere along with exhaust gases. The magnetic field of such particles can be detected using special devices, determining the level of air pollution by the leaves of trees. Employees of the University of Utah collected pine needles from several trees around the campus of the university. Three trees grew near the busy highway, and another was located far from the road. A comparison of the samples showed that the magnetization of the needles depends on the air quality in the area where the tree is located. In the magnetic particles with which the needles were coated, substances such as titanium, zirconium and vanadium were found. These elements are commonly found in brake dust, plus we know they are released into the atmosphere when fossil fuels are burned. Now scientists want to install artificial trees in Utah, created from 3D-printed trees. ... >>

Hydrogen truck Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck 24.09.2020

The cargo division of the Mercedes-Benz brand introduced the GenH2 concept truck, equipped with fuel cell electric motors. The energy source is liquefied hydrogen, which is stored on board the tractor. Fuel cells for trucks will be jointly developed by Daimler Truck from Germany and Volvo Group from Sweden. The authors of the project intend to use liquefied hydrogen, because in this state the energy carrier has a much higher energy density compared to volume than gaseous hydrogen. This solution will reduce the volume and mass of fuel tanks. Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck received two 40-liter liquid hydrogen tanks, which will provide a range of up to 1000 km without refueling. The fuel cell system will provide a total of 300 kW of power, with an additional 70 kW stored in the battery - this reserve will help the truck on acceleration or when driving in the city with a full load. Peak power will be 400 ... >>

Bionic eye 24.09.2020

Scientists from Australia's Monash University are preparing for clinical trials of the world's first device that restores vision in completely blind people. As part of the project, the Gennaris device was developed. It is a set of miniature wireless electronic implants that are located on the surface of the brain and transmit information to it. In many clinically blind people, it is not the eyes themselves that are damaged, but the optic nerves. This damage prevents the transmission of signals from the retina to the visual center of the brain. The development of Australian scientists, in fact, imitates this transmission channel between the retina and the centers of the brain responsible for vision. The system of the device consists of a specially designed headgear with a camera, a wireless transmitter, a video processor with special software, and a set of 9-9 mm plates - electronic implants that will be placed in the brain. Captured by the video camera of the headgear will be sent to the processor of the machine ... >>

Modular unmanned electric vehicle 23.09.2020

The German national center for aeronautics and space research (Deutsches Zentrum fur Luft und Raumfahrt, DLR) has shown a prototype of the transport of the future - a modular electric drone that can be used to transport goods and people. The new vehicle is named U-Shift, after the U-shaped platform that forms the basis of the new technology. The tool was presented at the Automotive Sector Strategic Dialogue Conference in Stuttgart. Modular transport from the aerospace center can be used to transport passengers or cargo, depending on which module is attached to it. However, at the moment, the prototype cannot drive completely in unmanned mode, it needs a remote control. The four-wheel base platform contains a system of electric drives, batteries and cargo lifting. The last system will be used to install the capsules. Today, a seven-seater pa can be connected to the base platform. ... >>

New proof of string theory 23.09.2020

American mathematicians managed to find one more proof confirming string theory. To do this, scientists from the Utah Institute examined two-dimensional K3 surfaces, the results of the work gave an improved understanding of how strings can interact in space-time. String theory is usually called universal because it is able to combine quantum mechanics and Einstein's general relativity. According to this theory, there are some vibrating fibers that permeate the Universe. They regularly interact with each other, explain the nature of fundamental processes, but scientists have nothing but indirect evidence of their existence. The new evidence is likewise classified as circumstantial. The scientists investigated the delamination and multidirectionality of compact K3 surfaces to improve understanding of how strings interact with each other in spacetime. Mathematicians believe that string theory can be used in calculations for in-depth understanding ... >>

bees can be trained 22.09.2020

Scientists from Argentina managed to teach bees to pollinate only sunflowers, proving that these insects can be trained. Now the researchers hope to replicate this trick with other crops. To achieve this result, a group of biologists from Buenos Aires created a special flavor that the bee colony associates with the smell of sunflowers. At the same time, experts did not completely copy the smell of the plant, but isolated from it only those elements that are important for the perception of insects. Subsequently, this flavoring was added to hive food, as a result of which most bees began to collect pollen and nectar exclusively on these plants, significantly increasing the yield of nearby fields. In conducting this experiment, the researchers relied on the work of their colleagues, who were able to find out that memories and previous experiences associated with smells influence the taste preferences of bees. Therefore, the resulting ... >>

Satellites for registering gravitational waves 22.09.2020

China plans to launch the Taiji-2 space satellite. It is designed to conduct in-orbit experiments on key technologies related to the detection of gravitational waves from space until 2024. Taiji-1, the first Chinese satellite in the program, was launched in August 2019 and is performing well in orbit, said Wu Yueliang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), at the 2020 China Space Conference in Fuzhou, the provincial capital. Fujian in eastern China. CAS has developed a three-stage strategy for the implementation of the Taiji program. It took the research team about a year to develop the Taiji-1. At the second stage, it is planned to launch two satellites, and at the third - three more. ... >>

Stress damages the bones 21.09.2020

Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences have found out how stress affects the loss of minerals from bones. Nerves - that is, stress, depression - can literally cause a variety of diseases. But what mechanism is at work here? What areas of the brain are involved and what substances do they use to affect the bones? It turned out that everything starts with a group of neurons in the terminal strip - the so-called part of the brain in the amygdaloid region, which includes the amygdala, or amygdala, and a number of other nerve centers. Neurons of the terminal strip synthesize the hormone somatostatin, which can also play the role of a neurotransmitter. Somatostatin reduces the synthesis of somatotropin, another hormone that stimulates bone growth and performs a number of other functions. Under chronic stress, somatostatin neurons of the terminal strip suppress the activity of other neurons that are located in the hypothalamus. All together - activation of neurons in the terminal strip and suppression of ... >>

Nanofluid for oil production 21.09.2020

Researchers at the University of Houston have demonstrated that low-cost and non-toxic nanofluids can be used to efficiently extract even heavy, highly viscous oil from reservoirs. So-called heavy oil - the result of the molecular structure of oil - makes up 70% of the world's oil reserves and will be needed to meet growing energy demands until clean energy sources are developed and used everywhere. Modern oil extraction technologies using steam are expensive and damaging to the environment. However, scientists have developed a nanofluid that helps to extract oil from the reservoir using the following mechanisms. The chemical reaction that occurs when the sodium nanoparticles come into contact with the water in the reservoir generates heat, acting in the same way as steam injection and other heat-based methods to push oil out of the reservoir, without the need for external - and greenhouse gas - producing - heat source. Nanogi ... >>

Crystals that change shape 20.09.2020

The crystals, created by an international team of researchers led by Xi Chen at the City College of New York and his co-authors at the Center for Advanced Science in Crystals, can transfer energy from evaporation into mechanical motion. Thus, evaporation can be a source of energy for actuators, artificial muscles, and many applications. Unlike traditional crystals, which are usually hard and brittle, new crystals have the ability to change their shape due to their molecular architecture. Crystals are composed of a pattern of small pores punctuated by connecting flexible domains that repeat throughout the crystal structure. The pores passing through the crystals are strongly associated with water molecules. "When evaporation causes water to be removed from the pores, it causes the entire crystal to be severely deformed through the network connection. The resulting change in shape is reversed when water is introduced again. ... >>

Microsoft experimental underwater data centers 20.09.2020

Microsoft has completed the Project Natik experiment with placing data centers under water. The results showed that this model of operation is not only viable, but also more reliable than terrestrial data centers. Techcrunch writes about it. Project Natik aims to solve the problems of locating data centers in coastal areas around the world. This can solve the problem of scaling the network and improving its performance while keeping equipment maintenance costs low. The company removed the underwater data center at the beginning of the summer, after which experts began to study the equipment and the air inside. The underwater servers not only showed good performance, but also proved to be eight times more reliable than the terrestrial ones. Researchers do not yet know what caused this, but intend to find it and implement the necessary improvements on land. In addition, experts noted the increased energy efficiency of underwater data centers. Their location allows you to save energy on the artificial cooling of servers. This is a person ... >>

graphene masks 19.09.2020

A team of chemical and material engineering specialists from the University of Hong Kong presented the results of their truly extraordinary research on the development of lighter, better and more effective antibacterial masks against bacteria of various kinds. In particular, today it became known that a team of specialists managed to present not just a new format of masks as such, but a conceptually new technical basis for their development, and we are talking about the use of graphene as a basis that gets rid of bacteria. Given all the previous research, it becomes clear that they will succeed. Early research on the use of graphene as a basis for killing most of the known harmful bacteria showed that the material actually has such properties only if it is obtained as a thin layer on a polyamide film, by applying carbon dioxide to it, with help system inf ... >>

Ammonia from beer and boron 19.09.2020

Employees at the University of Würzburg have learned how to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonium chloride using beer and a compound containing boron. Industrially significant ammonia can then be isolated from this salt. Today, ammonia and its salts are used to produce vast quantities of fertilizers and synthetic compounds for other industries. It is most convenient to create this gas from nitrogen contained in the atmosphere, because its volume fraction in the air is more than 78%. Today, the Haber process is used for this - a direct combination of hydrogen and nitrogen using a special catalyst. However, this process is associated with heating to significant temperatures and the creation of high pressure. German chemists have found a way to reduce the cost of producing this gas. Two years ago, this group of scientists came up with a method for the synthesis of ammonia, in which the role of a catalyst - a substance that accelerates a chemical reaction - is performed by a light organic molecule with boron atoms. But then the chemists managed to carry out ... >>

2D transistor analog op amp 18.09.2020

A team of researchers from the Vienna University of Technology (Austria), the University of Pisa (Italy) and AMO (Germany), who successfully demonstrated a 2D microprocessor a few years ago, recently fabricated an analog operational amplifier using an atomically thin (2D) semiconductor, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2 ). Thanks to the homogenous MoS2 film grown by chemical vapor deposition, it was possible to obtain transistors with excellent performance characteristics: low hysteresis, ON/OFF ratio exceeding 8 orders of magnitude, mobility up to 20 cm2/Vs. A test of more than 40 devices showed good reproducibility of these indicators with small variations in threshold voltage and charge carrier mobility. These results allowed the authors to construct a 4-stage device with a total gain of 40 decibels. It is based on n-channel field-effect transistors with a local rear gate and is one of the most complex among the ... >>

Bose-Einstein condensate drives a phonon laser 18.09.2020

Although the concepts of optical (photon) and sonic (phonon) lasers were predicted at almost the same time, the former is ubiquitous, but implementations of the latter have not yet reached technological maturity. A joint team of researchers from the Instituto Balseiro and Centro Atomico in Bariloche (Argentina) and the Paul Drude Institute in Berlin (Germany) has presented a new approach to the efficient generation of coherent mechanical vibrations based on the Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC) of coupled light-matter particles (polaritons) . A polariton BEC is created in a trap - a semiconductor microcavity consisting of electronic centers sandwiched between distributed Bragg reflectors (DBR) designed to reflect light of the same energy as emitted by the centers. When excited by light of a different energy (for which the trap is transparent) the electronic states of the centers emit light particles, they are reflected back and reabsorbed by the centers. fast and repetitive ... >>

Soothing soda 17.09.2020

The American corporation PepsiCo is going to start selling a new branded drink called Driftwell in the first quarter of next year. A new branded soda from PepsiCo Corporation with a rather strange name Driftwell will go on sale in the US in the first quarter of 2021. A refreshing non-alcoholic drink, the developers assure, in addition to quenching thirst, it also has a sedative effect, helps to fall asleep and even fight anxiety. This is achieved by Driftwell's naturally occurring amino acid L-theanine. This substance helps to relax the body and increases stress resistance. So far, Driftwell soothing soda has only one taste - blackberry-lavender. The development of the drink began long before the coronavirus pandemic, and now, according to PepsiCo, it will become especially relevant against the backdrop of a significant increase in stress and insomnia among the US population. The U.S. soft drink market was $2,97 billion last year. By ... >>

Effect of caffeine on drug resistance 17.09.2020

Researchers at the University of Edinburgh conducted a large-scale experiment to study the effect of caffeine on drug resistance. For a long period of time, scientists believed that drug resistance could only develop after some kind of change in the DNA. However, a recent scientific study has made it clear that this is not actually the case. It turned out that under the influence of caffeine, epigenetic changes appear in fungi. The difference between epigenetic and genetic changes is that they do not change the genetic code itself, but the so-called packaging of the DNA helix. The study was conducted on yeast treated with caffeine. According to experts, some genes were packaged in heterochromatin, which suppresses the activity of other genetic sequences. As a result, the body's resistance to drugs was formed. ... >>

Animals sense the magnetic field thanks to bacteria 16.09.2020

Many animals, including birds and fish, demonstrate the ability to magnetoreception - the perception of the Earth's magnetic field. It allows birds to migrate over long distances, and turtles to return to lay on the same beach. This "sixth sense", according to some sources, is available to people, although in a very weak form. However, the nature of magnetoreception remains poorly understood. A team of researchers from Israel and the UK, led by Yoni Vortman, associates it with symbiotic bacteria that live in the body of an animal and are capable of synthesizing magnetic particles. This is indeed observed in some lower protists. To test this unusual hypothesis, Wortman and colleagues conducted a study using the extensive metagenomic database of MG-RAST. Metagenomic samples taken from the environment are studied as a whole - a set of all the genomes of the organisms present here. This allows you to find possible connections between them. Authors and ... >>

MAX17701 Super Capacitor Synchronous Charge Controller 16.09.2020

Maxim Integrated has released a new charge controller for supercapacitors. The MAX17701 is a high performance, high voltage synchronous buck charger controller for supercapacitors designed to operate over an input voltage range of 4,5V to 60V. It operates over an industrial temperature range of -40 to 125°C and charges the supercapacitor with DC current with +- four%. After charging the supercapacitor, the device regulates the open-circuit output voltage with an accuracy of +-4%. The output voltage is programmable from 1V to (VDCIN - 1,25V). The MAX4 Super Capacitor Charger Controller is designed for applications that require backup power storage with precision charging capability. It uses an external nMOSFET for short circuit protection on the power side to prevent the supercapacitor from discharging. The MAX17701 is equipped with a Safety Timer (TMR) feature to set the maximum allowable charge time in p ... >>

Artificial intelligence will identify dangerous drivers 15.09.2020

Australian scientists who are developing new technologies for road safety announced the creation of a new unique system. It allows you to recognize the numbers of cars that move along the highway, and also calculates those factors in the driver's behavior that can become dangerous for other road users. So, artificial intelligence is able to "see" that the driver of a car is driving with an unfastened seat belt. The system will also respond to motorists who fall asleep at the wheel or communicate with someone on the phone while driving. In addition, in the near future it is planned to add several more new features that will make it possible to improve traffic safety. For example, artificial intelligence will analyze the maneuvers performed by the driver, and also evaluate his condition based on the results of the analysis. ... >>

Spoiled food indicator 15.09.2020

Engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a food indicator in the form of Velcro from silk microneedles, which changes color when there are signs of spoilage of the product. To do this, just stick the indicator to the packaging or the product itself. This will help avoid food poisoning and reduce food waste. The indicator microneedles are made from silk cocoon proteins and are designed to absorb product liquid. Two types of special ink available on the indicator change color when in contact with liquid. One ink is sensitive to a certain pH range and indicates whether the food has gone bad or not. And the second ink turns red when it detects pathogenic bacteria, such as E. coli. Scientists tested this simple method on a raw fish fillet, into which a solution contaminated with E. coli was injected. In less than a day, the indicator sensitive to bacteria changed color from blue to red - that is, this is a clear sign of infection ... >>

The moon is rusting 14.09.2020

Scientists at the University of Hawaii at Manoa have discovered signs of the process of iron oxidation on the Moon, where there is no water and air necessary for this. The discovery of hematite on the moon has baffled experts because hematite is an oxidized form of iron that requires air and water to form. In addition, the Moon is constantly bombarded by streams of the solar wind with hydrogen, which "gives" its electrons to materials, interacting with them. The researchers note that oxidation occurs due to the loss of electrons, so even if there were water and air on the Moon, the solar wind would prevent oxidation. Hematite was discovered by scientists in data collected by the Indian orbiter Chandrayaan-1. The NASA Moon Mineralogy Mapper (M3) program uses images from the spacecraft for spectroscopic analysis, which gives insight into the mineral composition of the Moon's surface. ... >>

The secret to a good sense of rhythm in musicians 14.09.2020

The ability to hit the beat turned out to be associated with the speed and degree of synchronization of the given rhythm and the rhythm of brain activity. Researchers at McGill University in Toronto have studied how the synchronization of the brain waves of musicians with the rhythm of the audio recordings they listened to is related to the ability of the same musicians to reproduce a given tempo without error. The results of the work showed that this is what distinguishes a solid master from one who can "miss" past the beat. The ability to simultaneously listen and perform synchronized movements, such as in dance or when playing an instrument under a metronome, contains three levels of activity: listening, synchronization, reproduction. In the experiment, 29 experienced musicians aged 18 to 30 listened to and reproduced different rhythmic patterns by tapping their fingers on the table. At this time, scientists measured their brain activity using an electroencephalogram. The first rhythm was a simple repetition of evenly spaced identical notes. The second, medium in complexity, is represented by ... >>

Microplastics affect life in soil 13.09.2020

An international team of researchers has found that microplastics infiltrating the soil can lead to a decrease in the number of worms and microarthropods that live there. Microarthropods are one of the groups of soil invertebrates actively involved in the decomposition of organic matter. Microplastics are tiny pieces of plastic that have broken away from larger pieces of plastic. Tiny pieces of plastic are a major source of pollution worldwide. Over the past couple of years, a lot of research has been done on the impact of microplastics on creatures that live in the oceans, rivers, streams and lakes. Pollutants have been found to alter the reproductive abilities of sea creatures, and sometimes their habits, making them more vulnerable to predators. In this new work, the researchers examined how microplastic pollutants affect creatures that live in the soil. Many creatures live in the soil - larger ones such as gophers and turtles tend to eat ... >>

New Bluetooth 5.0 modules from STMicroelectronics 13.09.2020

The new STMicroelectronics BlueNRG-M2SA and BlueNRG-M2SP radio modules are based on the BlueNRG-2 system-on-a-chip and comply with the Bluetooth 5.0 standard. The modules support multiple roles and can act as a Bluetooth master and slave at the same time. The BlueNRG-M2 radio modules are a complete RF platform including an antenna. The Bluetooth Low Energy stack and user application can run on the module. Modules allow you to create a complete IoT product without deep knowledge in the field of high-frequency device development and significantly reduce the time to bring a new product to market. Applications for the modules include building control devices, industrial process automation, lighting control, medical equipment and security systems. The BlueNRG-M2 can be powered directly from a pair of AAA batteries, or from any 1,7V to 3,6V power source. The BlueNRG-M2 comes in ... >>

Lethal dose of chocolate calculated 12.09.2020

An international group of scientists has determined how much chocolate you can eat per day without harm to the body. You should not completely exclude your favorite delicacy from the diet, since chocolate contains a lot of useful elements. With moderate consumption of chocolate, the risk of developing coronary heart disease decreases, and the level of "good" cholesterol increases. Chocolate also blocks inflammatory processes, improves the condition of blood vessels. The positive properties of chocolate are explained by the content in the product of such useful substances as catechin, procyanidins and epicatechin. The healthiest chocolate is the one with the lowest sugar content and the highest cocoa content. We are talking about bitter (dark) chocolate. You should also monitor the amount of product consumed. The safe daily allowance for dark chocolate is 50 grams and for milk chocolate 20 grams. Doctors have calculated a certain dose of chocolate consumption, after which a person can die: 3 grams for every kilogram of a person. Yes, n ... >>

Safe transportation of Martian soil 12.09.2020

The United States and China plan to collect samples of Martian soil to study traces of life. The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) also plans to deliver samples from Mars' moon Phobos in 2029. A team of scientists from the University of Tokyo has developed a new way to safely transport soil samples from Mars to Earth for their study. It will help prevent a biological threat to humanity. Cosmobiologists have used a calcium chloride solution to trap bacteria and viruses in calcium carbonate crystals. Under these conditions, the organisms were inactive for one minute, but isolation and analysis of their DNA was still possible. At the same time, standard sterilization with heat or chemicals makes this process very difficult. The leader of the study, University of Tokyo professor Suzuki Yohei, hopes this hands-on method will become the standard technique for exploring Mars. ... >>

Attosecond pulses of light - using a conventional industrial laser 11.09.2020

A team of researchers at the University of Central Florida has developed a new method to produce attosecond pulses of light using light from a conventional industrial laser as input. This achievement opens up the possibility of recording events and making measurements with attosecond accuracy, which, in turn, will allow scientists from various fields of science to study ultrafast phenomena and processes, such as the movement of electrons in atoms or molecules in their natural time frame. The production of extremely short pulses of light, the duration of which is comparable to the duration of one oscillation of the electromagnetic wave of this light, is usually done using light pulses produced by a high-quality laser, which are passed through tubes filled with noble gases such as xenon and argon. Due to this, already quite short pulses, numbering about a hundred cycles of oscillations ... >>

Antibacterial web material 11.09.2020

The University of Bayreuth has created a material that can eliminate the risk of infection and facilitate the healing process. This is a nanostructured material based on spider silk proteins. It prevents colonization by bacteria and fungi, but at the same time actively promotes the regeneration of human tissues. Therefore, such material is ideal for implants, dressings, prostheses, contact lenses. Biotechnologically produced spider silk proteins have made it possible to create a material that prevents the adhesion of pathogenic microbes. Even streptococci, resistant to many antibacterial agents, could not settle on the surface of the material. Moreover, according to the developers, the material guarantees the active reproduction of human cells, which allows it to be used in wound dressings, in the process of skin grafting and any implantation. Unlike other materials that were previously used for tissue regeneration, the risk of infection is completely eliminated. And the effect reached ... >>

Volta Zero electric truck 10.09.2020

British-Swedish startup Volta Trucks has unveiled its first model, the Volta Zero, a commercial electric truck designed for deliveries within the city. This is a fairly large (9460x3470x2550) 16-ton model that can hold 16 euro-pallets with a total weight of 8600 kg in a body with a useful volume of 37,7 m3. The drive is the modular Bosch E-axle solution mounted on the rear axle, which combines the electric motor, gearbox and control electronics in one housing. The characteristics of the electric motor are not announced, only the maximum speed (90 km / h) is known, but it is also limited for greater safety. Depending on the needs of the customer, batteries with a capacity of 160 to 200 kWh can be installed in the floor between the axles of Volta Zero, which will provide a range of 150-200 km. Frankly low indicators of "range" are caused by a solid carrying capacity. The layout of the cabin is very interesting - the driver sits in the center, if desired, he can be accompanied by two exp ... >>

Molecule for collecting and storing solar energy 10.09.2020

Swedish researchers at Linköping University have created a molecule that can be used to efficiently collect and store solar energy. A molecule created as a result of supercomputer simulation can exist in two different forms. The "parent" form absorbs solar energy, and the "modified" form is a more energy-intensive version of the "parent", and, at the same time, is more stable. Thanks to this "two-faced" solar energy can be stored more efficiently. The development of Swedish scientists belongs to a group of molecules that are commonly called "molecular photoswitches". Such molecules can always exist in two different forms (isomers), which differ in chemical structure. The structure of photoswitches is affected by the energy of light - that is, the properties of the molecule can be changed by exposure to solar energy. The properties of the molecule were first studied using computer simulations, and then scientists were able to confirm ... >>

A lens that mimics the human iris 09.09.2020

A new electronic contact lens, which ideally mimics the human iris, was presented by a group of researchers from the Belgian University of Ghent and the interuniversity Center for Microelectronics Leuven. The iris is based on a series of concentric rings built on a liquid crystal display. Researchers estimate that there are about 20 million people in the world who can be helped by the lens to cope with conditions such as aniridia (absence of the iris), keratoconus (thinning of the cornea that surrounds the eyeball) and photosensitivity, which is very common in patients with chronic migraine. These people currently resort to fixed iris lenses, iris implants, or variable opacity glasses, none of which fully function as the natural iris. "Our smart contact lens can control the level of incoming light by mimicking the human rainbow ... >>

Two bits of information - in one atom 09.09.2020

The Dutch scientists managed to create a system of one iron atom on a substrate, in which it is possible to control the orbital momentum of an atom and the excitation of its spin states independently of each other. To control the system, the researchers used the needle of a scanning tunneling microscope, when interacting with an atom, its orbital momentum was reversed without excitation of spin states. Under such conditions, the atom has two degrees of freedom associated with a magnetic field, which in the future can be used to create particularly capacious information storage systems with a recording density of two bits per atom. Reducing the size of a single bit to the scale of an atom would make it possible to fit huge amounts of data into extremely small media. Potentially, such systems can be created using the magnetic field-controlled spins of individual atoms S - the vector sums of their own angular momenta of the elementary particles included in their composition. As a bit in such systems, select ... >>

Keyboard printing on paper 08.09.2020

Scientists at Purdue University in the US have developed a simple printing process that turns paper sheets from a notebook into a keyboard, music player interface, and can also make food packaging interactive. The new method makes paper water-repellent by coating it with highly fluorinated molecules. Oil and dust are also not afraid of paper. This omniphobic coating allows multiple layers of circuitry to be printed on paper. In this case, the ink is not smeared between layers. In addition, the paper electronic device is self-powered. It does not require any external batteries, as they receive energy from contact with the user. The technology is compatible with traditional large-scale printing processes, so it's quick and easy to turn ordinary cardboard or paper into smart packaging or smart interface. The authors of the work hope that such "smart" paper can be used for packaging food products or parcels: ... >>

Fat taste receptors discovered 08.09.2020

American scientists have proven for the first time that the human tongue perceives the taste of fat. What's more, they found that variations in a gene called CD36 make people more or less sensitive to fat. This may explain why some of us gain weight while others do not. Traditionally, there are five main tastes - sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. The first four tastes are typical for European culture, and the last one is for Asian. Umami is a taste sensation produced by fermented and aged foods such as soy sauce and fish sauce. For each taste, a certain area of ​​\uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbthe tongue is responsible. In particular, we perceive the sweet with its tip. With regard to fat, scientists were of the opinion that people feel its texture, not taste. American researchers have refuted this claim. Participants in the experiment were offered three cups, one of which contained a solution with a small amount of fatty acids. The other two were filled with liquid, ... >>

Ocean floor cleaning robots 07.09.2020

We have all seen the scary pictures of the huge amount of debris on the surface of the oceans. Experts say that there is much more waste on the seabed. To solve this problem, the SeaClear project, funded by the European Union, is developing underwater robots that will clean up garbage autonomously. The system will consist of four robotic vehicles: an aerial drone, two underwater remotely operated robots (ROVs) and an unmanned vessel that will serve as a "mother ship". Through special cables, the vessel will supply power to two ROVs. It is planned that the system will initially be deployed in coastal areas, since it is in these places that most of the underwater debris that enters the seas through rivers. Special modules based on artificial intelligence will be built into the ROV. So the robot will be able to distinguish garbage from marine animals, plants and corals. The system will perform its work in two stages. First, an aerial drone and one of the robots will ... >>

A black hole can become a portal 07.09.2020

Scientists have proposed how to make a portal out of a black hole. We are talking about a stable tunnel that can accommodate a spaceship, despite the fact that for a long time the wormholes were either too small or too unreliable. Research in this direction was carried out by specialists from Princeton. Scientists have found confirmation of the possibility of creating a "wormhole" in space, which will be enough, among other things, to fit a full-fledged ship. In such a wormhole, one can travel, not only through space, but also through time. A starship would be able to travel to distant points in the universe in moments, but by earthly standards, such a "journey" would take thousands of years. At the same time, the contents of black holes are still unknown to mankind. In this regard, its surface is called the "event horizon". Getting to the latter would require anti-gravity acting as a repulsive force. Such a property should have ... >>

Przewalski's horse cloned 06.09.2020

Przewalski's horses once became extinct in the wild. Despite intensive breeding programs that have helped revive the species and bring it back to the pastures of China and Mongolia, almost all living specimens are descendants of 12 horses born at the San Diego Zoo. Successful cloning of DNA collected over 40 years is intended to introduce key generic diversity and may contribute to the survival of the species. The zoo said the cloned male will eventually be transferred to the San Diego Zoo's safari park and integrated into a herd of other Przewalski's horses for further breeding. "The work of saving endangered species requires cooperation and dedicated partners with agreed goals. We share this remarkable achievement because we have applied our interdisciplinary approach, working with the best scientific minds and using valuable genetic material collected and stored in our wildlife DNA biobank" , Paul A. Baribo, President of San Dieg, said in a statement. ... >>

AMD Bicycles 06.09.2020

AMD has introduced two models of bicycles. The first Custom Cruiser features 26-inch wheels, an 18,5-inch tubular frame, front and rear guards, and a dual spring comfort seat. This option is mainly suitable for moving along roads and paths (in a park, for example). The second model - Custom Mountain Bike, as the name suggests, is quite suitable for off-road outings. This variant features a steel tubular frame with shock absorber, 21-speed Shimano gearbox, 26-inch alloy wheels, quick-release seat. Despite the difference in transmissions, brakes and overall positioning, the bikes cost the same - $300 each. New items are only available in the US in the official AMD Fan Store. ... >>

The timing and quality of sleep varies by gender. 05.09.2020

Scientists at the University of Pennsylvania from the USA found out how much the circadian rhythms of men and women differ from each other. Previous research has shown that humans and animals have more than one kind of "physical" rhythm. In addition to the circadian rhythm that regulates sleep and wakefulness, humans have internal cycles that are responsible for breathing, skin renewal and heart rate, etc. Of these, the circadian rhythm is the best known. The fact is that it has a noticeable effect on our daily life, controlling when we go to bed and when we wake up. It also affects metabolism and the rate at which we get tired. Sean Anderson and Garrett Fitzgerald were eager to learn more about the circadian rhythm, so they analyzed a lot of research. Scientists studied studies that included more than 53 people, which is how they found that age and gender affect the body clock. The researchers noticed that women tend to ... >>

Noise improves sensor performance 05.09.2020

The addition of noise to amplify a weak signal is a perceptual phenomenon common in the animal kingdom, but uncommon in human-made sensors. Now the Pennsylvania researchers have added a small amount of background noise to amplify very weak signals in a light source that is too dim to perceive. Unlike most sensors, for which noise is a problem that needs to be suppressed, the scientists found that adding just the right amount of background noise can actually amplify a signal too weak to be picked up by conventional sensors to a level at which it can be detected. Although their sensor, based on a two-dimensional material called molybdenum disulfide, detects light, the same principle can be used to detect other signals, and since it requires very little power and space compared to conventional sensors, it may find wide adaptation in the near future. The Internet of Things will deploy the sale of tens of millions of sensors for monitoring ... >>

Panasonic Lumix S5 04.09.2020

Panasonic has launched a new Lumix S5 full-frame mirrorless camera. The novelty is a slightly more affordable solution compared to the Lumix S1. The new Panasonic Lumix S5 camera is equipped with a 24,2-megapixel full-frame sensor. Despite the fact that the device is equipped with a larger sensor than the GH5 model, the dimensions of the novelty turned out to be smaller. The camera contains a built-in image stabilization mechanism that provides compensation within 5 exposure stops. The device has an electronic OLED viewfinder with a resolution of 2,36 million dots and a magnification of 0,74, a swivel 3-inch display with a resolution of 1,84 million dots, two slots for SD memory cards (one UHS-I, one UHS-II) and 2200 mAh battery that charges via USB-C port. The case provides protection against dust and drops of water. Sensitivity up to ISO 51200 is supported when taking photos. Video recording is possible in 4K resolution at 60 frames ... >>

Clothes with memory will adapt to the owner 04.09.2020

American scientists have created a wool-like material that has shape memory and is able to change shape under certain conditions. This material will make it possible in the future to create universal things that can adapt to the size of different people. It is a biocompatible fiber that can be 3D printed and pre-programmed to change shape. The material is based on keratin - a protein substance that is part of the hair and nails. Researchers have extracted keratin from the remains of angora wool used in textile production. The hierarchical structure of the keratin molecule gives it the ability to change shape. To demonstrate the properties of the new material, the researchers printed keratin sheets in various shapes. They were given a shape to which they should return if the sheets were placed in a certain environment - in the experiment it was a solution of hydrogen peroxide and monosodium phosphate. A star was folded from one sheet using the origami technique, after ... >>

Unified classification of neurons 03.09.2020

An international group of scientists led by specialists from Columbia University (USA) proposed to classify the neurons of the cerebral cortex. There are about 100 billion neurons in the human brain, interconnected in complex ways. To decipher how the brain works and understand what can go wrong in many diseases, it is important to find out how many classes of neurons there really are and how they are connected to each other. The question of how to classify neurons has been widely discussed since the dawn of modern neuroscience. According to Yuste, many attempts to describe their anatomical, physiological, and molecular features have been unsuccessful due to the cellular diversity of nerve cells. However, over the past two decades, the Human Genome Project has developed many molecular methods that allow the identification and phenotyping of cells in large numbers. Thus, several groups of scientists began to collect data for classifications. ... >>

1200V CoolSiC G5 Schottky Diodes in D2PAK Dual Lead Package 03.09.2020

Infineon has launched new 1200 V Schottky diodes of the fifth generation (Gen 5) based on CoolSiC technology in a D2PAK (TO-263-2) package. The average current of the diodes is from 2 to 20 A. They are great for use in conjunction with a super-junction MOSFET or IGBT. Scope: pulse rectifiers, power supplies, KKM. The use of diodes of the G5 generation makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the system relative to the same system based on silicon diodes by up to 1%. The 1200V CoolSiC G5 diodes feature best-in-class forward voltage (Vf) and low temperature response. Features: Zero charge reverse recovery (Qrr); Low forward voltage (including at high temperature); Higher efficiency compared to silicon diodes; High resistance to current surges; Two-pin D2PAK package (TO-263-2) with 4,7 mm creepage distance and 4,4 mm air gap. Applications: Dawn systems ... >>

Trees will help find the bodies of people missing in the forest 02.09.2020

Forensic botanists at the University of Tennessee have come up with a way trees and shrubs can be used to search for the bodies of people who have gone missing in the woods. They note that a decaying body changes the chemical and microbiological composition of the soil, which can be tracked using spectral analysis of plant leaves. People often disappear in the forest, in order to find them, as a rule, they comb the area and use aerial photography. But the dense canopy of trees and shrubs complicates this task. Now, forensic botanists have suggested using markers on trees and shrubs that can point to the body that lies underneath. The decomposing body has a serious impact on the environment over an area of ​​about three square meters. In particular, the chemical composition of the soil and local bacterial communities are transformed around it. Changes in trees and shrubs, the roots of which are near the body, are especially noticeable. The authors illustrate this with the example of ... >>

Drawing color pictures with white light 02.09.2020

Light painting technology was created by researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NSIT) in the United States. Scientists "painted" the masterpiece of the Dutch artist Jan Vermeer "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by illuminating a glass plate with millions of elliptical titanium dioxide nanopolarizers with white light. Nanopolarizers of various sizes are capable, when irradiated with white light, to capture, emit, and change the polarization of light as its intensity changes. In this way, scientists were able to control the color. Depending on the orientation of the long and short axes of the nanoellipse, it was possible to create red, green, or blue color at each point of the surface. Vermeer's painting was chosen as an experiment to determine the quality of color reproduction. Scientists have created a miniature copy of the painting, about 1 millimeter in size. At the same time, it is noted that the resulting image was distinguished by high definition, up to the texture of oil paint on canvas. In practice, this ... >>

Artificial skin feeling pain 01.09.2020

Scientists from the Royal Melbourne University of Technology have developed an electronic artificial skin that can respond to pain like a human. The device mimics the body's near-instantaneous feedback and can respond to pain at the same rate that nerve signals reach the human brain. Until now, no technology has been created that could realistically reproduce the feeling of pain familiar to every person, said lead author of the study, Professor Madhu Bhaskaran. - Our invention instantly reacts when the pressure or temperature of the environment reaches the pain threshold According to experts, electronic skin is able to feel the difference between the effects and respond even to a light touch of a finger on a pin. The new technology can be applied to create bionic prostheses, intelligent robotics, and will also become necessary in the field of non-invasive methods of transplantation to ... >>

Lunar Vacuum Cleaner 01.09.2020

Scientists from the University of Colorado Bowler have come up with a "vacuum cleaner" for the moon. Their method is based on an electron beam that "removes" dust from surfaces. Fine dust that appears on the surface of the moon can stick to astronauts' spacesuits, solar panels and various equipment. This problem worries specialists so much that it is considered as one of the technical obstacles for future lunar missions. Small as powder, particles are able to cut like glass. They are difficult to remove even after intensive cleaning, and Harrison Jack Schmitt, who went to the moon in 1972, even developed "moon hay fever". Inside the ship, the dust smelled like burnt gunpowder. Now the researchers have proposed a new method of dealing with such dust. Recent studies on electrostatic dust lifting have shown that the emission and absorption of secondary electrons or photoelectrons within microcavities formed between dust particles can cause significant negative effects to accumulate. ... >>

Liquid cooling system Eisbaer LT 92 31.08.2020

Alphacool introduced the Eisbaer LT 92 liquid cooling system designed for small computers. It can be considered a lightweight version of the classic Eisbaer LT model, devoid of quick couplings in positioning and supplied with hoses only 25 cm long. Despite the small dimensions of the copper radiator, equal to 134 x 90 x 30 mm, the LSS provides sufficient cooling even for powerful processors. The DC-LT pump, running at 2600 rpm, generates a flow of 70 l/h. It is combined with a copper water block into a block with dimensions of 69 x 69 x 39 mm. Complete mounts provide compatibility with AMD processors AM4, AM3+, AM3, AM2+, AM2, 939, FM2+, FM2, FM1, G34 and 940, as well as Intel processors LGA 2066, 115x, 755, 2011-3, 2011 , 1366 and 1200. The Eisbaer LT 92 uses hoses and fittings from the Enterprise Solution series, which are more reliable and kink resistant. Fans are not included. New price - 7 ... >>

hemp meat 31.08.2020

New Zealand-based alternative protein company Sustainable Foods plans to launch its hemp-based meat alternative in 2021. The new product will be produced from local cannabis varieties and processed in a private hydroelectric power plant. The hemp-based meat will be sold under the retail brand of The Craft Meat Co. The latter has already introduced a range of plant products, including minced meat, hamburgers, sausages and ready meals. "Most of our products already contain some hemp due to its nutritional value. However, the new meat alternative will use hemp as the base for the most part," said Kieran Rey, co-founder of Sustainable Foods. In addition, hemp-based meat will also contain very high levels of dietary fiber, up to 19% of the Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI). This is a significant advantage that cannot be obtained from traditional animal meat or many others. ... >>

LG PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier Face Mask 30.08.2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many people to wear masks in many situations that require social interaction. In such conditions, LG decided to create its own mask called PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier. It will clean the air inhaled by the user, while minimally affecting his breathing. The LG PuriCare Wearable Air Purifier uses two H13 HEPA filters. They are almost identical to the filters that LG uses in its household air purifiers. If necessary, they can be replaced. The mask also contains two built-in fans that can be adjusted in three speeds to make breathing more natural. They will speed up to push more air in, and as you exhale they slow down to offer less resistance. The announced mask is an electronic device equipped with a battery. According to the manufacturer, on a single battery charge, the mask can work from 2 to 8 ... >>

Clean fuel generated by photosynthesis 30.08.2020

The advent of "artificial leaves" capable of photosynthesis could be an important breakthrough in the energy sector. A team of scientists from the UK is moving confidently in this direction. Her latest invention is a wireless photocatalyst plate that converts light, water and carbon into clean fuel. Last year, chemists at the University of Cambridge developed something like an artificial leaf that converts sunlight and water into fuel, a synthetic gas made from carbon monoxide and hydrogen. They used perovskite solar cells to convert sunlight. This time, scientists partly changed their approach and instead of perovskites, they used new photocatalysts placed in plastic from a semiconducting powder. Plate with an area of ​​20 square meters. cm converts sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into oxygen and formic acid, which can be used immediately as fuel or stored for hydrogen production. It's a brand new method ... >>

SeeDevice PAT-PD image sensors 29.08.2020

Even the appearance on the market of smartphones with image sensors with tens of megapixels cannot be called a revolution. It is rather an evolution - an impressive development in its capabilities, which does not change the basic principles of creating light-sensitive image sensors. The revolution in this area is yet to come. Perhaps it will be brought closer by the efforts of SeeDevice, which claims to develop an extremely sensitive image sensor that works on new principles. The image sensor proposed by SeeDevice is called PAT-PD (Photon Assisted Tunneling-Photo Detector) - a photon tunneling photodetector. The PAT-PD sensor "virtually eliminates photon leakage", which promises to capture images in the visible region with minimal light. Below you can compare the image at 0,1 lux (moonless night) on a DSLR with a 24,2 MP sensor and on a PAT-PD sensor. The image from the latter clearly wins compared to the image on the "stock" camera. PAT-PD sensors can ... >>

The allure of pizza 29.08.2020

Scientists from the University of Michigan conducted a study according to which pizza actually causes a kind of addiction. Pizza ingredients are the best combination of fats, carbohydrates and salt - this is what the body is looking for and which activates the brain circuit responsible for reward. Among the other ingredients of one of the most popular dishes in the world is the milk protein casein. During digestion, it releases caseomorphins, which act on the receptors for dopamine, the hormone of pleasure and reward, and increase its production. In addition to these purely chemical processes, scientists also talk about the psychological aspects that attract people to pizza. Its aroma and colors also evoke pleasant experiences, and the process of eating it is often associated with an equally pleasant stay in the company of friends. As a result, pizza, according to the researchers, is in the first place among addictive foods - as if it were a grocery drug. According to this indicator, she outperforms ... >>

transparent human cells 28.08.2020

Octopuses, squids and other sea creatures can become invisible by using special tissues in their bodies to control the reflection of light. Researchers at the University of California have created human cells that have similar transparent abilities. The project belongs to the field of science, aimed at the development and construction of cellular systems and tissues with controlled properties for the transmission, reflection and absorption of light. The team's research was inspired by how Doryteuthis opalescens squids can avoid predators by dynamically switching color from near transparent to opaque white. The researchers then borrowed some of the intercellular protein particles involved in this biological cloaking technique and found a way to inject them into human cells to test whether the light-scattering abilities could be passed on to other animals. This species of squid has all the reflective specialized cells called leucophores that can change ... >>

Stability prevents miracles from happening 28.08.2020

A miracle is often explained by the action of supernatural forces. Since supernatural forces are involved in miracles, it is natural to assume that miracles are more often spoken of by those who believe in the existence of these forces. On the other hand, miracles are seen from ignorance, that is, from lack of education and lack of curiosity; and lack of education often stems from poverty. This means that miracles are more often heard from people who are poorly educated and poor. But not everything is so simple. Edwin Eschler of Baylor University analyzed data from sociological surveys that were conducted several years ago in Latin America and which concerned belief in miracles. The polls involved 15400 people from 16 countries. And the first thing that caught my eye was that the level of education in itself is not connected with miracles. The same applies to the economic situation, that is, if you compare richer people and poorer people, then the level of income does not affect the "wonderful" experience. People below the poverty line who do not have ... >>

Bluetooth 5.0 radio modules STMicroelectronics BlueNRG-M2SA and BlueNRG-M2SP 27.08.2020

The new STMicroelectronics BlueNRG-M2SA and BlueNRG-M2SP radio modules are based on the BlueNRG-2 system-on-a-chip and comply with the Bluetooth 5.0 standard. The modules support multiple roles and can act as a Bluetooth master and slave at the same time. The BlueNRG-M2 radio modules are a complete RF platform including an antenna. The Bluetooth Low Energy stack and user application can run on the module. Modules allow you to create a complete IoT product without deep knowledge in the field of high-frequency device development and significantly reduce the time to bring a new product to market. Applications for the modules include building control devices, industrial process automation, lighting control, medical equipment and security systems. The BlueNRG-M2 can be powered directly from a pair of AAA batteries, or from any 1,7V to 3,6V power source. The BlueNRG-M2 comes in ... >>

Bacteria can survive interplanetary travel 27.08.2020

The discovery may support the panspermia theory, according to which life did not originate on Earth, but arrived here from other places in the universe. What if microorganisms could drift through space, spreading the seeds of life across planets? Is this how life appeared on Earth? Is such a journey possible? A study of the astrobiological mission "Tanpopo", which means "dandelion" in Japanese, demonstrates that this is quite possible. Samples of bacteria of the genus Deinococcus, which live high in the Earth's atmosphere, lived for three years in the vacuum of space outside the International Space Station, surviving microgravity, intense ultraviolet radiation and extreme temperatures. The discovery may support the panspermia theory, according to which life did not originate on Earth, but arrived here from other places in the universe. The theory is skeptical precisely because until now it was believed that microorganisms are not able to survive ... >>

Interaction between two space-time crystals 26.08.2020

Scientists, for the first time in the history of science, managed to witness the interaction between two material formations that are in a special quantum state, known as "spatio-temporal crystals". The results of this achievement can become the basis of new technologies for processing quantum information due to the fact that the structure of space-time crystals remains stable and maintains its consistency, regardless of changing environmental conditions. And it is this stability that can ensure the reliable operation of the processors of powerful quantum computers, consisting of hundreds and thousands of quantum bits, qubits. Space-time crystals have practically nothing in common with ordinary crystals, which consist of atoms connected to each other, forming a lattice structure repeating in space. The theoretical possibility of the existence of space-time crystals was substantiated in 2012 by Nobel laureate Frank Vilche ... >>

Stable miniature 3D airgel objects 26.08.2020

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa) have created stable, well-shaped microstructures from silica airgel using a 3D printer. The printed structures can be up to tenths of a millimeter thick. The new silica airgel has better mechanical properties and can even be drilled and milled. This opens up completely new possibilities for post-processing 3D printed airgel molds. Silica-based airgel are lightweight, porous foams that provide excellent thermal insulation. This material is very brittle, and therefore large airgel objects are usually reinforced with organic or bipolymer fibers. Turning small items from larger ones is not an easy task. And immediately printing a miniature object is even more difficult. The new method developed by Empa scientists makes it possible to obtain small and stable objects from airgel. Using the method, it is possible to accurately control the flow and hardening properties of silicon ... >>

Eternal atomic battery 25.08.2020

The American startup NDB (Nano Diamond Battery) announced the successful laboratory testing of two prototypes of the so-called beta galvanic batteries (betavoltaic). Such batteries work on the principle of converting radioactive beta radiation into electrical current. It is argued that the development of NDB is unparalleled and will allow "forever" to supply energy to absolutely any device: from wearable sensors and smartphones to aircraft and even rockets. Prototypes of the NDB battery have been tested at the Livermore National Laboratory and the Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge. Both labs confirmed that the charge collection efficiency of the Nano Diamond Battery reached record levels for so-called "diamond batteries" based on synthetic diamonds. So, if third-party developments show no more than 15% efficiency in energy production, then NDB prototypes demonstrated efficiency at the level of 40%. An "atomic" battery is a radioactive core - ... >>

Orange peels for lithium battery recycling 25.08.2020

The reuse of rare metals, which do not disappear from used lithium-containing batteries, is becoming more and more pressing. A serious disadvantage in the processing of used batteries is extremely harmful technical processes, during which a lot of toxic substances are released. Surprisingly, all harmful chemicals can be replaced with dried orange peels, as scientists from Singapore have proven. The traditional process for recycling used lithium batteries involves heating and melting at temperatures above 500 °C. This requires the highest energy costs and is accompanied by the release of toxic gases. A cleaner technology has been proposed as a replacement. It consists in grinding batteries and subsequent precipitation of metals in a liquid medium - in a heated mixture of acids and hydrogen peroxide. This is called hydrometallurgy, and it is still in the experimental stage. In the proposed form, hydrometallurgy is also not sugar. Especially on an industrial scale, if up to ... >>

Memory formation mechanism installed 24.08.2020

How does the brain translate information from the outside world into our memories? A group of scientists from the Heidelberg Institute for Theoretical Research (Germany) focused on neural networks in the striatum - a brain structure involved in memory, behavior and reward learning. This is familiar to all of us: we hear a melody, and it is somehow remembered so that we recognize it even decades later. We look at a Van Gogh painting once, and it is imprinted in our memory for a lifetime. How can something as fleeting as a melody become part of the brain and lead to the formation of memories that shape our behavior? Information processing in the brain occurs within neural networks interconnected by synapses. Each synapse modification affects how we remember, or how we respond to certain stimuli. One way neural networks change is through the process of synaptic plasticity, where certain synapses over time ... >>

Greenland is losing ice catastrophically 24.08.2020

The Greenland ice sheet, which is the second largest, lost a record 2019 billion tons of ice in 532. In July alone, 223 billion tons of ice melted. For comparison, in 2003-2016, Greenland was losing 255 billion tons of ice per year. Last year, the glacier lost 15% of its ice than in 2012, when most of the shield also melted. According to scientists, the water that melted in Greenland in 2019 could flood the entire territory of the UK by 2,5 meters. Melting ice is linked to climate change. 2019 was the third hottest year since the 1880s, with temperatures in the Arctic also rising to record highs. Scientists believe that a constant increase in temperature, a small amount of snowfall, and cloudless skies led to a record melt. Because of this, more sunlight hit the glacier. In 2017-2018, Greenland experienced a record amount of snow, and the summer was abnormally cold. But a temporary cooling did not save from a record ... >>

Cells of many flavors 23.08.2020

It is believed that the whole variety of tastes is made up of five basic tastes, that is, bitter, salty, sour, sweet and the taste of protein, or umami. Each of them has its own receptor cells that feel only sweet, or only salty, etc., and from the combinations of signals from these very specialized receptors, a complex taste picture is obtained. However, in addition to very specialized taste cells, there are also not very specialized ones. For example, not so long ago it became known that sour taste receptors also feel the taste of water (which also suggests that the five main tastes are not limited to). Experiments at the State University of New York at Buffalo suggest that some taste cells can sense more than two tastes. By turning off specialized cells for a particular taste in mice, the researchers found that that taste is still felt—that is, some other cells accept it. Such cells have been found: they act ... >>

AI algorithm beat the real pilot 23.08.2020

With a score of 5:0, artificial intelligence developed by Heron Systems scored a clear victory in a dogfight simulation against a real F-16 fighter pilot in the AlphaDogfight Trials. They were organized by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Before that, he defeated all the other AI algorithms presented by other teams. During the three days during which the competition lasted, several AI systems converged in the air combat simulator. They demonstrated their ability to control the F-16 fighter, as well as to destroy a mock enemy during a classic dogfight. It is noteworthy that 9 teams that took part in the competition presented their developments in less than a year from the moment the program was announced in September 2019. Artificial intelligence, developed by a small team of Heron AI specialists from the states of Maryland and Virginia, defeated 8 other teams, including ... >>

An affordable way to prevent caries 22.08.2020

Water fluoridation, practiced in some countries, may have a positive effect on children's milk teeth and prevent the development of caries. Researchers from the School of Health Sciences at the University of Canterbury in Christchurch analyzed data from 276000 children from different parts of New Zealand, whose average age was 4 years. In some areas, the water was fluoridated, while in others it was normal. The scientists concluded that children who had access to fluoridated water had fewer cases of tooth decay. Even in milk teeth, serious pathologies can occur, and premature loss of milk teeth can lead to permanent displacement of permanent teeth. Scientists believe that water fluoridation is an effective method for preventing caries in children, especially during a pandemic when access to dental services is limited. ... >>

Silent power supplies Mean Well LSP-160 22.08.2020

Mean Well has developed the LSP-160 Power Supply (PS) line with 160W output power in just 20mm height. IP have a power factor correction cascade (PFC; PFC) and the main types of protection: against overheating, exceeding Uout, overload, short circuit. There is no fan in the products, and the printed circuit board with components is filled with compound. This ensures the absence of acoustic noise and long-term reliable operation in dusty conditions. IP are produced for output voltages from the range: 3,3/4,2/5/12/24/36/48 V. Models with Uout 3,3, 4,2, 5 V have modified versions with the possibility of parallel connection to increase common current and DC Ok signal (models with index R: LSP-160R-xxx). IP can operate in the temperature range of -30...70°С (with output power depending on temperature) and in the input voltage range of 100...264 V (AC), resistant to voltage rise up to 300 V for 5 seconds. Overall dimensions of the series: 194 x 55 x 20 mm. ... >>

Predicting major solar flares 21.08.2020

Solar flares emit sudden, strong bursts of electromagnetic radiation from the Sun's surface and atmosphere, and eject plasma and energetic particles into interplanetary space. Since large solar flares can cause severe space weather disturbances that affect the Earth, their occurrence must be predicted to mitigate their impact. However, since the mechanism by which solar flares occur is unclear, most flare prediction methods so far have been based on empirical methods. A research team at the Institute for Space Studies of the Earth's Environment at Nagoya University has succeeded in developing the first physical model that can accurately predict impending major solar flares. The new flare prediction method, called the kappa scheme, is based on the theory of "two-arc instability", that is, magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) instability caused by magnetic reconnection. Researchers suppose ... >>

Soil houses 21.08.2020

Experts from the American Chemical Society (ACS) presented a building material from the soil. With the help of a 3D printer, they plan to print from it at home. The environmental impact of the construction industry is a growing concern. Some researchers have turned to additive manufacturing, or building structures layer by layer, often done with a 3D printer. This progress has begun to transform the construction sector in terms of reducing waste, but the materials used in the process must also be sustainable. The use of concrete in the additive manufacturing of building structures turned out to be fast and cheap. However, the International Energy Agency claims that concrete production produces 7% of carbon dioxide emissions. It is convenient to build from the soil, because the soil does not have to be carried far. This means savings on shipping costs. Additive manufacturing with the help of soil is dreamed of using for the colonization of the Moon and Mars. Chemists treated soil eco ... >>

The brightest fluorescent material 20.08.2020

A team of scientists from Indiana University, USA, and the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, overcame several major challenges and developed the technology to produce what could be called the brightest fluorescent material to date. What's more, this new material can effectively act as a filler for paints and polymer materials, opening up possibilities for next-generation solar cells, lasers, and more. The main problem that was mentioned in the first paragraph is the mutual influence of fluorescent particles that are placed inside a solid or liquid composition. These particles are arranged randomly, and most of the light photons they re-emit are absorbed by particles located in close proximity. Moreover, if the particles touch each other, then part of the energy of the absorbed photon of light is taken away by another particle. And all this, in turn, reduces the level of fluorescence, in other words, paint and TV ... >>

Hydrogen sailboat Nemesis Yacht 20.08.2020

Nemesis Yacht has unveiled the concept of a hydrogen-powered hydrofoil capable of speeds up to 50 knots or 93 km/h. Nemesis One will be one of the fastest yachts on the market, and will not use carbon fuel. Hydrogen cells will complement a decent-sized battery connected to 750 square meters of solar panels. meters. They will be able to generate up to 150 kW of energy. To travel on a yacht, you will need a minimum of crew, since all the processes of controlling the huge Oceanwings sail are automated. Instead of ropes, there are hydraulic and electrical systems connected to the on-board computer. They set the sail angle, tilt and other parameters in accordance with the direction of the wind. The sail, developed by the French company Ayro, automatically raises and lowers like an accordion. Its efficiency is 2,6 times that of a conventional sail of the same size. On the water, the yacht can move completely autonomously, recognizing the volume ... >>

rain of chocolate 19.08.2020

Switzerland is a real universe of chocolate! Everyone knows that going to this country, you can go broke on sweets. But it seems that the reputation of the chocolate kingdom has played against the poor inhabitants of this country. Recently in one of the cities of Switzerland there was a chocolate rain, and no one liked it. Brown precipitation shocked the inhabitants of the small town of Oltner and did not please them at all. As it turned out, it was not Willy Wonka who was to blame, but a faulty ventilation system at the chocolate factory. Lindt & Spruengli, which owns the plant, confirmed local reports that a minor defect in the cooling ventilation in the ground cocoa bean roasting department released cocoa particles into the air. The town of Oltner is located between Zurich and Basel. Grains of crushed cocoa beans are the basis of chocolate. Combined with strong winds on Friday morning, the powder scattered around the factory area, leaving fine cocoa dust behind. The company said the affected vehicles ... >>

Push-button phone Lava with a pulse and pressure sensor 19.08.2020

Lava announced an interesting push-button mobile phone for older users - Lava Pulse. The novelty has become the first push-button device with a built-in pulse and pressure sensor. A sensor is installed on the back of the phone, under the common glass with the camera. Simply put your finger on it, and the device will begin to read the indicators of the work of the heart. The accuracy of such indications is far from the medical level, but for regular monitoring without unnecessary hassle, this is quite enough. The device is equipped with a 2,4-inch display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. There are two SIM card slots, a Bluetooth module, a radio and a standard 3,5mm audio jack. But you won't be able to access the Internet using Lava Pulse. The 1800 mAh battery promises up to six days of battery life. The price of the novelty is 25 USD. ... >>

Robot sloth 18.08.2020

American robotics engineers have created a SlothBot robot that will track climate change. The robot in the form of a cute sloth will be suspended from cables in the crowns of the trees of the Atlanta Botanical Gardens and record temperature, humidity and carbon dioxide levels. The inspiration behind the robot is Magnus Egerstedt, professor of robotics at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The scientist thought about the creation of SlothBot when he was watching sloths. The man decided to create a robot that would be located in hard-to-reach places for people - for example, the crown of a tree - and analyze changes in the environment over a certain period of time. SlothBot is not very active. It moves only when it needs to be recharged through the built-in solar panels. Now there is only one such robot. However, Egerstedt does not plan to dwell on this idea, since he sees in it the practical potential for monitoring changes in the environment. ... >>

Bacteria that feed on air discovered 18.08.2020

Scientists at the University of New South Wales have discovered bacteria in Antarctic soils that not only breathe air, but also feed on it. A new study has shown that these microbes are quite common. Genetic analysis has shown the presence of bacteria in the three coldest regions of the planet - the Arctic, Antarctic and Tibetan Plateau. Because these bacteria have so far been found in very low nutrient environments, they likely play a key role in fueling life around. There are entire ecosystems that rely on this new process of carbon fixation by microbes, where they use the energy they get from inhaling atmospheric hydrogen gas to turn carbon dioxide from the atmosphere into carbon for their own growth. The bacteria found oxidize hydrogen from the air, triggering a series of reactions that turn atmospheric carbon into living tissue. They can be eaten by other life forms. This process occurs at the same time as photosynthesis. ... >>

Meike 85mm F/1.8 full-frame autofocus lens 17.08.2020

The range of the Chinese company Meike has replenished with a full-frame 85mm F / 1.8 lens with a Nikon F mount, which supports auto focus. The manufacturer estimated the novelty at $190. By comparison, the AF-S Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G costs $499. In the description of the Meike 85mm F / 1.8 lens, the manufacturer notes the ability to use it to get "sharp and clear images", soft blurring of the image outside the sharpness zone and the presence of a USB port for updating the firmware. Specifications of the Meike 85mm F/1.8 lens: Focal length - 85mm; Field of view angle - 28,5°; Aperture - f / 1,8-f / 22; Optical design - 9 elements in 6 groups; The number of aperture blades - 9; Minimum focusing distance - 0,85 m; Landing diameter of the filter - 67 mm; Diameter - 79 mm; Length - 75 mm; Weight - 420 g. The lens is equipped with caps, lens hood and case. ... >>

Depression and anxiety change brain volume 17.08.2020

Scientists from Australia have found that depressive and anxiety disorders can cause serious physiological changes in the human brain. Mental problems can reduce certain areas of the brain while increasing others. Experts from the Australian National University studied the mental organs of more than ten thousand people, paying attention to the volume of different areas of the brain. Comparing the results of the study with data on depressive and anxiety disorders of the participants, the scientists noticed that mental problems can affect the volume of different parts of the brain. "Chronic depression reduces the volume of the hippocampus. This area of ​​the brain plays a significant role in the processes of memory and learning. If depression is accompanied by anxiety (and this happens very often), then the amygdala increases - the area of ​​\uXNUMXb\uXNUMXbthe brain that is responsible for emotions," says Dr. Daniela Espinoza Oyarse, lead author of the study. Reducing the volume of some areas of the brain and a simultaneous increase in volume ... >>

Pocket Particle Accelerator 16.08.2020

Researchers have developed a compact particle accelerator that uses a laser to accelerate electron beams up to 99,99% of the speed of light. To achieve this result, scientists from the University of Manchester have developed a special metal structure coated with layers of quartz thinner than a human hair, as well as light pulses in the terahertz range. The generated radiation exists in an ideal millimeter-scale wavelength mode, which is well suited for accelerating highly charged particles. The main problem was to match the speed of the accelerating THz field with the speed of the electron beam at almost the speed of light, and also to prevent the initially lower speed of the terahertz pulse propagating through the structure. Scientists have solved this problem by developing a unique radiation source that generates longer pulses containing only a narrow range of frequencies. Experts are already working to increase the energy ... >>

Running with a virtual opponent 16.08.2020

Any athlete will confirm that when you compete with someone, the results are better. A new headset called Ghost Pacer is ready to provide a virtual opponent that will motivate runners to new challenges. Ghost Pacer is an augmented reality headset. Such exciting technology already allows users to play PokemonGo, look for "real" clues in detective games, and "try on" new IKEA furniture in your home. And now it will help improve your workouts. So wearing special glasses with a built-in visor, you can see your opponent, who will run ahead. This virtual training partner can be set to run at a specific pace, or even synced to a previous training session, either your own or a friend's. The most interesting thing is that the outcome of the training is unknown! You can overtake the enemy, or you can be the last one at the finish line. The entire training cycle is controlled and adjusted ... >>

New opportunities for overclocking 7nm chips 15.08.2020

As the scale of the chip manufacturing process decreases, not only the size of transistors decreases, but also the accompanying "infrastructure", for example, the diameter of the holes for creating vertical contacts. Such contacts are made from tungsten in a metallization process, and their resistance increases as technology standards decrease, which reduces the performance and energy efficiency of the chips. But it managed to get around. The reserve was opened by Applied Materials. The fact is that modern technical processes involve the deposition of tungsten from a vapor medium onto metallization holes specially prepared for this. Before deposition (filling the holes with tungsten), a layer of titanium nitride is deposited on the chip surface and on the walls of the holes in the dielectric layer. This substance improves the "sticking" of tungsten to the walls of the holes for vertical contacts, protects the crystal from contamination with fluorine, which is used in the deposition process, and finally aligns the walls of the holes. ... >>

Electricity storage in bricks 15.08.2020

American chemists have proposed a new way to store electricity in bricks. Clay, which contains iron compounds, became the material for making bricks. Due to this and its high specific area, the brick is a suitable substrate for the application of PEDOT, a conductive polymer. Ordinary brick fully meets the criteria for working with PEDOT. It was proposed to use it as a substrate by employees of the University of Washington. Julio D'Arcy headed the study. A brick is used to make a capacitor, in which energy is stored due to Faraday reactions in a conducting polymer. The brick does not lose its mechanical properties after being treated with PEDOT. A wall of such bricks can have a capacity of 11,5 thousand farads. ... >>

Seismometer on smartphone 14.08.2020

Google is launching a feature that turns Android smartphones into earthquake detectors. To do this, the company has teamed up with the US Geological Survey and the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services, so Google can collect more accurate earthquake data. Notifications on phones will come from the ShakeAlert program, which is a system that extracts information from more than 700 seismometers across California. Users will receive a warning a few minutes before the earthquake, and they will also see pictures that will tell you what to do to save yourself. The reason Android can be used as a mini seismometer is because all phone models come with an accelerometer. This sensor can register the movements of the phone in space. If the phone detects something that it thinks might be an earthquake, it sends a signal to the server along with its ... >>

Biodegradable seaweed slippers 14.08.2020

Scientists from the University of California at San Diego (USA) and Algenesis Materials have developed the design of the first biodegradable slippers - an alternative to the popular plastic summer and indoor shoes. The development helps partly solve the problem of plastic waste that ends up in landfills, on the seashore and even in the ocean. Researchers have come up with a new "recipe" for polyurethane foam, which is 52% algae oil. Thanks to this "recipe", biodegradable shoes meet the commercial standards of products needed to destroy a ton of plastics. During testing, the scientists dipped the new slippers into traditional compost and soil. The material decomposed in just 16 weeks. During the decomposition period, to determine the level of toxicity, the scientists measured every molecule released from the biodegradable materials. They also identified the organisms that decomposed the shoes. In the future, researchers hope to develop shoes that are 100% biodegradable. ... >>

Speed ​​sensor VG481V1 13.08.2020

The new VG481V1 sensor from Honeywell is designed to measure the speed of rotation of a ferrous metal gear. The sensor allows you to detect the fact of the passage of a gear tooth. The moving gear tooth changes the magnetic field created by the bias magnet, which is recorded by the Hall sensor. With dual-peak detection circuitry, the VG481V1 can measure the speed of the gear with high reliability. The VG481V1 speed sensor is used in automotive transmissions and, in general, is applicable in any transmission and mechanisms where it is necessary to monitor the rotation of a ferrous metal gear. The VG481V1 includes a voltage regulator, a clock generator, a Hall element, an amplifier, a high and low detection circuit, a comparator, and an output stage. The sensor is protected from abnormal operation at voltages below the minimum threshold, the output of the microcircuit is resistant to short circuits. The power circuit is insensitive to reverse voltage polarity. When innings ... >>

Electrical stimulation helps to hear a foreign language 13.08.2020

For many, the main problem in a foreign language is not even some tricky grammar, but its sound. One has to make tremendous efforts to learn to distinguish individual words and phrases in a stream of incomprehensible sounds. Just for such people, a device designed by researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and the University of California at San Francisco would be very useful. The device is a small electrical stimulator that is placed in the ear. From the ear, it sends electrical impulses to one of the branches of the vagus nerve. The impulses are so weak that a person does not feel them, but the vagus nerve does. Such a stimulant, as it turned out, helps to hear a foreign language, even if this foreign language is Chinese. It is known that Chinese (in this case we are talking about Mandarin Chinese, which is the official language in China, Taiwan and Singapore) is a tone language. In such languages, the meaning of a word depends on the pitch at which it is ... >>

Transparent OLED TV Mi TV Lux Transparent Edition 12.08.2020

Xiaomi has announced Mi TV LUX OLED Transparent Edition, the world's first fully transparent TV, which will be mass-produced for the consumer market. Mi TV LUX OLED Transparent Edition uses a 55-inch 5,7mm thick transparent OLED panel that supports 120Hz refresh rate, 10-bit data representation provides coverage of 93% of the DCI-P3 color space. The matrix response time is 1 ms. Support for MEMC technology (system for dynamic adaptation of picture quality on the screen) is also announced. The entire element base is placed in a non-removable round base, which also acts as a stand. The hardware base is a custom-made MediaTek 9650 SoC with AI Master Smart Engine, which offers more than 20 optimization algorithms and a special adaptive mode for 5 main use cases. The compute unit also houses a Dolby surround sound audio system. ... >>

A new principle for placing batteries in electric vehicles 12.08.2020

China-based Contemporary Amperex Technology Co Ltd (CATL), a supplier of electric vehicle batteries, said it is working on a new technology that will allow cells to be integrated directly into the chassis, eliminating traditional cases that make batteries bulky. The described approach will allow you to install more cells and increase the mileage per charge, which is very interested in manufacturers and consumers of electric vehicles. CATL estimates that electric vehicles with batteries built into the chassis will be able to have a range of more than 800 km. The company plans to bring the development to the market by 2030. The new technology will allow EV battery manufacturers to participate in vehicle design early on. Currently, car manufacturers receive ready-made modules from battery manufacturers and "fit" them into the mechanical structure of the vehicle. CATL supplies batteries to Tesla, Volkswagen AG and ... >>

Material with superior EMI protection 11.08.2020

Thanks to the wide spread of a number of technologies, such as radio, television, cellular communications, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, the entire space around us is literally permeated with radio waves. These radio signals provide the operation of one type of electronic devices, being interference for other types of devices. Because of this, the stability of wireless connections may suffer, the data transfer rate may decrease, and in some especially tragic cases, an electronic device may completely interrupt its operation due to strong interference. To prevent the influence of electromagnetic interference on critical components of electronic equipment, engineers have long used the method of shielding protection. This method consists in the use of metallic, in most cases copper foil, which reflects unwanted radio signals in the opposite direction. This method works quite well, but the use of additional materials often adds a lot of unwanted weight and bulk to the electronics. ... >>

Rapid seawater desalination method 11.08.2020

Australian scientists from Monash University have proposed a new, high-speed method of seawater desalination using porous materials, which does not require complex chemical purification processes and is powered by solar energy. Cleaning is based on organometallic frame structures - hybrid materials with an extremely porous structure. During the study, the scientists were able to adapt metal-organic framework structures to trap salt and pollutants in sea and salt water. One teaspoon of such structures can cover the area of ​​a football field if unrolled. This property is excellent for holding molecules and particles. It is enough to place the material in water, and it begins to selectively absorb ions from the liquid. In half an hour, the sponge is able to reduce the total salt content in water from 2233 ppm to less than 500 ppm. This is below the 600 ppm level set by the WHO for drinking water. With this technology, it is possible to produce almost 1 ... >>

Shark warning system 10.08.2020

All living beings, during their biological life cycle, one way or another donate particles of their DNA to the environment - this process is especially easy to follow in the aquatic environment, where many underwater inhabitants spread their DNA through excrement, skin particles or other biological tissues. This type of DNA is called eDNA. A joint team of specialists from several US universities decided to use this eDNA to compile a special alert system designed to protect vacationers on the coasts of the United States from the possible attack of great white sharks, which also donate some of their DNA to the aquatic environment and which, among other things, are a real threat to vacationers. Specialists from the University of Santa Barbara in California turned to the so-called genetic analysis laboratory technique called PCR, which can identify and study specific biological markers of living creatures based on the studied tissues of these creatures. ... >>

Turning ordinary material into a magnet 10.08.2020

Ferromagnetism is a phenomenon that occurs in a material when most of the electrons in its atoms rotate in the same direction. In non-magnetic materials, oppositely directed electron spins usually cancel each other out, destroying the magnetic field. There are not many substances in the world that initially exhibit ferromagnetic properties. The most common of them are well known to us: these are iron, cobalt and nickel, as well as their alloys. That's why when creating electronic devices, the arsenal of engineers is so limited to these trinity. However, scientists claim that they managed to induce magnetism in a material that was not magnetic before. This is pyrite, "fool's gold" - a mineral that inexperienced miners often mistake for gold nuggets. Using a technique known as electrolytic gating, the researchers endowed it with uncharacteristic properties. First, they placed pyrite in contact with an electrolyte, after which they applied a weak - only 1 volt - discharge to the connection. it ... >>

Virgin Galactic supersonic aircraft 09.08.2020

Virgin Galactic has unveiled a design for a proposed supersonic jet aircraft that features high flight speeds. The company claims that the final version of the aircraft can carry between 9 and 19 passengers and reach speeds of Mach 3 (about 3700 km/h). The core business of Virgin Galactic is the space tourism business. The company intends to launch tourists into the Earth's orbit who will agree to pay a lot of money ($250) for a short stay in microgravity and the opportunity to look at the Earth from a great height. The company recently revealed the interior of its travel spacecraft. However, for many years Virgin Galactic has also expressed interest in using its space technology to develop high-speed travel. The idea is to use suborbital rockets to move people from one point on Earth to another in much less time than in ... >>

Qualcomm Quick Charge 5 09.08.2020

Qualcomm has created quick charging for smartphones Quick Charge 5. The Quick Charge 5 standard offers to charge a smartphone battery from zero to 50 percent in five minutes. The company estimates that if the charge level is less than 50 percent, then it will increase by about one percent every six seconds. Qualcomm is calling the new charging protocol "the world's fastest commercial smartphone solution." The company's engineers tested the new standard on devices with a 4500 milliamp-hour dual-cell battery. When charging with a power of 100 watts, the load is distributed evenly on both battery cells, approximately 50 watts each. Compared to Quick Charge 4, the new standard is 70 percent more efficient and achieves a reduction in heating temperature when charging by about ten degrees. The new standard supports the USB Power Delivery protocol, that is, it can be used not only when charging smartphones, but also computers. The first devices with ... >>

Recycling disposable masks into fuel 08.08.2020

The quarantine measures associated with the coronavirus pandemic have shown the world how much a person affects the environment. However, along with positive changes, noise reduction, water and air purification, our planet has also faced negative consequences. Namely, with a huge amount of waste of personal protective equipment (PPE). Now, scientists at the University of Petroleum and Energy Research in India say plastic from PPE can be converted into a renewable fuel. Scientists have proposed recycling disposable masks into fuel Experts have proposed a strategy that could help mitigate the problem of discarded PPE. Currently, the number of disposable masks has increased dramatically, and scientists say that this is becoming a significant threat to the environment. Billions of items of polypropylene PPE can be converted into biofuels. Lead author Dr. Sapna Jain explains that turning this type of waste into pyrolysis oil (a type of synthetic oil) ... >>

Nissan pavilion with a demonstration of green technologies 08.08.2020

Japanese automaker Nissan has opened a showroom in Yokohama, Japan, bringing together innovative technology solutions to improve the future. At the same time, visitors to the pavilion will be able to "pay" for parking with electricity from the batteries of their electric vehicles. Pavilion with an area of ​​10,000 sq.m. completely autonomous and at the same time does not emit toxic emissions, as it is equipped with solar panels and is supplied with hydroelectric power from a renewable source. In addition to solar power, Nissan Chaya Cafe also uses Nissan Leaf batteries, so diners can drink coffee that is literally warmed up by their electric cars. In front of the pavilion is the Mobility Hub, which offers a variety of services, including EV carsharing and bike rental. At the demonstration stands with virtual effects, visitors can also test themselves as a Formula E electric car driver or the driver of the future Nissan Ar electric crossover. ... >>

Nanostructure based on the moth's eye 07.08.2020

Scientists from the Vietnamese Tan Trao University and the Tai Nguyen Pedagogical University made an interesting discovery. It turns out that there are nanoscale bulges in front of the eyes of moths, the study of which promises many interesting technological advances. These bulges have incredible anti-reflective properties that allow the eye to absorb almost all of the incoming light. Such a nanostructure will enable the development of a host of devices, from efficient solar cells to advanced X-ray emitters and smartphone displays that reduce glare. However, in addition to the pronounced optical properties, the newly discovered structure has another unique property. Scientists have managed to build a complex nanostructure out of quartz, modeled on the eyes of a moth. The resulting transparent structure was covered with paraffin in order to isolate it from the influence of cold and humid environment. Then we conducted a series of experiments, observing the operation of the nanostructure. The unique properties of the material are explained by the presence of many air ... >>

Underwater sacrificial objects discovered 07.08.2020

An international group of anthropologists have discovered objects of underwater sacrifices at the bottom of Lake Titicaca, including a stone casket. Its contents are a figurine of a llama carved from a clam shell and a sheet of gold leaf. Since 2012, researchers have been researching the cultural heritage preserved at the bottom of Lake Titicaca. At the moment, they are in search of places where the ancient Incas performed underwater sacrifices, like the Khoa Reef off Isla del Sol. Experts were able to identify stone caskets with figurines and other offerings to gods or ancestral spirits. As a result of further excavations, it was possible to find out that the island was an important religious and cultural center for the Incas and their predecessors. While exploring the bottom of the lake near the K'akaya archipelago, located in the east of Titicaca, divers discovered a large stone chest that was covered with a lid. Inside it was found a miniature lama figurine, carved from the shell of a prickly oyster, and a scroll of sus ... >>

Evaluation Board STEVAL-IDB009V1 06.08.2020

The new STEVAL-IDB009V1 evaluation board is designed to develop BLE applications with the BlueNRG-248 system-on-a-chip manufactured by STMicroelectronics. The BlueNRG-248 chip is Bluetooth 5.0 certified and can act as a central or peripheral BLE device. Simultaneous master/slave operation is also supported. The chip has increased throughput due to the function of increased packet length. The BlueNRG-248 chip contains 256 kB FLASH and 24 kB RAM for the BLE stack and user application. The STEVAL-IDB009V1 board has an LSM6DS3 motion sensor (accelerometer + gyroscope) and an LPS25HB pressure and temperature sensor on board. Interaction with the user is carried out using buttons and LEDs. Virtual COM-port via USB allows you to display debug information on a PC. The board can be powered in three ways - only from USB, only from a battery, or from an external power supply plus USB. Labor fee ... >>

Nearby Share data service 06.08.2020

Google introduced the Nearby Share technology for transferring files between devices. This is an analogue of Apple AirDrop for Android smartphones. This technology will work for Android 6.0 and later. Usually, when a user wants to send a picture or a link to a friend, you need to send it through the messenger, even if the users are next to each other. Nearby Share technology makes it faster. To, for example, transfer a picture in this way, you need to select the "Share" option for it, and then - Nearby Share. The user will see a list of devices to which you can send a picture, you can select a device and send the file. The new technology works with several types of communication at once (Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, WebRTC, Wi-Fi, peer-to-peer Wi-Fi), which allows you to share files even if the user is completely disconnected from the Internet. Nearby Share will automatically select the protocol with the best connection to transfer the file. ... >>

Smart vest for the blind 05.08.2020

In the United States, a smart vest was introduced that will help visually impaired people navigate in space. It transmits obstacle data using pressure and vibrations. Researchers at Harvard University have developed a soft robotic vest that uses cameras to guide visually impaired users. Computer vision finds, classifies and evaluates the movement of objects around the user. The device informs about them by means of pressure on the user's body, depending on the distance to the obstacles. This way they can know in advance that there is a road, a wall or an approaching person ahead. The researchers describe the Foresight vest as "invisible, accessible and intuitive." It uses soft inflatable textiles and the vibrations will be soft so as not to frighten the user. At the same time, the materials for production are inexpensive, so they can be mass-produced. If some of the sensors fail, they can be replaced separately. ... >>

Poison web 05.08.2020

A beautiful silky web, on which drops of rain or dew are picturesquely frozen, can actually be dangerous. Scientists have found that silk cobwebs contain protein formations with neurotoxins that can instantly kill the victim. Weaver spiders succeeded in this skill, whom nature endowed with the talent to weave beautiful large cobwebs. It turns out that its purpose is not only to catch prey, but also to paralyze it. Biochemist Mario Palma believes that many wheel-shaped webs may contain poison. Together with colleagues from the University of Sao Paulo in Rio Claro, Brazil, he conducted a series of studies and experiments. At the same time, scientists doubted that Palma was right, since previous studies of the characteristics of the web proved its stickiness, and this is more than enough to trap the victim. The hypothesis that the web can be poisonous, Mario Palma has been considering for about 25 years. Living next to a rice plantation, oh ... >>

watermelon fuel 04.08.2020

Israeli scientists have presented a method for obtaining bioethanol from watermelons. The unique technology for making biofuel from watermelons reduces the dependence on fossil fuels, which still persists in the world. For the production of biofuels, watermelons of a certain variety - Malay - are best suited. These fruits are grown for their seeds, but experiments have shown that their scope can be wider. “The pulp and skin of these watermelons, which can make up to 97 percent of their weight, is usually thrown into the soil. But this is a very environmentally hazardous practice, as the organic matter serves as food for fungi and microorganisms that damage the soil and release greenhouse gases. ", - say the staff of the University of Haifa, who proposed a new use of Malay watermelons. Experiments with dozens of watermelons showed that on their basis it is possible to establish an efficient production of bioethanol, which can be used as an alternative fuel. Plus, and ... >>

Optical fiber from food agar 04.08.2020

The new optical fiber is made from edible agar material by scientists from the University of Campinas (UNICAMP, Brazil). This device is biocompatible and biodegradable. It can be injected into the body, for example, for the "delivery" of light in phototherapy and optogenetics (for example, to stimulate neurons with light to study neural circuits in the living brain), as well as for targeted drug delivery to the body. It is also possible to detect microorganisms in specific organs using this optical fiber. After the biodegradable fiber probe has done its job, it will simply disintegrate inside the body without harm to health. Agar, or agar-agar, is a natural gelatin derived from seaweed. Its composition consists of a mixture of two polysaccharides: agarose and agaropectin. Optical fiber based on it is an agar cylinder with a diameter of 2,5 mm. Inside it are six cylindrical hollow "tubes" around a solid core. light pass ... >>

Powerful universal ultra-fast laser pulse 03.08.2020

Researchers at the University of Rochester are setting a new standard for ultrafast laser pulses over a wider range of wavelengths than traditional laser sources. The new device, called the "soliton Kerr resonator with stretched pulses", improves the performance of ultrafast laser pulses. The work of scientists has important results for a number of engineering and biomedical applications, including spectroscopy, frequency synthesis, distance, pulse generation and others. The device creates an ultra-fast laser pulse - on the order of femtoseconds, or one quadrillionth of a second - that breaks free from the physical limits endemic to laser light sources - what laser scientists call laser amplification - and the limits of source wavelengths. The lab has overcome the pulse-length problem in other versions of Kerr resonators by discovering a new soliton—a short burst or localized wave envelope—that retains its shape as it propagates. ... >>

Sunscreen for astronauts 03.08.2020

The development of means for protection against radiation is one of the most priority areas of research in the space industry. By synthesizing a new form of melanin enriched with selenium, a team of American chemists has developed a biomaterial called selenomelanin that could protect human tissue from ultraviolet radiation. During laboratory experiments, cells treated with such a "cream" showed normal life processes even after receiving a lethal dose of radiation. Tests have shown that the human body can produce selenomelanin on its own if the cells receive certain nutrients. Melanin samples are currently on the International Space Station, where a research team is studying the material's response to radiation exposure. Recently, studies have been conducted with pheomelanin containing sulfur, however, according to scientists, the new substance is easier to synthesize. ... >>

An implant to connect the brain to a computer 02.08.2020

A team of researchers from the University of Michigan has developed a new very low power brain implant. Scientists say that their design is up to 90% more energy efficient than similar ones. The specialists managed not only to reduce the requirements for the power supply of the implant, they made it very accurate in calculating the electrical signals of the brain transmitted by neurons. The discovery could lead to long-term brain implants that could be used to treat neurological diseases, control artificial robotic limbs and other electronics. According to experts from the University of Michigan, today, a computer, usually larger than a person, is required to accurately interpret brain signals and use them. This machine consumes a lot of electricity. Lowering the power supply requirements "by an order of magnitude" will open the door to the development of compact brain-machine interfaces. For the opportunity ... >>

Laughter helps fight stress 02.08.2020

Many have heard the saying that laughter prolongs life. Experts from the University of Basel, Switzerland were able to prove that thanks to laughter, people cope with stress more easily. For their study, Swiss scientists invited volunteers from among students, whose average age was 21 years. For two weeks, the participants in the experiment had to answer questions developed by scientists 8 times a day. In particular, the researchers found out what causes laughter in participants, what intensity and duration it has. There were also questions regarding stressful events. At the end of the experiment, the researchers found that students who laughed more often during the day were less stressful in stressful situations. To establish the influence of the degree of intensity of laughter on stress, the researchers have not yet succeeded. Previously, experts reported that thanks to laughter, the supply of oxygen to the body increases, the work of immune cells improves. ... >>

Redundancy modules Mean Well DRDN20/40 and ERDN20/40 01.08.2020

Mean Well has expanded its range of special redundancy modules in terms of both electrical and design parameters. The existing DRDN20 module (24V/20A, DIN-rail) has been supplemented with 5/12/24/48V and 20/40A redundancy modules. for all the above voltages. And the redundancy modules of the DRDN20 and DRDN40 series are mounted on a DIN rail and are available for voltages from 20 V and above. All modules are designed to operate in a wide temperature range of -40...12°C, they have a circuit for monitoring and signaling the performance of each power supply unit (signal and "dry" relay contact). The products use MOSFET components with very low internal resistance to reduce losses and minimize voltage differences between input and output. These modules are intended for applications where the failure of the power supply itself should not lead to a loss of voltage. For example, such as key ... >>

Red phosphorus to increase the capacity of lithium batteries 01.08.2020

Scientists at the Argonne National Laboratory have made progress in creating a lithium-ion battery with increased capacity. The new development promises to increase the energy capacity of the anode material by a factor of ten and lead to batteries that are more capacious than today. Modern lithium-ion batteries use a graphite anode. It is a battery-stable material. It does not crack even after 1000 charge and discharge cycles, although each such cycle is accompanied by saturation of the graphite anode with lithium and its subsequent return. And everything would be fine, only graphite has a relatively low energy capacity. To gradually increase the capacity of lithium-ion batteries, new anode materials are needed. Two of the most promising materials are considered as such materials - silicon and phosphorus. Each of them has a theoretical energy capacity at least 10 times greater than graphite. Silicon anodes no longer seem like a fantasy and even promise to get into ... >>

Supersonic passenger aircraft AS2 31.07.2020

The private American company Aerion Supersonic is going to start serial production of the promising AS2 supersonic passenger aircraft in 2023. Aerion Supersonic has been developing the AS2 passenger aircraft since 2014. The length of the airliner will be 52 meters, height - 6,7 meters, wingspan - 18,6 meters. The maximum takeoff weight of the supersonic aircraft will be 55 tons, the AS2 will be equipped with three engines, the thrust of each of which must be at least 69 kilonewtons. The aircraft will be designed to carry up to 12 passengers. AS2 will fly over water at a cruising speed of Mach 1,4-1,6, decelerating to Mach 1,2 over land. The reduced flight speed over land and the special aerodynamic design of the airframe will allow, as the developers expect, to almost completely avoid the formation of shock waves characteristic of supersonic aircraft. The flight range at a speed of Mach 1,4 will be 7800 kilometers, at a speed of Mach 0,95 - 10 kilos ... >>

Happy marriage age 31.07.2020

Psychologists at the University of Pennsylvania and Brigham Young University published the results of a large-scale study in which they tried to determine which year of married life brings people the most happiness in marriage. In a survey of more than XNUMX married Americans, scientists came up with some rather unexpected findings. Until now, it was believed that the highest level of happiness was recorded by spouses who got married a year ago, but the researchers found that this is not entirely true. It turned out that couples whose marital experience exceeded twenty years feel more happiness than newlyweds. The survey showed that in the first twenty years of marriage, the level of happiness gradually decreases, but if the spouses have lived together for more than two decades, then, as a rule, they begin to feel happier than even in the first year of marriage. When spouses live together for a very long time, they get to know each other to the maximum extent, thanks to which they can evaluate a partner more realistically and without false expectations. All ... >>

Oxygen will help convert solar energy more efficiently 30.07.2020

Experts from two Australian and one American universities came to the conclusion that oxygen can be used to transfer low-energy radiation. This discovery could be a real breakthrough in solar cell technology, both increasing productivity and reducing the cost of converting solar energy into electricity. Ordinary oxygen will help make low-energy, invisible to humans, high-energy light, suitable for interacting with photovoltaic cells. Photovoltaic cells are based on silicon. It does not respond to light that is inferior in energy to near infrared. With this approach, some parts of the light spectrum remain unclaimed by modern devices and technologies. Researchers believe that with the help of quantum dots, it will be possible to absorb low-energy light and "remake" it into light in the visible spectrum. After such manipulation, it will already be possible to generate electrical energy from it. Connect before ... >>

Simple greenhouse gas sensor 30.07.2020

Researchers from the Case Studies Department at Linköping University have developed a simple greenhouse gas flux recorder. Until now, measuring instruments have been so expensive that society has had to rely on crude models to map greenhouse gas emissions. It is extremely important that scientists and enthusiasts be able to take as many measurements as possible at different locations. This will help to check if emission reduction measures really work. The scientists hope that their simple and cost-effective recorder could enable more of these measurements. Methane, CH4, is one of the most important long-lived greenhouse gases that contributes greatly to global warming. Since the 1750s, its relative increase in the atmosphere has been greater than for other greenhouse gases. There are many different sources and examples, including incomplete combustion, natural gas and biogas processing, and the production of ... >>

Cooling Fabric Conditioner 29.07.2020

Cooling rooms during the intense summer heat is quite a challenge, especially in the most heat-prone regions of our planet. Sometimes, no matter how often or how long the air conditioner runs, the indoor temperature still remains quite uncomfortable, and given that in the US alone, air conditioning equipment consumes more than 10% of the annual electricity, it becomes clear that you need to pay attention to some more efficient and versatile ways to implement cooling. This is what was proposed by the development team from the US Energy Administration. Scientists have created a special type of fabric that perfectly converts heat and allows liquid to evaporate from the surface of the skin, while at the same time perfectly repels water - thus, this fabric is basically designed to be used on the person himself, as a kind of accessory to wear. The material for this fabric was created using electro ... >>

Erasing memories 29.07.2020

Fantastic plots of films and novels tend to become reality. For example, "memory erasure" is often mentioned in them. Success in this direction was achieved by researchers from Italy. They mastered the technique of removing unpleasant memories from a person’s memory. It is assumed that it can become the foundation for creating approaches for the effective treatment of mental disorders and post-traumatic syndrome. Memory erasure is based on the effect on the brain using transcranial magnetic stimulation. By acting on the brain with a magnetic field and directing it to certain zones, it is possible to change their electrical activity. By doing this in an orderly manner, scientists have learned to achieve the results they need. For example, TMS can be used to treat Alzheimer's disease, improve math skills, and reduce cravings for smoking and other bad habits. Scientists have figured out in detail how memories arise in the brain. They highlighted the presence of such a phenomenon as memory reconsolidation. E ... >>

Iron transparent to gamma radiation 28.07.2020

An international group of scientists has learned how to control high-frequency gamma radiation using low-frequency acoustic exposure. Researchers have found that iron nuclei can be made transparent to the gamma rays they normally absorb. To do this, they use a new method of acoustically induced transparency (AIT). At present, hopes for such transformations are associated with the development of the short-wavelength part of the electromagnetic spectrum - the hard X-ray or soft gamma range. X-ray and gamma radiation have found many applications in medicine, physics, chemistry, materials science and other sciences. However, most of the coherent optics methods used to control the resonant interaction of optical radiation with matter turn out to be inefficient or unrealizable in the gamma/X-ray range. Scientists propose to influence the spectral characteristics of the nuclei with the help of acoustic vibration of the medium. In a demonstration experiment with ... >>

Reconnaissance drone RQ-4D Phoenix 28.07.2020

NATO has received another reconnaissance drone RQ-4D Phoenix. A NATO Ground Surveillance Force (AGS) aircraft has arrived at the Italian air base in Sigonella, Italy. The RQ-4D Phoenix aircraft took off from Edwards Air Force Base in California, USA at 18:33 local time on July 25 and landed at Sigonella at 16:20 local time the next day. The arrival of the fourth aircraft represents another successful step for the NATO Ground Surveillance Force. Less than two weeks after the landing of the third RQ-4D Phoenix R/C aircraft, the fleet of five NATO AGS aircraft is close to full strength. The Atlantic-to-Italy crossing was entirely controlled by pilots at the Alliance Ground Surveillance Force's main operating base at Sigonella, as were the first three flights. Upon arrival, the NATO Ground Surveillance Agency and the Italian authorities will complete the necessary documentation and hand over the drone to the military. ... >>

Mirror of atoms 27.07.2020

Physicists from the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics (Germany) have created the thinnest and lightest mirror in the world. Typically, optical mirrors use polished metal surfaces, or glass with a special coating (to improve performance with less weight). But physicists from Germany have created a mirror that consists of only one structured layer of atoms (we are talking about several hundred identical atoms). The atoms are arranged in a two-dimensional array of an optical lattice. The new mirror is one of a kind. It has a thickness of only a few tens of nanometers, which is a thousand times less than the width of a human hair. At the same time, this did not affect the quality of the reflection. The mirror is only about seven microns in diameter (so it can hardly be seen with the naked eye). However, the device on which the mirror was constructed is quite large: it has more than a thousand individual optical components and weighs about two tons. Far ... >>

Siberian fires warm up the Arctic 27.07.2020

Large-scale fires in Siberia have led to a sharp decrease in the level of ice in the Arctic seas. Scientists from the National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC) announced their observations. As of July 20, the area of ​​fires in Siberia is 1,62 million hectares. Higher temperatures in the region are accelerating the melting of ice sheets. It is noted that the researchers measured the level of ice in the Barents Sea and the Laptev Sea, which is north of Siberia. Ice levels are at an all-time low for July, they observed, another sign of unprecedented climate change in the Arctic as it is now warming faster than the rest of the planet. In addition to the temperature effect from fire, it is also worth noting a large number of ash particles, which, settling on the surface of snow and ice, reduce its light and heat-reflecting properties. Thus, more heat is retained on the surface, which only accelerates the thawing of permafrost. Previously, NSIDC paid attention to ... >>

Restoring vision with wireless implants 26.07.2020

The combination of protective video glasses and photoelectric retinal implants makes vision restoration more practical. Since the introduction of the first implantable stimulator for vision restoration in 1968, the development of retinal implants has been plagued by problems of bulkiness. Trying to fit a mass of electronics with wires, cables, and induction coils into the human visual system has always been a difficult task. James Loudin and colleagues at Stanford University in California have found a solution that, by using special goggles that direct infrared signals from the eyes and project them onto an implanted silicon photodiode grid, solves many of these problems. The system simplifies implantation while transferring visual data and power directly to the implants, eliminating the need for any massive external power supply. Ludin and his colleagues demonstrated the performance of their system ... >>

Clam Vitamin Bomb 26.07.2020

Cambridge researchers have found a natural way to fortify seafood with nutrients that could out-compete some vitamin capsules on the market. 2 billion people in the world suffer from nutritional deficiencies. Along with the production of "pure" vitamins in the form of tablets and capsules, scientists are constantly looking for ways to enrich food with important elements. Cambridge zoologists have teamed up with Cambridge-based BioBullets to transform bivalve molluscs, the most digestible and healthiest of all animal proteins, into a vitamin bullet. There is more protein in bivalve mollusks than in beef. In addition, shellfish is the leader among animal products in terms of the content of omega-3 fatty acids and essential minerals to support human life. Farming shellfish is less environmentally damaging than raising livestock and even producing crops such as soybeans and ... >>

Proteus - a material that cannot be cut 25.07.2020

Researchers from the University of Durham in the UK and the Fraunhofer Institute in Germany have announced the creation of the world's first material that cannot be cut. At the same time, the density of the material is only 15% of the density of steel, which, according to scientists, makes it promising in the manufacture of locks or light armor. The material, dubbed "proteus", uses ceramic spheres in a honeycomb aluminum structure to prevent angle grinders, drills and the like from impacting them. When trying to cut through the material, destructive vibrations occur that dull any cutting tools. According to the researchers, when developing the material, they drew inspiration from the tough cellular peel of a grapefruit and durable, shatter-resistant shells of molluscs, consisting of aragonite. An angle grinder or a drill with a drill can only work on the top layer of the Proteus plate, but once they reach the embedded ceramics ... >>

The world's first mine hydroelectric power station was launched 25.07.2020

A new type of hydroelectric power plant, developed at the Technical University of Munich, provides electricity to about 800 houses and does little harm to nature. Although hydroelectric power stations are considered to be quite an environmentally friendly source of energy, they still cause damage to nature. In addition to changing the river landscape, such power plants are also deadly for fish that enter the turbines along with the flow, and in addition, they change the habitual migration routes and habitats of river fauna. German scientists claim that the mine hydroelectric power station developed by them is devoid of these shortcomings. As the name implies, the turbine and generator of such a station are located in a shaft in front of the dam below the level of the bottom of the river channel. The water flows through the shaft, turns the turbine and flows out from below under the dam. A small part of the water passes from above - above the mine and the dam. The mechanism of the station is designed in such a way that despite the high efficiency, the water flow in the mine is rather weak, and as studies have shown for various ... >>

Reflections on abstract topics lead to inspiration 24.07.2020

History is rich in manifestations of "eureka": they say that scientists from Archimedes to Isaac Newton and Albert Einstein, reflecting on abstract topics, experienced impulses of inspiration. However, the mechanisms responsible for this psychological phenomenon remain unclear. Current research suggests that simply taking a break from work does not create inspiration, but activities that allow thoughts to wander are likely to favor creativity. This discovery was made by UC Santa Barbara psychologists Benjamin Baird and Jonathan Schooler. The researchers gave 145 undergraduate students two "unusual uses" tasks and two minutes to list as many uses as they could for everyday items such as toothpicks, coat hangers and bricks. When the two minutes were up, the participants were given a 12-minute break during which they rested, completed complex memory tasks that required their full attention. ... >>

The most annoying sound to the human ear 24.07.2020

NASA experts have found out which sound is most capable of annoying a person. The conclusions were preceded by a series of experiments. Scientists recorded the hum of cars and the noise of a flying drone, and had 38 volunteers listen to them. The researchers note that the study participants never had hearing problems. Volunteers had to rate how much these noises are capable of irritating them. It turned out that the sound of a flying drone turned out to be the most unpleasant and irritating for the human ear. The fact is that the hum of cars for a person turned out to be more familiar due to the fact that people encounter it every day. As for drones, they are just beginning to penetrate into the daily life of modern people. ... >>

Carbon Neutral Apple 23.07.2020

Apple has stated that it will be 2030% carbon neutral by 100. In 10 years, the company intends to have a zero carbon footprint across its entire business, including the production supply chain and recycling. "Business has a huge opportunity to help build a more sustainable future, through our shared care for the planet," said CEO Tim Cook. "By 2030, Apple's entire business will be carbon neutral. The planet we share cannot wait." The company plans to achieve 75% of this target through emission reductions and the remaining 25% through carbon removal or offsetting projects such as tree planting and habitat restoration. In addition, the company will launch the Impact Accelerator program, which aims to invest in small businesses that care about reducing their carbon footprint. Apple has unveiled a roadmap for carbon neutrality that will help other companies also think about reducing their impact on and ... >>

Maxim RS-485/RS-422 transceivers MAX33072E/MAX33073E 23.07.2020

Maxim Integrated has introduced a new family of RS-485/RS-422 half-duplex transceivers with A and B line surge protection up to +-65V. 40 to + 7 V. The transceivers implement a high degree of protection against electrostatic discharge, up to + - 12 kV ESD HBM (human body model). Each transceiver contains one driver and one receiver and operates in the voltage range from +40 to +3 V, which allows these products to be used without additional signal level matching. The transceivers also have a polarity selector (POL) pin that reverses the A and B data lines, allowing software cross-connection to be corrected. The MAX5,5E provides data rates up to 33072 kbps, while the MAX500E is rated up to 33073 Mbps for higher bandwidth applications. When inputs open or close ... >>

Making diamonds out of peanut butter 22.07.2020

Scientists from the Bayerisches Geoinstitut (Bavarian Research Institute for Geophysics and Geochemistry) were able to make a laboratory simulation of the conditions of the Earth's lower mantle. This part is located under the asthenosphere, where at a depth of 2900 kilometers the pressure is 1,3 million times higher than atmospheric pressure. As a result of the experiment, the researchers found innovative ways to produce diamonds. According to one theory, diamonds are formed from carbon under very high pressure. Almost all foods contain carbon, so the researchers were able to create an artificial diamond in the laboratory from ordinary peanut butter. However, the hydrogen, which is bound to carbon in peanut butter, greatly complicates the process, and therefore, even under the most favorable circumstances, the transformation is slow: it takes several weeks to produce a diamond 2-3 millimeters in size. However, the production of artificial diamonds may be very promising for their industrial applications. ... >>

Renoir 7nm Desktop APUs - Ryzen 4000G, PRO 4000G and Athlon PRO 3000G 22.07.2020

AMD has unveiled the Ryzen 4000G APUs for the AM4 desktop platform, sister to the well-established 7nm Ryzen 4000-series mobile chips. They are intended for the OEM segment and will not be available in retail stores, but in the future AMD promises to release some models of new APUs for the DIY market (with boards based on AMD 400 and 500 series chipsets). The Renoir desktop APUs use the same 7nm die as their mobile cousins, with eight Zen 2 physical cores, 8MB of L3 cache, and eight Compute Units (CU) graphics on the improved Vega architecture. But if mobile Renoirs run into a 35-watt TDP, then desktop counterparts raise the bar to 65 watts, operate at higher frequencies and, therefore, their performance level is higher. Renoir desktop APUs officially support DDR4-3200 RAM (while AMD used faster DDR4-3600 memory in performance tests), the x86 core frequency reaches 4,4 GHz in the next ... >>

The theory of lasers may be revisited 21.07.2020

An optical device that produces a coherent monochromatic beam of light, known as a laser, was invented over 60 years ago. And it would seem that for such a long time, during which lasers have found very wide application in various fields of science and technology, scientists should have thoroughly understood the principles of operation of this device, which, according to modern physics textbooks, works on the border between classical physics and quantum mechanics. However, scientists from the University of Surrey, UK, the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology and the Fraunhofer Institute IOSB, Germany, have questioned the orthodox theory about how a laser works. What has given scientists the opportunity to question the current theory is the linewidth of the laser light. According to all the canons of physics, an ideal laser should produce light of a strictly defined wavelength, i.e. the width of its spectral line should tend to an infinitesimal value ... >>

Comet Neowise is closest to Earth 21.07.2020

Astronomers and amateurs continue to watch Comet Neowise as it approaches Earth. This is a fairly rare phenomenon, because most flying comets are not visible to the naked eye. At the closest possible distance, the space wanderer will approach on July 23 - that's when it is most convenient to observe it. The comet will fly by at a distance of 103 million kilometers from Earth. In the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, it can be seen after sunset and shortly before dawn. To see it, you need to look just above the horizon towards the north, northeast. It can be observed with the naked eye. But through binoculars or a telescope, it can be viewed in more detail. Approaching the Sun, a tail begins to appear at the comet - these are the remnants of dust and gas, which are clearly visible from the Earth. On July 23, the comet will approach the Earth at a distance equivalent to 400 distances from the Moon. At this time, it can be observed all night. NeoVize has circled the Sun and is now heading into the outer solar system. ... >>

Created spider silk using photosynthetic bacteria 20.07.2020

A new study by scientists at the RIKEN Center for Sustainable Resource Research (Japan) could usher in a new era in which photosynthetic "bio-factories" consistently produce the majority of synthetic spider silk. Spiders produce amazingly strong and lightweight threads. While they can be used to produce a range of useful materials, getting enough silk protein is difficult because each tiny spider can only produce a small amount. In addition to strength and lightness, arthropod-derived silk is biodegradable and biocompatible. In particular, spider silk is very light and durable. It could be used to make wear-resistant clothing, automotive parts and aerospace components. Its biocompatibility makes it safe to use in biomedical applications such as drug delivery systems, implant devices and tissue engineering scaffolds, the scientists add. But to create these things, you need ... >>

Fat is the main cause of aging 20.07.2020

Scientists from the University of Bern in Switzerland have made a discovery and discovered the main cause of aging. It turned out that the so-called visceral fat is involved in the aging process of body cells. These deposits are located in the abdominal cavity and are designed to protect the internal organs from external influences. In the pathological process, immune cells, eosinophils, leukocytes, found in visceral adipose tissues in humans and mice, play a key role. As a rule, they are present in the blood, but due to obesity, they become more in the body. They contribute to the development of allergies of the respiratory organs, and the fat itself contributes to mild chronic inflammation. At the same time, scientists clarify that specific immune cells - eosinophils leukocytes - play a key role in the pathological process. They are usually present in the circulatory system, but experts have found them in visceral fatty tissues in humans and mice. These cells help the body provide defenses against multicellular parasites. Also leukocytes ... >>

The design of the large interplanetary station Psyche is completed 19.07.2020

NASA specialists have successfully completed the design stage of the Psyche automatic interplanetary station, which will explore the metal asteroid of the Main Belt (16) Psyche, and have moved on to the stage of manufacturing all systems and scientific instruments. The launch of the station into space is scheduled for August 2022, and it should arrive at the asteroid in early 2026, according to the NASA website. The goal of the new interplanetary station Psyche, developed by NASA as part of the Discovery program, was the asteroid (16) Psyche, located in the Main Asteroid Belt. It belongs to the spectral class M and contains a lot of metals such as iron, nickel, gold and platinum. This is one of the heaviest asteroids known today, its mass is approximately 2,41x10^19 kilograms, and its dimensions are 274x231x176 kilometers. It is assumed that Psyche may be the metal core of a protoplanet or its fragment, which was formed as a result of a collision with a large celestial body in the early solar system. Detailed illustrations ... >>

Production of superdiamonds 18.07.2020

Scientists at the University of Tsukuba in Japan have developed a method to "rearrange" the carbon atoms in a diamond, resulting in a structure that is even more rigid than before. The new method used by the scientists is making it possible to create harder diamonds that could eventually be used in industry - in this case, conventional methods involve the use of synthetic diamonds, for example, for cutting materials. To create harder diamonds, scientists used computer calculations and simulations to rearrange carbon atoms. Pentadiament (because that was the name of the new creation) is not only harder than usual, but its density is much less. In this case, it can be compared to graphite. ... >>

Revealed the secret of mosquito squeak 18.07.2020

Researchers from Johns Hopkins University (USA) found that mosquitoes flap their wings not only to stay in the air, but also to achieve two other important purposes: to generate sound and to direct it to find a potential partner. Findings from a study on the aerodynamics of mosquito wings could help create quiet drones, as well as non-toxic pest control methods using sound. Mosquitoes need wings to fly, generate sound, and attract a mate, and mosquitoes are very effective at this - which is why there are so many malaria and other mosquito-borne diseases around. In addition, long and thin wings are ideal for generating sound - mosquitoes flap them at much higher frequencies than, say, fruit flies. There is a reason for this. Higher frequencies reproduce sounds better. Males buzz with a higher frequency sound, while females, on the contrary, make low-frequency sounds. In order to attract a female ... >>

LSM6DSO32 chip for MEMS motion sensors 17.07.2020

STMicroelectronics has updated its line of MEMS motion sensors with the release of the new LSM6DSO32 chip, which includes a 6D digital accelerometer and gyroscope. The LSM32DSO0,55 features a reduced consumption of 6 mA when operating in Performance mode, which allows you to accurately track the movement of an object even when powered by a battery. The microcircuit has a built-in state machine, which allows for primary signal processing, reducing the load on the external microcontroller and the overall power consumption. With flexible settings, LSM32DSO6 can recognize the following events - free fall, orientation in space along 6 axes, pressing and double pressing a key, recognition of the type of activity and detection of the beginning of movement. With low power consumption and high performance, the indoor IP units realize the functions of a pedometer in the form of a step detector and a step counter, can detect tilt and large movement. LSM32DSOXNUMX determines accelerations in range ... >>

Cooling paint for facades 17.07.2020

The use of white paint for the facades of buildings located in those regions of the Earth where the very hot and aggressive Sun usually shines is more than a rational and reasonable step - after all, white paint reflects sunlight well, thereby allowing buildings and surfaces to remain colder. On the other hand, most modern commercial white facade paints do not have the level of UV reflection that one would like to have on the hottest days, and therefore a team of material engineers from the University of California presented their own development of a new effective paint. This is not a completely new type of white building paint, but rather an improved format of an existing one, thus having a wider profile to reflect light. It is worth noting the fact that the presented super-white paint - as the experts themselves designated it - during preliminary tests managed to reflect up to 98% of outgoing ... >>

Coffee can change the sense of taste 16.07.2020

Danish experts have found that coffee can change a person's sense of taste. For example, bitter food does not seem so spicy. Thanks to this feature of the drink, the love of coffee lovers for dark bitter chocolate is explained. To come to conclusions, the experts analyzed the chemosensory sensitivity of people who often consume this drink. During scientific work, 156 people studied the sense of smell and taste. This test was carried out before and after drinking coffee. It turned out that the drink does not affect the perception of smells, but affects the taste. After drinking the drink, people become much more sensitive to sweet, and the sensitivity to bitter is significantly reduced. It is noted that such exposure to study participants was one-time only when they drank coffee. ... >>

Combining two theories of time 16.07.2020

Like a metronome that sets the rhythm for a musician, the fundamental cosmic clock can synchronize time throughout the universe. But if such clocks exist, they run very fast. In physics, time is usually considered the fourth dimension. But some scientists suggest that time may be the result of a physical process. In elementary particle physics, tiny fundamental particles can acquire certain properties by interacting with other particles or fields. For example, particles acquire mass by interacting with the Higgs field that permeates all of space. This field can fluctuate, with each cycle being a "tick" or "tock". Time is a mysterious concept and is defined differently by two key physical theories. In quantum mechanics, which describes tiny atoms and particles, "time simply exists, it is fixed and comparable to the background," says Canadian physicist Flaminia Giacomini. But in the general theory of relativity, which describes the gravite ... >>

Atypical volcanic activity noticed in Europe 15.07.2020

Scientists from the University of California said that the ancient volcanic region may pose a danger to the modern countries of northwestern Europe. It was possible to fix "atypical" activity, the center of which is the German region of Eifel. Activity also covers parts of Belgium, the Netherlands, France and Luxembourg. At the same time, scientists emphasize that their observations do not mean at all that a volcanic eruption or a powerful earthquake will occur here in the near future. "Our study suggests that this region is an active volcanic system, much more seismically active than many faults in Europe, between the Eifel volcanic region and the Alps," lead author Paul Davies said in a statement. It is noted that the region has a very rich volcanic history, but the last eruption occurred here 11 thousand years ago. In the course of the new study, scientists drew attention to the unusual movements that occur on the surface of the Earth: it lifts ... >>

Microalgae - a source of Omega-3 15.07.2020

Microalgae could be an alternative source of health-promoting omega-3 fatty acids. In addition, the process of their cultivation is more environmentally friendly than popular fish species. These results were reached by German scientists from the Martin Luther University in Halle-Wittenberg (MLU). Microalgae have long been the focus of research - first as a raw material as an alternative fuel, and more recently as a source of human nutrients. Basically, microalgae are grown in open water bodies of Asia. Also, some types of algae are much easier to cultivate in closed systems, the so-called photobioreactors. The scientists compared the carbon footprint of microalgae and fish nutrients, and analyzed how much both food sources increase acidification and eutrophication in water bodies. Studies have shown that growing microalgae has the same environmental impact as fish. However, one of the advantages of growing in ... >>

Sensors with liquid crystals that change color 14.07.2020

Scientists from the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago (USA) have developed a thin polymer film filled with liquid crystal droplets that changes color when stretched or when the temperature changes. In the future, the film could be used for smart coatings, sensors, and even wearable electronics. By creating a liquid crystal polymer that changes color, the researchers focused on the ability of the chameleon to change color. Depending on body temperature or mood, their nervous system causes skin tissue containing nanocrystals to expand or contract. So nanocrystals begin to reflect light in a different way - and the reptile's skin turns into a rainbow of colors. The team used chiral liquid crystals, which have two mirror forms (like a right and left hand). There are twists, turns and a certain asymmetry in their structure, which give these crystals more interesting optical characteristics. These crystals can also form ... >>

Sedentary work strengthens mental abilities 14.07.2020

People who have worked in a sedentary job all their lives are at a lower risk of cognitive impairment in old age. This conclusion was made by scientists from the University of Cambridge. Experts analyzed the lifestyle of 8500 people aged 40 to 79 years. All of them had a different education and a wide circle of friends. Participants filled out questionnaires about their health, lifestyle and hobbies. Volunteers were examined, scientists studied their physical activity at work and after it. The experiment was long-term - after 12 years, the researchers again studied the condition of the participants and did a series of tests to understand how their cognitive abilities had changed: memory, attentiveness, reading speed and information processing. People who worked in the office throughout the study period showed the best test results - there were 10%. Those who were engaged only in physical labor worsened their performance by almost three times. Scientists note that despite the result ... >>

HiCar vehicle based on Huawei HarmonyOS 13.07.2020

Chinese automotive manufacturer BYD and Huawei have unveiled the world's first HiCar series. HiCar is developed by Huawei based on the proprietary operating system HarmonyOS. The platform was unveiled on Sunday, July 12, and marks Huawei's entry into the automotive networking field. This is also the first use of Huawei's 5G 120G network solution in a vehicle. The company plans to make the HiCar system available in more than 30 vehicle models from more than XNUMX automakers, including Audi, BYD, GAC and BAIC. The developers promise that the new system will make it easy to drive a car from a smartphone, check important parameters in real time, and much more. ... >>

Heated car seats - per subscription 13.07.2020

The BMW Group intends to offer its customers part of the options for time-based rental. The new version of proprietary Operating System 7 software for the latest BMW models will allow German car buyers to expand the functionality of their cars by subscribing to individual options and functions. The BMW Group explained that a number of car features are included in the software of all manufactured cars, but not all buyers are ready to pay for the option at the time of purchasing the car. If, after buying a BMW, the owner realizes that he needs some kind of equipment, he will be able to issue a paid subscription (it is stated that it is possible to get options for 1 or 3 years, as well as "redeem" the desired function forever), after which the Operating System update will be downloaded via the Internet 7, which unlocks a new option. At the same time, a demo period of one month is provided, when it will be possible to try the option for free. BMW's subscription options include smart phone activation. ... >>

Red light can improve vision 13.07.2020

Red light can improve vision with its age-related deterioration - just look at it for three minutes a day. This discovery was made by ophthalmologists from University College London. So, in the course of the study, it turned out that red light allows you to "reboot" the mitochondria in the retina, forcing them to work more efficiently. The tests involved 12 men and 12 women aged 28-72 years who do not suffer from eye diseases. They received special LED flashlights, which they had to look at for two weeks for three minutes a day. At the end of the experiment, it turned out that the young participants were not affected by the red light. But those who were 40 years old or more saw significant improvements. Some of the subjects became 20% better at recognizing colors. ... >>

Interchangeable optics for smartphone 12.07.2020

Huawei continues to work on methods to improve the quality of shooting in smartphone cameras. The next patent received in the European Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO, European Union Intellectual Property Office) describes the use of interchangeable optics for a smartphone. Huawei now has the flagship Huawei P40 Pro + with a 10x optical zoom in its assortment. Such parameters are achieved using the periscope module of the main camera. At the same time, the Huawei P40 Pro consistently ranks first in the DxOMark ranking, and the Huawei P40 Pro + has not yet been tested by the specialists of this laboratory. However, with all its advantages, periscope modules also have disadvantages. Huawei has found a way around them in a new patent. It describes a smartphone with a triple main camera, where two sensors are relatively small and a larger third sensor can be used with interchangeable lenses. Motorola has already tried to implement a similar development with Moto Mod modules, ... >>

The desire to hug is in women's genes. 12.07.2020

The tendency to show sympathy can be genetically determined. At least this applies to the female half of the population, scientists at the University of Arizona found out. The experiment involved 464 pairs of twins aged 19 to 84 years. About half were homozygous (from one egg), the other half were heterozygous (from different). Homozygous twins have 100% of common genes, heterozygous twins have 50%. Each subject rated on a nine-point scale a number of statements related to the manifestation of sympathy. Thus, it was revealed which behavior is characteristic of certain participants, and which is not. The results were analyzed for the similarity of the responses of each pair of twins. And it turned out that homozytic pairs scored more points than heterozytic ones, and the differences in manifestations of sympathy affected only female pairs of twins. The results of men among homo- and heterozygous twins did not differ. Scientists have come to the conclusion that the tendency ... >>

Super strong material stronger than diamond 11.07.2020

Japanese scientists have synthesized a new material that is almost one and a half times stronger than diamond. This material was called "pentadimond". It was developed by scientists from the University of Tsukuba in Japan. During the experiment, the experts tried to arrange carbon atoms in a more complex structure than they are found in nature. PentaDiamond came out incredibly strong. It is capable of withstanding a voltage of 1700 hPa (hectopascals). For comparison, diamond breaks down at 1200. The new material is 41% stronger than diamond, but its density is much lower (same as that of graphite). ... >>

Soft jellyfish robots 11.07.2020

Research engineers from North Carolina State University and Temple University (USA) have developed soft robots that move like jellyfish. The average speed of such robots is 53 millimeters per second. The new soft robot is made from two disc-shaped bonded layers of the same elastic polymer. The top layer of the polymer is prestressed or stretched in four directions (it seems to be simultaneously pulled north and south, east and west). In the lower - "relaxed" - there is an air channel. Between them there is another - intermediate - layer, which makes the upper one move in a certain direction. When the jellyfish-robot "relaxes", the robot is bent by a dome upwards - and becomes similar to a superficial bowl. As air is pumped into the channel layer, the dome rapidly curves downward, pushing the water out and moving forward. In experimental tests, the jellyfish-bot, on average, developed a speed of 53,3 millimeters per second. For comparison: jellyfish, for which n ... >>

Samsung moves to 3nm chip manufacturing 10.07.2020

In August this year, Samsung will start mass production of chips using the 5nm process technology. The first device to be manufactured using this process technology will be its Exynos 992 mobile system-on-a-chip, which will likely debut in the Galaxy Note 20 smartphone line. plans appear at once three 5-nm technologies. However, unlike TSMC, Samsung is not going to invest in 5nm technology. The Korean tech giant will skip the 4nm step and jump straight to 4nm, people familiar with the matter say. And this approach is fundamentally different from the plans of TSMC, which intends to master the intermediate 3-nm process technology by 4. While Samsung is the only manufacturer that can keep up with TSMC in terms of technology, it continues to lag behind. ... >>

cactus skin 10.07.2020

Two animal-friendly entrepreneurs from Mexico have learned how to make leather from cacti. Adrián López Velarde and Marte Casareza worked in the fashion and furniture industry. One day they decided to reconsider the production process of the material, focusing on environmental friendliness. Men began to consider cacti as raw materials, since these plants are unpretentious, elastic, durable, they do not need much water. "Vegan" skin is obtained as follows: cacti are cut, cleaned, mashed, dried in the sun for three days, and then processed according to a patented formula. The material is very resistant, does not contain toxic chemicals, and looks like genuine leather. ... >>

Chip for ultra-fast data transmission using light 09.07.2020

Researchers in Switzerland have created a chip for ultra-fast data transmission using light. On this chip, electrical signals are capable of being converted into ultrafast light signals. The signal quality is not lost. This technology will improve the efficiency of optical communication infrastructures that use fiber optic networks. In cities like Zurich, such networks are already being used for TV, high-speed internet and streaming. However, their capabilities may not be enough in the future. Modern networks transmit data at speeds up to 10^9 bits per second, this speed should reach 10^12 bits per second in the future. Scientists in their laboratory were able for the first time to combine electronic and "light" elements on a single chip. To combine components on a single chip, the authors of the work used plasmonics. ... >>

The danger of antiseptics 09.07.2020

The use of antiseptics containing methanol can lead to serious illness and even death. According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cases of skin antiseptic poisoning have increased significantly in recent years. Some samples of skin preparations tested positive for methanol contamination during the study. This substance is known to be toxic and can cause poisoning if it comes into contact with it through the skin or mucous membranes of the body. American experts have uncovered several cases of methanol poisoning, which led to blindness and even death. The FDA recommends that consumers stop buying dangerous antiseptics and seek medical attention at the first sign of poisoning. Methanol can cause nausea, headache, partial or complete loss of vision, convulsions, and large doses can lead to coma or death. The greatest risk of poisoning ... >>

Heatwaves became more frequent and lengthened 08.07.2020

Scientists at Australia's Center of Excellence for Climate Extreme Research said that since the 1950s, global heatwaves have increased in both length and frequency across almost the entire planet. The first comprehensive global assessment of heat waves showed that since 1950 they have become more frequent and longer across the planet. The results of the study made it possible to obtain a new metric indicator of the total amount of heat. He showed how much heat is contained in individual heat waves and seasons. As the researchers expected, this number is growing. For example, during the hottest season in Australia, the temperature increased by a total of 80°C. In the Mediterranean, the most extreme seasons were up to 200°C hotter than the "normal" seasons. “Over the past 70 years, we can see more and more heatwaves around the world. But now this trend has accelerated noticeably. If we add up the temperature, we can see that the heat around the world has increased by 1°C-4,5°C hail ... >>

Nanoparticles and ice turn cellulose into a conductor 08.07.2020

Electric motors and electronic devices generate electromagnetic fields, the fluctuations of which cause parasitic interference in other electronic mechanisms operating nearby. To shield electromagnetic oscillations, devices are covered on all sides with shells of conductive materials. Most often, shielding casings are made of metal thin sheets or foils - rather heavy and inflexible materials. A group of researchers led by Zhihui Zeng and Gustav Nystrom from Empa have developed a combined material based on cellulose airgel, which has shielding properties that are not inferior to metal, but far superior to its mechanical characteristics. Cellulose is a light porous material into which any nanoparticles can be added. Then, by experimenting with the structure of the resulting composition, you can give it the required physical properties. Scientists from Empa took silver nanoparticles, and created pores of the required size and spatial configuration by pouring airgel ... >>

Created the lightest material for shielding electromagnetic waves 07.07.2020

Electric motors and electronic devices generate electromagnetic fields, which sometimes need to be shielded so as not to affect nearby electronic components or signal transmission. High-frequency electromagnetic fields can only be protected by conductive sheaths closed on all sides. Often, thin metal sheets or metallized foil are used for this purpose. However, for many applications, such a screen is too heavy or too poorly adapted to a given geometry. The ideal solution would be a lightweight, flexible and durable material with extremely high shielding efficiency. A breakthrough in this area was achieved by a research group led by Zhihui Zeng and Gustav Nyström. The researchers used cellulose nanofibers as the basis for airgel, which is a lightweight, highly porous material. Cellulose fibers are obtained from wood and, due to their chemical structure, provide a wide range of chemical modifications, therefore ... >>

NASA completely switches to its rocket engines 07.07.2020

United Launch Alliance (a NASA contractor) has received the first BE-4 rocket engine, designed to replace the Russian RD-180 (modified Soviet RD-170), from Blue Origin, an aerospace company founded by the world's richest man Jeff Bezos. The second BE-4 engine is scheduled to be delivered to ULA during July. Developed by Blue Origin, the BE-4 engine runs on oxygen and methane. They will be equipped with Vulcan Centaur rockets (Atlas replacement) developed by United Launch Alliance. It is planned that the first launch of the rocket will take place in 2020. ... >>

Electric car Citroen e-C4 06.07.2020

French automaker Citroen has officially unveiled an updated C4 cross hatchback, including its electric version of the Citroen e-C4. The buyer will be able to choose between 100-155 hp petrol engine, 110-130 hp diesel engine. or an electrical installation with a capacity of 100 kW (136 hp). The 100 kW electric motor has a torque of 260 Nm, which allows you to accelerate to 100 km / h in 9,7 seconds and gain 150 km / h. The driver can select Eco, Normal or Sport modes for maximum range or improved dynamics respectively. From a full battery charge of 50 kWh (Li-Ion, 400 V), the Citroen e-C4 electric car will be able to cover 350 km according to the WLTP measuring cycle. You can replenish the charge not only at a gas station, but also with the help of recuperation. The battery warranty is 8 years or 160 miles, upon reaching these marks, the capacity should not fall below 70% of the original. Citroen ё-C4 electric car supports high-speed power charging ... >>

Electric vehicle chargers from McDonald's 06.07.2020

Fast food restaurant chain McDonald's plans to install hundreds of electric car charging points at its locations across the UK. Through a partnership with electric car charging network InstaVolt, McDonald's will install special ports in the car parks of its restaurants, where there is an "AUTO" system, that is, ordering food through a special window that can be reached by car. Such ports will allow customers to charge electric vehicles up to 80% in less than 20 minutes. For the UK, this will mean one of the small steps taken towards a total ban on new petrol and diesel cars by 2035. Recently, McDonald's conducted a study to find out how the public perceives electric vehicles. The results showed that more than half of people who do not own an electric car are not ready to give up gasoline due to the lack of convenient charging points. Two-thirds of respondents said they would consider switching to an electric car ... >>

The hormone of love causes aggression 05.07.2020

Oxytocin is called the "love hormone" because it strengthens the emotional bond between people. However, scientists have found that oxytocin can cause aggression. It depends on the conditions in which it is produced. Israeli researchers conducted experiments with mice. The animals were equipped with a portable device that allows you to activate oxytocin neurons in the brain. To activate, the neurons were modified to synthesize a photosensitive protein. As a result, having received a light pulse, the neurons were activated. An important feature of the experiment was that the living conditions of the mice were close to natural - the researchers created a "semi-natural" environment for them, making an imitation of the natural landscape. The mice moved freely, and a video camera monitored their lives around the clock. At the beginning of the experiment, oxytocin surges stimulated the mice to become actively interested in each other. However, interest soon began to give way to irritation and aggression. In semi-natural conditions ... >>

Sulfur Applications in Unusual Polymers 05.07.2020

Most of the sulfur goes to the production of sulfuric acid and mineral fertilizers, but there is still too much "unnecessary" sulfur. It is cheap, it is usually stored in the open air in the form of real sulfur mountains several tens of meters high. And this creates problems: firstly, the wind carries dust particles of sulfur, and secondly, under the influence of atmospheric oxygen and various microorganisms, sulfur is gradually oxidized up to sulfuric acid. In all this, there is nothing good either for the environment or for the people and animals living near such places. Therefore, many chemists have been struggling with the problem of what useful things can be done from sulfur for many years. And great success in this was achieved by a group of researchers from the University of Liverpool. Scientists have developed a method of "reverse vulcanization" - the synthesis of an unusual polymer based on sulfur. The essence of "conventional" vulcanization is that long mobile polymer molecules, for example, natural rubber are sewn between ... >>

Plant Growth Control with Light 04.07.2020

Scientists from Germany and the UK have found a way to control various plant processes - such as growth - using optogenetics. By exposing different colors of light, scientists can turn different plant genes on and off. Previously, it was not possible to use optogenetics in research with plants because plants naturally respond to light as they grow. Therefore, any genetic switches controlled by light, one way or another, remained permanently active. Experts have found a way to deal with this problem. They developed a special PULSE (Plant Usable Light-Switch Elements) system, which allows you to control various cellular processes in plants using light. The project links two current topics in biology - optogenetics and synthetic biology. Thanks to the new tools, it is now possible to use, for example, red light to induce gene expression at a certain moment, while ambient white light can be used as ... >>

Infinite energy from black holes 04.07.2020

Scientists from the University of Glasgow have received confirmation of the reliability of the theory, expressed more than fifty years ago, according to which a very technologically advanced extraterrestrial civilization can use black holes as an almost inexhaustible source of energy. Even the possibility of testing this theory was for a long time beyond the capabilities of our current technologies, but scientists still managed to do it using sound waves in their experiments. To create twisted sound waves, scientists used many emitters arranged in a ring. The resulting wave was aimed at a rotating absorber, a disk made from construction foam. Microphones mounted behind the disk measured the frequency and amplitude of the sound wave passing through the rapidly rotating disk, the parameters of which were supposed to fit within the framework of the theories of Penrose and Zel'dovich. In this experiment, the ever-accelerating rotation of the disc first reduced the amplitude of the sound ... >>

Beavers are changing Alaska's climate 03.07.2020

Specialists from the Institute of Polar and Marine Research. Alfred Wegener in Germany found that beavers living in an area of ​​18 thousand square meters. km in the northwest of Alaska, in just 5 years 56 new lakes were created. This could intensify permafrost thawing and accelerate climate change. Beavers are rapidly spreading across Alaska. In just a few years, they have populated many tundra regions where they have never been seen before. From two dams in 2002, the number of dams has risen to 98 by 2019, with more than 5 barriers built annually by beavers. Animals often build their dams in precisely those places where it is easy to achieve results with the least effort. When beavers block water bodies, small valleys fill with water and form new lakes, which are measured in hectares. They block small streams and sometimes the headwaters of existing lakes, which widen as a result. Thus, a new lake is formed, which melts the permafrost. This has already affected the water balance. AT ... >>

STM32 Nucleo Digital Audio Expansion Boards 03.07.2020

The new X-NUCLEO-CCA01M1 Expansion Board is an expansion board based on the STA2.1BW Sound Terminal 350-channel high performance audio terminal with digital audio output system. It can be paired with the STM32 Nucleo board and allows you to output a digital audio stream to a pair of speakers connected directly to it. The STM32 MCU controls the STA350BW by I2C, and the I2S bus is used to transmit audio data. The high performance of STM32 microcontrollers allows you to create low-cost digital audio processing devices, from a digital MEMS microphone to transmitting audio to a PC via USB or local playback using external speakers. With the FP-AUD-SMARTMIC1 software and the X-NUCLEO-CCA01M1 and X-NUCLEO-CCA02M2 expansion boards, a developer can launch their first digital audio application in just hours. X-NUCLEO-CCA02M2 expansion board contains two MP34DT06J digital MEMS microphones. This fee can be supplemented ... >>

Antivirus necklace 02.07.2020

NASA scientists have created an anti-virus necklace. The idea was implemented against the background of the coronavirus pandemic, from which, in fact, it will protect its owner. The decoration will warn a person by vibrating at the moment when the user tries to touch the face, and the decoration will be made on a 3D printer. The device, created by NASA using an infrared sensor, will detect the movement of a hand that the owner of the necklace intends to bring closer to his face than it should be. After that, the vibration signal will turn on. As a result of the reminder, it will be possible to stop the infection of COVID-19 by entering the body through the eyes, nose or mouth. At the same time, the developers specify that the device does not cancel the use of a mask and other preventive measures against coronavirus, but acts in a complex way. It is planned to establish the production of necklaces in various colors. ... >>

Series production of HBM2E memory 02.07.2020

SK hynix has announced the start of full-scale mass production of high-speed DRAM memory or HBM2E. With a 1024-bit bus running at 3,6 Gb/s per lane, HBM2E memory delivers 460 GB/s of bandwidth, outperforming HBM2 memory by 50%. An HBM2E stack can have up to eight 16Gb dies connected using TSV (Through Silicon Via) technology, so that the maximum memory capacity reaches 16GB. This is twice as much as in the case of HBM2 memory. According to SK Hynix, HBM2E is the "optimum solution" for next-generation AI memory systems, deep learning accelerators and supercomputers. It is expected that it will find application in an exascale supercomputer, which will be able to take fundamental and applied scientific research to a new level. ... >>

Biodegradable olive pit material 01.07.2020

Spanish architect Josean Vilar and Brazilian designer Silvana Catazin have developed a biomaterial made from olive pits in Barcelona that resembles plastic in properties. Unlike ordinary plastic, it will be able to decompose naturally after its service life, and when heated, it does not emit harmful substances. To create a new material, olive pits are used - a waste product of olive oil production, which in Spain is made both in large factories and in small home installations. The new material is well suited for creating interior items, toys and other products that should serve at room temperature. "Olive" bioplastic was born thanks to the open research center FabLab, created in Barcelona with the support of the European Union. Innovators can make a prototype of their invention there and test the viability of their idea. This is not the first project in the world to create a bioplastic from olive pits: a similar product last year ... >>

Xiaomi Mi TV Master Series TVs 01.07.2020

The Chinese company Xiaomi, as promised, has introduced a new family of smart TVs - Mi TV Master Series, which will include premium models with organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panels. The model has a 65-inch 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) and a refresh rate of 120 Hz. Thanks to the frames of the minimum width, the screen occupies 98,8% of the front surface area. The "heart" of the TV is the MediaTek MTK9650 processor. The chip contains four ARM Cortex-A73 cores and a Mali G52 MC1 GPU. Equipped with HDMI 2.1 interface, the panel is best suited for the next generation of gaming consoles - Sony PlayStation 5 and Microsoft Xbox Series X. The novelty has a high-quality audio system with nine speakers that generates spatial sound. Power at the same time reaches 65 watts. Dolby Vision technology is supported. The panel provides high-quality color reproduction and deep blacks. Claimed 98,5-process ... >>

Space fragrance from NASA 30.06.2020

Gunpowder, burnt meat and raspberries: what do you think these smells have in common? This is how the "flavor of space" is described by people who once traveled outside the Earth. Unfortunately, most of us are unlikely to experience first hand what space smells like. Therefore, Omega Ingredients, under the leadership of NASA, has released a perfume that conveys the smell of space! It seems that the smell of space is something not obvious, something that should not exist at all. However, the astronauts say that at some point you clearly begin to feel it. "At first I couldn't pinpoint it," former ISS scientist Donald Pettit wrote on his NASA blog in 2002. "And then I noticed that this smell was on the astronauts' suits, helmet, gloves and tools. It was more noticeable on fabrics than on metal or plastic surfaces." Now this smell will become available, and most importantly, quite obvious to everyone! British company of natural flavors for the food industry Omega Ingredients with ... >>

Gold from trash 30.06.2020

Scientists from the Korea Advanced Institute of Technology have developed a polymer that allows the extraction of rare and precious metals from chips and circuit boards of electronic devices for their reuse. The new organic compound is called porphyrin and is a substance with many tiny pores that are capable of trapping atoms of rare and precious metals. In accordance with the technology, electronic waste is first dissolved in acid, after which a new polymer is added to the resulting solution. During the experiments, it turned out that gold turned out to be the most susceptible to the polymer: in 30 minutes, using this method, up to 94% of this metal in solution can be returned. This is 10 times more than in the case of other metals, in particular, platinum. In this case, the polymer can be used repeatedly, even after it has already collected gold in a previous reaction with acid. According to the developers, one gram of the new substance costs $5, while the cost of ... >>

Space tourism Virgin Galactic 29.06.2020

The American company Virgin Galactic, which plans to organize tourist flights into space, and NASA signed a "Space Act Agreement". It provides for commercial manned flights to the International Space Station ("ISS"), which should contribute to the "development of a sustainable economy in low Earth orbit". Under the agreement, Virgin Galactic will develop a new private orbital astronaut training program. This program will include the identification of candidates interested in purchasing a private flight to the ISS, providing delivery to the ISS, providing orbital and ground resources.Supporting and coordinating the use of ISS resources will be an important point of integration required for every private astronaut flight. ", to provide "a unique, personalized customer experience for spaceflight to orbit." As part of the NASA partnership ... >>

Honest reward enhances memory 29.06.2020

One of the factors that influence memory is reward. Everything that is associated with reward is remembered especially well, but although the positive effect of reward on memory has long been known, it is not entirely clear how long such an effect lasts and how the psychological mechanism that links reward and memory works in detail. To find out, researchers from the University of Geneva, the University of Toronto and the Weizmann Institute set up an experiment in which about three dozen volunteers had to point out how certain characters and certain objects are related. It looked like this: a person was shown a character and two items to choose from, and it was necessary to say which item corresponds to the character. Here it was possible either to guess or not to guess, and for each correct answer the participant in the experiment received a point, but if he did not guess, then the point was lost; earned points then turned into real money. Obviously, the researchers could arbitrarily determine how well a person would play. ... >>

LG transparent display 28.06.2020

Transparent waferless displays promise to be commonplace in the future. First of all, they can become a feature of premium TVs. They display a color image, but we can see everything that is located behind them. As part of its participation in the InfoComm 2020 Connected online exhibition, LG showed its latest 55-inch transparent OLED screen. LG believes that such transparent OLED displays have a great future, and they will successfully find their way not only in ordinary homes, but in exhibition halls, shopping malls, museums and offices. The transparent display prototype offers FullHD resolution and a light transmittance of 38%. Thanks to thin frames, it is possible to install the panels close to each other, creating the effect of a coherent large picture. The transparent display uses Projected Capacitive Film (P-Cap) technology for precise touch response, and achieves greater transparency than conventional ... >>

Smart watch will monitor the quality of hand washing 28.06.2020

Apple has introduced a new operating system for smart watches Apple Watch - among the features of watchOS 7, hand washing control has also appeared. A new feature was added, including taking into account the coronavirus pandemic that has swept the planet. The gadget on the hands will be able to control the correctness of handwashing, or more precisely, it will indicate to the owner of the device the minimum required duration of handwashing. According to Apple, motion sensors, a microphone and machine learning on the Apple Watch will be used to implement the new feature, which, based on the sounds and characteristic movements of the watch, will be able to recognize that a person has begun to wash their hands. At this point, a 20 second countdown timer will automatically start. If the person has finished washing before the time limit expires, Apple Watch will prompt you to continue washing immediately. The company explained that the smart watch will be able to automatically remind you to wash your hands when the user returns home from the street. In addition, statistics on frequency and duration ... >>

MEMS Microphone MP23DB01HP 27.06.2020

The MP23DB01HP is a new compact omnidirectional MEMS microphone from STMicroelectronics, based on a capacitive sensor element and containing an on-chip that performs signal processing. The primary transducer of acoustic vibrations is based on MEMS silicon micromachining technology. The built-in IC is manufactured using CMOS technology, which ensures low consumption when generating the output digital signal in the PDM format. The MP23DB01HP has several modes of operation (low power, low power, and maximum performance), which are determined by the clock frequency range. The device has a very high overload capacity (AOP 135dBSPL) and a small sensitivity spread within +-1 dB. The MP23DB01HP has a lower location for the audio signal input port. The microphone is available in a metal housing that provides shielding from electromagnetic interference. The product operates in an extended range ... >>

HDR10+ on the rise 27.06.2020

Samsung developed the HDR10+ standard with 20th Century Fox and Panasonic to compete with Dolby Vision. The South Korean giant said that today more than 100 brands support the technology in their smartphones, tablets, TVs and other devices. HDR10+ technology optimizes video brightness and contrast frame by frame, enhancing colors and overall image quality. This technology is superior to HDR10 because it allows dynamic metadata changes with a large dynamic range. It is an open source, royalty-free standard unlike Dolby Vision. HDR10+ is currently supported by 103 brands, including 16 display and TV manufacturers, 21 chip companies, 20 content manufacturers, 32 software manufacturers, and 14 peripheral manufacturers. The list of companies includes Amazon, Amlogic, ARM, DTS, Blackmagic, Blackshark, Broadcom, HiSense, JVC Kenwood, OnePlus, ... >>

Robotic materials with the properties of living beings 26.06.2020

American scientists have developed a family of soft "robotic" materials that bend, rotate and crawl when exposed to light. Researchers at Northwestern University in Evanston have used nanoscale peptide assemblies to create a material that can change the properties of meshes, both attracting moisture and repelling it. "In medicine, soft materials with "living" characteristics, bending and changing shape, will ensure the extraction of blood clots in the brain after a stroke. They will be able to move on the surface of the water, cleaning reservoirs or seas, and also look for defects in batteries, membranes or chemical reactors," Samuel Stuppa, leader of the study, said. ... >>

Pollination with soap bubbles 26.06.2020

Researchers in Japan have developed a bubble pollination method that is as effective as doing it by hand. The search for new methods of pollination of agricultural crops is due to a decrease in the population of wild insects and diseases of honey bee colonies. The author of the development is Professor Eijiro Miyako, he came up with the idea of ​​mixing pollen with soapy water, and then filling a special gun with liquid. The technology has already been tested in practice: scientists “fired” a pear orchard with pollen bubbles. Bubbles have a large surface area, are easy to disperse, and are not very expensive, making them ideal for this task. The team estimated that every flower in the garden was hit by two to ten bubbles. As further observations showed, 95% of the flowers set fruit. Scientists noted that the method of manual pollination of flowers brings the same result, but it requires much more effort. The scientist plans to improve the technology and attract manned drones over the field. ... >>

5G Network Performance Optimization 25.06.2020

Samsung Electronics held a demonstration of a new way to measure the configuration of antennas for 4G and 5G networks based on drones. The automated solution will help operators manage base stations more efficiently, improve the safety of industrial climbers, and ultimately optimize network performance. The engineer on the ground used a smartphone with a special application to control the drone. The drone, using cameras mounted on it, took photographs of antennas located on the roof of the building. The resulting visual data was available for preview on the smartphone screen. Within seconds, the resulting images were uploaded to a cloud server, where the system, using AI and deep learning, evaluated the angles of rotation and tilt of the antennas, determining whether the antennas were installed correctly and at optimal angles. It took less than a minute to transfer the data and process the results, allowing engineers to ... >>

Speed ​​Helicopter SB>1 25.06.2020

The high-speed helicopter SB>1, developed by a consortium of American corporations Sikorsky and Boeing, accelerated to a speed of more than 380 kilometers per hour (205 knots). Now the developers will prepare the helicopter for a test flight at a speed of 463 km / h (250 knots). In mid-January of this year, SB>1 made its first flight at a speed of more than 185 km/h (100 knots). This is one of the most important marks when testing new high-speed rotorcraft. Later, the helicopter was tested at a speed of 240 km / h (130 knots) with the landing gear retracted. Prior to this, the helicopter performed all flights with a landing gear issued in accordance with safety requirements. SB>1 has been under development since 2015. The promising helicopter uses the developments obtained during the development and testing of prototypes of high-speed helicopters X-2 and S-97 Raider. The weight of the high-speed helicopter is 13,6 tons, it can reach speeds of up to 250 knots and carry 12 troops. The machine is built according to a coaxial scheme with a tail pusher ... >>

Ecological packaging from tomato leaves 24.06.2020

Farmers all over the world throw away thousands of tons of tomato stalks every year. But why throw away something that can be recycled and turned into shipping packaging? With offices in Germany, France and the UK, Zelfo Technology is exploring the packaging materials of the future. For the wine industry, Zelfo has developed packaging for the transport of bottles made from grape plant waste, which remains in large quantities after harvest. Now the company has turned its attention to tomatoes. Currently, developments are underway to obtain materials from sedge hay. Sedge grows massively in the Lower Oder Valley National Park, it is periodically mowed, but there is no useful use for the dry remains of vegetation yet. Processes developed by Zelfo Technology expand the range of cellulosic and lignocellulosic raw material sources, including those plant materials that were previously overlooked, and also stimulate the use of renewable ... >>

Apple moves computers to its own processors 24.06.2020

Apple is developing a proprietary system-on-a-chip based on the common ARM architecture with a number of unique features specifically for the Mac. The first computer with the new platform will be presented before the end of the year. As part of the WWDC 2020 conference, Apple officially announced the transfer of its computers to proprietary processors. CEO Tim Cook called it "a historic moment for the Mac platform." The company is reportedly developing its own system-on-a-chip based on a common ARM architecture with a number of unique features specifically for Mac. The first computer with the new platform will be presented before the end of the year. The transition of the entire family of "apple" computers to processors of their own design will be carried out within two years. Apple promises that with this solution, Macs will be able to rise to new levels of performance and energy efficiency. The most important difference between the new ARM processors from Apple and the solutions currently used by the company from Intel is ... >>

Plant for cleaning the air from carcinogens 23.06.2020

Researchers at the University of Washington have created a genetically modified houseplant that absorbs chloroform and benzene molecules from the air, using them to support its own growth. Scientists have turned scindapsus or "devil's ivy" into a biological filter that can fight the smallest particles that are not captured by traditional air purification equipment. The unique capabilities of the plant are due to the fact that it was added a gene responsible for the formation of the cytochre P450 2E1 protein, which is usually produced by the liver of mammals to neutralize toxins. With its help, the body converts benzene into phenol, and chloroform into carbon dioxide and chloride ions. Harmful carcinogens accumulate in homes and can cause cancer. However, the modified scindapsus not only neutralizes them, but also uses them for growth. The plant feeds on carbon dioxide and chloride ions, and forms components of cell walls from phenol. During the test ... >>

instant ice cream 23.06.2020

Scientists at Cornell University have discovered that pressurized carbon dioxide instantly turns a creamy mass into ice - that is, it creates real ice cream. The inventors say the new process could replace the energy-intensive supply chain of getting ice cream to stores around the world. The idea of ​​the researchers is that ice cream can be prepared at the very end of the chain in order to avoid costly costs. Five years ago, Syed Rizvi, professor of food technology at Cornell, and student Michael E. Wagner developed a system that uses pressurized carbon dioxide. What they came up with is essentially carbonated ice cream. The Joule-Thomson effect works here - when a liquid passes from a state of high pressure to a low one, it can provoke a cooling effect under certain conditions. This is why freon and carbon dioxide are so common in refrigeration. In a typical factory, future ice cream is skipped ... >>

Electric turbines from Formula 1 for road cars 22.06.2020

The German concern Daimler, which is represented in the Formula 1 championship by the Mercedes-AMG factory team, has announced the first serial turbocharger with an integrated electric motor for road cars. Previously, a similar system was used only in Formula 1 cars. The design feature, developed by Mercedes-AMG engineers in collaboration with turbine specialist Garrett, is the integration of a compact electric motor into the turbine design. A thin (4 cm) electric motor capable of spinning up to 170 rpm, powered by an on-board 000-volt network, is mounted on a shaft between the turbine and compressor wheels. The moment the driver presses the gas pedal, the electric motor instantly responds and spins the turbine, avoiding the turbo lag that is common with conventional turbocharged engines (they experience a drop in thrust until the exhaust gases spin the turbine). Also, the electric motor is able to maintain boost pressure at times when ... >>

Smartphone Honor Play4 Pro with thermometer function 22.06.2020

The new Honor Play4 Pro smartphone has entered the Chinese market, which is equipped with an infrared sensor for measuring the temperature of the body, objects and air. The regular version of Honor Play4 Pro without a thermometer was released last week, it was offered for $410, and now those who wish can purchase the premium version of Honor Play4 Pro, which costs a little more - about $425. The infrared sensor located in the area of ​​the main camera can very accurately determine the temperature of the measured object. The manufacturer claims that the novelty can determine the temperature in the range from -20 to 100 ° C with an error of 0,1 ° C. After the announcement, a test was conducted in which the Honor Play4 Pro and the Fluke Ti25 professional thermal imager were compared. During the test, it was confirmed that the temperature of the Honor Play4 Pro is measured at a distance of about 2 cm, and the actual speed of obtaining results is about 1 second. The test showed that the temperature measurements taken on the Honor Play4 Pro and pro ... >>

Nanofilm that changes color 21.06.2020

A film of gold nanoparticles changes color in response to any movement. Its unique qualities could allow robots to imitate chameleons and octopuses, according to a press release from the University of California at Riverside (USA). Unlike other materials that try to mimic natural color changes, the new nanomaterial can respond to any movement, such as bending or twisting. Robots covered with it can enter places that may be dangerous or inaccessible to humans, and transmit information about this place based on the color that it will take when moving. For example, a disguised robot can penetrate hard-to-reach underwater cracks. If the robot changes color, biologists can learn about the pressure that animals that live in these conditions face. Nanomaterials are materials that have been reduced to an extremely small scale - tens of nanometers in width and length. They are about the size of a virus. When materials such as silver or ... >>

Color vision weakens towards the periphery 21.06.2020

It is often said: "out of the corner of my eye I noticed (noticed)", that is, I saw with peripheral vision. However, you should not trust the edge of your eye so much: with peripheral vision, we usually see the same thing as in front of us. (Although this does not mean that it is impossible to see anything at all out of the corner of your eye.) Another oddity of peripheral vision was found out by the staff of Dartmouth College and Amherst College. The strangeness concerns the perception of color. The researchers set up an experiment with volunteers who were immersed in virtual reality: they walked around some historical places, watched street performances, listened to an orchestra rehearsal, etc. In virtual reality, you could turn around and look at it as you like. A sensor was built into the device that tracks the direction of gaze, and the researchers changed the color saturation of the picture so that only the area in the center of the gaze was fully colored. At the periphery, the colors faded and disappeared, so that the side picture sometimes became black and white. Do subop ... >>

Boston Dynamics Spot Robot 20.06.2020

The four-legged robot Boston Dynamics Spot went on sale starting at $74500. Boston Dynamics has previously repeatedly demonstrated the usefulness of its four-legged Spot robot. The robot dog has been used to triage patients suspected of having COVID-19, herd sheep and farm. In all of these cases, the robot was provided on a short-term lease under the Boston Dynamics Early Adopter Program. But now the situation is changing, and companies in the US have the opportunity to own the Spot robot. The Robot Dog is intended for commercial and industrial use, and orders are subject to Boston Dynamics terms and conditions that require the "useful use" of the robots. The robots will be available through online sales, and interested parties can contact Boston Dynamics for pricing. Note that a version of Spot Explorer, created for developers who want to work with Spot, is offered at ... >>

3D printing inside the human body 20.06.2020

More and more work in our time is focused on the creation of human organs using 3D printing. However, such body parts must be implanted through relatively large incisions. New bio-ink technology will allow "growing" organs inside the human body. There are already different types of bio-inks in the world. As a rule, it is a liquid containing living cells, scaffold material and growth factors that encourage cells to multiply on the scaffold material, gradually turning it into a biological tissue. Such bio-ink is "squeezed out" from the nozzle of a 3D printer, creating organs outside the body, layer by layer. In many cases, they harden under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Unfortunately, these rays are harmful to the patient's tissues. The new bio-ink developed by American scientists works differently. Fluid is delivered from a thin tip of a robotic nozzle that is surgically inserted into the patient's body through a small incision. To hold each strand of bio-ch ... >>

GNSS module L26-DR 19.06.2020

Quectel Wireless Solutions has unveiled the compact L26-DR module for GNSS. The L26-DR is the latest addition to Quectel's extensive GNSS portfolio and is a simultaneous multi-GNSS acquisition module built into a dead count (DR) system that greatly improves positioning accuracy and speed while simplifying user device design. The DR function ensures that the module provides the most efficient positioning solution even when the GNSS signal is missing or compromised. Equipped with 6-axis MEM sensors and a powerful GNSS core, the module provides high sensitivity, fast acquisition and tracking of GNSS signal with low system integration effort. In addition, the built-in LNA ensures the module's increased sensitivity to RF signals and exceptional acquisition/tracking performance even in weak signal areas. L26-DR is capable of receiving and tracking any combination of GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, G ... >>

The computer game was recognized as a medicine 19.06.2020

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of EndeavorRX as a prescription treatment for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The vast majority of parents around the world consider computer games to be a terrible evil and only think about how to tear their child away from the computer. Meanwhile, for the first time in the world, not only a useful, but also officially recognized as a prescription "medicine" computer game appeared - EndeavorRX. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Akili Interactive's development as a prescription treatment for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children aged 8 to 12. The benefits of play have been proven in five clinical trials involving more than six hundred children. "Cure" prescribes to play EndeavorRX for 25 minutes a day for five days ... >>

The Green Light of Mars 18.06.2020

Scientists of the ExoMars-TGO mission have obtained the first images of the green glow recorded in the Martian atmosphere. The existence of the glow was predicted more than 40 years ago, but it was only now possible to photograph the phenomenon. The images were taken by the Trace Gas Orbiter spacecraft, which entered Mars orbit in October 2016. The green light is supposed to be caused by oxygen atoms that are released due to exposure to sunlight. Approximately the same glow can be seen above the Earth, but in our country it is much weaker. The green strip that "separates" the Earth from space was discovered back in the middle of the 1970th century, and in the late XNUMXs, scientists suggested that a similar glow could also occur in the atmosphere of Mars. ... >>

A foreign language can be learned in a dream 18.06.2020

Scientists from the University of Bern in Switzerland have proven that you can learn a foreign language in your sleep. Neuroscientists have proposed a technology using brain waves in the active phase of non-REM and deep sleep. Experts have developed a way in which it is possible to study in a dream, gaining new knowledge. The researchers relied on the use of deep sleep, which is a separate phase. 41 people were invited to participate in the experiment, then people were asked to put on headphones before going to bed. The scientists reproduced to volunteers various words in one of the foreign languages, and some of them were fictitious. When the volunteers woke up, they were given a memory test. People repeated the words from the night photonograms, they also remembered the "pseudo-words". The scientists noted that the subjects memorized real-life phrases with repeated repetition in the deep sleep phase. The words that scientists invented were better fixed during the active phase of non-REM sleep. research ... >>

SpaceX floating spaceports 17.06.2020

SpaceX plans to build several floating spaceports to launch super-heavy rockets to the Moon and Mars, as well as for hypersonic flights on Earth. This was announced by the founder of the company Elon Musk. For hypersonic flights on Earth, SpaceX plans to use the Starship spacecraft and rocket, which are being developed for missions to the Moon and Mars. Work on Starship is also underway in Texas. According to preliminary data, SpaceX is going to build floating platforms for launching the heavy reusable Starship spacecraft. Such flights will allow you to move between continents in just 30-40 minutes. The Russian airline S7 has a floating spaceport. She acquired the platform in 2018 in the US. During the coronavirus pandemic, S7 Chairman of the Board Vladislav Filev said that the implementation of the project to launch missiles from the Sea Launch floating platform was frozen. ... >>

Revealed the secret of the strength of nettle hairs and mosquito proboscis 17.06.2020

Scientists from the Danish Technical University (DTU Physics) believe that the results of the study of spikes can be used in biomimetics: in particular, in the development of new tools and medical equipment. Experts have repeatedly encountered the fact that small glass pipettes, which are necessary when taking fluid from plant cells, are destroyed when they come into contact with the cell wall. This puzzled the researchers so much that they decided to take a closer look at plants that have thorns, as well as some animals: for example, blood-sucking mosquitoes or sea urchins. For this, an experiment was conducted, in which more than 200 species of various plants and animals became unwitting "participants". At the same time, their spikes, stings and other pointed parts of various shapes and sizes could be used for a variety of purposes: for example, for sticking to a surface, eating or protecting. The study also included artificial sharp objects - nails, needles for syringes and spears long ... >>

SoC Snapdragon 690 16.06.2020

Qualcomm has expanded its 5G mobile chipset lineup with the mid-range Snapdragon 600 series with the introduction of the new Snapdragon 690 platform. The new chip has received a number of improvements not only in terms of support for next-generation mobile communications, but also in other aspects. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 690 chipset retained the configuration of large (performance) and small (energy efficient) 2 + 6 cores. At the same time, the company integrated Cortex-A77 cores into this novelty, which made it possible to increase performance by 20% at once only due to microarchitectural improvements. At the same time, the core frequency remained at the same level as other representatives of the Snapdragon 600 series and is 2 GHz for large cores and 1,7 GHz for small Cortex-A55 cores. The graphics subsystem has also undergone significant upgrades. It is based on the GPU Adreno 619L, thanks to which it was possible to provide an increase in graphics performance by an impressive 60% compared to the previous generation as part of Sna ... >>

Giant Natural Particle Accelerators 16.06.2020

An international team of astrophysicists has found that high-energy gamma rays from quasars are emitted along the entire length of plasma jets (jets) that stretch for thousands of light-years. This makes jets the most gigantic natural particle accelerators. Gamma rays are generated by many objects in space, including quasars, which are galaxies with an active nucleus. The intensity of radiation varies over short periods of time, which led scientists to believe that the direct source of high-energy radiation is, for example, a supermassive black hole occupying a relatively small region of space. In a new study, astronomers observed the radio galaxy Centaurus A for 200 hours and identified a gamma-ray-emitting region spanning several thousand light-years. This indicates that the particles are accelerated along the entire length of the plasma jets. The results indicate that radio galaxies are highly efficient ... >>

Legumes force bacteria into symbiosis 15.06.2020

Biologists from ETH Zurich have studied how legumes interact with symbiotic bacteria that produce the ammonium they need. Nodule bacteria that live in the roots of legumes and produce the nitrogen-containing compounds necessary for plants have long been the object of close attention of scientists. The transfer of this symbiosis to other agricultural plants, such as cereals, could eliminate the need to apply nitrogen fertilizers. The Swiss biologists brothers Bit and Matthias Kristen were able to make significant progress in understanding the mechanism of this symbiosis. They used truncate alfalfa (Medicago truncatula) and its nodule symbiont bacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti as test subjects in their study, studying the metabolism between the two organisms using isotopic labeling and biochemical analysis. As a result, it turned out that bacteria receive from plants not only carbon compounds, as he believed ... >>

An effective way to control mosquitoes 15.06.2020

An aerosol made by combining a type of volcanic glass with water has shown an effective method to control malaria-carrying mosquitoes, according to a new study. The results obtained may be useful for reducing the populations of these insects in Africa. Malaria, an infectious disease transmitted by mosquitoes. Every year, the disease claims the lives of about 400 people in Africa. There are many remedies that repel bloodsuckers. But mosquitoes are becoming increasingly resistant to commonly used insecticides such as pyrethroids, so alternative safe chemicals to control them are very important. Scientists have found that a volcanic mineral, perlite, most commonly used in building materials and as a soil additive in gardens, may also help control malaria mosquitoes. A spray based on it (Imergard WP) was developed for the treatment of interior walls. This aerosol does not contain any additional chemicals, non-toxic ... >>

Microrobot HAMR-JR 14.06.2020

Developed by scientists from Harvard, the HAMR-JR microrobot is only 2,25 centimeters long and weighs about 0,3 grams - no more than a penny coin. It can move at about 14 body lengths per second, making it not only one of the smallest, but also one of the fastest microrobots. The new model is one of the most agile micro-robots to date. One of the main questions discussed in the study was whether the manufacturing process used to build previous versions of the HAMR and other microrobots, including the RoboBee, could be used to build robots of varying scale, from tiny surgical robots to large-scale industrial robots. PC-MEMS is a fabrication process in which the components of a robot are engraved into a XNUMXD sheet and then extruded into its XNUMXD structure. To build the HAMR-JR, the researchers simply scaled down the robot's XNUMXD design - along with the executive mechs. ... >>

Clean energy overtakes coal 14.06.2020

For the first time in 130 years, US consumption of energy from renewable sources exceeded that from coal. While the current pandemic is the main reason for the lead, experts say the trend has continued over the past six years. Coal power lost 15% and reached its lowest level in 42 years, while renewables gained 1%. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) predicts that clean energy will overtake coal over the course of this year. And as Dennis Wamstead, an analyst at the Institute for Economics, Energy and Financial Analysis, points out, even after the full recovery of the economy, when the pandemic ends, significant growth is not expected in the coal sector. ... >>

Growing teeth right in your mouth 13.06.2020

Scientists have proposed a new way to "grow" teeth directly in a person's mouth, which will take about nine weeks. The corresponding work was carried out by the staff of Columbia University. Dr. Jeremy Mao proposed using stem cells to "grow" a tooth, as well as DNA in the human body. The discovery is an important step in the development of dentistry, providing new solutions for those who suffer from dental problems. In particular, the missing bone formation is planned to be replaced with stem cells, after which it will begin to merge with surrounding cells. Thanks to this approach, the regeneration process will be noticeably accelerated, which means that recovery will be fast. So far, this procedure is only being studied by a wide range of specialists, and only after that the possibility of introducing such a practice in dentistry will be considered. ... >>

Artificial brain needs sleep too 13.06.2020

It is not known if androids will count sheep, but will most likely need periods of rest that offer benefits similar to those that sleep provides to a living brain, according to new research from the Los Alamos National Laboratory. “We are studying diving neural networks, which are systems that learn in the same way that a living brain does,” said Los Alamos Lab computer scientist Yizing Watkins. “We were fascinated by the prospect of learning a neuromorphic processor in a way similar to how humans and other biological systems receive information from the environment in the process of development. Watkins and her research team found that the network simulation became unstable after extended periods of unsupervised training. When they exposed the networks to states similar to the waves that the living brain experiences during sleep, stability was restored. The discovery happened while a research team was working to create it. ... >>

Drone vs Fighter 12.06.2020

The US Air Force will conduct an experiment in which a drone controlled by artificial intelligence will fight with a traditional fighter. The US Department of Defense will test the capabilities of artificial intelligence in a special experiment, which, according to preliminary data, will take place in a year - in July 2021. As part of testing in air combat conditions, an unmanned aerial vehicle controlled by an artificial intelligence system and a conventional fighter controlled by a US Air Force pilot will fight. This was announced during an event at the US Air Force Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Research, Lieutenant General Jack Shanahan, who heads the Joint Center for Artificial Intelligence at the Pentagon. However, he did not disclose any details of the planned experiment. Elon Musk recently called a remote-controlled drone an "F-35 killer" and noted that the plane has "no chance" against a drone. ... >>

FAST telescope 12.06.2020

The National Space Administration of China has initiated the final phase of testing of its new unique telescope called FAST, whose main goal and task is to search for and identify extraterrestrial life - and this is not so much about finding traces of such life that ever existed before, but about directly current, which may be present on other planets and galaxies. The telescope itself is the largest telescope in its segment, because, having a length of 500 meters, it is equipped with a huge number of additional modules and sensors that eliminate the smallest errors in its operation. That's what a team of assemblers and engineers from the Chinese Space Agency say about it, which points out that the FAST telescope is equipped with a special internal system that allows not only to efficiently cut through the thinnest and most distant radio signals in space, but also to distinguish external radio signals from internal ones, which created ... >>

Getting electricity with the help of the shadow 11.06.2020

The new device uses the contrast between bright spots and shadows to create a current that can power small electronics. Scientists at the National University of Singapore have created a device called a shadow-effect power generator by depositing an ultra-thin gold coating on silicon, a typical material for solar cells. As in a solar cell, light hitting silicon charges its electrons. The power generator produces an electric current when part of the device is in the shade. Excited electrons jump from silicon to gold plating. With the shading of a part of the device, the voltage of the illuminated metal increases relative to the dark area, and the electrons in the generator flow from high to low voltage. Sending them through an external channel creates a current that can power a small gadget. Using eight generators, the team ran the digital clock in low light. The device can also act as a sensor. When past pr ... >>

ASRock Rack TRX40D8-2N2T motherboard 11.06.2020

AMD Ryzen Threadripper HEDT processors support up to 2TB of quad-channel ECC memory, making them an attractive alternative to EPYC Rome processors when building a server if the more affordable price allows you to live with a smaller memory bus. It's just a matter of paying the right amount. Focusing on the assemblers of such servers, ASRock Rack introduced the TRX40D8-2N2T board. The ATX size board is endowed with a server-level power subsystem, designed for long-term continuous operation, equipped with a good set of network interfaces and a remote control controller. The sTRX4 socket board supports 3rd generation Ryzen Threadripper processors (including 3990X), has eight DDR4 DIMM slots supporting up to 256GB of quad-channel DDR4 memory, including ECC-enabled and non-ECC modules. The maximum memory speed is DDR4-3200. Expansion options are provided by the presence of three PCI-Express 4.0 x16 slots and one PCI-Express 4.0 x8 slot with an open connector. For op ... >>

Quectel UC3T 2G/200G/GPRS module 10.06.2020

The new Quectel UC200T is a high performance UMTS/HSPA+ module with data rates up to 21 Mbps downlink and up to 5,76 Mbps uplink. The UC200T is compatible with the Quectel UC20 series and LTE EC2x/EG2x-G (EC25, EC21, EC20 R2.0, EC20 R2.1 and EG25-G) in an SMT package for a seamless transition between 3G and 4G networks. In addition, the UC200T is fully backward compatible with existing EDGE and GSM/GPRS networks. The UC200T is available in two versions - UC200T-EM and UC200T-GL. For UMTS/HSPA+ connections, the UC200T-EM is suitable for European and Asia-Pacific networks, while the UC200T-GL is suitable for WANs. With improved heat dissipation and indestructible marking via laser engraving, UC200T modules are well suited for automated and mass production. A wide range of Internet protocols, standard interfaces (USB/UART/PCM/ADC/NETLIGHT/SD*), as well as numerous drivers (USB drivers for Windows 7/8/8.1/10, Linux and Android) increase the applicability of the mod ... >>

Technology for creating artificial joint selfies 10.06.2020

The US Patent and Trademark Office has published a new patent application from Apple. It describes the technology for creating group selfies using a special algorithm that combines pictures of people who may be in different parts of the world into a single joint photo. To create an artificial group selfie, special software is used, with which you can cooperate with friends. Each of the participants on their Apple device will need to take their own "self", and the algorithm will combine all the selfies into one shot, so that the result looks like a normal joint photo. The description of the patent application states that users will be able to change their position on the generated joint selfie, and each of the participants will be able to save their own copy of such a photo. ... >>

The perfect snack for heart health 09.06.2020

According to doctors from the UK, almonds can be considered an ideal daily snack that benefits the heart - it effectively protects against the development of many pathologies of the cardiovascular system. King's College London has determined that regular consumption of almonds improves the functioning of blood vessels (in addition to other health benefits). For this reason, they consider the product to be the perfect snack. The use of almonds helps to reduce the level of fat in the abdominal cavity and "bad" cholesterol in the vessels, which are the leading markers of heart disease. They conducted a study involving almost 7 thousand people (specialists monitored the nutritional habits of the subjects). It turned out that it was almond lovers who had the best indicators of heart health. People who prefer to snack on nuts during the day tend to consume less carbohydrate foods, trans fats, and salt in general. Another experiment showed: replacing 20% ​​of daily consumed ... >>

Impact of mobile phones on learning 09.06.2020

Discussions about allowing or banning mobile phones in schools are taking place all over the world. Opponents of the use of gadgets insist that they negatively affect the performance of schoolchildren, distract, make it difficult to concentrate and worsen the assimilation of the material. How justified are their fears? American researchers Jeffrey Kuznekoff and Scott Titsworth studied how the use of mobile phones during lessons affects children's learning. Participants in three different study groups watched the video lecture, took notes, and wrote two quizzes. Students who didn't use phones recorded 62% more information in their notes. They took more detailed notes and could remember more details from the lecture. As a result, the group without phones scored one and a half points more in the test than the students who actively used their devices. Children who surf online in class are less successful in learning than those who politely sit in class without mobile phones. According to res ... >>

Fruit picking robot 08.06.2020

A New Zealand startup has developed a robot that efficiently picks kiwi fruit. Its creators say that other devices can be made on its basis that can collect fruits, which so far only a person can collect, in view of their inaccessibility and ease of damage. The new robot, created by Biosystems Engineering, is now able to collect about 51% of the total number of kiwifruit on the plantation. It takes him 5,5 seconds for each fruit. But the developers will not stop at these results and promise to improve performance. The robot uses the latest advances in neural networks, which allow intelligent vision to find the most convenient position for picking the fetus with one of its four mechanical arms. Currently, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the agricultural sector is experiencing an acute shortage of workers. And therefore, as the developers of the robot believe, its appearance is most welcome. ... >>

The main problem of the colonization of Mars 08.06.2020

The founder and head of SpaceX, Elon Musk, said that he was being prevented from creating the first Martian colony. In order for the dream to become a reality, it is necessary to achieve a reduction in economic costs when launching a payload into low Earth orbit. After that, humanity will be able to create a full-fledged colony on Mars. The start was made back in December 2015, when SpaceX returned the first stage of the Falcon 9 launch vehicle to Earth. Technically, this event played a major role in the transition to fully reusable rockets. However, in order to create a self-sufficient Martian city, it is necessary to optimize the cost of transporting each ton of payload to a stationary orbit. To do this, it is necessary to reduce costs by more than 1000% compared to the performance of Falcon missiles. Elon Musk also believes that the current situation in the development of space technology does not give contemporaries reason to count on the active colonization of Mars. ... >>

Laptop for remote workers Asus ExpertBook P5440FA 07.06.2020

ASUS has introduced a new laptop ExpertBook P5440FA, designed specifically for those who work remotely. The model was developed in collaboration with security experts from Janus Technologies. The laptop supports BIOS-SHIELD technology, which allows you to remotely control your computer, change access settings, update or disable access, and even completely disable the device if it is stolen or lost. With this solution, companies can safely provide employees with remote access to the corporate network and confidential data, without fear that they will be lost or stolen. The laptop received a 14-inch display with Full HD resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The model is based on the eighth generation Intel Core processors: i3-8145U, i5-8265U or i7-8565U. It is possible to install two drives - a solid state drive up to 500 GB and a hard drive up to 1 TB. Prices for the ASUS ExpertBook P5440FA start at $949,99. ... >>

Artificial eyelashes controlled by magnet and light 07.06.2020

Researchers from North Carolina State University and Elon University (USA) have created artificial cilia, or hair-like structures, that can change shape in response to a magnetic field and then return to their original shape when exposed to an appropriate light source. The development will find application in soft robotics, according to the press service of the University of North Carolina. Artificial eyelashes are made of thermoplastic polyurethane, in which microparticles of magnetic iron are "sewn up". The most important thing about these structures is that they have shape memory, that is, any shape that the cilia takes can be fixed and then “removed” with the help of light to get a new one. The cilia are actuated by a magnet, but they are not pulled towards the magnet, but rotate and align with the magnetic field from the permanent magnet. In the researchers' previous work, the magnet also powers soft robots, but it pulls the robot along. ... >>

The taste of virtual food 06.06.2020

Scientists from Meiji University have created a device that conveys the taste of virtual food, it was called the "Norimaki synthesizer". When the user applies the device to the tongue, it recreates the taste sensations from food by means of an electrical effect on the receptors. At the top of the device are five helium balloons - each one controls the intensity of five basic tastes: sour, sweet, bitter, salty and umami. During operation of the device, the user perceives all five taste sensations. But when the tension on the balls changes, some flavors may intensify while others disappear entirely. In addition to orientation in the choice of dishes, the technology will provide an opportunity to save on your favorite delicacies and get rid of excess weight. ... >>

Black nitrogen, analogue of graphene 06.06.2020

Employees of the University of Bayreuth managed to create "black nitrogen", which disappears when the pressure drops. With their development, scientists have proved that nitrogen is no exception to the rules of the periodic table of Mendeleev. As part of the work, experts were able to refute the special status of nitrogen. Under laboratory conditions, scientists at high temperature and high pressure from nitrogen created a structure that is characteristic of black phosphorus. "Black nitrogen" is similar in conductive properties to graphene. The result of the study is promising for use in high-tech electronics. The main disadvantage of "black nitrogen" is that it turns back into normal nitrogen at reduced pressure. ... >>

Design platform for 7nm automotive electronics chips 05.06.2020

TSMC announced the availability of the world's first 7nm automotive IC design platform. The Automotive Design Enablement Platform (ADEP) is said to accelerate the design of chips for driver assistance systems, artificial intelligence and autonomous driving. The ADEP platform is ISO 26262 certified for functional safety. It includes the IP cores of standard elements such as GPIO lines and SRAM memory cells. All Fundamental IP Cores have been rigorously qualified to AEC-Q100 Grade-1, providing another level of quality assurance. Process design kits and third-party support are also available, allowing customers to focus on the unique capabilities that differentiate their product in the market. In addition, TSMC promises to support the long life cycle of automotive electronics products. ... >>

Ants don't like to work 05.06.2020

The incredible industriousness that ants supposedly have is a myth. This conclusion was reached by researchers from the United States of America, who observed ant colonies for several years. Entomologists Daniel Chabrono and Anna Dorhaus did not believe in the myth of industrious ants and decided to conduct an experiment to find out how these insects actually behave. The study, which lasted for two years, showed that ants in general are very lazy creatures. As part of the observations, scientists marked insects from several colonies with different colors, and then set up cameras that monitored the ants. The experiment was carried out, among other things, in order to study working relationships in insect communities. As a result, it turned out that only about two and a half percent of the insects behaved as it is commonly believed, that is, they showed diligence. The remaining ants either did nothing at all (25 percent) or imitated ... >>

HELIOS displays 04.06.2020

Displays are perhaps the most vulnerable areas of consumer electronics. They remain relatively expensive components. At the same time, careless handling, or a blow as a result of a fall, can lead to the most sad consequences for them. The task of scientists is to create a fundamentally new material that does not have such shortcomings. Scientists from Singapore managed to solve it successfully. They have developed a unique HELIOS material that could become the basis for future technology displays. It is based on a fluoroelastomer and a surfactant, and the material itself looks like a flexible transparent plate. Fluorelatomer is a synthetic rubber based on fluorocarbon. One of the remarkable properties of the new material is that it has a high dielectric constant. This allows you to get the brightness of the glow up to 20 times higher with a four-fourth lower supply voltage. Thus, displays based on it can be incredibly economical in ... >>

Electrogenetic insulin 04.06.2020

The desired level of insulin in the blood can be maintained using an implant that releases the hormone in response to a radio signal. Normally, insulin levels rise after eating: special cells in the pancreas (beta cells) that synthesize it sense the increase in blood glucose levels and secrete insulin. Body cells receive an insulin signal and begin to actively absorb glucose. But if the cells of the pancreas do not work, if there are few of them, if they died (as in type XNUMX diabetes), then you have to monitor the level of insulin yourself. The level of insulin should rise in a timely manner, it should not be too little or too much. Regular insulin injections should be done strictly before meals, and in no case should you forget to eat after the injection, otherwise the sugar level will drop very much. However, long-acting insulin preparations have been available for a relatively long time: they do not begin to act immediately, but after an hour, two, or even eight hours, and then such preparations act. ... >>

Found evidence of the existence of exotic quark matter 03.06.2020

A research team from the University of Helsinki has found compelling evidence for the presence of exotic quark matter in the cores of the largest neutron stars in existence. The conclusion was reached by combining the latest results from theoretical particle and nuclear physics with measurements of gravitational waves from neutron star collisions. All normal matter around us consists of atoms, dense nuclei of which, consisting of protons and neutrons, are surrounded by negatively charged electrons. However, it is known that inside the so-called neutron stars, atomic matter collapses into extremely dense nuclear matter, in which neutrons and protons are packed so tightly that the entire star can be considered one huge nucleus. Until now, it was not clear whether there is nuclear matter inside the cores of the most massive neutron stars and whether it passes into a more exotic state called quark matter, in which the nuclei themselves no longer exist. Even during the ... >>

Molex Micro-Fit+ Power Connectors 03.06.2020

Molex has introduced a new series of Micro-Fit+ power connectors with a working current of up to 12,5 A. Through the unique solutions of the Fit family, Micro-Fit + provides a safe and reliable connection. Micro-Fit+ connectors are designed to provide complete pin isolation. This solution protects the connection from sparking, and the contacts from accidental damage. The presence of a mechanical lock on the body of the Micro-Fit + connectors guarantees a reliable connection, and the mechanical polarization of the body ensures its simplicity and correctness of connections. A distinctive feature of the Micro-Fit+ series is a reinforced contact retainer (TPA), which is responsible for securely holding the contact in the housing. The 3.0mm pitch Micro-Fit+ series is available in a wire-to-board configuration with vertical board mounting. Key Features: Pitch: 3,0mm; Rated current: 12,5 A Rated voltage: 600 V Operating temperature: -40...105°C ... >>

Sole that never slips 02.06.2020

Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have developed a sole that never slips. Scientists have created a product inspired by kirigami (Japanese art of paper craft using scissors). The snakeskin-patterned metal plate is the latest development of American engineers to be used in the textile industry. Soles based on this material will protect not only people from falling, but also soft robots. The design of the novelty consists of many overlapping scales, which are assembled in the manner of kirigami. In the flat state, the sole remains smooth, but at the slightest bend its scales will stand on end and cling to the ground. At the same time, they weigh much less than traditional spikes. Compared with conventional materials, kirigami increases friction by 20% - 35%. This indicator was confirmed by numerous tests on ice. Researchers believe that the novelty will save many lives, because falling is a common cause of death in ... >>

The cleanest place on earth 02.06.2020

Scientists from Colorado State University have found a region of the atmosphere on Earth that has not been affected by human activities. The study found that the cleanest air on Earth can be found in the Southern Ocean south of 40 degrees south latitude. A group of scientists have discovered that the planetary boundary layer (the lower layer of the planet's gaseous envelope - ed.), which feeds the clouds over the Southern Ocean, is absolutely clean. No aerosols were found there, which are formed as a result of anthropogenic activity and are carried by the wind over great distances. According to scientists, weather and climate are complex processes that bind together every part of the world, and therefore it is so difficult to find a corner on Earth that is not affected by people. Creidenweiss and his team hypothesized that the air over the remote Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica would be the least affected by people and dust from the continents. Samples were collected during field research, the vessel with scientists passed south from Tasmania ... >>

living batteries 01.06.2020

In Germany, a prototype of a new power source was presented. Scientists have developed batteries that work due to the vital activity of bacteria. Experts assure that for the functioning of the device it is only necessary to maintain the necessary conditions for microorganisms. Scientists from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology presented "live" batteries, which became a reality through the development of a special nanocomposite material. Its structure makes it possible to streamline the movement of electrons in a living microorganism and make the life of the colony manageable. The existence of exoelectrogenic bacteria has been known for a long time, however, before that, it was not possible to ensure the maintenance of their life. Project leader Christoph M. Niemeyer announced the creation of a porous hydrogel consisting of carbon nanotubes and silica nanoparticles. According to him, Shewanella oneidensis bacteria and a nutrient medium for them were later added to the design. Experiments have shown that the growth of a colony of microorganisms ... >>

thinness gene 01.06.2020

The genetic sequence of ALK (anaplastic lymphomakinase) turned out to be the thinness gene, which scientists have been looking for for quite some time. It is ALK that plays a key role in maintaining harmony. European scientists, led by Dr. Josef Penninger from the Institute of Natural Sciences, compared the genetic parameters of 47 thousand slender people, and found that they are united by a special mutation in the ALK gene. Until now, scientists have not fully understood what exactly anaplastic lymphomakinase does in the human body - existing studies have shown that the gene may only be a factor in the development of certain types of cancerous tumors. "Our study shows that the ALK gene is active in brain cells, where it is responsible for regulating metabolism. It is, quite simply, a regulator of energy expenditure," said Michael Orthofer from the Institute of Molecular Biology in Vienna, one of the lead authors of the project. Scientists have deactivated the ALK gene in model mice and observed ... >>

STM32L4P5/Q5 - STM32L4+ family in small packages 31.05.2020

The improved ultra-low power STM32L4+ microcontroller family has been further developed. ST Microelectronics introduced the MK of a new line of this family - STM32L4P5/Q5. It is a robust Cortex-M4 solution for applications where energy efficiency is critical. Among microcontrollers focused on power optimization, the STM32L4+ models stand out for their high performance and rich analog peripherals. STM32L4P5 / Q5 is the simplest and most budget line of this family. It significantly expands the range of applications where the STM32L4+ models can be applied, since they are now also available in small packages: UQFN48 and LQFP64. STM32L4P5/Q5 main features: 120 MHz clock (409 CoreMark); Flash up to 1024 kb; RAM 320 kb; 12-bit ADC 5 MSPS with oversampling function; 12-bit DAC; USB 0 OTG FS; CAN 2.0 and SDMMC; LPTIM, LPUART, ULP comparators; 3 SPI, Quad SPI; Segment LCD interface; audioin ... >>

Medical mask that you can eat in 31.05.2020

Now the whole planet is forced to wear masks in order not to catch Covid-19 - they are uncomfortable, unusual, hot, but relatively safe. Since the coronavirus pandemic has been with us for quite a long time, there were craftsmen in the world who decided to slightly modernize this accessory so that, for example, you can eat in it. Yes, it is obvious that sane people are unlikely to do this in those places where you can pick up something, but this is not about today, but about the near future, when such properties of masks can really come in handy. This concept was developed by employees of the Israeli company Avtipus Patents and Inventions. A special switch is attached to the mask, by pressing which it can be opened at the right time. So far, this mask is easy to use with solid food, but sauces and ice cream can be a problem. At the moment, the company has only filed a patent for the development, but its employees are preparing to launch mass production soon and promise that ... >>

Huawei CableFree 5G Antennas 30.05.2020

Huawei announced a breakthrough in the development of 5G antennas. A new design called CableFree improves the capabilities of 5G base station antennas. This communication standard provides for the use of new bands and more antenna connections. And the new design provides better coverage in the 5G high-frequency band. According to the company, CableFree improves the radiation efficiency of the antenna by about 20%. To support the higher capacitance and additional connections of the antennas used for 5G communications, the antennas must be able to handle 1kW of power. For communication of the previous generation, a power of 500-600 watts was enough. The CableFree design increases the power of the antenna by more than 80% and also reduces the weight of the antennas, making them easier to install. A six-band antenna based on CableFree is about 10 kg lighter than analogues, and the weight of multi-channel antennas is immediately reduced by 50 kg. Thus, it is not necessary to use a crane for their installation, which saves time. ... >>

The effect of mosquito bites on the body 30.05.2020

Mosquito bites cause a number of unusual immune responses in the body. Such conclusions were made by a group of researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine in the United States. The researchers set up an experiment involving laboratory mice. Rodents were transplanted with human stem cells, from which individual components of the human immune system developed. Scientists have found that the body of mice reacts much more intensively to infection through a bite than through an injection from a syringe. The scientific team decided to find out how the immune system reacts to the bites of uninfected mosquitoes. To do this, the scientists allowed four insects to freely bite laboratory mice. Then, blood and other tissue samples were taken from the rodents - six hours, a day and seven days after the experiment. By comparing the samples with those of untouched mammals, the researchers found that the bitten mice activated the activity of molecules responsible for the body's immune response, called cytokines. T-helpers were also affected, ... >>

Video camera for bloggers Sony BloggerCam ZV-1 29.05.2020

Sony has introduced a new camera for content creators. This is how the company describes the new BloggerCam ZV-1, which is the result of a deep rethinking of the popular RX100 camera and designed specifically for bloggers. Camera resolution - 20,1 megapixels. The lens equivalent focal length range is 24-70mm at f/1,8-f/2,8 aperture. Video recording is supported in resolutions up to 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) at up to 30 fps. The camera supports time-lapse video, as well as super slow motion up to 1000 fps. When connected to a computer via USB (unfortunately, the novelty does not have a more modern USB Type-C standard), the camera allows you to stream. For bloggers who shoot reviews of certain products, the Product Showcase mode is provided. It widens the field of view and instantly switches the focus to the closest object in the frame - no need to put your hand behind the subject to focus on it. AT ... >>

Prosthetic eye with night vision 29.05.2020

Scientists from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology have presented a prototype of an artificial electrochemical eye, the structure and principle of which are similar to an ordinary human eye. Wires that mimic the visual cortex of the brain transmit the visual information collected by these sensors to a computer for processing. And the nanowires are so sensitive that they can surpass the optical wavelength range of the human eye, allowing the bionic eye to respond to wavelengths of 800 nm, that is, to work on the threshold between visual light and infrared radiation. This means that the device can see things in the dark, when the human eye can no longer distinguish anything. According to the developers, the owner of such an eye will acquire the ability of night vision. The researchers also claim that the eye can respond to changes in light faster than the human eye, allowing it to adjust to changing conditions in less time. Every square centimeter is ... >>

Outdoor TV Samsung Terrace 28.05.2020

Samsung continues to expand the range of its TVs, mastering more and more new niches. A new addition to the stand-alone lifestyle family, which includes interior models Serif and Frame, as well as the Sero line for millennials, is the Samsung Terrace model, whose name directly indicates the key feature of the novelty. As most have already guessed, it is designed for outdoor use. By the way, this is Samsung's first outdoor TV. The Samsung Terrace is protected from dust and moisture in accordance with the requirements of IP55 (protection against dust and water jets). That is, the device is not afraid of heavy rain and wind with dust. He is not afraid of direct sunlight either - the peak brightness of the QLED 4K screen is declared at the level of a record 2 thousand nits, so you don’t have to worry too much about this aspect. For comparison, for conventional TVs, the indicator rarely exceeds 600 nits, and for monitors, 250-300 nits is considered the norm. But he is afraid of frost - the device is not designed to work with a negative ... >>

Synthesis of ceramics 28.05.2020

Scientists at the University of Maryland have developed a sintering method that can create ceramic materials in less than a minute. Typically, ceramic materials are obtained by sintering powders at high temperatures. It is precisely because of the chemical stability, as well as high temperature and mechanical properties, relatively simple and advantageous production methods, that ceramics are widely used in many fields. At the same time, it is no secret that the existing methods for creating ceramic materials have some shortcomings, which experts decided to correct. Specialists have developed a new, more advanced and faster sintering method. The proposed method does not require expensive equipment and is superior to other methods, since the rate of synthesis of new compounds is as fast as possible. ... >>

Stable atoms of pion helium obtained 27.05.2020

After almost eight years of research, a group of scientists from the Max Planck Institute for Quantum Optics, Germany, for the first time managed to obtain stable and long-lived atoms of exotic matter, the so-called "pionic" helium, a helium atom in which one of the electrons was replaced by a subatomic particle - a pion in a certain quantum state. In this form, the pion can exist a thousand times longer than it exists in other types of matter, and this gives scientists the opportunity to more closely study this particle, which plays an important role in ensuring the stability and decay of atomic nuclei, using the method of high-precision laser spectroscopy. Pions belong to a family of particles called mesons. It is mesons that are responsible for the emergence of strong interactions between the "standard blocks" of atomic nuclei, neutrons and protons. Protons with the same electric charge repel each other under normal conditions, and only the forces of strong ... >>

Robots instead of astronauts 27.05.2020

It currently costs $85 million to send one astronaut to the ISS. The Japanese space agency considers this amount too large, offering instead of people to put robots in orbit, which will help save money by performing all kinds of research without direct human participation. According to Japanese engineers, sending a robot to the ISS will save at least 90% of taxpayers' money. So, they indicate that the stay of one astronaut in orbit costs the budget 430 million a year. The main obstacle to the implementation of this project is still the low functionality of robots. Even the most advanced of them are not immune from problems. A striking example is the GITAI space mechanism, which can hardly be called effective despite years of development. It is assumed that the robot will be remotely controlled from the Earth instead of independently performing operations. This will allow you to control his work, performing it with the least errors. ... >>

SSD 7,68 TB from Kingston Technology 26.05.2020

Kingston Digital has announced the availability of the 500TB DC450R and DC7,68R SSDs. These SATA SSDs are designed for data centers. In June of this year, the DC1000M U.2 form factor drive that supports NVMe will be added to them. In all cases, 3D TLC NAND flash memory is used. The DC500R benefits from VMware Ready certification, which confirms that this SSD supports virtualization and is well suited to work in environments with a large number of read operations, including web servers, virtual desktop infrastructure, operational databases and real-time analytics systems. The drive demonstrates sequential read and write speeds up to 545 and 490 MB / s, respectively. Performance on random access operations in blocks of 4 KB reaches 99 IOPS in read mode and 000 IOPS in write mode. The resource is equal to 25 TBW or 000 full overwrites per day during the warranty period. ... >>

Processing bioplastic into biosolvent 26.05.2020

A team of scientists from the University of Birmingham has developed a fast and efficient way to convert bioplastic into a biosolvent that can be used in a wide variety of industries, including cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. Bioplastics made from polylactic acid (PLA) are becoming more common in products such as disposable cups, packaging materials and even children's toys. As a rule, once they reach the end of their useful life, they are thrown into a landfill or composted, while the biodegradation process takes several months. Scientists have proven that a chemical process using a zinc-based catalyst can be used to break down real consumer plastics and produce a green solvent called methyl lactate. The scientists tested this method on three separate products - a disposable cup, some XNUMXD printer waste, and a children's toy. Found that a cup is the easiest ... >>

Air conditioning without drafts 25.05.2020

Samsung Electronics began selling air conditioners with fixed airflow and Samsung Wind-Free technology. The American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) defines "still air" as air currents with a speed below 0,15 m/s. In addition, the air conditioner features low energy consumption, quiet operation and has the highest energy efficiency rating in Europe. The air conditioner received a Digital Inverter Boost inverter digital compressor and a three-stage cooling system. During the first stage, the temperature quickly decreases, then the dehumidification mode is turned on, at the third stage, the Wind-Free system is turned on, when the cooled air is slowly released through 23 thousand micro-holes. As a result, the room is cool, but there is no feeling of a draft. The air conditioner automatically selects the most appropriate settings by analyzing the weather indoors and outdoors. With the SmartThings app, you can remotely turn on and off your ... >>

Plasma engine for operation in the earth's atmosphere 25.05.2020

A team of researchers from the Institute of Engineering Sciences at Wuhan University, China, has developed and demonstrated a first-of-its-kind prototype microwave plasma accelerator capable of operating in the Earth's atmosphere. And even in its current "laboratory form," this booster is already capable of producing thrust at an efficiency comparable to the efficiency of turbojet engines installed on modern airliners. Similar plasma accelerators, also known as ion or plasma-ion engines, have been used in space technology for a long time, accelerating spacecraft using electrical energy obtained from sunlight. However, such engines do not work at all in the conditions of the earth's atmosphere, firstly, they develop extremely low thrust, and secondly, accelerated xenon ions lose energy very quickly due to collisions with air molecules. The design of the new microwave plasma accelerator uses only ... >>

50-megapixel Samsung ISOCELL GN1 sensor 24.05.2020

The family of Samsung ISOCELL photosensors for smartphone cameras has been replenished with another novelty - a model called ISOCELL GN1 with an optical format of 1/1,31". The Samsung ISOCELL GN1,2 is said to take mobile cameras to the next level with its relatively larger sensor cell, Dual Pixel and Tetracell technology, and is said to take mobile cameras to the next level, combining higher light sensitivity for low-light shots with fast DSLR-level autofocus for dynamic scenes.1 .1,2 µm is the cell size used in traditional smartphone camera sensors, while over the past year the market has seen a clear trend towards a rapid increase in resolution and a reduction in the physical size of individual cells.Samsung ISOCELL GN1 appears to be a direct competitor to the new Sony IMX689 sensor (Oppo Find X2 Pr ... >>

Efficient Data Archiving Mechanism 24.05.2020

Researchers from New York University and IBM have discovered a new mechanism that makes it possible to archive data more efficiently. Scientists managed to find a mechanism that allows you to control the direction of rotation of the electrons, which in turn allows you to control the recorded bits. According to IBM's Jonathan Snow, this discovery will reduce the amount of energy and space needed to store information. The new discovery is in the field of spintronics and affects the mechanism of electron movement in magnetic materials. In this study, the scientists applied the planar Hall effect in a ferromagnetic conductor to control the same direction of the spin polarization axis. Thus, the mechanism discovered by scientists will allow creating devices for storing information of a new type. ... >>

Superfood that replaces meat 23.05.2020

India has become the world's largest producer of jackfruit, or breadfruit, which is used as a meat alternative. Jackfruit has been a part of the South Asian diet for centuries, and cultivation is increasing every year. The fruit, which weighs an average of five kilograms, has mature waxy yellow flesh and is eaten fresh or used to make cakes, juices, ice cream and chips. Green, prickly and with a strong, sweet smell, the bulky jackfruit is used as a meat substitute. This fruit is very fond of vegans and vegetarians. The pulp of a ripe fruit resembles pork in structure when properly prepared. Green fruits are added to curries or fried, crushed and stewed. Grated jackfruit has become a popular alternative to pulled pork and is even used to make vegan pizza. The coronavirus has sparked a fear of chicken and people have switched to the tender jackfruit. In India, there is a shortage of vegetables and restrictions on the supply of poultry meat ... >>

artificial wood 23.05.2020

A new material developed by the University of Science and Technology of China, which is light in weight, as strong as wood, but does not have the standard weak characteristics of wood, does not burn or absorb water. To create synthetic wood, we took a solution of polymer resin and added a little (a pinch) of chitosan powder, a basic cationic polysaccharide polymer obtained from crab and shrimp shells. They sublimated the solution, resulting in a structure filled with tiny pores and channels, backed by chitosan. They then heated the resin to a temperature of 200 degrees Celsius (to vulcanize the latter), thus creating strong chemical bonds. Unlike real trees, the new material does not take years to grow. In addition, the new material practically does not absorb water; the samples, immersed in water and in a strong acid bath, were there for 30 days, practically without losing or weakening their qualities, while ... >>

Stress suppresses fear 22.05.2020

It hardly needs to be argued that stress and fear are interconnected, but usually it seems to us that they mutually reinforce each other: we are scared and stressed, and because of stress, we become even more afraid. Researchers from the University of Konstanz found that there are nuances in the relationship between stress and fear. Participants in a psychological experiment were given to read an article about some dubious substance. Before and after the article, they were asked their opinion about this substance - how much they fear to encounter it, whether they will avoid it, and, most importantly, whether they are going to warn other people. Half of the subjects were stressed before talking about the suspect substance and reading the article: they were asked to give a speech in front of an audience or solve a complex arithmetic problem in their head, again in front of a large audience. If a person does not regularly give speeches and does not solve arithmetic problems in public, then both should cause him serious stress. Stress level estimating ... >>

Light leads to the quantum world and the acceleration of supercurrents 22.05.2020

Scientists have already been able to use light waves to accelerate supercurrents and gain access to the unique properties of the quantum world, including forbidden light emissions. The scientific world believes that sometime in the future these unique technologies can be applied to high-speed quantum computers and other, more advanced technologies. In supercurrents, scientists were able to observe an incredible phenomenon. An electric charge can move through materials without resistance and at ultra-low temperatures. This is forbidden by the usual laws of physics, such a phenomenon breaks the symmetry. However, according to Jigang Wang, professor of physics and astronomy at the University of Iowa, it exists. For the first time, researchers have been able to use light pulses at terahertz frequencies to accelerate electron pairs known as Cooper pairs. They were passed inside the overcurrents. At the same time, trillions of pulses could pass in one second. Scientists have identified a pathway that ... >>

NFC-module for working with dynamic tag ST25DV04 21.05.2020

The new ANT7-T-ST25DV04K NFC module from STMicroelectronics is a ready-to-use printed circuit board with an NFC/EEPROM ST25DV04K dual interface chip connected on one side to a 14 mm x 14 mm, 13,56 MHz dual-layer RF printed antenna, and on the other - to the I2C bus. This demo board will allow a developer to evaluate the performance and capabilities of the ST25DV04K NFC chip and start designing their own device. To demonstrate the power harvesting function, the ANT7-T-ST25DV04K can be used with an NFC Smartphone or ST DEMO-CR95HF, X-NUCLEO-NFC05A1, X-NUCLEO-NFC06A1, or ST25R3911B-DISCO NFC reader boards. ANT7-T-ST25DV04K features: Ready-to-use board; Dual interface EEPROM ST25DV04K; Antenna size 14 x 14 mm, 13,56 MHz; Test connection points to I2C; Output GPO to inform about RF activity; Voltage output from RF energy harvesting system. ... >>

Transmission of electricity from space to Earth 21.05.2020

The Atlas V launch vehicle launched the X-37B military automatic mini-shuttle into Earth's orbit. This is the sixth successful flight of the "space plane", as this reusable vehicle is also called. Most of the tasks of the X-37B mission are solved by military programs and are classified, but not all. This time, the mini-shuttle launched a prototype photovoltaic module into orbit to transfer solar energy to the earth in the form of microwave radiation. The energy transfer experiment was reported by the US Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), in whose depths the PRAM (Photovoltaic Radio-frequency Antenna Module) experimental module was developed. An experimental photovoltaic module with a radio frequency antenna is a block with sides of 30 cm. The block is equipped with conventional photovoltaic converters (solar cells) that convert the sunlight falling on them into electrical energy. The energy received by the module in orbit is converted into microwave radiation and will be transmitted to receivers. ... >>

Brain implant for the blind 20.05.2020

Scientists at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston have developed a brain implant that allows both the blind and the sighted to "see" the shape of the letters. The device works like a transmitter, directing visual information from a camera to electrodes implanted in the brain. The Visual Cortical Prosthesis (VCP) has long been proposed as a device for restoring vision to the blind, on the assumption that the perception of small spots of light created by electrical stimulation of the visual cortex will coalesce into conscious shapes, like pixels on a video screen. The scientists tested an alternative strategy in which shapes were traced on the surface of the visual cortex using stimulating electrodes in a dynamic sequence. Both sighted and blind participants in the experiment were dynamically stimulated to accurately recognize letter shapes. Blind participants quickly presented and recognized up to 86 image sheets per minute. This discovery is a step towards " ... >>

Robot crab 20.05.2020

A special robot crab will help to explore the seabed. Specialists from Italy have developed a unique robot to study the ocean floor. The robot, resembling a crab, can move along the bottom and can study underwater terrain that is difficult for conventional research drones. Underwater robots for studying the bottom are not new to robotics, but fish-like machines are usually used for such tasks, which comes with some difficulties. For example, fish-like drones depend on the currents, and, accordingly, cannot remain stationary unless they compensate for the force of the current with the work of the engines. Plus, the lack of a stop makes it difficult to take bottom samples with floating drones. Another disadvantage of floating robots is that it is difficult for them to get close to the difficult bottom. All these problems are solved if you use a crab robot that does not swim near the bottom, but walks on it. Such a machine was designed by employees of the St. Anne School for Advanced Study, a team led by Gia ... >>

Found a new property of graphene 19.05.2020

Graphene is considered one of the most promising materials for the future of the semiconductor industry. It is ultra-thin, ultra-strong, and has a two-dimensional structure that makes it an excellent conductor. Recent experiments have discovered a new property of graphene after it has been folded into several layers and twisted. The anomaly was first discovered by scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology back in 2018. Then, during the experiments, experts noticed that when two layers of graphene are displaced relative to each other by 1,1 degrees, the material suddenly turns from a superconductor into an insulator. In the course of additional research, it was possible to find out that other properties can be obtained in a similar way. In early May, the same team of researchers used a scanning technique that allowed layers to be shifted relative to each other in increments of up to 0,002 degrees. It has been found that the insulating and superconducting properties become more pronounced as the bias approaches ... >>

climate decoder 19.05.2020

Scientists from Cornell University have created a climate decoder - it will help search for life on exoplanets. Exoplanets are planets outside the solar system. To date, scientists are aware of the existence of thousands of such objects, and at least part of them may have life. Now scientists are trying to determine how the climate existing on exoplanets is suitable for life in the terrestrial sense, actually manually. This process takes a lot of time - while in the near future astronomers plan to launch a new generation of telescopes that will increase the number of exoplanets known to science by an order of magnitude. In order to automate the determination of the climate of exoplanets, the researchers created a climate decoder. It is based on a combination of details of the color of the planet's surface and light from the host star to calculate the climate on it. For example, a rocky black basalt planet absorbs light well and will be very hot, but if you add sand to its surface ... >>

HiSense E75F Gaming TVs 18.05.2020

HiSense has announced the Gaming TV E75F family of TVs, designed for use with game consoles. The series includes two modifications - with a diagonal of 55 and 65 inches. Both correspond to the 4K format: the resolution is 3840 x 2160 pixels. HDR system supported. The panels have a refresh rate of 120Hz. The equipment includes a high-quality audio system DTS Virtual-X Sound, 3 GB of RAM and a flash drive with a capacity of 64 GB. TVs are equipped with a voice control function based on artificial intelligence algorithms. The response time to voice commands is 0,5 s, and the accuracy of speech recognition reaches 99%. The 55-inch model will be available for an estimated price of $630, while the 65-inch version will cost $850. ... >>

Lecture Schedule - on E Ink panels 18.05.2020

The Taiwanese company E Ink continues to offer the use of "digital" paper as information boards with low consumption and excellent readability in bright light environments. The idea of ​​E Ink was met with understanding at the University of Tartu (Estonia), placing information "paper-like" panels near the lecture halls of the new center for scheduling lectures. Monochrome E Ink information panels with 13,3-inch displays were developed by Artec Design from Tallinn. Power and data are transmitted to the panel via a twisted-pair Ethernet cable (Power over Ethernet, PoE). Power for E Ink screens is needed only when the information on the display is updated, then it is not consumed. A static picture can last for months without loss of contrast, if not longer. Optional Artec Design dashboards can support touch control and work with RFID/NFC. This makes it possible to display additional information on the panel upon request. As before ... >>

SIMO PMIC Converter MAX77654 17.05.2020

Maxim Integrated has released a new PMIC converter that can increase the operating time of portable devices by up to 20%. The revolutionary SIMO technology reduces the number of components in the power chain by up to 40% compared to conventional solutions. When reducing the overall dimensions of consumer devices, one should not forget about the need to increase their operating time (without increasing the battery size) and reduce the heat dissipation. The MAX77654 is a single inductor SIMO PMIC converter. It can provide up to 91% efficiency, which is 16% more than traditional 77654-converter circuits. The use of the MAX77654 allows designers to significantly reduce board space and power consumption of the entire device. The MAXXNUMX solves space-constrained power design challenges by replacing three boost converters at once with only one inductor, two LDOs to operate. ... >>

Updated NFC specification 17.05.2020

The NFC Forum has announced a short-range wireless technology update that adds wireless charging to the standard. Thus, future NFC devices will be able to offer wireless charging functionality. Although their capabilities will be more limited compared to the popular Qi standard used on almost all other devices. The new NFC standard delivers significantly less wireless power of just 1W compared to Qi's baseline power of 5W. (Qi fast charging can reach 10W or more on standard hardware.) And it will require the use of new hardware components. Therefore, it will not be possible to add wireless charging to existing NFC-enabled devices with a simple firmware update. Given the power limitation, the new standard is not positioned as a replacement for Qi wireless charging in energy-intensive smartphones, but rather is designed to complement it. Unlike stand ... >>

2D material 1 atom thick 16.05.2020

Scientists at Aalto University in Finland have for the first time been able to create and shape a so-called 2D material just 1 atom thick. Such materials do not occur in nature, and the most famous of the artificial 2D materials is graphene, which consists of carbon atoms. Finnish scientists worked with molybdenum sulfide, from which they managed to create a material with an area of ​​​​1 square centimeter. 2D materials of this size can already be used in production. For example, in microcircuits, they will greatly increase performance due to ultra-high conductivity. Such microcircuits can become the basis of quantum supercomputers. And in fiber, 2D materials can greatly increase data transfer rates. Unusual properties of 2D materials - such as superconductivity and optical conductivity - appear when one layer of material is superimposed on another at a certain angle. This is what researchers from Aalto University managed to do. Previously, scientists were able to create such materials only very ... >>

Portable speaker Sony Extra Bass SRS-XB33 16.05.2020

Sony has introduced a portable speaker Extra Bass SRS-XB33. It may also be of interest to those who spend time outdoors and place high demands on the endurance of electronic devices. The shock-resistant housing and IP67 rating make the Extra Bass SRS-XB33 a good choice for such cases. From the younger model Extra Bass SRS-XB23, the Extra Bass SRS-XB33 speaker differs in shape, large size and weight. At the cost of increasing the size to 97 x 106 x 246 mm and weighing up to 1,1 kg, the designers were able to double the battery life, that is, the speaker works without recharging up to 24 hours. In terms of configuration and characteristics, Extra Bass SRS-XB33 does not differ from Extra Bass SRS- XB23. A pair of X-Balanced loudspeakers with non-circular cones and a pair of passive radiators are responsible for sound reproduction. The declared range of reproducible frequencies is 20-20 Hz. The Bluetooth 000 interface is used for connection. The list of supported profiles includes A5.0DP, AVRCP, HSP, ... >>

Gene therapy will build muscle without exercise 15.05.2020

A new study by scientists at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has shown that gene therapy can help with obesity and build muscle without the need for additional exercise. Follistatin is a protein that affects a number of cellular processes, including muscle proliferation. Previous animal studies have shown that gene therapy designed to increase the expression of follistatin can prevent the development of certain degenerative muscle diseases. The new work explored whether this type of therapy could help treat osteoarthritis by increasing muscle mass and reducing the metabolic syndrome associated with obesity. The study was conducted on mice. The animals were fed a high-fat diet, and scientists also observed the progression of post-traumatic osteoarthritis. During the experiment, mice received a single gene therapy treatment designed to increase follistatin expression. In re ... >>

Successful 3D printing in space 15.05.2020

Aboard an experimental manned spacecraft launched into low-Earth orbit on May 6 using the Long March 5B (Long March 5B) launch vehicle, the first successful 3D printing in space based on composite materials was achieved. China's new Long March-5B launch vehicle, or Long March-5B, has made its maiden flight, sending a test version of China's next-generation manned spacecraft and a payload return capsule into space for testing. According to China Central Television, this time the new-generation experimental manned spacecraft was equipped with a "space-based composite 5D printing system." This is the first space 3D printing experience in China, as well as the first international 3D printing experiment of solid fiber-reinforced composite materials. During the flight, this system has realized the printing of solid fiber-reinforced composite materials, and also achieved the experiment ... >>

Created Pure Red LEDs 14.05.2020

Electrical engineers from the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have created pure red LEDs. Creating pure red LEDs from nitride crystals is a task that has so far frustrated engineers. However, these LEDs are vital for creating the next generation of energy-saving micro LED displays to match OLEDs and for creating color customizable lighting. "Electrical engineers can already make bright LEDs from different materials to produce different colors. But to improve display technologies, engineers must integrate the three primary color LEDs - red, green and blue - into a single chip," explains electrical engineer Daisuke Iida. This means that they need to find one material that is suitable for making all three colors. The material must be able to reproduce each color with high intensity and ideally it should have a high power output. ... >>

7nm Ryzen Pro 4000 processors for business laptops 14.05.2020

AMD announced the wide availability of a new line of mobile processors - Ryzen Pro 4000. The presented APUs belong to the 7nm Renoir family and are blood brothers of the already well-known Ryzen 4000 consumer APUs, released in March. At the same time, the new Ryzen Pro 4000 is designed for use in a business environment, with enhanced support and security technologies. According to AMD, the new series sets "a new standard for today's business notebooks." The AMD Ryzen Pro 4000 mobile processor lineup includes three models with 4, 6 and 8 cores - Ryzen 3 Pro 4450U, Ryzen 5 Pro 4650U and Ryzen 7 Pro 4750U. As noted above, these are technically complete copies of consumer counterparts. Among themselves, all the new items are related by support for Simultaneous Multi-Threading technology, an improved Radeon Vega video core with 5-7 computing units and a 15-watt heat pack. The new chips provide a significant performance boost over the Ryzen Pro 3000 predecessors, as well as ... >>

Useful properties of cheese 13.05.2020

New research by American scientists proves that cheese has a number of useful properties. More recently, it was believed that cheese harms the body and "ages". But recent studies by American scientists have shown that cheese has a number of useful properties. For example, many cheeses contain lactic acid, which reduces the risk of heart disease. In addition, this product contains a lot of proteins and fats that are involved in the regeneration of body cells, as well as vitamins D and rare B12, due to which new cells are formed - red blood cells. Cheese contains beneficial bacteria, and due to its fermentation, the use of this product has a beneficial effect on the intestinal microbiota, improving the metabolic process. ... >>

HP EX900 Pro NVMe Drives 13.05.2020

Hewlett-Packard announced the EX900 Pro line of SSDs in the M2 2280 form factor. They use four lanes of the PCI Express 3.0 interface with the NVM Express 1.3 protocol version. The devices will be available in sizes ranging from 256GB to 1TB. The EX900 Pro's marketing materials emphasize the so-called independent cache memory, which is designed to improve performance and extend the life of drives. Unfortunately, HP does not disclose the details of the technology used. It can be assumed that we are talking about a separate 3D NAND chip with SLC cells allocated for the needs of the cache, and not just an area in the shared memory, as is done in conventional SSDs. The older SSD provides a sequential read speed of 2095 MB / s and a write of 1965 MB / s. The maximum performance with random 4K blocks is 283K and 286K, respectively. The HP EX900 Pro comes with a five year warranty. The recording resource is from 160 to 650 TB, depending on the model. Except t ... >>

Anti-stress music for cats 12.05.2020

Special music for cats, based on the sounds made by these animals, helps to reduce the stress experienced by cats at the vet. "Cat music has a more than noticeable effect - it really helps to calm animals that are stressed during a visit to the veterinarian. Plus, this music has a positive effect on people, which is also good," says Jenny Luberg, animal behavior expert. Scientists conducted an experiment during which they turned on music to more than two dozen cats. In addition to special cat music, the usual classical compositions were also included in the animals. The purpose of the experiment is to understand whether special music can reduce the stress experienced by animals in the veterinarian's office. Experience has shown that music for cats can actually calm animals down. "This music is based on the sounds that cats themselves make. Plus, frequencies from the "cat" frequency range are used - it is about two octaves higher than what we humans are used to", ... >>

Found the closest black hole to Earth 12.05.2020

The European Southern Observatory (ESO) announces an important discovery: the closest black hole to us known to date has been discovered. The object is located at a distance of approximately 1000 light years from Earth. Curiously, this black hole is part of a triple star system that is visible to the naked eye. This is a system with the designation HR 6819, which is located in the constellation of the Telescope. To study this structure, the FEROS spectrograph was used on the 2,2-meter MPG/ESO telescope at ESO's La Silla Observatory in Chile. It turned out that one of the two visible stars revolves around the invisible companion in 40 days, and the second is at a great distance from this inner pair. Observations have shown that the mysterious invisible object is a black hole. Its mass is estimated to be at least four solar masses. The hidden black hole in HR 6819 is one of the very first discovered stellar-mass black holes that do not interact. ... >>

Rectal joystick 11.05.2020

Now a person can control robots and other devices with his sphincter. You can, of course, laugh at the rectal joystick, but it will allow some people who do not have the ability to control electronic devices with voice or gestures to interact with them anyway. "B-hind (consonant with English. Behind - behind) offers a unique solution in the field of the Internet of Things (IoT) - the integration of sphincter muscles into everyday life," the technology description says. based on voice and gestures, providing digital control based on the muscles inside the body." The first (and so far only) device of its kind, the B-hind, designed by designer Dani Ploeger, is based on the Anuform anal electrode used to "stimulate the anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscles to strengthen them. The designer has studied the types of muscle contraction and ... >>

The influence of the heart on feelings 11.05.2020

Although the heart beats on its own, and the brain cannot command the heart muscle when to contract and when to relax, the heart still listens to the brain. For example, in a dangerous situation, the brain makes the heart beat faster, and in a relaxed state, it allows it to beat less often. But not only the heart listens to the brain - the brain also listens to the heart. The work of the heart can be divided into two phases: systole and diastole. During the systolic phase, the heart ejects blood from itself into the vessels, and then it goes through the body, during the diastole, the blood enters the heart. Previously, employees of the Institute of Consciousness and the Human Brain of the Max Planck Society found that perception changes depending on the phase of the heart rhythm: for example, if a weak current was applied to the finger, then the person felt the electrical tingling better during diastole - and during systole the sensitivity worsened. Scientists have figured out what happens to the brain in the course of the heart rate. There are special waves in brain electrical activity ... >>

Military drone Loyal Wingman with artificial intelligence 10.05.2020

Boeing Australia unveiled the prototype of the first AI-enabled Loyal Wingman unmanned aircraft for the Royal Australian Air Force. It is the first of three drone prototypes to be built under the Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program and the first aircraft to be developed, designed and built in Australia in over 50 years. This is the corporation's largest investment in the creation of an unmanned aircraft outside the United States. The main difference between the Loyal Wingman and conventional remotely controlled unmanned aerial vehicles is that it is designed to fly in coordination with crewed military aircraft, that is, pilots of other aircraft will give commands to it. The aircraft will become the basis for the Boeing Airpower Teaming System (ATS), which is being developed by the corporation for the global defense market. Presented Loyal prototype ... >>

Meta-laser that produces highly swirling light 10.05.2020

Scientists from Harvard University (USA), CSIR organization (South Africa), with the participation of colleagues from Singapore, Belgium and Italy, have developed and demonstrated the operation of the first meta-laser of its kind, which produces the so-called super-chiral light, the light with the largest present day value of angular momentum. The light of such a laser provides the highest level of interaction between matter and this light, and it can be used as an optical "wrench" or to encode large amounts of information transmitted through optical communication channels. Judging by the presence of the prefix "meta" in the name of the new laser, its key component is the metasurface, which affects the light and changes its parameters every time this light passes through it. The metasurface was calculated and fabricated by scientists at Harvard, it is a material whose surface is covered with many small (nanometer-sized) columns, height, ... >>

Enhanced LED Driver IC 09.05.2020

Maxim Integrated Products has released a new family of ICs for automotive circuits. The MAX25601A/B/C/D contain a synchronous boost controller followed by a synchronous LED buck driver controller. The boost controller's input voltage range of 4,5V to 40V is ideal for automotive applications. In fact, this controller serves as a preliminary boost regulator for the second stage of the microcircuit - a step-down LED controller. The synchronous boost converter operates in inductor current control mode and can be connected in parallel with another device to increase output power. The SYNCOUT pin, designed to control the RT / SYNCIN pin of another device, allows you to organize anti-phase synchronization of two microcircuits operating in parallel. The switching frequency of the boost converter is programmable from 200 kHz to 2,2 MHz. To reduce the level of electromagnetic interference, real ... >>

Flying car race 09.05.2020

In many industries, sport has become the engine of progress, as it partially happened with ordinary cars - a huge number of technical solutions in production models came from racing. Nowadays, flying individual vehicles in the short term are assigned the role of taxis or couriers, and often working exclusively in automatic mode. And according to the founder of the Australian company Alauda Matt Pearson, in such a philosophy, firstly, there is little romance, and secondly, "you won't get far on it." The brainchild of this Australian company is Airspeeder, an eight-rotor multicopter weighing about 250 kilograms, made almost entirely of carbon fiber and capable of accelerating to two hundred kilometers per hour at a height of 5-10 meters. Tests of the manned Mk4 model by pilots hired by the US Air Force were in full swing from the fall of 2019 until recently. The epidemic of coronavirus infection has slightly shifted the timing of test flights, but the creators of the original ... >>

Processor cooling system SilentiumPC Spartan 4 Max Evo ARGB 08.05.2020

SilentiumPC introduced the Spartan 4 Max Evo ARGB processor cooling system, which is an update of the Spartan 3 model. The design of the radiator made of aluminum plates strung on three 6 mm copper heat pipes directly in contact with the processor seems to have remained the same. But it now has a 120mm Pulsar HP fan instead of the 100mm Sigma Pro fan used in the Spartan 3. The frame and impeller of the 120mm Pulsar HP fan are made of translucent white plastic, which diffuses the light emitted by the ARGB LEDs well. . The hydraulic bearing fan, which has an estimated life of 50 hours, is adjustable from 000-250 rpm. Including the fan, the dimensions of the Spartan 1600 Max Evo ARGB are 4 x 143 x 124 mm, and the weight is 71 g. The novelty is suitable for processors with a TDP of 497 watts. Supported connectors include LGA 125, LGA 1200x and AM115. ... >>

Photoelectronic memory based on a colony of bacteria 08.05.2020

Biologists from the University of California at San Diego have found that colonies of bacteria that form biofilms act like neurons and have a collective memory. Scientists have shown that bacteria are able to encode memory using membrane potential - the difference in electrical potential due to the difference in charges on the outer and inner side of the cell membrane. Based on a similar principle, memory is carried out in the human brain. During the experiment, the researchers used Bacillus subtilis cells, which were irradiated with blue laser light for five seconds. It turned out that light provokes a change in the membrane potential, in which ions leave the cell and then enter it back. In this way, the bacteria go from polarized to depolarized state and vice versa, and this effect persists for a long time even after the cessation of laser exposure. According to scientists, it is not yet known whether the bacteria are really in any way ... >>

5G on Everest 07.05.2020

Huawei and China Mobile have installed three 5G base stations on the northern slope of the world's highest mountain, along the Sino-Nepalese border. Stations are installed in climbing camps at altitudes of 5300, 5800 and 6500 meters. For their installation, China Mobile sent 150 of its employees to Everest, who, in the course of the work, laid 25 kilometers of fiber optic cable along the mountain. The equipment is intended primarily for measuring Everest, but scientists and climbers will also be able to use the network - for communication, as well as, for example, for live broadcasting of high-definition video. And those who rise to the top will no longer have to take heavy satellite telephony devices with them. The pleasure, however, promises to be short-lived. After the completion of the measuring work, the companies intend to dismantle the equipment - even before the end of this year. But for now, the 5G station, installed at an altitude of 6500 meters, remains the highest in the world. ... >>

BGA5L1BN6 - low noise amplifier for the 868 MHz band 07.05.2020

Infineon's new BGA5L1BN6 Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) covers a wide frequency range from 600 to 1000 MHz. The LNA provides 18,5 dB gain and 0,7 dB noise figure at 8,2 mA. BGA5L1BN6 can operate in bypass mode - in this case, a direct connection of the input and output of the microcircuit occurs. The BGA5L1BN6 is based on Infineon Technologies' proprietary B9HF germanium silicon technology. It operates with a supply voltage of 1,5 to 3,6 V. The device has one input for selecting the operating mode - bypass or high gain mode. The shutdown mode can be implemented by switching the supply voltage VCC. BGA5L1BN6 features: Operating frequencies: 600...1000 MHz; Power Gain: 18,5dB; Bypass loss: 2,7 dB; Low noise figure: 0,7dB; Low current consumption: 8,2 mA; RF output corresponding to 50 ohms; Few external components. ... >>

solar chimney 06.05.2020

Developed by scientists from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, a solar chimney will help save up to 50% of electricity, and also help save the lives of homeowners in a fire. Approximately 19% of the world's energy resources are used for heating, ventilation and cooling of buildings, the authors of the study write. Installing solar chimneys will reduce energy costs for heating by 50%. A solar chimney is a passive solar heating and cooling system that uses natural ventilation to control the temperature in a building. Modern solar chimneys consist of a glass wall placed against a black painted wall. This design maximizes the absorption of solar energy. The vents on the top and bottom of the mechanism control the air flow inside and outside the chimney for heating or cooling. When the sun heats up the chimney, it also heats up the air inside it. Solar chimney allows ... >>

28" E Ink Color Displays by Innolux 06.05.2020

E Ink displays are ideal for urban environments, transportation or advertising. They are clearly visible in bright sunlight, and without power, they can show a static image for a long time. The massive appearance of information and advertising displays on the streets and in stores was held back by the price and the lack of E Ink color displays with acceptable image quality. It’s still difficult with the first one, but now the color has come to E Ink screens, and Innolux will help bring it to the streets. The Innolux company began cooperation in the field of production and sale of large-format panels based on color electronic paper E Ink ACeP (Advanced Color ePaper). Electrophoretic displays based on ACeP technology were introduced by E Ink in 2016. ACeP color displays are capable of displaying about 32 thousand colors. This is eight times more than E Ink Print Color color e-book readers coming on sale this year. The flip side of this coin is that ACeP screens take up to two seconds to update. For e-books, this is a long time, but for ... >>

70 trillion frames per second camera 05.05.2020

Smartphones allow you to shoot video at a speed of about 1000 frames per second. Professional cameras capture motion at up to 10000 frames per second. But all this pales in comparison to the 70 trillion frames per second shooting that scientists at the California Institute of Technology have learned to shoot. Now it will be possible to look even at the movement of a light wave. In 2014, scientists have already presented the original technology of high-speed shooting CUP (compressed ultra-high-speed photography) with a speed of 100 billion frames / s. By 2018, the technology has been improved and called T-CUP, and the shooting speed has reached 10 trillion frames / s. The new CUSP (Compressed Ultra-Fast Spectral Photography) technology has increased the shooting speed by another seven times - up to 70 trillion frames / s. At the heart of ultra-high-speed shooting CUSP is a pulsed laser emitting ultra-short light pulses with a duration of one femtosecond (10-15 s). The optical system separates these pulses into more ... >>

The choice of friends determines the DNA 05.05.2020

The expression "friends are the family we choose" seems banal only at first glance. Scientists at California and Yale have found that there is more scientific truth to this claim than we might have imagined. An analysis of the genomes of almost 2000 people showed that we share as much DNA similarity with our friends as with our second or fourth cousins ​​- that is, approximately 1% of similar genes. This discovery only reinforces the earlier assumption that much of our social behavior (including collective life and altruism) lies in the distribution of a common DNA. Simply put, we are programmed to look for those who can continue to reproduce and pass on genes similar to ours to the next generation. The study also showed that friends are most similar in the genes that are used for the olfactory process. One possible explanation for this fact is that friends are attracted to the same environment. ... >>

Cooling system Deepcool Gammaxx 400 EX 04.05.2020

The Deepcool range has been replenished with the Gammaxx 400 EX cooling system. This is the development of the Gammaxx 400 model, released in 2012. The new version is characterized by increased performance, provided, in particular, by the presence of two fans instead of one, and an increase in the total area and number of radiator fins. The number of plates has been increased from 50 to 56. The plates are strung on four heat pipes with a diameter of 6 mm, which are designed for direct contact with the processor cover. The dimensions of the radiator are 127 x 50 x 155 mm. The radiator is blown by two 120 mm TF120 fans, the rotation speed of which is adjustable between 500-1500 rpm. At the same time, the flow reaches 88,3 m3/h, and the noise level does not exceed 27,6 dBA. The fans use hydrodynamic bearings. Dimensions of the cooling system assembly are 129 x 103 x 157,5 mm, weight - 930 g. The system is suitable for Intel processors LGA1151, 1150, 1155, 1366 and AMD processors AM4, AM3 +, ... >>

plastic gold 04.05.2020

Swiss scientists have created a new form of gold that weighs 5-10 times less than ordinary metal. To create it, scientists used protein fibers and polymer latex, after which thin disks of gold nanocrystals were inserted into it. It is noted that for a start, scientists developed a mixture and created a dispersion that turns into a gel with the help of salt. They then replaced the water with alcohol and placed the alcohol gel in a chamber in which high pressure mixed the alcohol with carbon dioxide. As a result, a homogeneous airgel was formed, which condensed under the influence of heat to the shape that the researchers needed, and also retained an 18-fold composition (750 sample). This gold has the material properties of plastic. According to them, if you drop it, it will sound like plastic. However, it also has the properties of gold, because it can be polished and also processed into the desired shape. What's more, scientists can even adjust the hardness of the material ... >>

100 Mbps for ISS 03.05.2020

A four-year-old project to create satellite systems for high-speed communication between space and ground stations is undergoing field testing. The equipment delivered earlier to the ISS made it possible to establish a downlink laser communication channel with a bandwidth of 100 Mbit/s with the ground station. The developer of technology and equipment was Sony. Developed by Sony in collaboration with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), the communication equipment is based on laser optical disc recording technology. Sony has a wealth of experience in this. By adapting data encoding mechanisms for writing to disk for transmission over an optical (laser) channel, the company was able to help develop the foundations of laser space communications. Communication equipment was delivered to the ISS in September last year. Then it was mounted on an open Japanese Kibo module. Tests and setup about ... >>

GNSS module L76L-M33 03.05.2020

The new L76L-M33 is a classic GPS/GLONASS/Galileo module with support for standard NMEA messages via UART interface. The module is notable for its low cost, while it has excellent characteristics: sensitivity in the tracking mode is 167 dB, in the capture mode 149 dB. Such high parameters are achieved using a built-in low-noise amplifier, which allows the module to work with passive antennas without additional active components on the board. For a better start after a long break, the receiver has a special technology EASY ™ (Embedded Assist System), which calculates the future position of the satellites based on previously received ephemeris. This allows for a quick start even when it is impossible to use auxiliary data received via additional communication channels. To reduce consumption, the L76L-M33 has a special AlwaysLocate mode of operation, which consists in periodically turning off ... >>

Graphene Shoe Drying Agent 02.05.2020

Silica gel is the most common chemical agent for providing a dry space in many things, especially in shoes, where it is placed in a special niche under the sole - which helps to prevent the accumulation of excessive amounts of moisture and the growth of fungi. However, microbiologists from the Australian University of New South Wales today presented the results of their work on the properties of graphene oxide as such a chemical agent - based on such a well-known material as graphene, this variety of it really has impressive capabilities. Specialists have long observed the action of graphene oxide - consisting of hydrogen, carbon and oxygen atoms - in the context of its interaction with other chemical agents and direct moisture on various surfaces. They created a special multilayer graphene structure, where each layer serves as a certain insulator of absorbed moisture, which ... >>

Proven deadly harm from electronic cigarettes 02.05.2020

Specialists from Boston University (USA) studied the functions of blood vessels in smokers and users of electronic cigarettes and vapes. More than 400 men and women aged 21 to 45 were monitored, who were either smokers or switched from cigarettes to vapes. Analysis of arterial cell samples showed approximately the same results in participants in both groups - increased stiffness of the vascular wall and damage to small blood vessels. In particular, the described cell samples of nicotine-dependent individuals contained fewer nitric oxide molecules than those of people who had never smoked. This compound is necessary for the regulation of respiration, maintenance of the immune status, and is involved in cardiovascular homeostasis. Experts stressed that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among smokers. Also, many cigarette users are switching to the use of vapes with thoughts of reducing the negative impact on the body. The conclusion states that there is no ... >>

A camera that can count photons 01.05.2020

Researchers at the Swiss Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) have created a first-of-its-kind megapixel camera based on single-photon avalanche diodes (SPAD) single-photon detectors. The sensor of this camera is able to detect single photons at an unprecedented speed, which is used for high-speed 3D image capture, and, due to this, this camera is an ideal option for building augmented reality systems, LiDAR laser scanner systems, etc. The new camera can capture 24D images at up to 24 frames per second, compared to standard film and TV video at 30 to 1 frames per second. In addition, scientists managed to make the smallest SPAD pixel and, through some tricks, reduce the amount of energy it consumes to XNUMX microwatt. Note that created ... >>

glowing plants 01.05.2020

Scientists have transferred genes from fungi to plants, causing them to glow intensely in the dark. In the future, this technology can be applied to many ornamental plants. An international team of scientists from the UK, Austria and Russia found that the bioluminescence found in some fungi was metabolically similar to some of the natural processes found in plants. The scientists were able to transfer DNA sequences into tobacco plants, causing them to emit a bright green glow. The researchers found that this glow continued throughout the life cycle of the plant, from seedling to maturity. Bioluminescence - the emission of light by an organism - occurs in a wide range of animals and microorganisms, including some fungi, insects, fish, marine invertebrates, and bacteria. "We're showing that you can transfer four genes from these glowing mushrooms into plants - and link them to plant metabolism - so that plants glow in the dark." ... >>

Using Water to Recycle Batteries 30.04.2020

Manufacturers use toxic organic solvents to produce and process lithium-ion batteries. This complicates the processes and makes them dangerous for the environment and human health. Switching from solvents to aqueous solutions can make battery recycling less harmful and widespread. Battery manufacturers are skeptical about the use of aqueous solutions in technological processes. Water reacts with lithium and degrades battery performance. But scientists at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and Virginia Tech took up the challenge, and along the way, some encouraging results have been obtained. The new development has replaced the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder popular among battery manufacturers with two others: a latex-based water-dispersible binder and a water-soluble styrene-butadiene binder. The first, as is clear, is used together with an organic solvent (usually N-methyl- ... >>

Intel Core i9-10900K processor for gaming systems 30.04.2020

Intel introduced the Intel Core i9-10900K chip, which operates at up to 5,3 GHz and supports Intel Thermal Velocity Boost technology out of the box. The new processor has become the most productive in the history of Intel. These are 10 cores, 20 threads, DDR4-2933 support and an unlocked multiplier, which is also important for gamers. The manufacturer promises fps up to 187 frames per second on a gaming machine with a new processor. Compared to top-end PCs from three years ago, an Intel Core i9-10900K build can deliver up to 12% faster video editing and 4K video by as much as 35%. In general, in relation to three-year-old machines, productivity increased by about 31%. The novelty will go on sale in May. Estimated cost - about $490. ... >>

The inhabitants of Pompeii sorted garbage for reuse 29.04.2020

Archaeologists have found that the inhabitants of Pompeii were engaged in sorting garbage, and also exchanged construction waste for reuse. An analysis of soil samples that covered the debris found within Pompeii and outside the city showed that organic and construction waste was stored separately. That is, the ancient Romans sorted garbage. "The walls of buildings in the city of Pompeii were also made of garbage - ancient Roman builders used materials such as crushed tiles, fragments of ceramics, fragments of plaster, and so on. Smooth and plastered walls are actually made of garbage. But something else is interesting "An analysis of the soil particles of which were preserved in this garbage showed that it was carefully sorted before being reused. Apparently, the inhabitants of Pompeii and the surrounding area collected, sorted and sold garbage for reuse," says Allison Emmerson, professor at Tulane University of Louisiana ( United States), author of the study. Before ... >>

The sense of smell will help diagnose the state of the brain 29.04.2020

Neuroscientists at the University of Cambridge have proposed using olfactory tests to accurately diagnose the condition of patients with severe brain injuries. It is rather difficult to determine the state of consciousness of the human brain after a serious injury, and existing methods give an erroneous result in about 40% of cases. At the same time, accurate diagnosis is especially important when the patient maintains a minimal mental state or has fallen into a vegetative state. Based on the diagnosed state of the brain, treatment methods are selected, the likelihood of recovery is predicted, and in some cases a decision is made to disconnect from supporting equipment. Cambridge neuroscientists have suggested that the accuracy of such diagnostics can be improved with the help of olfactory tests. The functions of the brain associated with smell are among the basic ones and are supported by the most ancient departments, and in a healthy person, the brain reacts to smell both in the waking state and in sleep. To test your hypothesis ... >>

An effective way to dye your hair 28.04.2020

Chemists have developed a new way to dye hair using dopamine polymerization in an alkaline environment. It is known that hair is composed of keratins - filamentous proteins - and melanin pigment, which is widely distributed between protein fibers. Hair color is determined precisely by the concentration and distribution of two types of melanin pigments. Chemists from the USA have found a way to stain dark brown with the help of metal complexing agents and strong oxidizing agents. This approach allows you to get orange and gold shades. In addition, scientists note that the corresponding approach is less harmful to the hair and scalp and more effective in terms of color change - it turns out bright and lasts for a long period. ... >>

Microplastics at the bottom of the ocean are more dangerous than on the surface 28.04.2020

Every year, humanity adds an additional to the main amount of plastic pollution in the world's oceans, thus creating an even greater problem of plastic pollution than previously discussed. A team of ecologists from the University of Manchester has shown that microplastics - representing the main threat to marine and ocean ecosystems in this context - can accumulate not only on the surface of the water, forming a kind of islands, but also accumulate in rather large piles in the deep layers of the ocean, even more complicating the environment. The specialists took the Mediterranean Sea as the basis for the comparison model, where they compiled their map of plastic pollution - they found that microplastics tend to accumulate in those parts of the deep layers of water that are formed by undercurrents, which, along with garbage, also carry oxygenated water and various kinds of important trace elements to maintain normal ... >>

Remote control of soft robots 27.04.2020

Found a way to remotely control plastic robots. Instead of cumbersome drives, cables and mechanical structures, the movement of flexible machine parts will be controlled by an alternating magnetic field. The method made it possible to achieve greater functionality than the classical methods of controlling robots. Robots made of soft materials such as rubber and polymers are indispensable in search and rescue operations, when it is necessary to squeeze through narrow openings and perform complex manipulations. Broad functionality is also required for medical devices that move inside the human body. Until recently, "flexible" robots made of soft materials could be controlled only with the help of drive mechanisms, which were often larger than the robots themselves. Researchers at the University of Wisconsin have come up with a way to remotely control "soft" robots. Small magnetized particles were evenly distributed inside the plastic material. Then the material was acted upon by a magnetic ... >>

Video card GIGABYTE GeForce GTX 1650 D6 Eagle OC 27.04.2020

GIGABYTE Technology has officially unveiled the GeForce GTX 1650 D6 Eagle OC 4G graphics accelerator with 6-bit GDDR128 memory. The video card uses the NVIDIA Turing architecture. The number of CUDA cores is 896, and the amount of GDDR6 memory with an effective frequency of 12 MHz is 000 GB. The novelty boasts factory overclocking. The core frequency of the graphics chip reaches 4 MHz against 1815 MHz for reference products. The WindForce 1590X cooling system is used with two 2mm fans and composite heat pipes. The 90D Active Fan function allows the fans to stop completely under light load, so the accelerator does not make any noise. A reinforcing metal plate is installed in the back. The dimensions of the novelty are 3 x 212 x 121 mm; in a computer case, it will take up two expansion slots. Three connectors are provided for connecting monitors - DisplayPort 40, HDMI 1.4b and DVI-D interfaces. ... >>

Verbatim SSDs Verbatim Vi3000 and Vi560 S3 range 26.04.2020

Verbatim has unveiled the M.2 2280 SSDs for desktop and mobile PC upgrades. They use 3D NAND flash memory. Vi3000 drives are equipped with a PCIe interface and support the NVMe protocol. They show read speeds up to 3100MB/s and write speeds up to 2900MB/s. These drives are offered in 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB, and their resource is declared equal to 120, 240 and 480 TBW, respectively. For cases where the M.2 slot is not routed to the PCIe interface, Verbatim Vi560 S3 solid state drives are designed. They are equipped with a SATA 6 Gb / s interface. Due to interface limitations, the read speed of these SSDs reaches 560 MB / s, the write speed is 520 MB / s. These drives are also offered in 256 GB, 512 GB and 1 TB, and their resource is 110, 240 and 450 TBW, respectively. Warranty for drives - three years. ... >>

Canyon Wasabi smart watch 26.04.2020

The Canyon brand, which specializes in wearable gadgets, as well as accessories for mobile devices and computers, has introduced the Wasabi smart watch. The smart chronometer is designed specifically for athletes. It is made in a sealed case, thanks to which it is not afraid of half-hour diving under water to a depth of more than one meter. The watch is equipped with a touchscreen 1,3-inch display with a resolution of 240 x 240 pixels. Applied Nordic NRF52832 processor. Bluetooth 4.2 wireless connection is used to exchange data with a smartphone. In the arsenal of new items - a GPS receiver, an accelerometer and a heart rate sensor. Monitoring of the quality and duration of sleep is supported. All training and results data is automatically uploaded to an interactive map in the mobile application, which allows you to share your achievements both in social networks and in a specialized sports community - the watch is compatible with the service for tracking athlete activity ... >>

Water treatment with cellulose and air 25.04.2020

Combining a highly water-absorbing organic material with a solar energy-storing polymer results in an inexpensive material that quickly makes liquid from any body of water drinkable. When it comes to converting large volumes of salty or polluted water into potable water, evaporation followed by condensation usually comes to mind. However, it is not easy and costly to implement this method in practice: installations and energy are needed to carry out the phase transition of water into a vapor state. Natural solar heat for these purposes is not enough. Linköping University in Sweden has found a way to use the sun's energy to clean dirty water bodies. To do this, scientists have created a hybrid material, which is a highly porous airgel, 90% air. As part of the airgel, glucose and a special polymer PEDOT: PSS were combined. Cellulose is one of the most abundant organic compounds on Earth. She is ... >>

The best seat on a plane 25.04.2020

The British airline EasyJet organized a survey of passengers to find out which seat they consider the best in the cabin of an airliner. It turned out that the passengers of the British low-cost airline consider the 7F seat to be the best - by the window in the seventh row. It is located on the right side of the aircraft and is the first choice for discounted fares that the airline usually offers for short haul flights. The most popular rows for passengers were the sixth and seventh. The least popular seat was 19C, which is located in the middle of the plane and far from the toilets. More than 10 EasyJet customers took part in the survey. 59% of them admitted that they prefer to sit by the window, 39% - in the aisle so as not to disturb others while moving around the cabin, and only 3% like to sit in the middle. ... >>

Lensbaby Velvet 28 Lens 24.04.2020

Lensbaby has unveiled the Velvet 28 lens, which was previewed at the end of March. Hand-assembled metal body lens for many types of photography and videography, including landscapes and street scenes. The characteristic feature of the Velvet 28 is the "variable glare effect" familiar to users of other lenses in the Velvet line. The advantages of new items also include the ability to shoot at a scale of 1: 2. The Velvet 28 lens is available in Canon EF, Nikon F, Canon RF, Nikon Z, Sony E, Fujifilm X, and Micro Four Thirds mounts. Options for SLR and mirrorless cameras are quite different in size and weight. The lens option for SLR cameras is shown in the top illustration, for mirrorless cameras - in the bottom. Specifications of the lens Lensbaby Velvet 28: Focal length - 28 mm; Optical design - 8 elements in 7 groups; Aperture - f / 2,5-f / 22 (you can slightly open the aperture by another 1/3 stop, turn ... >>

Molex L1NK Low Voltage Power Connectors 24.04.2020

Molex has introduced a new series of low voltage power connectors, the L1NK, which are capable of handling up to 11A. The L1NK series are wire-to-board connectors that are currently available in either 2,50mm or 3,96mm pitch single row. Features: The latch on the housing guarantees a secure fixation of the connection, increasing vibration resistance; The guide key on the body facilitates connection with the mating part and prevents incorrect articulation; The contact lock ensures the correct arrangement of the contacts in the housing and prevents them from involuntary falling out; UL 94V-0 high temperature plastic supports wave soldering up to 260°C. Main characteristics: Rated current: 6,5 A (L1NK 250), 11 A (L1NK 396); Rated voltage: 250 V (L1NK 250), 300 V (L1NK 396); Number of articulation cycles: 25; Contact plating material: tin; Cable size: 22-24 AWG (L1NK 250), 18-20 AWG (L1NK 396); Working temperature ... >>

Flex ATX 500 W 80 Plus Platinum Power Supply 23.04.2020

FSP has announced the Flex ATX 500 W 80 Plus Platinum power supply, designed specifically for Intel NUC (Next Unit of Computing) small form factor computers belonging to the newly formed Compute Element class. The novelty (model FSP500-30AS) is certified 80 Plus Platinum, which indicates high energy efficiency. The power is 500 watts. The power supply is designed for NUC-computers of the Ghost Canyon generation. This is a very productive device, suitable, including for games. One of the features of Ghost Canyon is the ability to replace the graphics card. The basis is the ninth generation Intel Core i9, Core i7 or Core i5 processor. The cooling system of the Flex ATX 500 W 80 Plus Platinum uses a fan that is claimed to be quieter than 40 dB even at full load. Various safety features are implemented, including OVP (Over Voltage Protection) and OCP (Over Load Protection) systems. ... >>

Samsung is developing a 600-megapixel sensor 23.04.2020

Samsung has announced its intention to release photomatrices that will surpass the visual acuity of the human eye. The human eye perceives the world with a "resolution" equivalent to about 500 million pixels. At the same time, Samsung directly talks about sensors with a resolution of up to 600 megapixels. Now smartphones are the main application for high-resolution sensors, autonomous vehicles, IoT, drones and other product categories will soon join them. The transition from 64 megapixels to 108 megapixels in Samsung cameras took only half a year - it is the sensor of this resolution (second generation) that is used in the current flagship Galaxy S20 Ultra. In addition, according to the latest rumors, Samsung will move to the next stage by the middle of the year with the release of the next generation inch sensor with a resolution of 150 megapixels. ... >>

Nitrogen Dioxide Exacerbates COVID-19 Mortality 22.04.2020

Nitrogen dioxide air pollution is associated with high mortality from COVID-19. This conclusion was made by scientists from Martin Luther University in Halle-Wittenberg. Nitrogen dioxide (N02) is an air pollutant that damages the human respiratory tract. It is emitted into the atmosphere as a result of human activities. When carbon dioxide comes into contact with the moist surface of the lungs, nitric and nitrous acids are formed, which irritate the mucous membranes and affect the alveolar tissue of the lungs. At high concentrations of nitrogen oxides (0,004 - 0,008%), asthmatic manifestations and pulmonary edema occur. In the new study, scientists used data on regional levels of nitrogen dioxide pollution measured by the European Space Agency's (ESA) Sentinel 5P satellite. The scientists then combined this information with data from the American weather agency NOAAo on vertical air currents. Based on these data, the researchers identified several of the most NO02 polluted points with a weak ... >>

Toxic substances in gadget screens 22.04.2020

Scientists at the University of Saskatchewan in Canada are seriously concerned about the potential environmental and health risks posed by liquid crystal monomers used in the production of TV screens, computers, tablets and smartphones. Due to the semi-liquid state of these chemicals, when burned, they easily evaporate and enter the environment both during production and processing, and during the operation of electronic equipment with liquid crystal displays. And the toxic effects of these chemicals on the people around them can have a very negative impact on their health." including those commonly found in six of the most popular smartphones, are toxic and pose a potential health hazard. ... >>

Mobile workstation Tornado F7 Server Edition 21.04.2020

The Canadian company Eurocom introduced a powerful laptop Tornado F7 Server Edition. It is designed to be used as a mobile server for fast and efficient deployment of projects anytime, anywhere. Eurocom Tornado F7 SE is made in the format of a 17,3-inch laptop. Due to the use of lightweight aluminum alloy, the device weighs 4,1 kg. The screen can have a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels with a refresh rate of 120 Hz or 3840 x 2160 pixels with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. The platform is based on the Intel C246 chipset and supports Intel Xeon E or Core i9-9900K LGA1151 processors. Supported graphics cards include GeForce GTX 10-series or Quadro P accelerators. Up to 4GB DDR128 ECC/non-ECC RAM and up to 0TB RAID 1/5/10/28 storage with three M.2 slots (up to 4 TB per NVMe drive) and two SATA 6 Gb / s (up to 8 TB per drive). Security systems include a reader ... >>

Eco-friendly steam generator for desalination and water treatment 21.04.2020

In 2040, it is estimated that a quarter of the world's children will live in regions where clean and drinkable water is scarce. Seawater desalination and wastewater treatment are two possible ways to mitigate this, and researchers at the University of Linköping have developed a cheap and environmentally friendly steam generator to desalinate and purify water using sunlight. The steam generator consists of an airgel that contains a cellulose-based structure decorated with PEDOT:PSS organic conjugated polymer. The polymer has the ability to absorb the energy of sunlight in the infrared part of the spectrum, where most of the solar heat is transferred. Airgel has a porous nanostructure, which means that a large amount of water can be absorbed into its pores. A 2mm layer of this material can absorb 99% of the energy in the sun's spectrum. A porous and insulating floating foam is also placed between the water and the airgel so that the steam generator is kept afloat. Heat from the sun evaporates water, and ... >>

Soft robots like insects 20.04.2020

Engineers at the University of California San Diego (USA) have developed a new method for creating soft, flexible robots using 3D printing, which does not require special equipment and allows you to create soft components for robots faster and cheaper. They changed the way soft robots are built: instead of figuring out how to add soft materials to a hard robot body, they first created a soft robot body and then added hard parts to key components. The structure of the new robot is similar to the exoskeleton of insects, which have both soft and hard parts. The researchers called their skeletal model "flexoskeleton". Flexoskeletons are 3D printed from a rigid material on a thin sheet that acts as a flexible base. The most successful material for printing was a sheet of polycarbonate. Printing and assembly of the robot, according to the researchers, takes no more than two hours. A new method allows you to create large groups of robots from flexoskeletons ... >>

New application of ultrasonic devices 20.04.2020

Ultrasound machines could have a new medical use: helping patients with severe brain damage recover. Being in a coma is a complete uncertainty. No one can say how long it will last, and whether a person will be able to get out of this state at all. In addition, it is almost impossible for doctors to predict the health consequences of a coma even if the patient wakes up. But a new experimental technique offers hope for "awakening" patients after a coma. All you need is a pair of connecting cables and a battery. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles report what they call a brain test. For this, scientists turned to an extremely common tool in medicine - ultrasound. It uses a low intensity focused pulse. So far, it has only been used once, in a 25-year-old patient. By aiming the ultrasound at the thalamus, doctors found it contributed ... >>

CoolMOS P7 MOSFETs 600V 19.04.2020

Infineon introduced the IPW60R045P7XKSA1, IPW60R024P7XKSA1, IPP60R160P7XKSA1 transistors in the TO-247 package, which are part of the 600-volt CoolMOS P7 transistor line. The CoolMOS P7 line is the successor to CoolMOS P6 and combines ease of use, excellent performance and low price. It is suitable for a wide range of applications from low power SMPS to high power solutions. CoolMOS P7 600V series transistors have efficiency up to 1,5% higher than competitors, as well as lower heating temperatures (lower by 4,2C compared to competitors). The gate charge (Qg) and turn-off loss (Eoss) of the CoolMOS P7 line is 30 to 60 percent lower than previous lines and analogues from other manufacturers, which allows to reduce switching losses to a minimum and ensures high efficiency when working with different powers. Low on-channel resistance (RDS(on.)) allows for high specific ... >>

Successful control of hot qubits 19.04.2020

Intel is one step closer to realizing practical quantum computers. The chipmaker, together with his partner QuTech, were able to successfully control "hot" qubits (that is, at temperatures above 1 Kelvin), which are also coherent and dense, which simplifies the placement of qubits and control electronics on a single chip and thus allows the implementation of more advanced quantum computers. Until now, quantum computers have had to operate at temperatures in the millikelvin range, or just above absolute zero (about -273 degrees Celsius). This is even less than the average temperature in outer space (about 3 Kelvin or about -270 degrees Celsius). At the same time, the demonstration of the capabilities of Intel and QuTech can be called relatively modest. Companies completed testing using two-qubit logic, although modern quantum computers are capable of handling dozens of qubits, and a fully functional computer may need more than 1 million ... >>

Diet can change the taste of sugar 18.04.2020

Researchers at the University of Sydney found that the perception of sweet taste changes in response to different diets. This is why low-calorie sweeteners can be harmful. Although it has long been known that different people perceive the taste of food differently, depending on their habitual diet, scientists still did not understand the molecular pathways that control this effect. Professor Greg Neely with Professor Qiaoping Wang of the Charles Perkins Center at the University of Sydney proved that sweet taste is very subjective. They learned four important things: - The foods we eat can change our perception of food in the future; - it uses the mechanism that the brain uses for learning; - diets that increase life expectancy improve taste perception; Lifespan, learning and sensory perception are linked. Professor Wang, leader of the study, said: "We were surprised to find that a protein-restricted diet that allows you to live ... >>

A new way to discover coral reefs 18.04.2020

The detection of the habitat of certain organisms at the moment is provided mainly through a certain research complex of methods and approaches. This is becoming a particularly important point in the discovery, recording and protection of coral reefs, as they continue to show a steady trend of their extinction, due to various environmental factors, mainly anthropogenic type. To this end, ocean scientists from the University of Hawaii have presented their new method for detecting coral reefs using DNA analysis of a special type and direction of action. Such methods of detecting organisms have their own incomparable advantages - firstly, for this it is not necessary to use submariners to explore the ocean expanses, and secondly, with such an analysis, relatively basic equipment can be dispensed with. And yet, a new version of DNA analysis, proposed by specialists from the University of Hawaii, is based on the use of ... >>

Battery health management technology from Apple 17.04.2020

Apple is rolling out a new feature for most modern MacBooks called Battery health management. It has already become available to developers and will become publicly available with the release of the macOS Catalina 10.15.5 update. By default, the new feature is designed to increase the overall laptop battery life by reducing the rate of chemical aging. This is due to the fact that in some cases the battery is not fully charged to the maximum. Fully charging the battery places stress on the battery, which can shorten the overall battery life over time. Some smartphones avoid charging up to 100% for this reason, and you can track such incomplete charging using special applications. As a result of the new feature, in some cases a 100% battery level may not mean the maximum charge level at all, but the maximum allowable level for extending battery life. In other words, the battery is charged ... >>

Ladybugs - prototypes for rescue robots 17.04.2020

When a ladybug takes off, its wings open in one tenth of a second. This physiology makes these colorful little bugs an inspiration for flying robots. Scientists from the Robotics Research Center at Seoul National University in South Korea have been able to construct models similar to these insects. The wings, developed by the university's ladybug prototype team, are strong in flight and can fold like origami as soon as the robot hits the ground. Such lightweight and compact technologies could make future versions of robots ideal candidates for search and rescue or reconnaissance missions. The key to the insect's rapid takeoff is the unusual veins on its wings, with a slightly curved shape that allows them to store elastic energy when they are bent and then release it when the wings open. The curved veins also make the wings stiff during flight, similar to how a tape measure stays straight. ... >>

128-layer 3D NAND Flash 16.04.2020

China's Yangtze Memory Technologies Co (YMTC) has unveiled a milestone product: 128-layer NAND flash memory. The X2-6070 series of chips uses proprietary XTracking 2.0 multi-layer memory architecture. It should be noted that the immediate predecessor of this memory is a 64-layer chip based on the XTracking 1.0 architecture, which entered mass production in September 2019. Most other flash memory manufacturers, including Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron, after 64-layer memory, first switched to the production of 96-layer memory and only introduced 128-layer products only last summer. As planned, YMTC managed to skip this step. According to the manufacturer, the new memory will first find use in consumer-grade solid-state drives, and then come to drives for servers and corporate storage. YMTC is part of the state-owned conglomerate Tsinghua Unigroup and is ... >>

Probiotics protect against depression 16.04.2020

Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide a benefit to the host when administered in adequate amounts. The fact is that more than 10 thousand bacteria and more than 10 thousand viruses live in the human large intestine. They are important for a number of processes. A new study at The College of William & Mary found that subjects who consumed probiotics had improved depression test scores. Students who ate more fermented foods were less likely to suffer from increased anxiety. In general, probiotics are well known for their ability to reduce the risk of diarrhea, especially associated with antibiotics. Some foods can have amazing effects on the brain - cause panic or, conversely, help overcome depression. So, the instant carbohydrates contained in peeled rice, due to which glucose molecules enter the brain at lightning speed, can cause spikes in blood sugar levels and generally have a negative impact on health. ... >>

A supramolecule 20 nanometers wide obtained 15.04.2020

Scientists from the University of South Florida (USA) have reached a new milestone in the development of two-dimensional supramolecules - the building blocks that are used in nanotechnology and without which the development of nanomaterials is impossible. They "built" a supramolecule 20 nanometers wide. Previously, the size of such structures did not exceed 10 nanometers. "Our research team has been able to overcome one of the major supramolecular hurdles by developing a well-defined supramolecular structure that moves in size on a 20-nanometer scale," said Xiaopeng, assistant professor of chemistry at the University of South Florida and leader of the study. "This is, in fact, a world record in this area of ​​chemistry. Supramolecules are large molecular structures made up of individual molecules. Unlike traditional chemistry, which focuses on covalent bonds between atoms, supramolecular chemistry studies non-covalent interactions between molecules themselves. Often such interactions lead to self-assembly ... >>

Time on Earth flows differently 15.04.2020

Japanese researchers from the Riken's Quantum Metrology Laboratory and the University of Tokyo found that time at the Tokyo Skytree Observatory, about 450 meters above ground level, runs four nanoseconds faster than directly below the skyscraper. The discovery was made thanks to an extremely accurate "optical clock" that is only off by one second in 16 billion years. This discovery confirms the general theory of relativity of Albert Einstein, who said that clocks in a strong gravitational field would run slower than clocks in a field with weaker gravity. The team placed two precision devices at 456 meters and 3 meters above sea level. On average over a week, the clock shows that time on the last floor goes four nanoseconds faster than on the first. "We wanted to demonstrate that we can take these precise measurements anywhere outside of the lab using portable devices. This is the first step towards creating ultra-precise ... >>

Optimists live longer 14.04.2020

Scientists from the Boston University School of Medicine conducted a study in which they found that the life expectancy of optimists is approximately 15% longer than that of other people. Experts say that optimists are less likely to experience depression and react more calmly to stressful situations in life. This allows them to maintain mental health and serves as a preventive measure for the development of dangerous diseases. Scientists turned to people with a request to look at life positively and get rid of negative thoughts. ... >>

Atomic clocks will make space exploration easier 14.04.2020

The NASA space agency has long been talking about the need to install and tune an atomic clock system for space that would help future generations of astronauts and explorers navigate time as they deploy their missions. The main difficulty lies in the fact that any spacecraft in one way or another relies on the Earth's version of time, which explains the constant need to communicate with the Earth - and this can be very problematic with a potential landing on other planets, due to communication delays. To do this, the NASA team has notified the public that it will soon launch into space a new project of its ultra-precise atomic clocks to provide a new level and type of space navigation - the project is called The Deep Atomic Space Clock and relies on almost the same range of functions as terrestrial atomic clock. The NASA development team intends to introduce a separate module of such clocks in the format of a small compact device. ... >>

Signal transmission through human tissue 13.04.2020

A team of developers from Finland has demonstrated the operation of a method of signal transmission to implants placed inside biological tissue that is safe for living organisms. The signal cannot be intercepted, blocked or changed from a long distance. Professor Marcos Katz of the University of Oulu has led research for many years to find alternative ways to communicate. In 2017, together with colleagues, the scientist developed a hybrid communication channel that can smoothly switch between the transmission modes of radio waves and waves in visible light using VLC (Visible Light Communication) technology. The channel operation mode depended on its state and transmitted information. When testing, the radiation wavelength was increased from a few millimeters to several centimeters and found a good connection even for deeply located implants. The external signal source was located at a distance of several meters from the "body". First results ... >>

Headphones that can self-disinfect 13.04.2020

Philips followed one of the main trends in the electronics market in recent years and also released fully wireless headphones - Philips ActionFi. Unlike other gadgets of this class, the novelty received an extremely unusual disinfection function. The complete case provides a built-in ultraviolet lamp that destroys bacteria and other microscopic enemies of mankind. So using Philips headphones will help you avoid ear infections. The headphones themselves have received a protected design that meets the IPX5 certification, which means that Philips ActionFit is not afraid of water jets, but they still will not survive immersion in liquid. The headphones are based on 6 mm drivers capable of reproducing frequencies ranging from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Philips ActionFit can last up to 6 hours on a single charge. If you periodically recharge the gadget in a case, the novelty is able to provide up to 18 hours of battery life. Fast charging is also provided - 1 ... >>

LED textile 12.04.2020

Classical light emitting elements are arranged in such a way that the light emitting layer is enclosed between two electrodes that supply power. For light sources in the form of filaments and fabrics made from such filaments, such a structure is not the best fit. Scientists from the Republic of Korea were able to get around this limitation and created a luminous textile with electrodes inside the luminescent layer. It would be tempting to produce garments, advertising posters and other items made from materials like fabrics using woven light structures. The traditional representation of light-emitting elements clearly does not contribute to this. A group of scientists from the Korean Institute of Science and Technology Daegu Gyeongbuk (DGIST) set themselves the task of developing a flexible luminescent device in which the electromagnetic field that excites the glow would not propagate perpendicular to the electrodes, but along the plane in which they are located. Also, this design made it possible to hide the power supply electrodes inside ... >>

Concrete will become stronger 12.04.2020

Concrete is called "artificial stone" for its strength. But can it be made even stronger? Australian scientists can say for sure and answer this question in the affirmative. They have developed a technique that makes traditional concrete 17% stronger, which can be extremely important when pouring critical and large structures. At the same time, the technology is relatively low-cost and has a positive effect on the environment. The researchers drew attention to how the properties of the concrete mix ... slag. We are talking about steel production waste. It turns out that in the process of smelting steel alloys, a lot of slag remains, which is often not used in any way. On a global scale, we are not talking about 130 tons of steel slag that need to be disposed of. The Australians claim that now construction companies will buy it themselves as a valuable additive in concrete. The fact is that slags are something like a sponge that absorbs metals until completely saturated. They also absorb water ... >>

Efficient light-emitting silicon material 11.04.2020

Scientists have long sought to create efficient light-emitting devices based on silicon. Their use could significantly increase the speed of computing on silicon chips and make them faster than ever. Materials scientists from the Technical University of Eindhoven, the Technical University of Munich and the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena have finally succeeded in achieving this. They were able to synthesize a silicon-based material that is capable of emitting light over a wide range of wavelengths, depending on its composition. The researchers used silicon and germanium as initial reagents. They combined both elements into a hexagonal structure and learned how to change its properties by varying the composition. Getting these two elements to form a hexagonal lattice together is not easy. To do this, the researchers took pure hexagonal silicon as a basis, creating nanowires from another material with a hexagonal crystal structure. Then they grew silicon ... >>

The fastest star in the galaxy 11.04.2020

Chinese astrophysicist Guan-Wei Li has discovered the fastest rotating star in the Milky Way. According to Guang-Wei Li, the star LAMOST J040643.69 + 542347.8 is 30 light-years away from the Sun. Its rotation speed is up to 540 kilometers per second, which is 105 kilometers per second faster than the previous "record holder" - the star HD 191423, which was discovered in 2010. Now researchers are trying to figure out the composition of the star itself in order to understand the reasons for such a rapid rotation of the object. ... >>

Network standard with 800 Gbps data rate 10.04.2020

The Ethernet Technology Consortium (ETC) has published a new standard for local area network connectivity (Ethernet) with speeds up to 800 Gbps - 800 Gigabit Ethernet (800GBASE-R). The new standard is based on the previous version of 400 Gigabit Ethernet (IEEE 802.3bs), but provides a 2x increase in throughput with some changes aimed at distributing data over eight 106 Gbps physical lanes. In fact, the changes just consist in doubling the number of physical lines - from 4 to 8. In this regard, we also had to make changes to the methods of working with the physical address of the network device (MAC) and data encoding (PCS). Otherwise, the new standard is backward compatible with the previous version. The presented standard is focused on use in systems of corporate and server segments. So it will be used in data centers with high performance computing and remote task processing applications arts ... >>

Classical music will help you pass the exam 10.04.2020

American scientists from the laboratory of neuroscience at Baylor University in the course of the experiment found that students who listen to classical music pass exams much better. For the experiment, 50 students aged 18 to 33 were selected. After the interactive lecture, they independently completed the learning tasks on the computer. During the lecture to the students, excerpts sounded as musical accompaniment (against the background): the first parts of Vivaldi's violin concerto "Spring", Beethoven's piano sonata "Moonlight", Chopin's Nocturne concerto in M ​​in flat major and others. It turned out that classical music more than doubled the chances of passing the exam. ... >>

Molecules stopped at absolute zero temperature 09.04.2020

A group of US physicists have cooled sodium-lithium molecules to a temperature of 220 nanokelvins by colliding with ultracold sodium atoms. Evaporative cooling is used both to lower our body temperature when we sweat, and to cool rooms and appliances. The nature of this phenomenon is that the hot particles of the cooled system collide with coolant particles, transferring their momentum to them, and the latter, in turn, leave the system. In atomic physics, evaporative cooling is used to reduce the energy of vibrations of an ensemble of atoms. The technology uses an electromagnetic field to trap atoms in an optical trap. Over time, the atoms collide with each other and some of them become more mobile than others. Such high-energy atoms leave the trap, thereby lowering the energy of the entire system and lowering the temperature of the remaining atoms. Cooled quantum systems can be used as a simulator of various systems f ... >>

Magnetic therapy against chronic depression 09.04.2020

Stimulating key parts of the brain with magnetic field pulsations can do wonders for those suffering from chronic depression. Researchers from Stanford University and the University of Palo Alto in the US conducted a study with 21 volunteers. Her findings suggest that daily magnetic therapy sessions are not only safe for health, but can also make life easier for patients. The basis of this non-invasive therapy, abbreviated in the West as iTBS, was previously approved by the American Food and Drug Association. The therapy is built around hundreds of intense magnetic impulses directed to a specific part of the brain. Regular sessions lasting several minutes help the brain to more effectively resist bouts of bad mood. This is possible due to the stimulation of neurons, which eventually build stronger connections with each other. While not a panacea, the new therapy has been successful enough to provide significant relief. ... >>

Extraction of useful resources on the moon 08.04.2020

The United States is preparing to develop the resources of the Moon and a number of other space objects. Yesterday, April 7, the official website of the US Presidential Administration published a decree signed by Donald Trump to support the commercial development of space resources. The introductory part of the document refers to the Space Policy Directive of December 11, 2017. In particular, it is indicated that the United States and its partners intend to deploy bases on the Moon, and later on other space objects, for long-term stay of people. This may require the use of resources, including water and some minerals. "However, uncertainty regarding the right to extract and use space resources, including the expansion of the right to commercial mining and the use of lunar resources, does not allow some commercial organizations to participate in this enterprise," the text of the decree says. The White House proposes to ignore the resolution of the UN General Assembly in 1979. At cha ... >>

Robots will build a giant telescope on the moon 08.04.2020

NASA scientists have proposed building a gigantic radio telescope one kilometer in diameter inside a crater on the far side of the Moon. According to the idea, robotic lunar rovers will stretch a wire mesh in the crater, their own diameter is larger than the diameter of the telescope and can reach five kilometers. An overhead receiver will be installed in the center. The whole process can be automated and does not require the participation of human operators. The Lunar Crater Radio Telescope (LCRT) could be used to observe radio waves that cannot be detected from the earth's surface due to interference from the ionosphere and numerous sources of radio noise. If NASA's plans become a reality, the LCRT will be the largest filled aperture antenna in the solar system. Such an antenna is a concave dish that focuses the signal from the observed object on the receiver. LCRT would cover a wavelength range of 10-50 meters (6-30 megahertz frequency band), which has not yet been used for observations. it ... >>

Converting a conductor to a dielectric 07.04.2020

A way has been found to control the electrical and magnetic properties of an extremely fragile quantum material for supersensitive sensors by stretching and compressing at the atomic level. Complex oxides are curious compounds. Some of them, depending on the phase, can exhibit magnetic and electrical properties in different ways. Physicists have long observed the "unconventional" behavior of electrons in such materials and dream of controlling their conductive properties. Researchers at the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have managed to fabricate an ultrathin membrane from an oxide codenamed LCMO, whose elastic deformation affects its conductive properties. LCMO is an oxide of manganese and lanthanum-calcium La0.7Ca0.3MnO3. It is called "quantum" material. As soon as they mocked him in the laboratories before, but until now, scientists have not dared to stretch into a nanoscale membrane. Their conductive properties strongly depend on the distance between the atoms of such oxides. ... >>

Sony WF-XB700 and WH-CH710N Wireless Headphones 07.04.2020

Sony has announced two new models of wireless Bluetooth headphones: WF-XB700 and WH-CH710N. The WF-XB700 wireless headphones were announced as part of the Sony Extra Bass series and are made in the form of in-ear solutions. The design partially resembles the appearance of the flagship model WF-1000XM3. The device is IPX4 certified and water and sweat resistant. But, despite the similarity in design, the new model lacks the active noise cancellation feature that is available in the flagship version. To control the operation of the headphones, physical buttons are used. The total battery life (when recharging from the complete case) is about 18 hours, and the operating time without recharging the headphones themselves is stated at 9 hours. The Sony WF-XB700 Wireless Headphones will go on sale for $130. The WH-CH710N headphones are an upgraded version of the WH-CH700N released at the end of 2018. The novelty is distinguished by an improved noise reduction function, for the needs of which ... >>

Creation of strong magnetic fields by a pulse of laser light 06.04.2020

During the last decade or even two, strong magnetic fields have been used in many areas of science and technology, including materials science, medicine, and the like. However, the hardware that makes it possible to obtain such magnetic fields is far behind in development compared to the ever-increasing needs. Not so long ago, a research team from the University of Ottawa and some other Canadian scientific institutions found a new way to generate high-strength magnetic fields using pulses of laser light. Moreover, the same method makes it possible to "turn on and off" the magnetic field very quickly, which opens up a number of completely new prospects for its practical use. The work done by Canadian scientists is based on the results of previous studies, which were aimed at using lasers to accelerate the process of generating a magnetic field. In these studies, pulses of laser light were used to ensure the movement of electrons in a plate. ... >>

Bacterial battery for Mars 06.04.2020

American scientists have developed a biogenerator of electricity based on bacteria and silicon nanowires. It can produce energy, oxygen and organics on Mars using water and carbon dioxide. In the past five years, at the suggestion of American entrepreneur Elon Musk, scientists have begun to seriously think about the colonization of Mars and other potentially habitable planets. To do this, we need to solve two main problems: to learn how to produce energy from local resources, as well as oxygen, water and food. Now NASA experts are planning to solve this problem using compact nuclear reactors the size of a large suitcase that can operate on the surface of Mars and in airless outer space. The first working prototypes of such generators, which can produce about 40 kilowatts of energy and heat, are planned to be created by experts in about three years. Yang and his colleagues propose to replace nuclear reactors with more environmentally friendly plants in which energy is generated ... >>

The danger of extinction of insects 05.04.2020

Insects make up 80% of the world's living creatures. Yes, this includes plants. And only 10% of them bring some kind of harm to a person: they spread diseases, destroy crops, and finally bite. But even they are involved in maintaining the food webs on Earth. No insects - no birds, amphibians and reptiles that feed on them. Accordingly, predatory reptiles, birds and mammals, which cannot survive without insects, will soon die. No insect pollinators - no plants. And that means all herbivorous creatures, including vegans. It doesn't matter what you eat - everyone will be left without food. In 1948, the Swiss chemist Paul Müller received the Nobel Prize "for his discovery of the high efficacy of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) as a contact poison." It was the first and only time in history that a scientist received the highest award for discovering a pesticide. But very quickly, scientists became disillusioned with the crude pesticide. On the one hand, he prevented a typhus epidemic in Naples in 1944, and according to statistics ... >>

New technology for 3D printing complex objects based on cellulose 05.04.2020

A group of ETH Zurich researchers have found a way to process cellulose using 3D printing to create objects of almost unlimited complexity that contain large amounts of cellulose. The new technology combines direct ink printing (DIW) and a material compaction process that increases the cellulose content of the printed object by up to 27%. The scientists first printed the object using "water ink". The composition of the ink includes only water, in which particles of cellulose and fibers several hundred nanometers in size were mixed. The cellulose content is from six to 14% of the total volume of ink. The scientists then placed the printed object in a bath of organic solvents. Since cellulose does not like organic solvents, its particles tend to stick to each other. So the cellulose particles are compacted and deposited in the object. At the next stage, the researchers immersed the objects in a solution containing St. ... >>

Majorana fermions found in uranium ditelluride 04.04.2020

Physicists at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign used high-resolution microscopic techniques to see the internal structure of a new superconductor, uranium ditelluride UTe2. The measurements showed the presence in this material of an exotic quasi-particle - the Majorana fermion. Such fermions were theoretically predicted as early as 1937 by the Italian physicist Ettore Majorana, and since then physicists have been trying to experimentally prove their existence. Scientists believe that a special class of materials called chiral unconventional superconductors could have such particles. One such promising material is uranium telluride. Inside a normal superconductor, electrons form pairs in such a way that they are able to pass through the material without colliding with the crystal lattice sites and the ensuing loss of energy. In this usual form of superconductivity, magnetic fields can break up the emerging Cooper pairs of electrons, returning the mother ... >>

A decrease in the vibration of the Earth has been recorded 04.04.2020

According to seismologists, the sharp reduction in activity during the coronavirus pandemic has caused the Earth to vibrate much less. Thomas Lecoq, a geologist and seismologist at the Royal Observatory in Belgium, observed that Brussels saw a 30-50% reduction in ambient seismic noise during lockdown. This means that the data collected by seismologists is becoming more accurate and experts are now able to detect even the smallest tremors. This cannot be prevented even by the fact that most scientific instruments are located close to the center of cities, where vibration levels are usually high. "Now we get a signal with less noise and vibration, which allows us to squeeze more information out of our data," said Andy Frassetto, a specialist from the Institute of Seismological Research in Washington. Researchers in Los Angeles and West London (UK) noticed a similar trend. But seismologists who collect data from remote stations located far from civil ... >>

Artificial steaks, similar to real ones 03.04.2020

Researchers at the Israel Institute of Technology have achieved a breakthrough in the production of cultured meat grown outside the body of an animal. Professor Shulamit Levenberg, Dean of the Technion's Faculty of Biomedical Engineering, has developed an innovative technology for growing cultured meat in soy protein forests. Initially, it was intended for medicine, in particular - for tissue engineering and the creation of transplants. Today, there are many incentives for the development of the cultured meat industry. These include the environmental damage caused by the meat processing industry, the massive use of antibiotics accelerating the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria, the ethical debate over animal suffering, and the industry's environmental footprint due to the heavy use of natural resources. Aleph Farms is the first company to successfully farm steaks without slaughter. Professor Levenberg is a founding partner of the company and its CEOs ... >>

Molex's New High Speed ​​USB Cable Assemblies 03.04.2020

Molex has expanded its line of high-speed USB products with the 68768 (USB 2.0) and 68789 (USB 3.0) series, fully shielded USB cable assemblies that support speeds up to 5Gbps. Due to the high transfer rate (up to 5 Gb/s for USB 3.0), operational durability (the number of mating cycles - up to 10000 times), protection against electromagnetic radiation, Molex USB cable assemblies are used in telecommunications devices (servers, switches), consumer electronics (smartphones, TVs) and in many other areas (medical equipment, drones, etc.). Key features: Data transfer rate: up to 5 Gbps (68789); Operating voltage: 30V; Operating current: 0,5A (68768), 0,9A (68789); Number of mating cycles: 10000 (68768), 5000 (68789); Operating temperature: 0...50°С. ... >>

Exploration of bones will reveal new durable materials 02.04.2020

A team of experienced material engineers from New York Cornwell University presented a project aimed at identifying the principles of how bone tissue can strengthen itself and how this principle can be used to make the materials and devices known to us even more stable and reliable in their prolonged and sometimes even extreme operation. In particular, the work of the team of specialists focused in the first stage on identifying how the bone can resist high loads on itself. It turned out that its lattice structure is based on the imposition of horizontal and vertical "racks", which not only withstand long cycles of loads, but which can also increase the stability of the bone tissue itself. With the passage of age, people lose primarily horizontal bone racks, which significantly reduces the level of its resistance to various loads, and in addition, the bone becomes more ... >>

Video cards EVGA GeForce GTX 1650 GDDR6 02.04.2020

EVGA has unveiled its own GeForce GTX 1650 series graphics accelerators equipped with GDDR6 memory. Debuted models GeForce GTX 1650 SC Ultra Gaming GDDR6 and GeForce GTX 1650 SC Ultra Black Gaming GDDR6. Video cards use the NVIDIA Turing architecture. The configuration provides for the use of 896 CUDA cores. The amount of GDDR6 memory with a 128-bit bus is 4 GB, the frequency is 12 MHz. The model GeForce GTX 000 SC Ultra Gaming GDDR1650 has a core frequency in turbo mode of up to 6 MHz. For the GeForce GTX 1710 SC Ultra Black Gaming GDDR1650 version, this figure is up to 6 MHz. The accelerators have a compact design, which makes them suitable for use in computers with limited space inside the case. The cooling system includes two fans. In the back there is a reinforcing metal plate. Video cards received a two-slot design. Two DisplayPort interfaces and one HDMI connector are available for connecting monitors. ... >>

Dyson PH01 humidifier-purifier 01.04.2020

Dyson has introduced the new Dyson PH01 humidifier-purifier. The new climate device uses a revolutionary water purification system using ultraviolet C (UV-C) rays, which kill 99,9% of bacteria in the water. At the same time, a biostatic evaporator with a silver thread built into the water tank helps to prevent the growth of bacteria in it. In addition to humidifying and purifying the air, the Dyson PH01 (Pure Humidify+Cool) has an airflow cooling function for use in the summer and effective air purification all year round. When developing the Dyson PH01 humidifier-purifier, the company's engineers carried out extensive research to calculate the optimal dose of UV C to kill bacteria. The developers created a highly reflective Teflon tube, which allows UV C to be reflected multiple times along the entire length of the tube. When water enters from a reservoir and passes through multiple reflected beams, UV C kills almost instantly. ... >>

New type of black hole discovered 01.04.2020

Astronomers using the Hubble Space Telescope have discovered the first evidence of a new type of black hole, about which so far only hypotheses have been expressed. Before this discovery, scientists found only giant black holes with a mass of hundreds of millions of our Suns, or very "tiny" ones with a mass of five solar. However, it was not possible to find an intermediate link, there was only indirect evidence that they gradually grow, merging with each other. These intermediate mass black holes (IMBHs) form the "missing link" in the evolution of black holes. But this type of objects is extremely difficult to find. As a starting point for their research, the scientists took data from NASA's Chandra X-ray Observatory and the European Space Agency's X-ray Multi-Mirror Mission. These telescopes observed long wavelength X-rays and detected a powerful flare from an unknown source in 2006. Pointing Hubble at the source of these X-rays, ... >>

Sea water biodegradable plastic 31.03.2020

Plant-based plastic was created by a group of scientists from Osaka University. Scientists claim that the created material decomposes in sea water. The material is quite durable, inexpensive and easy to manufacture. The main thing is that the material can alleviate the problem of disposal of plastic waste polluting the seas. The raw materials for the production of the new material were the starch contained in cassava, the raw material for tapioca, and the cellulose contained in wood pulp. One sheet is about 100 micrometers thick and more than double the strength of widely used polyethylene plastics. A sheet of plastic was placed in sea water and a month later the organisms living in it "tear it to shreds". In water with a small number of microorganisms, the material did not decompose. More variants of materials have been created that can be decomposed by living organisms. Recall that fast-decomposing plastic based on lactic acid polymers, which can withstand high temperatures, was developed by Czech scientists. He invited ... >>

Cats understand people 31.03.2020

Cat owners can be divided into 2 camps: some claim that their cat understands everything, but cannot answer, others that cats do not understand human speech at all. But what is it really? Do cats understand what the owner is saying, or are they guided only by the intonation in the voice? Japanese scientists Atsuko Saito and Kazutaka Shinozuka tried to figure out this issue, the results of the study are amazing, because they managed to prove that cats do not just distinguish intonation, they understand human speech. How exactly were the experiments carried out? It is clear that it is impossible to talk with cats in the literal sense of the word, more precisely, you can, but you will not understand the answer. Nevertheless, the scientists talked with 78 cats and cats, for the purity of the experiment, not only domestic cats, but also animals from cat cafes that do not have a specific owner participated in the study. The question was taken as a basis: "Does the cat understand its name? Can it distinguish its name from similar words?". Scientists came to the conclusion: our pets in sa ... >>

Created a material that emits a narrow spectrum of light when heated 30.03.2020

Physicists at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute have synthesized a three-dimensional tungsten photonic crystal - a material that can control the properties of a photon - with six shifted layers. Its crystal structure is similar to diamond, and the material itself also has an optical resonator, which further narrows the emission spectrum. The photonic crystal itself compresses the emitted spectrum of light to a range of about one micrometer. The resonator allows you to narrow this value to 0,07 micrometers. While testing the new material, the scientists placed it on a silicon substrate side by side with a blackbody made from carbon nanotubes. In the experiment, the authors heated the materials up to 600 K and measured the spectrum of the radiation emitted by them. It turned out that the emission peak falls at a wavelength of 1,7 micrometers, corresponding to the infrared range. Moreover, the intensity of such radiation is eight times higher than that of a black body. Although the existing theory is not yet fully capable of describing the observed phenomena, scientists ... >>

space cleaner 30.03.2020

The constantly developing space industry has allowed us not only to get out of the Earth and make plans for the colonization of other planets, but also strongly namokopi on the orbit of the planet. The problem is already becoming catastrophic and needs a solution. Therefore, the European Space Agency plans to create a space cleaner Clearspace-1. If in the summer it turns out to sign a contract for the development, then already in 2025 he will be able to start and begin his duties. The Clearspace-1 spacecraft will have to focus on removing large debris from rockets from the orbital path, as well as inoperative satellites (broken or without fuel). This is important, because in the event of a collision (and this happens), objects are crushed into hundreds and thousands of small fragments, which create a real problem (they can break through the MKC skin and are hard to catch). The Clearspace-1 apparatus is planned to be equipped with special sensors that allow determining the location of the object, and 4 manipulators for ... >>

Smart speaker Redmi XiaoAI Touch Screen Speaker 29.03.2020

Redmi introduced the smart speaker Redmi XiaoAI Touch Screen Speaker. A feature of the device is a large 8-inch display with HD resolution - with its help, not only control is carried out, but also video telephony: a web-camera is built into the column case. By the way, the operation of the children's mode is also tied to it: as soon as the camera detects a child in front of it, the column switches to a special mode of operation with displaying only children's content. The third generation XiaoAI proprietary voice assistant is built into the device. It provides access to a variety of functions, including control of smart home devices. Redmi XiaoAI Touch Screen Speaker supports various video and audio streaming services, so such a device will not be superfluous in times of quarantine and self-isolation. The price of the new item is $50. ... >>

Magnetic nano-probes for cell research 29.03.2020

Most likely, in the near future, so-called nano-bots will be actively used in practical medicine - special nanoscopic micro-robots that can be used to deliver medicinal compounds bypassing all barriers, because such things are being developed and tested now. However, the application of the standard procedure for placing nano-bots in a living cell is rather complicated, primarily from an energy point of view. Therefore, a team of scientists from the University of Toronto presented their new method of such delivery and more precise movement, as well as direct control of a nano-bot inside a cell. The use of a standard type of such a nano-bot involves the use of a sufficiently concentrated and energy-consuming laser beam, with which you can control the movement of the robot in a cage, but with known limitations and low accuracy. This can be corrected by increasing the concentration of the beam, however, at the same time, the likelihood of serious problems increases. ... >>

A supercapacitor that stretches eight times 28.03.2020

Employees of Michigan State University and Duke University have invented a special capacitor. The device is unique in that it retains its functionality after repeated stretching. The invention of American scientists differs from the standard battery in several ways. So, the device has the ability to store energy due to the separation of charges and cannot create its own electricity. The supercapacitor must be charged by another external device. In addition, an elastic supercapacitor is capable of delivering energy in the form of short-term, but powerful bursts, rather than a continuous stream. Another difference between the device and the battery is its faster charging. ... >>

Artificial photosynthesis system 28.03.2020

Photosynthesis is a sunlight-induced chemical reaction that green plants and algae use to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) into cellular fuel. Scientists around the world are looking to use it to create fuels that can power our homes and vehicles. The team of Heinz Frei at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory has managed to create a technology that comes very close to solving this problem. The new artificial photosynthesis system includes a "solar fuel stove" that contains billions of nanosized tubes sandwiched between caps made of thin, slightly flexible silicate, with tube holes pierced through the caps. Each tiny (about 0,5 micrometer wide) hollow tube inside the tile is made up of three layers: an inner layer of cobalt oxide, a middle layer of silicon dioxide, and an outer layer of titanium dioxide. In the inner layer of the tube, the sunlight energy delivered to the cobalt oxide is ... >>

Plants to purify the air in space stations 27.03.2020

Scientists from the United States, as part of the "Clean Air" program, investigated methods for cleaning the air inside space stations. NASA experts have named the best plant that absorbs toxins. Employees of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have found that green plants can absorb harmful substances. The experiment involved 19 indoor plants, bamboo is the leader in all respects, it is able not only to purify the air, but also to destroy the largest amount of toxins, having a positive effect on human life. For maximum effect, scientists recommend installing 2-3 plants per 30 square meters. m. Human health largely depends on air quality, which is why keeping this flower in the house is justified, bamboo can even cheer you up. ... >>

Intel neuromorphic nose 27.03.2020

Intel researchers, together with scientists from Cornell University, have created a kind of "electronic nose" that can remember the specific smell of a compound and chemical at a time and identify this smell with high accuracy even if it is masked by other strong smells. The "electronic nose" system is based on Intel's Loihi neuromorphic processor, and its sensitive element is a matrix of 72 chemical sensors. The Loihi processor is programmed in such a way that its circuits mimic the neurons of the so-called olfactory bulb, the part of the brain that is responsible for smell recognition, as closely as possible. Further development of this system will make it possible in the future to create devices that can detect dangerous chemicals, hidden drugs or explosives, and, of course, make accurate medical diagnoses. The Loihi processor architecture is built for the most similar ... >>

The smartphone will make the car more powerful 26.03.2020

Mountune Performance, a British tuning studio, has unveiled a program to refine the latest generation of the Ford Focus ST hot hatchback, a feature of which is the ability to increase engine power using a smartphone. The signature m330 kit allows you to increase the power of the 280-horsepower 2,3-liter EcoBoost gasoline turbo engine by 50 hp. and increase the torque by 95 Nm. In this case, the only physical refinement of the engine will be the installation of a new air filter - all other changes are "digital" in nature. After paying for the tuning kit, the owner of the car receives instructions for updating the software of the engine control unit of his car using a smartphone with a special mTune SMARTflash application installed on it and an OBD adapter for the car that communicates with the gadget via Bluetooth. Installing the m330 kit allows you to choose between three engine modes: the base 280-horsepower Stock Performance, the more powerful 330-horsepower m ... >>

Universal Power Controllers for TWS Wireless Headphones 26.03.2020

Samsung has introduced two PMIC controller options for power management: the MUA01 controller is designed to manage the power and charge of the earphones in the case, and the MUB01 controller is a power management solution for each of the pair of earphones in the kit. According to Samsung, the new controllers include a dozen discrete elements that were previously located on the circuit board and took up precious space in miniature in-ear phones. Due to the transfer of discrete components into the composition of the new PMIC universal integrated circuits, the size of the board with control electronics was reduced by almost half. This frees up space for a larger battery, which will extend the battery life of wireless headphones or reduce their size. Also, the new universal solution will provide faster time to market for new products if third-party developers take the new Samsung chip into service. In addition, the MUA01 controller for the case is ... >>

Muscle tone without physical activity 25.03.2020

Scientists at the University of Birmingham and the University of Dundee have conducted research that will help older people maintain muscle mass in good shape. One of the best ways to maintain muscle strength with age is, of course, constant physical activity and exercise. However, not every aging person is able to withstand such loads. Scientists set out to find out at the cellular level what exactly makes muscles elastic. Cells contain a kind of energy stations. Their role is played by mitochondria, it is they who produce energy, while being destroyed and synthesized again. The older the body, the more difficult the process of mitochondrial renewal is, and more and more decay products accumulate in the cells without renewal or old mitochondria that no longer work. Therefore, muscle function decreases, and at the same time the physical capabilities of a person. Using fluorescent labels, scientists tracked the development of mitochondria in muscle cells. First they have ... >>

Superdiode MAX40203 25.03.2020

When developing devices in which the main power can be duplicated by a battery, it becomes necessary to limit the flow of reverse currents. The simplest and most common solution to this problem is to install a diode. The disadvantages of this solution are the voltage drop across the diode (usually 0,6 V at the pn junction of the diode, or 0,2 V in the case of a Schottky diode) and a reverse current of tens or even hundreds of milliamps. All this leads to a decrease in the battery life of the device and to its premature failure. To solve this problem, Maxim Integrated has developed a unique solution. This is the ideal MAX40203 diode from the NanoPower line. The voltage drop across it is between 14 mV and 100 mV, and the leakage current is only 70 nA. Another feature of an ideal diode is the presence of an EN terminal. When not powered, the MAX40203 completely blocks up to 6V in both directions. It is important to note the presence of protection against short circuits. During a sudden power surge or ... >>

The magnetic field affects graphene in an unusual way 24.03.2020

Graphene is a very unusual and promising material in every sense, which has managed to gain fame in almost any field related to scientific research. And yet, specialists continue to discover more and more of its new and interesting properties - as was done, for example, by specialists from the Zurich Polytechnic Institute. This is a joint project of chemical engineering professors Jose Lado and Alin Ramirez, who found that two layers of graphene stacked in a special way can be used to obtain a superconducting material - which is quite an interesting result, given previous studies in this direction, which clearly spoke of the need control the bending of graphene. However, a new study is connected precisely with this moment - experts have found that if you connect two sheets of graphene, but at the same time change the bend of one of them so that their matrix grids do not completely coincide, then when they are exposed to an electric field, they generate ... >>

Worms that eat plastic 24.03.2020

Every day we use plastic bags and throw away a lot of plastic products. This pollutes the environment so much that plastic waste has been used by animals as building materials and even eaten by them. Ecologists from all over the world are trying to come up with an effective way to clean up nature from plastic waste and from time to time offer very interesting and unusual options. For example, Canadian scientists believe that the larvae of the so-called large wax moth can effectively destroy plastic waste. It turned out that they, together with their intestinal bacteria, with great appetite eat and digest polyethylene, which has accumulated a lot on our planet. Large wax moth larvae, also known as waxworms, are actually a problem for beekeepers. They actively feed on wax combs and destroy some of the honey collected by bees, so people try to fight them. However, in 2017 researchers ... >>

Danger-signaling plant genes found 23.03.2020

Scientists from the Salk Institute for Biological Research (Salk Institute) have found the exact location of the genes, whose purpose is to signal danger. The plant hormone, jasmonic acid or jasmonate, is responsible for the plant's response to external irritation: insect attack, fungal infection, drought, heat or cold. By examining plant cells after exposure to jasmonic acid, scientists have determined which genes are responsible for the plant's response to danger. The guinea pig Talya became the test subject: the genome of this representative of the mustard family is well studied. The results of studies of the rucifera can be extrapolated, since jasmonic acid is found among representatives of the entire plant kingdom. The seeds germinated in the dark were treated with jasmonate, after which the researchers extracted DNA and proteins from the cells. To determine the exact location of the genes that regulate the plant's behavior in times of danger, the scientists used specific antibodies against the proteins of interest. "Goal ... >>

3D printer to make sports car seats 23.03.2020

Currently, car manufacturers offer seats that are identical in their configuration for mass-produced cars, and only a few brands include sports seats in the list of options, but the ability to fit them to the figure is limited by the presence of regular adjustments. At the same time, personal lodgements have long been used in motorsport, which are created taking into account the characteristics of the anthropometric data of a particular pilot. The Porsche brand decided to introduce this technology, albeit in a somewhat truncated form, into road cars, taking 3D printing technology as a basis. Customers will be offered the option to "customise" the seat to themselves by choosing a bucket seat with printed elements. The chair will be based on a standard frame, which will be complemented by a base made of foamed polypropylene, a breathable core made using 3D printing from polypropylene material and upholstery made of Racetex synthetic material. At the same time, buyers will be given the opportunity to choose the level of stiffness by stuffing ... >>

Xiaomi gadget for smartphone disinfection 22.03.2020

Xiaomi has introduced a gadget for sterilizing and disinfecting smartphones and other small items, which has become available for order. At the pre-order stage, the device is offered for $69. After the release, the price will increase to $91. The developers claim that the procedure takes only 30 seconds, while the efficiency of the device is 99,99%. Of course, the gadget also kills the new coronavirus, which everyone is talking about today. All you have to do is unzip your bag, place your smartphone or other small item inside, close the zipper and press the power button. The manufacturer claims that this gadget is absolutely safe, since it does not leave any chemicals as a result of its operation. A full charge of the device takes 3 hours, after which 70 cleanings can be carried out. This device is more effective than antibacterial wipes, as it allows you to clean connectors, buttons and other hard-to-reach places. In the bag ... >>

compact computer 22.03.2020

Taiwanese embedded systems maker DFI has unveiled what is probably the smallest AMD Ryzen-powered computer to date. The device, called the DFI GHF51, measures 84x55mm, roughly the size of a Raspberry Pi. At the same time, given the components used, such a system can be quite productive, even despite its size. The Ryzen Embedded R1000 series processor used has a TDP of 12W. It can be one of the chips: either R1505G or R1606G. They both have 2 cores (4 instruction threads are supported) and Radeon Vega graphics with 2 execution units. The system can be configured with 4GB, 8GB, or 4GB of single-channel 3200MHz DDR16 memory and 32GB, 64GB, or 3.1GB of onboard eMMC flash. The computer is equipped with a Gigabit Ethernet network port, one USB 2 Gen 1.4 Type port, two Micro HDMI 8 connectors, a Mini-PCIe slot, an 2.0-bit Digital I/O module, an SMBus controller, and a TPM 51 chip. The DFI GHFXNUMX board supports o ... >>

Air taxi for intercity transportation 21.03.2020

The American company Transcend Air has begun developing the Vy 400 flying taxi; it is planned to be used for intercity flights. The American company Transcend Air has begun to create an air taxi Vy 400, the N + 1 portal writes with reference to Aviation Week. The device is planned to be made according to the tiltrotor scheme with a rotary wing, with propellers at the ends, and a fan in the tail section. The car will be equipped with a turboshaft engine capable of delivering 1 horsepower. The maximum takeoff weight of the Vy 700 will be 400 tons; The air taxi will be able to carry cargo weighing up to 3,2 kilograms. The device will be able to fly at speeds up to 993 kilometers per hour, at an altitude of up to 648 meters. It is planned that the Vy 6 will be able to carry up to five passengers. Transcend Air plans to use air taxis for long-distance travel, specifically between New York and Boston and Los Angeles and San Francisco. The company has already begun testing scaled-down air taxi prototypes, as well as software and systems. ... >>

Samsung eUFS 3.1 512GB Fast Flash Memory 21.03.2020

Samsung Electronics announced the start of mass production of high-speed 3.1 GB eUFS (embedded Universal Flash Storage) 512 flash memory modules for the next generation of flagship smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices. The new eUFS 3.1 flash memory is three times faster than the previous generation, made in accordance with the eUFS 3.0 standard. More specifically, the new modules provide peak sequential write speeds of 1200 MB/s versus 410 MB/s for eUFS 3.0 models. That's more than twice as fast as a PC with a SATA drive (540MB/s) and ten times faster than a UHS-I microSD card (90MB/s). By the way, a little more than one year has passed since the development of the release of the latter. Claimed peak sequential read speeds are the same as 2100 MB/s, maximum random access read performance is claimed at 100 IOPS (up 000x), and writes at 1,6 IOPS (up 70 times). In smartphones from new ... >>

A new way to repel ice 20.03.2020

Ice is one of the most problematic factors in many industrial, service and transportation segments, causing disasters and problems of various kinds and complexity. The development of new materials for ice rejection is becoming a real hot topic for many research teams, and the chemical engineering team at the University of Virginia is no exception. Today, scientists presented their new experimental material, which has a very high degree of ice repulsion, due to which it has the potential to be used in a variety of directions and segments. The specialists managed to create this material on the basis of a rather effective and popular theory in physics called "disaster localization". According to this theory, changing the physical and chemical properties of certain areas of the material is a much more efficient and useful approach than creating the entire material with the desired properties. ... >>

Chip ST25DV02K-W for controlling lights and motors 20.03.2020

STMicroelectronics has released a new series of ST25DV-PWM 13,56 MHz dynamic NFC/RFID tags compatible with NFC phones and professional readers. The series includes ST25DV02K-W1/W2 chips, which differ in the number of PWM outputs (PWM). The two PWM outputs of the ST25DV02K-W2 can be independently and safely programmed, allowing the NFC chip to be used in devices where smooth analog parameter changes are required. The chip provides real-time PWM parameter updates using a contactless interface through a regular smartphone, which expands the user's ability to control devices without the usual interface in the form of buttons and a display. The ST25DV02K-W1/2 is an ISO 15693 and NFC Forum Type 5 tag with one or two pulse-width modulation (PWM) outputs and 2 kbit electrically erasable programmable memory (EEPROM). The microcircuit has two interfaces. The first provides up to two independent PWM outputs and the second is an RF channel ... >>

Car tire with 5G connectivity 19.03.2020

The new Pirelli Cinturato P7 tire model is designed for premium cars and features improved wet performance, improved hydroplaning resistance and a 4-meter reduction in braking distance from 100 km/h. According to the engineers of the Italian company, the use of new technologies in the Cinturato P7 has improved acoustic comfort and smoothness while driving, as well as increasing the life of new tires by 6%. In addition, the new tires have a 12% reduction in rolling resistance and a 4% improvement in fuel consumption (WLTP cycle), resulting in a reduction in CO2 emissions. The new Pirelli Cinturato P7 is the first car tire to feature 5G connectivity, which will eventually enable the exchange of information collected by tires to warn drivers of dangerous road situations such as the risk of hydroplaning. In addition, the Cinturato P7 features Run Flat and Seal Inside technologies to keep moving. ... >>

Self-healing concrete 19.03.2020

Scientists from the US state of Colorado, using bacteria, have created a "living" concrete that can self-repair. Concrete is the backbone of urban planning all over the world. Unfortunately, the varieties of concrete that exist today are destroyed sooner or later. According to American scientists, the new material is a mixture of sand, which regularly feeds the composition with hydrogel liquid and bacteria of the genus Synechococcus. The gel-like mass provides the microbes with the substances necessary for growth, and as they develop, they produce calcium carbonate. It is this substance that gives the material its strength. The composition created by the Americans with bacteria, under certain conditions, is able to fully recover. For example, if a brick created using a new technology is broken, it can be regrown by dousing it with a mixture of hydrogel and sand. Under the influence of the sun and nutrients from the hydrogel, the bacteria literally come to life and help the brick to return to its original shape. The resulting material ... >>

Panasonic Virtual Yoga Coach 18.03.2020

Panasonic has introduced an interesting solution for a smart home - a virtual yoga trainer. It uses non-contact vital signs measurement systems, cameras, spatial sensors, projection technologies, and even an emotion recognition system (the latter is Panasonic's own development). Outwardly, the solution looks rather unpretentious: a gray rug spread out in front of a dark wall in which cameras and sensors are mounted. It also projects the performance of a person and a three-dimensional image of his virtual coach. To start exercising, you need to comfortably stand on the mat and stand quietly for a few seconds, so that the system determines and issues user data and basic mood. The cameras non-contactly monitor the pulse, the frequency and speed of blinking, the position of the eyebrows and mouth, body temperature. Based on the data obtained, the system determines the strength and modality of emotions experienced by a person - from complete dissatisfaction with oneself to extreme complacency and others. ... >>

Happiness from altruism is short-lived 18.03.2020

It is believed that altruism makes us happy, and there are a number of psychological studies in support of this. For example, if a person often helps someone, his mood improves, and when stressed, there is less emotional "negativity". Altruistic acts are also said to lower blood pressure and are generally good for health. However, employees of the University of Bonn and Harvard University believe that happiness from altruism is not so simple: the initial "pluses" from it can turn into "minuses". The researchers invited about three hundred students to participate in two lotteries: one had a good chance of winning 100 euros, the other you did not win anything, but you could donate 350 euros to a fund for helping patients with tuberculosis. The participants in the experiment were free to choose which lottery they wanted to play, and the money in both of them was quite real. About 60% chose the second, altruistic, lottery, in which the money went to charity. All involved ... >>

Ice cold fuel for a fusion reactor 17.03.2020

Bombardment with pellets of frozen hydrogen proved to be more effective than injection of gaseous deuterium and tritium to operate a fusion reactor, physicists at Princeton University said. Scientists conducted research on the DIII-D tokomak experimental thermonuclear facility. To bombard with frozen hydrogen granules, physicists built a special "ice gun" that fired them directly into the plasma. The traditional way of supplying fuel in the form of deuterium and tritium in a gaseous state reduced the temperature and density of the plasma. Whereas ice fuel did not cause such a negative effect. Physicists believe that when gaseous portions of fuel are introduced, their flow is hindered by a specific reverse exhaust from the plasma layer surrounding the zone where thermonuclear reactions take place directly. When firing frozen pellets, the fuel was delivered to the desired zone without a plasma response. In the conclusions of the study, scientists suggested that frozen water in the future will become ... >>

Invisible plastic in water 17.03.2020

A Washington State University research team has found that nanosized particles of the most commonly used plastic tend to pass through water systems and end up in water, soil, and sewage treatment plants. Scientists have studied what happens to tiny nano-sized pieces of plastic that enter the aquatic environment. It is estimated that every day about eight trillion pieces of microplastics pass through wastewater treatment plants and enter the aquatic environment. These small pieces of plastic can come from the decomposition of larger pieces of plastic or microbeads that are used in personal care products. A study found that more than 90% of tap water in the US contains nanosized plastic particles that are invisible to the human eye. Scientists have studied the fate of polyethylene and polystyrene nanoparticles, which are used in a huge number of products, including plastic bags, personal care products, kitchen appliances, disposable glasses. ... >>

One photon is split into three entangled individual photons 16.03.2020

Physicists at the Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo have developed a new technology that splits one photon of light into three separate photons. This technology is based on the SPDC (spontaneous parametric down-conversion) method, which allows you to get what in quantum optics is called the non-Gaussian state of light, which is considered one of the main components necessary to achieve quantum superiority. "The splitting of a photon into two technology has been the workhorse of research in quantum mechanics for over 30 years," says Chris Wilson, professor and lead researcher. quantum optics and opens up an entirely new area of ​​research." To circumvent the known limitations of the SPDC method, scientists used microwave photons (quanta of microwave radiation) that fell into the cavity ... >>

Charging implants with ultrasound 16.03.2020

Researchers at the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology have come up with an idea for how implantable surgical devices and stimulators can be remotely charged using a special hydrogel. The system proposed by scientists is based on a new type of biocompatible hydrogel that contains a lot of water, that is, it can safely stretch and bend with the body, as well as conduct electricity. The researchers mixed polyvinyl alcohol with tiny pieces of MXene, a two-dimensional material made from transition metal carbides, nitrides, or carbonitrides. The result is the so-called M-Gel, which is able to generate electricity under pressure, which forces charged ions to move through the water in the gel. Scientists have studied the effectiveness of exposure to ultrasound gel in a series of experiments. They placed the device a few centimeters inside a piece of beef and turned on several ultrasonic devices in turn, which applied ... >>

Smart material based on shark skin 15.03.2020

Scientists at the University of Southern California have created a smart material inspired by shark skin. He can control sound waves in various ways - to dampen or improve them. Acoustic metamaterials are typically designed to manipulate sound waves. But they can only perform the function for which they were created, for example, damping outgoing sound on a submarine. The same device cannot be converted to another function - in this case, another acoustic device must be used. Now a team of scientists from the University of Southern California has developed an acoustic metamaterial that can switch between different functions using carefully selected magnetic fields. The structure of the new metamaterials is inspired by the unusual structure of shark skin. They can be used to simulate the function of switches or diodes. The researchers explained that the microscopic structure of these metamaterials ... >>

Gamers against COVID-19 15.03.2020

If you have a gaming PC, you can use its graphics capabilities to combat the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. NVIDIA encourages all gaming PC owners to download the Folding@home app so they can use their PC in their spare time to fight this deadly disease. The application allows you to connect computers in an international network that uses distributed computing power to solve complex computing problems - gaming GPUs are quite suitable for this purpose. The Folding@home app has been developed for quite some time. Previously, a new series of projects was made available to him to "mimic the potentially drug-resistant target proteins of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and the related virus SARS-CoV (for which more structural data is available)." The implementation of these projects could help researchers better understand the coronavirus and eventually, possibly ... >>

Samsung Full Solid State Battery 14.03.2020

Research scientists from the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology (SAIT) in London and the Samsung Research Institute of Japan (SRJ) have unveiled long-life solid-state batteries. Solid-state batteries compare favorably with lithium-ion batteries, as they allow you to increase the amount of stored energy per unit mass. This allows you to create batteries with a higher capacity, using solid electrolytes, which are safer than liquid ones. But there is a problem: Lithium anodes can cause dendrites (needle-like crystals that can form on the anode of a battery during charging) to grow, resulting in reduced battery life and less safety. To solve the problem, scientists first proposed using a composite layer of silver and carbon (Ag-C) as an anode. This allowed to increase the capacity, service life and overall safety of the solid state battery prototype. ... >>

Threads tracking gas 14.03.2020

Various electronic devices for determining the presence of certain harmful gases in rooms or in the atmosphere as a whole, of course, are widely used and distributed, but still have a relatively high price for manufacture and sale, which often makes them not quite suitable for their purpose. . That is why a team of chemical engineering specialists from Tufts University in Massachusetts presented their new interesting development of special colored threads embedded in the fabric of clothing that can detect the presence of harmful and dangerous impurities in the atmosphere, demonstrating this by changing their primary color. Such a development, as it becomes clear from the preliminary description, has a truly remarkable level of quality and a lower price compared to traditional signal electronics. The threads themselves are a combination of special fabrics and polymers treated with dyes, namely MnTPP dye, blue bromothymol and red m ... >>

New extreme battery 13.03.2020

Scientists from Stanford University have created an unparalleled lithium-ion battery that works even during combustion. The new technology will avoid sudden explosions. The creators describe the SSE solid state electrolyte as a flame retardant device that they used in lithium-ion batteries. The device is made of decabromodiphenylethane material. For the production of the electrolyte, a thin film is used, which is combined with DBDPE, which has a mechanical amplifier. The use of polyimide has a number of advantages: high melting point, strength, reduced risk of short circuit. The budget battery is easy to produce on standard equipment. ... >>

Heart computer 13.03.2020

Scientists in Israel have created a mini-computer to be installed directly in the human heart. The device, called the V-LAP, is shaped like a tube and can be easily inserted through a patient's veins. The computer will collect data on the work of the heart, namely blood pressure. With the help of the device, doctors will receive data that was previously inaccessible to them, which will help to prescribe the appropriate treatment for the patient. V-LAP was created by the Israeli company Vectorious Medical Technologies. The device is charged from a special belt worn by the patient from the outside. Artificial intelligence will collect, process and send data. Specialists have opened a search for volunteers for clinical trials of the computer. One of the first patients with V-LAP in the heart was a 71-year-old Briton named Andrew. The device is expected to help the world's 26 million people who live with heart failure. ... >>

Ergonomic Samsung LED Components 12.03.2020

Samsung Electronics has unveiled its first line of LEDs, the LM302N, designed with human physiology in mind. They stand out with a carefully selected light spectrum and allow you to regulate the level of melatonin in the human body, which allows you to achieve the desired effect of lighting - relaxation or concentration. The synthesis of melatonin, the hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle, depends on light intensity in the cyan color range between green and blue. Brighter cyan-dominated lighting suppresses the production of melatonin in the body, increasing concentration and making people feel more alert. Similarly, reducing the intensity of this spectrum minimizes the change in the body's natural melatonin levels, thus helping to improve the quality of sleep. The new line includes two types of LEDs: day and night. The first increase the level of attention, and the second help to relax. LED ... >>

Cyclones are 10% stronger 12.03.2020

Ultra-precise computer simulations conducted by the NCAR Atmospheric Research Center in Boulder, Colorado, USA, have shown that global warming has significantly increased the destructive power of tropical cyclones and caused them to move deep into the Australian continent, according to a climate scientists report released on Wednesday by the Australian Association of Insurance Companies (IAG ). According to scientists, in the last 5 years, the intensity and destructive power of tropical cyclones hitting the northern coast of the continent has increased by almost 10%. This data was confirmed by another group of experts - a team of meteorologists, hydrologists, engineers and mathematicians, assembled by IAG after the floods in Queensland last February. Through extensive field research and computer simulations, scientists have found that rising temperatures in the oceans surrounding Australia have caused tropical cyclones to increasingly remain strong enough to ... >>

Iron rain over a hot planet 11.03.2020

Researchers at the European Southern Observatory (ESO) have discovered the giant exoplanet WASP-76b, where it rains hot liquid iron. The exoplanet, located in the constellation Pisces, is located at a distance of about 640 light-years from Earth. To observe the planet WASP-76b, scientists used a heavy-duty telescope with the ESPRESSO spectrograph installed at the European Southern Observatory (Chile). This unusual phenomenon occurs because WASP-76b always faces its parent star on its day side. The temperature on this side reaches 2400 degrees Celsius. While on the night side, immersed in darkness, the temperature is lower: 1480 degrees Celsius. Astronomers explained that very strong winds carry iron vapor to the cold night side. There they condense into drops of hot iron rain. ... >>

Rest on your haunches 11.03.2020

Modern man lives differently than his distant ancestors, and this is often seen as the cause of various chronic diseases - obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, etc. In this case, ancestors are understood to be hunter-gatherers who did not yet know cattle breeding and nothing was grown. And in order to be healthy, you need to eat like your ancestors (that is, adhere to the so-called paleo diet), sleep like your ancestors, move as much as your ancestors. Employees of the University of Southern California, along with colleagues from other research centers, distributed devices to people from the Hadza people that tracked periods of activity and periods of rest. The Hadza live in Tanzania, hunting and gathering - that is, they lead an "ancestral" way of life, and therefore anthropologists and other researchers often come to them, who are trying to understand how a person has changed since ancient times. It turned out that the period of physical activity in the Hadza is three times longer than recommended by health authorities. ... >>

Orbital connection of qubits improves quantum computing 10.03.2020

Experts from the Center for Quantum Technology in Australia have unveiled a highly unusual experimental development of a circular orbital atomic junction of qubits - the smallest and fastest quantum computing units - thus adding a new tool to the arsenal of quantum computers and computing systems. The development is such a connection of atoms of qubits, in which a circular direction of their movement appears and the degree of freedom between them increases, thereby allowing them to be placed at greater distances from each other with a parallel increase in the speed of information transfer between them. Developers note that the new pattern of using qubits makes it possible to build a more accurate and faster system for the exchange of quantum information - while the new arrangement of qubit atoms is such that they can be more efficiently applied to an electric field than a magnetic one, thus getting rid of many interfering factors. In my turn ... >>

watermelon snow 10.03.2020

Throughout Antarctica, the snow turned a rich red color. Why did this happen? Throughout the coldest continent, completely covered with snow-white ice, the snow has become a rich red color. The snow looks like it's been stained with blood. This is a terrible sight, and such snow is usually called "watermelon". However, this color of snow is not at all paranormal. Scientists say that the snow is made red by a special algae that has begun to bloom en masse in Antarctica. This is Chlamydomonas nivalis. This is a very small algae that usually blooms in the warm season. The anomaly is that at the end of February there has not yet been such a massive bloom in Antarctica. But due to global warming, the climatic summer has now come a little ahead of time, which led to the fact that the algae became more active ahead of time. It has become warmer than usual in Antarctica, which provoked a massive flowering of Chlamydomonas nivalis. In general, this is not bad. But ... >>

Error free oscillating catalysts 09.03.2020

A team of researchers at the University of Minnesota has created an oscillating catalyst technology that can speed up certain chemical reactions without side processes or errors. Catalysts are used in many chemical processes today. They speed up chemical reactions by lowering their activation energy. A chemical reaction occurring on the surface of a catalyst, such as a metal, accelerates faster than unwanted side processes. If the target reaction proceeds much faster than any other side reaction, then the catalyst is well suited for the synthesis of the most valuable products. But sometimes even a slight admixture of by-products can significantly contaminate the final compound. In addition, not in all reactions, side processes proceed much more slowly than the main ones - sometimes they are even comparable with them in speed. To solve these problems, scientists from the Universities of Minnesota and Delaware, the University of California at Santa Barbara, and the University of Massachusetts ... >>

Antibiotics from cannabis 09.03.2020

Researchers from McMaster University (Canada) have identified an antibacterial compound produced by cannabis that could serve as the basis for the development of new drugs. A multidisciplinary team of researchers has found that a cannabis chemical called cannabigerol (CBG) is an antibiotic against the methicillin-resistant, elastic family of bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The scientists focused on a non-psychoactive cannabinoid called CBG as it had the most promising activity. To conduct research, it was synthesized. The research team found that CBG has antibacterial activity against drug-resistant MRSA. Exposure to the cannabinoid CBG prevented these bacteria from forming biofilms, which are communities of microorganisms that adhere to each other and to surfaces. This destroyed their resistance to antibiotics. Lab results b ... >>

Echo sounder for drone 08.03.2020

Bats are able to fly through total darkness using echolocation. So why not use the same principle in unmanned vehicles? Scientists at Purdue University have taken this question to heart and developed a system that allows a drone to navigate in space using just four microphones and a speaker. The principle of the system is incredibly simple. The speaker emits a sound, this sound is reflected from the surrounding objects and is picked up by the microphones. The speed of sound is constant. This means that by the time during which the microphone picks up the reflected sound wave, it is possible, using simple mathematical calculations, to determine the distance to the object from which the sound was reflected. With four microphones at your disposal, you can create a detailed XNUMXD map of the environment around the drone. And all this - without a single camera. Moreover, the technology is able to work not only in the air. It can be effectively used on land or water equipment. Of course, the development is not yet perfect. AT ... >>

Smart alarm clock EzLarm 08.03.2020

It's no secret that many people have problems sleeping and, as a result, waking up - many of us would rather stay in bed longer if it weren't for business. It is with the aim of helping such people wake up faster and not obey the alluring desire to stay in bed, a team of developers from Canada presented a new project called EzLarm, a smart electromagnetic alarm clock reminder, as part of the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform. Moreover, it is worth noting the fact that the device itself is an extremely compact device that does not require additional configuration, which makes it especially interesting for potential buyers. The EzLarm wake-up system itself is based on the use of a special NFC tag - which is this separate device of small size and emits electromagnetic waves that are converted into sound - loud and persistent enough to wake the user up. Moreover, the device must be attached in a separate room. ... >>

Perovskite Improves Silicon Solar Cell Efficiency 07.03.2020

Researchers at Colorado State University (CU Boulder) have created a low-cost solar cell with some of the highest power conversion efficiency available today using a combination of silicon and perovskite layers. "We've taken a product that's responsible for a $30 billion a year industry and made it 30% better," said Michael McGehee, professor in the CU Boulder Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering and co-author of a paper on the development. published in the journal Science. The scientists placed a layer of a perovskite solar cell on top of a silicon counterpart, which captures lower-energy photons from the infrared part of the spectrum. The intrinsic efficiency of the silicon element was 21%, but the addition of perovskite improved it by about a third, to 27%. The concept of multijunction or tandem solar cells has been known for about half a century, and the world record for efficiency achieved with its application is more than 45 ... >>

pool rescue robot 07.03.2020

Israeli AI startup Coral Detection Systems has created the Manta 3000, a slender robot with a self-contained camera that scans swimming pools and recognizes drowning people. Swimming pool drowning is the third leading cause of death from unintentional injury. More than 320 people drown in swimming pools every year. The company believes that the new device will help save thousands of lives. The Manta 000 is essentially a fully autonomous pool scanner that monitors a 3000 by 10 meter area with an underwater camera connected to a computer vision system linked to artificial intelligence. AI notices people entering the pool, and follows them, while distinguishing who is who, remembering and recognizing faces. As people enter and exit the pool, the Manta 10 makes notes accordingly. If a person dives under water and does not emerge for more than 3000 seconds, the robot emits an alarm signal. If a person does not emerge, then an alarm is activated. This gives those around ... >>

Bourns pulse transformers for isolated power supplies 06.03.2020

Bourns has announced a new series of isolation transformers, the HCT series push-pull transformers, to power isolated CAN, RS-485, RS-422, RS-232, SPI, I2C, and low power LAN interfaces. A feature of the series is the air gap between the primary and secondary windings increased to 8 mm, which allows to provide insulation voltage Vrms=4200 V (for 60 s). HCT series transformers comply with IEC 60950-1, IEC 62368-1, IEC 60664-1 and AEC-Q200. HCT transformers are designed for use with Texas Instruments SN6501, SN6505B, and SN6505D drivers, and Maxim Integrated's MAX256, MAX258, MAX13253, and MAX13256 drivers. In addition to supplying interfaces, HCTs can be used in medical equipment (sensors), industrial automation devices (DC/DC converters), and other applications where isolation from high voltages is required. Main characteristics: Input voltage: 3,3...5 V; Exit ... >>

Dogs can detect heat radiation 06.03.2020

Dog noses are even more amazing than previously known, according to a new study. They are not only millions of times more sensitive than human ones, but they are also able to capture even weak thermal radiation, in particular, the body heat of a mammalian prey. This discovery helps explain how dogs that are visually or hearing impaired can hunt quite successfully. It is worth explaining that the ability to detect weak radiant heat is found in very few animals: black fire bugs, some types of snakes, and the common vampire bat. Most mammals have exposed, smooth skin at the tips of their noses around the nostrils, an area called the rhinaria. But the dog's rhinaria is damp and somewhat colder than the ambient temperature, and abundantly endowed with nerves - all of which suggests the ability to detect not only smell, but also heat. To test this idea, researchers from Lund University and Eötvös Lorand University trained three pet dogs to choose from. ... >>

Local area network for a quantum computer 05.03.2020

The bulky cryogenic systems of modern quantum computers, by definition, cannot accommodate hundreds or more qubits. The system will turn out to be too large - the size of a room or even a house. The solution may be the creation of clusters. It remains to solve the problem of network connection of systems in a cluster with the preservation of quantum entanglement. To do this, physicists from Zurich were able to create an experimental quantum local area network. A group of physicists from the ETH Zurich (ETH Zurich) has demonstrated a microwave quantum line five meters long. It is the longest line of its kind to date. It can be used both for future quantum computer networks and for experiments in the field of fundamental research in quantum physics. The microwave line is a metal waveguide between two quantum processors. Like quantum processors, the waveguide is cooled by liquid helium to a temperature of -273,15 °C. The waveguide is separated from the external environment by a lot ... >>

Beosound Balance wireless speaker 05.03.2020

The legendary Danish Hi-End brand - Bang & Olufsen - has officially unveiled the new Beosound Balance wireless speaker. The unit delivers carefully controlled sound beams for crisp front sound and rich rear sound amplification, resulting in impressively powerful acoustic performance out of the box. The design includes seven speakers at once: two 5,25-inch subwoofers, four full-range radiators (a pair of 2- and 3-inch ones) and one 3/4-inch tweeter. The reproducible frequency range is from 33 Hz to 23 kHz. Beosound Balance is able to actively adapt playback settings to compensate for sound depending on the surrounding acoustic environment. The price of the novelty is 2000 euros. ... >>

Investigation of the structure of benzene 04.03.2020

Australian scientists from the ARC Center of Excellence in Exciton Science and UNSW in Sydney have solved a 90-year-old problem related to the fundamental structure of benzene. Disputes about the structure of benzene have been going on since the 30s of the last century. The discussion about the structure of the molecule arises because, although it has few atomic components, it exists in a state that does not consist of four dimensions (like our "ordinary" world), but in 126 dimensions at the same time. To prove this, experts have developed a new method - it is called Dynamic Voronoi Metropolis Sampling (DVMS). The scientists applied this method to benzene molecules and thus displayed their wave functions in all 126 dimensions. For this, a mathematical algorithm was used, which made it possible to divide the space into "tiles" corresponding to the permutation of the positions of the electrons. "What we found is amazing. We found electrons with a so-called double spin bond, while electrons with a lower spin frequency remained ... >>

The smell of a partner improves sleep 04.03.2020

The scent of a romantic partner may improve sleep, a new study from the University of British Columbia suggests. Researchers found that study participants who were exposed to their partner's body odor throughout the night had better sleep quality, even if their partner wasn't physically present. "We saw an effect commensurate with taking supplements of melatonin, the 'sleep hormone' often used as a mild sleep aid," says Marlies Hofer, lead author of the study. The researchers analyzed data from 155 participants who were given two identical T-shirts to use as pillowcases. One of them was previously worn by their romantic partner. To capture body odor on T-shirts, participants' partners were given a clean T-shirt to wear for 24 hours. They were required to refrain from using deodorants and scented body products, smoking, exercising, and eating certain foods that ... >>

Nonlinear terahertz camera 03.03.2020

A team of physicists from the University of Sussex have designed and built a prototype of a first-of-its-kind non-linear camera capable of using terahertz radiation to produce high-quality images of what is inside solid, opaque objects. Recall that terahertz radiation is between the microwave and infrared ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, this radiation easily penetrates through solid and opaque materials, but, unlike x-rays, it does not cause any harm to the object. Therefore, terahertz radiation can be used to safely study and work with even the most sensitive and fragile biological samples. Images obtained using terahertz waves are called hyperspectral due to the fact that each pixel of these images contains a kind of "electromagnetic signature" of the corresponding point inside the object. Further processing of such images makes it possible to "see" the molecular ... >>

Sandy beaches under threat 03.03.2020

Scientists warn: if humanity does not reduce greenhouse gas emissions, 50% of the world's sandy beaches will go under water or be destroyed by erosion. This will cause huge damage to the economy, primarily tourism, and will also make coastal regions more vulnerable to natural disasters. Australia will be hardest hit. Due to rising sea levels, the area of ​​beaches is shrinking. If humanity does not reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow global warming, by 2100 the world will have lost half of its sandy beaches, according to a new study. The researchers' conclusions are based on an analysis of satellite images taken since 1984. Having identified a trend over three decades, they extrapolated it into the future, as it will be according to two climate scenarios. The worst-case scenario assumes that greenhouse gas emissions will continue to rise, and that melting permafrost will release significant amounts of methane, exacerbating climate change. In this case, by the end of the century ... >>

A new method for converting carbon dioxide into methane 02.03.2020

Japanese scientists led by Waseda University professor Yasushi Sekine proposed to carry out a low-temperature catalytic reaction for the synthesis of hydrogen and carbon dioxide into methane using an electric field. The existing industrial process for converting carbon dioxide into methane through the catalytic reaction of hydrogen and carbon dioxide has a number of technological difficulties. In particular, the yield of methane is highly dependent on the required temperature, which should be between 300 and 400 degrees Celsius. Scientists have proposed a new, low-temperature method (100 degrees Celsius), which produces more efficient production of methane from carbon dioxide than other similar methods. The developed method uses the interaction of carbon dioxide with nanoparticles of cerium oxide on a ruthenium catalyst when an electric field is applied. Such a catalyst showed high and stable catalytic activity for the conversion of carbon dioxide to methane. ... >>

Revolutionary nuclear fusion technology 02.03.2020

Startup HB11, created at the University of New South Wales, has applied for and received patents in the US, Japan and China. The company's technology uses lasers to run a nuclear fusion reaction in hydrogen and boron - ostensibly without the involvement of radioactive fuel. The secret is in the cutting-edge laser and, apparently, in the element of luck. According to the developers, the laser does not heat the materials. Instead, it accelerates hydrogen to the point where it must collide with boron to start the reaction. "You can imagine that hydrogen is being used as a dart to hit a boron target. If that happens, a reaction is triggered," explains managing director Warren McKenzie. If hydrogen still recombines with a boron particle, then as a result of the reaction, helium atoms are released, the absence of electrons in which indicates their positive charge - this is how electricity is obtained. The laser itself plays an important role in the process. For four decades of physics ... >>

Silicon retains conductivity at ultra-low charge levels 01.03.2020

Researchers from the American National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have come up with a new method for measuring the mobility of charged particles in silicon, which, if not overturned, then significantly expanded the understanding of charge transfer processes in semiconductors. The method proposed by the scientists made it possible to carry out the most sensitive measurements of the speed of movement of an electric charge in silicon, and this is an indicator of its effectiveness as a semiconductor. As a result, the new method will make it possible to more accurately assess the effect of certain dopants on the silicon conductivity and will form the basis for improving the characteristics of semiconductor devices. This is a chance to improve the performance of the chips almost for nothing only through a better understanding of the processes. Carry out tuning, so to speak. Traditionally, the mobility of electrons and holes in silicon was measured by the Hall method. This method assumes that contacts are soldered on a sample of silicon (semiconductor) to pass an electric current. Nedo ... >>

Topological laser 01.03.2020

Researchers from the University of Leeds, UK, and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, have developed a first-of-its-kind "topological laser" whose light photons are able to bend around corners and various defects without being distorted or scattered. This achievement will improve the manufacturing processes of high-power industrial lasers that require extreme conditions and high precision, because the appearance of even the smallest defect leads to the appearance of technological defects. To obtain the topological state of light, scientists have developed a special "valley" photonic crystal (valley photonic crystal), which is an optical analogue of two-dimensional electronic topological insulators. The design of a photonic crystal is a plate of semiconductor material, in which hexagonal holes are etched, while these holes are located strictly at the nodes of a compact triangular lattice. Topological states ... >>

Oil diamonds 29.02.2020

Scientists at Stanford University have found a way to quickly make diamonds from oil. True, there is one "but": the stones obtained in this way do not exceed the width of a human hair. Natural diamonds are formed from carbon deep in the bowels of the Earth, at very high pressure and at a temperature of 2-3 thousand degrees Celsius. Then volcanic activity lifts them to the surface. By studying minerals that can be hundreds of millions of years old, scientists are gaining more insight into the formation of the early Earth. Scientists have long studied methods for obtaining diamonds in the laboratory. These stones are extremely hard, transparent, chemically stable and can withstand high temperatures - properties that are useful in many areas, including medicine and quantum computing equipment. Artificial diamonds have been created for more than sixty years. But conventional methods require huge amounts of time or energy, and they also need a catalyst. "We wanted to observe a pure system in which matter ... >>

Excitons can increase the energy efficiency of electrons 29.02.2020

A team of chemical engineering specialists from the Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne in Switzerland has presented their new research on improving the handling of electrical devices - more specifically, improving their energy-efficient properties. The discovery became possible thanks to the establishment of a better method of controlling the so-called excitons, which are quasi-particles that are formed at the moment when electrons absorb light in one or another proportion, but in equal time intervals. The new study is indeed identifying the best way to improve the performance of electrical equipment. In particular, the experts presented their new development, which allows capturing excitons at the moment of their occurrence. But since these quasi-particles are extremely small and their transition phase - which forms them - is quite fast, specialists had to go to some tricks in order to still keep these particles in the field of attention. They noticed that ... >>

Ancient people poisoned with heavy metals 28.02.2020

It is believed that toxic heavy metals such as mercury, lead or cadmium appear in the environment due to human activities: due to technological disturbances in enterprises, due to industrial discharges, chemical waste, etc. But in fact heavy metals in food and water could appear for a long time. For example, a few years ago, experts found quite a lot of mercury in the remains of fish caught about 6500 years ago in North America. Researchers from the University of Tromso - the Arctic University of Norway and Stockholm University studied the chemical composition of the bones of fish and harp seals found by archaeologists at eight ancient sites on the Varanger Peninsula; the age of the sites varied from 6300 to 3800 years. (The fact that the inhabitants of these sites also ate seals was evidenced by characteristic marks on the bones of animals - they were needed not only for the sake of skins, but also for meat.) Compared with the maximum allowable level set for the current ... >>

Living organism found without air 28.02.2020

Israeli scientists have discovered a multicellular living organism that does not need air to live. A parasite with the Latin name Henneguya salminicola, which was found in salmon, has become a unique animal. Scientists were able to discover during the study that the parasite does not have a mitochondrial genome. That is, the air for him is not the basis of existence. At the same time, it is noted that previously organisms were already known that could survive with a limited amount of oxygen, but this type of parasite is the first multicellular creature that can completely do without air. The researchers speculate that mitochondria were lost by the Henneguya salminicola parasite during evolution as it needed to adapt to its environment. According to scientists, such a discovery could change the understanding of life not only on Earth, but also in space. ... >>

Smart watch Timex Ironman R300 GPS 27.02.2020

The American brand Timex introduced the Ironman R300 GPS smartwatch, which offers essential training, heart rate monitoring, tips from top athletes and coaches, a range of daily activity metrics, call and message notifications, the ability to dive in water up to 30 m and good autonomy. At the same time, the cost of the Ironman R300 is only $120. Like the Timex Ironman One GPS, it's more of a fitness band than a smartwatch, but the company is positioning it as a "smartwatch for sports." Potential owners of the Ironman R300 are users who want a reliable fitness tracker without unnecessary features, but with a long battery life. The manufacturer claims that the autonomy of the gadget is up to 25 days with GPS turned off. If it is enabled, the operating time is reduced to 20 hours. The rest of the features are what you would expect from a device like this. Here you can change the dial, scroll through the screens and view ... >>

Multi-protocol wireless microcontrollers STM32WB55 27.02.2020

STMicroelectronis has released new STM32WB55 wireless microcontrollers, which are a multiprotocol system-on-a-chip with support for Bluetooth Low Energy 5.0, ZigBee and Thread protocols. Built around the popular low-power STM32 Cortex-M4F (50µA/MHz) core, the new chip delivers industry-leading power consumption at only 4,5mA in receive mode. The STM32WB55 also differs from existing solutions on the market with a built-in passive LCD driver, USB2.0 FS support and a large amount of memory. General characteristics of STM32WB microcontrollers: Clock frequency: 64 MHz; consumption in RUN mode: 53 μA / MHz; operating frequency: 2,4 GHz; operating modes: receiver/transmitter; data transfer standard: BLE0, 802.15.4/ZigBee/Thread; up to 1024 KB Flash; up to 256 KB SRAM; USB 2.0 FS, LCD driver; USART/UART, SPI, I2C; 12-bit ADC 4.26 MSPS; AES256, random number generator (TRNG), PKA, RSA; supply voltage ... >>

Hyperstable artificial protein 26.02.2020

A new hyperstable artificial protein has been created at Shinshu University in collaboration with Princeton University. Its predecessor, the WA20 protein, could withstand temperatures of up to 75°C. It is expected that protein nanostructural blocks using SUWA will be applied to nanotechnology and synthetic biology research in the near future. Proteins and self-organizing protein complexes perform functions inside a living organism, like nanomachines, which makes them a key component in various reactions. An artificial protein with desirable functions could have many applications in biopharmaceutics and provide chemical reactions with low environmental impact. This nanotechnology is on the scale of molecules - 1/1000000 of a millimeter, which makes them difficult to work with, but has many promising applications. Proteins denature or break down, irreversibly changing their structure, such as when the water around an egg boils or a piece of fillet turns into a steak. This is p ... >>

biodegradable straw made of wood 26.02.2020

It is no secret that the use of ordinary plastic straws for drinking leads to unusual and devastating environmental consequences - especially in the context of their further processing and destruction. This massive, without any exaggeration, problem is being fought by many specialists and companies, but not all of them offer truly effective solutions. It is for this reason that the Finnish start-up company Sulapac offers its own solution to the problem, and quite elegantly - in collaboration with Stora Enso, they presented their concept of wooden drinking straws, which have very unusual properties for ordinary wood. Their main feature is that they are completely recyclable - in other words, they can be subjected to further cyclic processing without harm to the environment. They are known to be composed of 100% special biodegradable wood material from Sulapac, which in turn is predominantly composed of wood chips, which ... >>

Electric crossover DS Aero Sport Lounge 25.02.2020

The French company DS Automobiles, which is part of the PSA Peugeot Citroen group, has announced the DS Aero Sport Lounge (ASL) electric crossover concept. According to the creators, this large and rather high 5-meter SUV on 23-inch wheels is distinguished by excellent aerodynamics thanks to its swift profile, sloping roof and other tricks. In place of the traditional grille, a screen with several sensors for the traffic safety system is installed, and a new lighting pattern will be used in future models of the brand. Despite the status of the concept, DS announced the technical specifications of the Aero Sport Lounge. The model received an electric motor with a capacity of 500 kW (680 hp), which allows you to accelerate to 100 km / h in just 2,8 seconds. A 110 kWh battery integrated into the floor provides a range of over 650 km. The cabin is designed for the comfort of passengers during long journeys. In addition to unusual finishing materials and comfortable seats, ... >>

Created an artificial pancreas 25.02.2020

Canadian scientists at McGill University in Montreal have created a new artificial pancreas system that will provide vital support for people living with type 1 diabetes. Insulin pumps have been around for over 30 years. Using these portable devices, people living with diabetes manually select the dose of insulin they need, which is then pumped into the bloodstream. Despite the fact that most patients already use automatic glucose monitors to monitor their blood glucose levels, and do not prick their fingers every time, as they used to, few people manage to maintain glucose targets for a long time. Some people are in a state of hyperglycemia most of the time, accompanied by headaches and weakness, while others regularly experience hypoglycemia, which causes dizziness, confusion and impaired speech. Scientists from McGill University have developed a "smart" insulin pump - an artificial pancreas with the ability to eliminate ... >>

Smallest black hole discovered 24.02.2020

Scientists may have discovered the smallest black hole ever discovered. This is made possible by a new technique that combines multiple datasets. The researchers believe that the black hole is about 3,3 times as massive as the Sun and is located in the binary system J05215658, which is located at a distance of about 10 light-years from the outer edge of the Milky Way's disk. Although more research is needed to confirm the low mass of a black hole, there is a possibility that this object is part of a mysterious class of small black holes. These objects were not discovered in the past, as no one understood exactly how to look for them. Most observable black holes are about 000-5 times more massive than the Sun, but this does not mean that all black holes in the universe are of this size. Part of the reason is that massive and supermassive black holes are much easier to detect. When such objects orbit stars in binary systems, they attract material from ... >>

Ultrasonic Microphone Jamming Wristband 24.02.2020

Researchers at the University of Chicago have created an experimental bracelet that uses 24 speakers to generate ultrasonic noise to suppress most microphones, regardless of their directionality. The gadget uses the non-linear distortions of the built-in amplifier to "leak" ultrasonic noise into the audio range, thus excluding the possibility of recording the conversation. Such an unusual design of the bracelet is by no means a tribute to fashion. It not only generates omnidirectional interference, but also eliminates blind spots (when sensors cancel each other) when moving the wrist. As a result, the bracelet is even more effective than specialized stationary jammers and can even suppress hidden microphones. Ultrasound is imperceptible to others, except perhaps young people and dogs, but all nearby microphones will only detect high frequency noise instead of other sounds. Such a gadget can be useful for owners of smart devices, because ... >>

Drones against coronavirus 23.02.2020

Drones are deployed in China to fight the coronavirus. Of course, the fight in this case is not directly with the virus, just drones help to perform certain work related to the outbreak. First, loudspeaker drones are flying over the streets, reminding residents to wear masks. And although masks are intended primarily for those who have already become infected, of course everyone wears them. The second drone scenario is even more interesting. Drones are being used at some road checkpoints. In particular, at the exit from the expressway in Shenzhen. Drones fly over the road with a large sign with a QR code attached. It is needed so that by scanning it, drivers and passengers can register on a certain government website and leave information about their health status there. Drones in this case are used so that the police have less contact with people in cars. ... >>

Butterfly wings cooling 23.02.2020

In order to take off, a butterfly literally needs to warm up: if its muscles are not warm enough, they simply cannot contract at the speed that is needed for flight. Therefore, if the butterfly is too cold - for example, after a cold night - it crawls out into the sun and warms itself. But after all, not only her pectoral muscles are heated, but her whole body, and the wings too, and the wings heat up faster than the muscles. And it may happen that by the time the muscles are ready to take off as they should, the wings will be overheated. Although the wings of butterflies seem to us inanimate - in the same sense in which bird feathers or our nails are inanimate - they still have areas of living tissue: these are the vessels penetrating the wing, through which the hemolymph (an analogue of blood in insects) flows, and the so-called androconia are groups of specialized scales that evaporate pheromones. Overheating for living areas of the wing would be inopportune. But butterflies have some tricks that allow them to cool their overheated wing. And ... >>

Speed ​​record in 5G network from Ericsson 22.02.2020

Ericsson has announced a new data transfer speed record using 5G technologies using commercial equipment. The specialists managed to achieve a download speed of 4,3 Gb / s in 5G networks using proprietary equipment that combines 800 MHz of the millimeter wave spectrum. According to Ericsson, this figure is more than all previous records by an average of 1 Gb / s. The information was transmitted to a test smartphone equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon X5 55G modem. "This is a fantastic achievement. 4,3Gbps is equivalent to downloading one hour of 4K content in just 14 seconds. Ericsson is already taking the following steps to ensure service providers can deliver the best 5G mmWave data rates. A solution we have successfully tested, will provide not only faster speeds, but also large-scale deployment of 5G networks and new business opportunities," the company said. The new equipment will be used in commercial ... >>

Smart dressing for the treatment of chronic wounds 22.02.2020

American bioengineers have developed a wireless "smart" bandage that can deliver drugs to a long-term non-healing wound and speed up the healing of chronic wounds. Chronic wounds are wounds that do not heal over time, despite appropriate therapy. Such wounds occur, for example, as one of the complications of diabetes. These include bedsores, trophic ulcers and diabetic foot ulcers. A new bandage developed by scientists from the University of Connecticut, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Harvard Medical School could help treat chronic wounds. It is equipped with miniature needles printed on a 3D printer. These needles are able to penetrate deeper layers of the wound without causing severe pain to the patient and without causing inflammation. In this case, the bandage does not need to be constantly changed. The bandage is accompanied by an electronic device - a smart platform - with which you can adjust the dosage and the moment of release of the drug, which is delivered through ... >>

MAX6078A/MAX6078B High Accuracy Reference for Battery Operated Devices 21.02.2020

Often a developer is faced with the need to digitize an analog signal, or to form an analog signal from a digital one. Such transformations are performed by comparison with a reference analog signal, the generator of which is a reference voltage source (RP). They are built into many DACs and ADCs, but the stability and accuracy of the internal voltage reference may not be enough. In such cases, an external reference must be used. Maxim Integrated has introduced a new low-noise and low-power ion MAX6078. The inherent noise at 2,5 V output is 12 µV and the temperature drift is 10 ppm/°C. ION can operate with a load of up to 3 mA. In this case, the self-consumption current is only 15 μA. The MAX6078 is available with seven fixed voltage references. Low noise and thermal drift, as well as low self-consumption, make the MAX6078 suitable for battery-powered systems, ... >>

Ultra-durable magnesium compound 21.02.2020

Allite has developed a special magnesium alloy that is denser and more flexible than carbon fiber. The alloy sits somewhere between lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber, while offering much greater stability, density and stiffness, as well as a lower cost to manufacture. Being introduced to the mass market, the alloy is sure to become one of the most widely used in various fields. Initially, this magnesium alloy called Super Magnesium was developed for military purposes and needs - mainly to improve military equipment. Now the alloy will find its niche in the civil market of materials. The developers note that the final type of alloy was obtained from three separate ones - AE81, ZE62 and WE54. Each of them has its own physical and chemical characteristics, thus each of them stands out due to its greater flexibility and resistance. At the same time, it is worth noting the fact that even at the highest temperature they do not ... >>

Laptops with HDD will disappear from stores in Western Europe 20.02.2020

The decline in the price of SSDs has reached a level beyond which it makes no sense to think about configuring a laptop with an HDD as the main drive. A significant role in this was played by a two-year decline in prices for flash memory. Therefore, by the end of the year, new models of laptops with HDD will no longer be on sale. But this forecast is only for Western Europe. According to data from analyst firm Context, SSD usage as the main drive in new PCs reached 2019% in Q90,6 9,4. This applies to laptops, desktops and workstations, as reported by sources from sales channels in Western Europe. Therefore, hard drives could only be found in 93,3% of systems shipped and sold in this region. The volume of laptops with SSD drives sold during this period reached 2017%. By comparison, in 66,7, only XNUMX% of mobile systems had an SSD as primary storage. Surprisingly, SSD adaptation in desktop systems ... >>

Tire development simulator 20.02.2020

Created by VI-grade, the simulator includes a round 210-degree panoramic screen with a diameter of 7,5 meters and a fixed car that simulates driving conditions on a real car - through the seat, steering wheel, seat belts and various vibration systems, the suspension and engine in motion. The screen can display various road conditions, simulate different driving styles, and simulate driving on real-life race tracks. From the control panel, it is possible to program the simulator to reproduce the various technical characteristics of any tire or vehicle. The results obtained during the work on the simulator are recorded, the interaction of the tire with the road is measured, as well as all other parameters related to the behavior of the tire. The collected information is further analyzed and compared with the subjective feelings of the person who worked on the simulator. The new simulator will allow Pirelli to ... >>

Reducing the altitude of aircraft will help the environment 19.02.2020

A group of scientists from the British Imperial College London and the German Institute of Atmospheric Physics proposes to adjust the flight altitude of individual flights in order to reduce the impact of the contrail on global warming. Behind each flying aircraft, a contrail is formed, consisting of a dense layer of small ice crystals that do not dissipate for tens of hours and prevent heat from being reflected from the Earth. Contrails are especially harmful at night, when they return the heat reflected from the surface back. Using data collected by the Japanese authorities from 2002 to 2013 on the movement of aircraft, scientists have found specific altitudes at which flying liners leave the most persistent contrails. To get rid of them, it is necessary to change the flight altitude of aircraft - even taking into account the increase in fuel consumption and the level of emissions of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, the effect on nature will be positive. The authors of the study emphasized that the adjustment ... >>

Cold for fast heating 19.02.2020

The fastest way to heat some materials is to cool them first. This idea parallels the Mpemba effect, where hot water sometimes freezes faster than cold water. To reheat a slice of pizza, you're unlikely to want to chill it first, but a theoretical study suggests that cooling as a first step before heating may be the fastest way to reheat some materials. The concept is similar to the Mpemba effect, which remains incomprehensible to scientists until now, as it is very difficult to reproduce the effect consistently. The new study is "a way to look at effects like the Mpemba effect from a different perspective," says physicist Andrés Santos of the University of Extremadura in Badajoz, Spain, who was not involved in the study. Physicists Amit Gal and Oren Raz from the Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot (Israel) studied a theoretical system called the Ising model - a two-dimensional grid of atoms whose magnetic poles point up or out. ... >>

Tellurium Mini Transistors 18.02.2020

Computer chips use billions of tiny switches called transistors to process information. The more transistors on a chip, the faster the computer runs. Researchers at Purdue University, in collaboration with Michigan Technological University, Washington University in St. Louis, and the University of Texas at Dallas, have discovered that a material shaped like a one-dimensional DNA helix encased in a boron nitride nanotube could build a field-effect transistor two nanometers in diameter. Transistors on the market are made from bulkier silicon and range in size from 10 to 20 nanometers. One way to reduce the size of FETs, which is found in most electronic devices, is to create gates that surround thinner nanowires. These nanowires are inside nanotubes. Researchers have successfully built a transistor with a tellurium nanowire encased in a boron nitride nanotube. High quality nanotube ... >>

Construction of the largest neutrino telescope 18.02.2020

Japan approved the project of the largest neutrino telescope. The Hyper-Kamiokande detector will be installed next to the Kamioka mine, which already houses the Super-Kamiokande. The new telescope will be located underground, at a depth of 650 meters. This is enough to screen most foreign particles - cosmic and terrestrial. The "heart" of the new telescope will be a reservoir with a billion liters of pure water - eight and a half times more than that of the "Super-Kamiokande". The reservoir will be surrounded by several thousand highly sensitive photographic recorders designed to record neutrino events proper. It will not be the neutrinos themselves that will be registered, which remain invisible, but high-energy particles, most often electrons, "knocked out" of matter in those rare cases when the all-penetrating neutrino still interacts with it. The particle then moves at a speed exceeding the speed of light in a given medium (in water), and intensively spends energy on the Cherenkov ... >>

SLR camera Canon EOS 850D 17.02.2020

Canon has introduced a digital SLR camera Canon EOS 850D. This camera uses a 24,1MP APS-C image sensor and a DIGIC 8 processor. Addressing the camera to "hobbyists", the manufacturer notes that the 220-pixel RGB + IR metering sensor and the autofocus system with intelligent tracking (iTR) borrowed from Canon's professional line of cameras. Features of the 000 cross-point autofocus system, which uses Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology, include the function of face detection and eye detection in the frame. 45 focus points are available when taking pictures with live view on the display in automatic mode, 143 points in manual mode. The sensitivity range is ISO 3975-100 25. It expands upwards to ISO 600 51. The minimum shutter speed is 200/1 s. The camera allows continuous shooting at 4000 fps with sighting through the viewfinder and up to 7 fps in Live View mode. Screen used for Li ... >>

80 terabyte hard drives 17.02.2020

Drive platter manufacturer Showa Denko has announced that it has developed a technology that will allow the production of 70-80 TB HDDs. To date, conventional hard drives are as close as possible to the mark of 20 TB. If you look at the current plans of the major players in this market, you can see that, thanks to HAMR technology, we can get 2026 TB drives in 50. However, the company Showa Denko, which produces magnetic drives for drives, announced that it had developed a technology that would allow the production of HDDs with a capacity of 70-80 TB! It is based on the same HAMR technology, but Showa Denko proposes the use of thin films of a magnetic alloy (Fe-Pt), a new structure of magnetic layers, as well as new methods of temperature control during production. As a result, it is possible to achieve several times higher coercive force than modern solutions, with a small crystal grain size. ... >>

Electric cars from plastic bottles and flax 16.02.2020

The Polestar brand, which has been spun off as a separate automaker by Volvo, will use Bcomp's materials made from natural fibers or recycled plastics in its new cars. The powerRibs composite is based on flax fibers, which are 50% lighter than traditional plastics, with comparable strength. The ampliTex composite is a 3D weave made from filaments made from 100% recycled plastic bottles. Linen composite should replace some of the plastic elements, and plastic threads are used to make seat upholstery. In addition, individual car components can be made from recycled wine bottle corks and fishing nets - in particular, the former go to interior decorative panels, and the latter make interior floor mats for Volvo cars. ... >>

Smart patch for diabetes 16.02.2020

Bioengineers at the University of California, Los Angeles, UNC School of Medicine and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA) have developed a smart insulin delivery patch that will be able to monitor glucose levels in people with diabetes in the future and provide the necessary insulin dosage. The new "smart" patch is small, about the size of a coin. It saves the patient the trouble of constantly checking their blood sugar levels and then injecting insulin if and when needed. The device imitates the regulatory function of the pancreas - it controls the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The patch itself contains doses of insulin pre-loaded into very small microneedles, less than one millimeter long, that quickly deliver the drug when blood sugar reaches a certain threshold. As soon as this level returns to normal, the supply of insulin in the patch slows down. According to the researchers, the advantage of the patch ... >>

Smoovie Infrared Camera Detector 15.02.2020

Xiaomi launched the Smoovie multifunctional infrared camera detector, which is equipped with a 230mAh lithium battery and supports USB charging, eliminating the need to replace the power supply. Privacy is a major issue these days. It's pretty easy to place a small camera in a hotel room or even in a public restroom to blackmail people with their nude photos. Xiaomi launched the Smoovie multifunctional infrared camera detector, which is equipped with a 230mAh lithium battery and supports USB charging, eliminating the need to replace the power supply. The device can be used continuously for 24 hours on a single charge in camera detector mode. The gadget can also be used as a device that protects against theft and loss. In this case, you just need to attach it to valuable property. It vibrates and sounds an alarm. If the device is in alarm mode, ... >>

Autonomous Volkswagen stations for quick charging of electric vehicles 15.02.2020

Volkswagen Group Components and Germany's largest energy company E.ON have unveiled a new prototype electric vehicle charger. This solution will expand the deployment of charging stations. The solution turned out to be very simple. A new type of charging station charges the electric vehicle from an integrated battery, and not from the network. This eliminates the need for potentially expensive infrastructure and hardware when installing a charging station. The fast charging system can simultaneously charge two electric vehicles with up to 150 kW, providing an additional mileage of about 200 km on average in just 15 minutes. Replenishment of the battery capacity of the station is made by connecting to a mains socket with a rated current of 16-63 A. In other words, such charging stations can be installed anywhere where there is this type of connection, for example, near industrial areas, buildings such as schools and hospitals, as well as large residential complexes. ... >>

Solar panels for FlixBus 14.02.2020

The European low-cost bus carrier FlixBus continues to experiment with "green" technologies and after hydrogen models decided to pay attention to solar panels. The first bus with solar panels on the roof has already set off on the route Dortmund - Eindhoven - Antwerp - Bruges - Calais - London, and this is not an electric bus, but a classic diesel model. The energy generated by solar panels is used for domestic electricity consumers, which in turn reduces the consumption of diesel fuel, and hence the level of harmful emissions. FlixBus noted that during pilot tests, the system saved 1,7 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers. For a typical route of 600 km/day, the savings will be about 10 liters of diesel fuel. At the same time, the tests were carried out in autumn and winter, so that even greater efficiency can be expected from the system in summer. The installation uses ultra-thin lightweight solar panels that do not impair the aerodynamics of the mod. ... >>

Radiation heat for solar panels 14.02.2020

A team of modern energy engineers from the University of California, Los Angeles, presented their new project, which is a unique device that can capture radiant heat and increase the amount of electricity generated by simply converting sunlight into electricity itself. Scientists note that their new device should hardly be considered as self-sufficient in the strict sense of the word, but instead it is better to look at it as an active module for improving the performance of solar batteries, and in a noticeably more productive manner. The fact is that the concept of cheap electricity in itself is quite attractive - especially for those people who live in rather poor regions of the planet, who are deprived of the opportunity to have access to it on a permanent basis. That is why such teams, as presented from California, make every effort to make life easier for such people. As ... >>

Bioink for 3D printing of human tissues 13.02.2020

Bioengineers from Rutgers University (USA) have developed "bioink" for 3D printing of materials that could serve as a scaffold for growing human tissues. Printed fabrics can repair or replace damaged human tissues. In the new system, hyaluronic acid and polyethylene glycol serve as the main "ink cartridges" for 3D printing. Hyaluronic acid, a natural molecule found in many body tissues, has properties that are ideal for creating custom tissue scaffolding, but it lacks the necessary strength. So engineers at Rutgers University used modified versions of hyaluronic acid and polyethylene glycol to make a gel that is strengthened by chemical reactions and acts as a scaffold for tissue growth. In the future, the new system will have other "ink cartridges" with various cells and ligands that serve as a connecting element. ... >>

bee preferences 13.02.2020

Scientists at the Universities of Göttingen, Würzburg (Germany) and Sussex (UK) studied the behavior of honey bees and found that they prefer strawberry fields, even when they bloom next to oil rapeseed fields. It was only when the oilseed rape was in full bloom that there were fewer honey bees on the strawberries. Wild bees, on the other hand, consistently chose the strawberry field. Scientists from the functional agrobiodiversity and agroecology groups at the University of Göttingen have created small honey bee colonies next to 11 strawberry fields in the area of ​​Göttingen and Kassel. The researchers then filmed and transcribed the dances of the bees. Honey bees dance to communicate the direction and distance of attractive food sources they have visited. When combined with satellite maps of the landscape, it is possible to determine the type of land use they favored. The team also studied which plants the bees used as a pollen resource, ... >>

stem cell management 12.02.2020

A team of microbiologists from the University of Edinburgh has done a rather interesting experiment to turn off one important mechanism in stem cells - namely, to deactivate a regulatory molecule that controls the cell's immune defense impulse when it is threatened. The results of the study, being very positive, promise to soon become the basis on which even more effective and interesting experiments will be carried out. Unlike any other cells in the body, stem cells do not have their own defense system and cannot use an immune impulse for this protection - on the other hand, when some viruses interact, they still send this impulse, which somewhat complicates the work with stem cells, because in this way it becomes difficult to modify them in the laboratory. That is why Scottish experts conducted research, according to which they discovered a special protein called MAVS, which in its own way ... >>

Low Capacitance TVS Littelfuse SP3384NUTG 12.02.2020

Littelfuse has released new low-capacity 3384V SP3,3NUTG TVS packages designed to protect interface lines in 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) applications. These TVS assemblies provide +-30 kV electrostatic (ESD) protection to IEC 61000-4-2 for high-speed interfaces, IEC 40-61000-4 (EFT, 4 /5 ns) and against microsecond interference with peak current up to 50 A (Lightning, 15/8 µs). With ultra-low parasitic capacitance as low as 20 pF and low trip voltage (0,7...6,5 V), the SP9NUTG is ideal for protecting differential data lines in 3384, 2.5 and even 5 GbE applications without compromising integrity and without reducing the quality of the digital signal. Features and Benefits: Average capacitance of each channel: 10 pF; Clamping voltage (tp=0,5/8ns) average value: 20 V at Ipp = 4 A 1 V at Ipp = 12 A ... >>

An easy way to extend life 11.02.2020

American researchers have figured out how to extend life by 10 years. Experts from Harvard University and the University of Amsterdam have been monitoring 100 volunteers aged 50 and over for twenty years. Thus, scientists came to the conclusion which factors negatively affect human health, and therefore significantly affect the duration. People were divided into several groups depending on their lifestyle. As it turned out, men and women who drank alcohol, smoked, had low physical activity, were overweight and ate unhealthy foods lived about ten years less than those who adhered to a healthy lifestyle. According to the results of studies, women who led an active lifestyle, ate right and had no bad habits, lived on average up to 84,4 years. The fair sex with the wrong way of life lived mainly to 73,7 years. As for men, those who adhered to a healthy lifestyle lived up to 81,1 years, and those who drank, smoked ... >>

Panasonic DDL Laser 11.02.2020

Panasonic has unveiled the world's brightest and most powerful blue laser. This achievement was made possible by the combination of several technologies - direct diode laser (DDL) technology and wavelength beam combining (WBC) technology, due to which the device outputs a single powerful beam of blue laser light. . Moreover, this technology allows scaling to any level, and by increasing the number of laser light sources, it is possible to increase the power of the output beam to unimaginable values. A DDL laser is a semiconductor system that emits a highly focused beam of light in a given direction. Unlike other solid-state laser technologies, DDL technology allows for smaller, more efficient devices that deliver more output with less power, and this is the key to ... >>

Nanoparticles control immunity 10.02.2020

Injection of nanoparticles into the blood of a person who has suffered a traumatic brain injury will help to avoid cerebral edema. This is exactly what was observed during experiments on mice: the nanoparticles distracted immune cells from their activities in the damaged brain. That is, inflammation-fighting nanoparticles could someday be a powerful drug, says neuroscientist John Kessler of Northwestern University Chicago. After an injury, tissue often swells as immune cells flock to the injury site. Cerebral edema can be dangerous because it causes the brain to compress against the skull and the pressure can be fatal. Therefore, immune cells need to be somehow distracted without harming them. Two to three hours after the head injury, mice were injected with tiny, biodegradable particles made from an FDA-approved polymer used in some dissolvable sutures. Instead of rushing to the brain, a certain type of immune cell called monocytes began to take notice. ... >>

Annual acceleration of the rate of ice cover melting 10.02.2020

Scientists in the study found out the reason why the Greenland ice is now melting about seven times faster than it was observed in the 1990s. The corresponding work was carried out by German specialists from AWI. Every year, the rate of melting of the Greenland ice sheets is accelerating, and against the backdrop of global warming, the situation can only worsen, which will provoke an increase in the level of the World Ocean. As part of the study, its authors studied the system of one of the largest Greenland glaciers. As a result, it was possible to find out that the accelerated melting process is due to the fact that now the masses of ice "melt" not only from above, but also from below. This is primarily due to an increase in the flow of warm water, and each time a greater amount of heat falls under the area known as the "ice tongue". The flow of warm water is accelerated by the bathymetric barrier observed at the seabed. The shape of the latter actually causes intense melting on the underside of the ice, which is observed along the whole of Greenland. ... >>

AI drug to be tested on humans for the first time 09.02.2020

The drug, developed exclusively by artificial intelligence, will undergo clinical trials on humans for the first time. It is intended for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder. This drug was discovered using artificial intelligence systems from the Oxford biotechnology company Exscientia. It usually takes about 4,5 years to get a drug at this stage of development, but Exscientia says that thanks to the use of AI tools, the development process took less than 12 months. The drug, called DSP-1181, was created using algorithms to screen potential compounds against a huge database of parameters, including the patient's genetic factors. Exscientia chief executive Professor Andrew Hopkins called the trials "a key milestone in drug discovery" and noted that "billions" of solutions are needed to find suitable drug molecules, making their eventual creation a "huge decision." ... >>

Synthesis of bones and enamel 08.02.2020

A team of researchers from Queen Mary University of London today unveiled their new work investigating a new way for enamel to grow on teeth - known to be one of those hard tissues that doesn't regenerate on its own. On the contrary, with age, enamel undergoes significant changes, often wearing out under the influence of many harmful factors. And despite the traditional synthetic tools and approaches to enamel growth, today's research focuses on the use of specialized nanocrystals that start the process of repair and distribution of new enamel over the entire surface of the teeth. At the moment, the most used enamel restoration technique is low frequency laser treatment, but even this modern approach has many disadvantages and side effects, including uneven distribution of enamel on the teeth. A team of London-based researchers presented their study, which is based on ... >>

The energy of a falling water drop 08.02.2020

City University of Hong Kong (CityU) has created a power generator based on a promising new method of converting water energy and featuring high efficiency using a FET-like structure. Water, covering about 70% of the Earth's surface, is fraught with a huge potential for energy not used by man. The limitations of current technology do not allow efficient conversion into electricity of the low-frequency kinetic energy that is present in waves, tides, and even raindrops. The CityU team spent two years of research to overcome the problem of low efficiency. As a result, the instantaneous energy density of their droplet generator DEG (Droplet-based Electricity Generator) can reach 50,1 W / m2, which is thousands of times higher than similar devices without the FET structure. The efficiency of energy conversion has also increased significantly. One drop of water with a volume of 100 microliters falling from a height of 15 cm onto the surface of the plate ... >>

Dyson headphones with built-in air purifier 07.02.2020

Vacuum cleaner manufacturer Dyson has filed a patent for a new pair of headphones with a built-in air purifier. According to the manufacturer, such a device could help combat the harmful effects of urban air pollution. This application was filed with the UK Intellectual Property Office in July 2019. She describes a pair of headphones with air filters built into their ear cups. The schematic shows a strip of additional headband that is connected to the wearer's mouth and provides clean air to the wearer. When the user is in a clean air environment, this optional headband can be pulled up. The patent application also says that the ear pads have built-in motors that rotate at a speed of about 12 thousand revolutions per minute. This ensures the suction of approximately 1,4 liters of air per second. However, such a high speed of operation of the motors can lead to a noticeable noise, the source of which will be ... >>

Perfumes that replace coffee 07.02.2020

Dutch scientists have created perfumes that increase efficiency. The development of a wonderful perfume with the speaking name No.10 Spirit de Travail ("working spirit") belongs to the Dutch company Spaces. The project was based on a study by University of Arizona professor Gary Schwartz, who back in the 1980s said that smells can be used to cope with bad mood, stress and anger. The creators of the fragrance guarantee that its inhalation directly affects the increase in concentration, attention, and efficiency. Perfumers have been wrestling with the essence recipe for a long time, studying research on the effects of smells on people. As a result, the "elixir" gathered from the aromas of cinnamon, vetiver, sandalwood and Calabrian bergamot. ... >>

Infineon P600 7V CoolMOS Transistors 06.02.2020

Infineon introduced the new 600V super-junction MOSFET CoolMOS P7, the successor to the 600V CoolMOS P6 series. These transistors inherit the same principle of high efficiency with ease of use. This line of transistors features best-in-class on-resistance (RDS(on)) and low gate charge (QG). Features: High reliability; Optimized balance of efficiency and ease of use; Low switching losses; High resistance to electrostatic >2 kV (HBM); Best-in-class open channel drain-to-source resistance (Rds(on), less than 1 ohm per mm2); A wide range of products, allowing you to choose components for different industries; The compact sizes, the occupied area no more than 12 x 12 mm2. Typical applications: Chargers; adapters; Lighting systems; Solar energy conversion systems; Electric vehicles; Server systems. ... >>

Trillion frames per second camera 06.02.2020

Scientists from the California Institute of Technology have invented an ultra-high-speed camera capable of shooting video at a speed of up to 1 trillion frames per second, in which transparent objects are involved. The principle of this camera is called phase-sensitive compressed ultrafast photography (pCUP), and it is a further development of the principle of photography, developed about a decade ago and used to capture the movement of light in slow motion. The combination of pCUP technology with the technology of the so-called contrast phase microscopy allows the camera to capture not only transparent objects at the highest speed, it is able to capture "ephemeral" phenomena, such as the propagation of shock waves in a gaseous medium and inside crystals, the passage of signals through the neurons of nerve tissues, and much more. other. Phase contrast microscopy was developed specifically to improve the quality of imaging of transparent and translucent objects. ... >>

Converting hydrogen to metal 06.02.2020

Researchers at the French Commission for Alternative Energy and Atomic Energy (CEA) have been able to shape a hydrogen sample into a form that exhibits the properties of a metal. The work took many years, as the process itself is incredibly complex. The scientists hermetically sealed the supercooled, solid hydrogen in foil and then subjected it to extremely high pressure using a diamond as an anvil. In previous experiments, the pressure was limited to 400 gigapascals, but then the researchers came up with the idea to use not a flat, but a toroidal (donut-like) anvil. This allowed it to withstand much higher loads, and at 425 gigapascals, the experiment was finally crowned with success: hydrogen began to show the first metallic properties. Scientists emphasize that cooling and pressure are two critical factors for changing the state of matter. "As the pressure rises, cooled hydrogen becomes more and more opaque, and at 425 gigapas ... >>

Material that hides thermal signatures 05.02.2020

There are not many materials in the world that have the ability to hide heat sources - in particular, because their manufacture and use is associated with quite significant financial difficulties. However, today a talented team of chemical engineers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison unveiled their new development of an ultra-light and thin material that can absorb a significant amount of ultraviolet and heat from any source - for example, it can be used to hide heat from the human body. According to preliminary test results, this material has a really promising character - it can absorb up to 94% of infrared light of a wide variety of wavelengths, including light waves emanating from the human body. The material is made of so-called synthetic "black silicon", which has a very high degree of absorption of heat and light. Honggui Xian, head of this development, about ... >>

Diesel smoke harms the heart and blood vessels 05.02.2020

Dirty air is harmful to health - this is evidenced by medical statistics: those who breathe air with a large amount of industrial and automobile pollution are more likely to suffer from various diseases, including Alzheimer's disease. Researchers from the National University of Kapodistrias of Athens equipped a special room in which it was possible to control the composition of the air, and filled it with air with combustion products of diesel fuel - in the amount that can be found in the center of a densely populated city (burned diesel accounts for about 50% of all pollution urban air). For comparison, the same room was filled with clean air. The participants in the experiment, forty people without any cardiovascular problems, were divided into two parts: one two hours they breathed smoky air, the other - clean air. A month later, both returned to the laboratory, but now they changed roles: those who used to breathe clean air now breathed diesel exhaust, ... >>

Audiophile player Walkman NW-A105 04.02.2020

The Japanese company has introduced a new audio player of the legendary Walkman line - Walkman NW-A105. The design of the gadget has everything you need to create the highest quality sound, including solder joints and film capacitors. So, for example, lead-free soldering using gold was used to connect the printed circuit board to the battery. The model supports high-resolution audio, DSD (11,2 MHz / PCM conversion) and PCM (384 kHz / 32 bits). Support for DSEE HX technology is provided, which automatically enhances the quality of the reproduced audio to near high-resolution levels. Moreover, the player can do this even in streaming mode. The range of reproducible frequencies is from 20 Hz to 40 Hz. The novelty received a 000-inch color display. The price of the player is 3,6 USD. ... >>

sweating robot 04.02.2020

Scientists from Cornell University (USA) have created a soft robotic muscle that can regulate its temperature by releasing "sweat". Thanks to this ability, robots can work for a long time without overheating. Controlling the internal temperature of robots is one of the biggest hurdles in building robust and flexible robots. If the high speed motors and exothermic motors that power the robot overheat, the robot will stop working. This is a particular problem for soft robots, which are made from synthetic materials. Being more flexible, they retain heat, unlike metal robots, which quickly dissipate heat. An internal cooling fan can't help much, as it takes up a lot of space inside the robot and makes it heavier. Researchers found a solution to this problem in nature. They decided to adapt the natural cooling system of mammals - sweating - to an artificial mechanism. For this ... >>

Rockets five times faster than sound 03.02.2020

The US Department of Defense announced the upcoming test of four new hypersonic missiles capable of five times the speed of sound in flight. Assistant Secretary of Defense Mike White said that by the end of 2020, the department intends to carry out at least four test launches of prototype hypersonic missiles, which should reach speeds five times faster than sound and maneuver in flight. The head of the Pentagon, Mark Esper, called hypersonic weapons the key elements of the "great confrontation" with potential adversaries. Another five billion dollars will be allocated from the budget especially for these purposes. Of particular concern to the US military is the fact that China has carried out 20 times more hypersonic tests than the US, not to mention the success of the Russian military-industrial complex. "This year will mark a new level of development of our weapons," the US Secretary of Defense promised. "We have plans to launch prototype hypersonic missiles for land and sea ... >>

Processors Zhaoxin KaiXian KX-6780A and KX-U6880A 03.02.2020

The Chinese company Zhaoxin introduced the new KaiXian KX-6780A and KX-U6880A processors, which some Chinese PC manufacturers are positioning as "solutions for DIY enthusiasts", that is, for those who want to build a computer themselves. The KaiXian KX-6780A processor features Zhaoxin's own eight LuJiaZui cores that support SSE 4.2 and AVX instructions, as well as virtualization and encryption technologies. The clock speeds of the cores are not specified, however, according to the provided screenshot from CPU-Z, they reach 2,7 GHz. The processor is manufactured using 16-nm technology at the facilities of TSMC. The new Chinese processor also boasts 8 MB of L4 cache and a dual-channel DDR3200-6780 memory controller. The KaiXian KX-11.1A also has integrated graphics with DirectX 3 support (probably S6780, but this is not certain), and it also supports current external interfaces like PCIe, SATA, USB, etc. Since the KaiXian KX-XNUMXA processor is made in a BGA package, it will ... >>

Boiled water is more harmful than filtered water 02.02.2020

Scientists from Zurich reported that boiled water can in some cases be more dangerous than filtered water. As a rule, heat treatment allows you to effectively get rid of pathogens and destroy microorganisms. At the same time, experts note that when boiling, chlorine precipitates and reacts with other chemicals. The result can be the formation of toxic compounds leading to the appearance of ailments. All viruses, heavy metals and other compounds do not disappear after boiling. The accumulated sediment eventually enters the human body. At high concentrations of pollutants, malaise and malfunction of various organs may occur. Constant consumption of boiled water causes the removal of various beneficial minerals from the body. It is not necessary to carry out heat treatment more than once; scale should not form in the kettle. No need to mix raw and boiled water for a new heating step. The liquid must first be cleaned of harmful elements. This is easy to achieve with a conventional filter. ... >>

Panasonic controllers with 40nm integrated ReRAM 02.02.2020

The Japanese company Panasonic announced the start of production of microcontrollers with built-in ReRAM memory with technological standards of 40 nm. An important feature of the controller will be a block of built-in ReRAM memory with a capacity of 256 KB. ReRAM memory is based on the principle of controlled resistance in the oxide layer, which makes it very resistant to radiation. Thus, this microcontroller will be in demand for managing the protection of medical equipment in the production of instruments and preparations using radiation exposure during disinfection (sterilization). Let's dwell a little more on ReRAM. Panasonic has been developing this type of memory for about 20 years, and maybe even longer. The company launched the production of microcontrollers with ReRAM in 2013 using a 180-nm process technology. At that time, Panasonic's ReRAM could not compete with NAND. Subsequently, for the development and production of ReRAM with 40 nm standards, Panasonic teamed up with the Taiwanese company UMC. Built-in 40-n ... >>

Hottest planet discovered 01.02.2020

American scientists have found that on the day side of the planet KELT-9b, temperatures can reach 7800 degrees Fahrenheit (4300 degrees Celsius). This makes it hotter than M-type stars, and even some K-type stars. KELT-9b is a very hot Jupiter, one of several varieties of exoplanets found in our galaxy. It weighs almost 3 times more than Jupiter. The planet is located at a distance of about 670 light years. The researchers found that the same side of the planet always faces its star. This led to the fact that the hydrogen molecules are split into pieces, and then flow to the night side and are converted again. "Such a planet is so extreme in temperature that the processes there are different from many other exoplanets," said Megan Mansfield, a graduate student at the University of Chicago and lead author of the study. The atmosphere of KELT-9b flows from one part of the planet to another. The wind speed on it is ... >>

Massive natural source of greenhouse gases discovered 01.02.2020

Hydrocarbon gases rising from the bottom of the Red Sea pollute the atmosphere at the same rate as emissions from some major fossil fuel exporting countries. Greenhouse gases are seeping in from under the waters that surround the resorts and ports of several countries, including Egypt, Israel, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. They then mix with emissions from industrial shipping to become harmful pollutants. The Middle East contains more than half of the world's oil and gas reserves. Accordingly, this region is subject to intensive extraction and exploitation of fossil fuels, as a result of which a huge amount of gaseous pollutants enters the atmosphere. Scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry found that levels of ethane and propane in the air over the northern Red Sea were 40 times higher than predicted - even after taking into account regional industrial emissions. Experts analyzed all possible sources of greenhouse gas emissions, including ... >>

24-pin ATX connector will be replaced by 10-pin 31.01.2020

The PC market, of course, is more inert than the smartphone market, but even here everything is changing, and in recent years it has been very active. It is enough to take the processor segment, where less than three years have passed since the release of the first Ryzen CPUs, and there have been more changes than in the previous ten. But among all that is changing, there are a number of features that remain unchanged for years and even decades. In particular, a large 24-pin connector, through which power is supplied from the block to the motherboard, is known even to those who are very far from the PC world - it’s enough just that a person sometimes opens the case to clean it from dust. This connector belongs to the ATX standard, which was adopted 25 years ago and began to become active in the market about 20 years ago. And soon he will finally retire. According to the source, Intel intends to introduce a new connector - ATX12VO this year. It will change not only externally, but also electrically. As you know, now the main ... >>

A new flexible type of battery for wearable electronics 31.01.2020

Electronics are used everywhere: in pockets and purses, and increasingly they are located directly on our skin or even sewn into our clothes. But the adoption of wearable electronics has so far been limited by their need to draw power from bulky, rigid batteries, which reduce usability and can pose a safety risk due to chemicals leaking or burning. Stanford researchers have developed a soft and stretchable battery that uses a special type of plastic to store energy more securely than the flammable compounds used in conventional batteries today. The use of plastics or polymers in batteries is not new. For some time, lithium-ion batteries have used polymers as electrolytes - an energy source that transports negative ions to the positive pole of the battery. However, until now, these polymer electrolytes have been fluid gels, which in some cases could leak. ... >>

Trains instead of planes 30.01.2020

Europeans are increasingly opting for rail transport over air travel because they are ashamed of the damage that airplanes do to the environment. In Europe, the movement to protect the environment is rapidly gaining popularity, symbolized by the Swedish schoolgirl Greta Thunberg. Environmental activists, in particular, are promoting a phenomenon called Flight Shaming - its supporters are calling for shame on those who fly planes and thereby allegedly harm the planet. Apparently, Europeans are really becoming ashamed of flying: in Sweden and Germany, the number of air travel has fallen for the first time in ten years. Swedish airports in 2019 received 4% fewer passengers than in 2018, and airlines carried 2% fewer people (on domestic flights - 9% less). German airlines delivered 0,4% fewer passengers, while domestic traffic fell by 2%. Flight shaming advocates are calling for the use of trains instead of planes, and apparently it works ... >>

human body simulator 30.01.2020

Scientists from the Wyss Institute of Bionics at Harvard University have created a human body simulator from 10 connected organs. The proposed Body-on-Chips platform (a body on a chip) goes beyond simple imitation of organs and makes it possible to track the effects of medicines on the human body in a complex, and not just on its individual parts. Such a platform will significantly accelerate the development of new drugs, especially in the early stages of drug trials. The beneficial effect of a chemical on one organ may cause side effects in others, as indicated by the "body on a chip", but not the "organ on a chip". Also, the developed system makes it possible to select the desired concentration of the drug and evaluate the rate of its removal from the body. In other words, the Body-on-Chips platform allows you to track both pharmacokinetics (PK, absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion) and pharmacodynamics (PD, effects, mechanisms and side effects). Structurally, the body on a chip is a connected ... >>

Dangerous fungal clouds 29.01.2020

Scientists at the University of California at Irvine (USA) have found that a large number of nanoparticles contained in the atmospheric air, involved in the formation of clouds and causing potentially dangerous asthma in humans, are actually fungal spores. In 2016, researchers took samples for a month in Oklahoma using a device that captures particles 20-60 nanometers in diameter and then places them on a thin platinum filament. After the molecules evaporated, a high-resolution mass spectrometer analyzed the resulting gases, establishing their chemical composition. Airborne spores absorb water, swell and rupture into fragments 30 nanometers in diameter, which are much smaller than cells that are thousands of nanometers in diameter, the scientists say. These particles are able to penetrate much deeper into the lungs. The possible allergenicity of spore fragments explains why some people have asthma attacks during rainy seasons. Nanoparticles can play the role of nuclei to which ... >>

Obtaining graphene from household waste 29.01.2020

Researchers at Rice University can turn any carbon-containing garbage, from food scraps to old tires, into graphene. Graphene is sheets of pure carbon atoms only one atom thick. Due to a number of amazing properties, it is often called the "material of the future" and even today graphene-based products and composites are widely used in all areas of industry and science. Why is this discovery so important? Modern methods make it possible to obtain an insignificant (compared to the needs of mankind) amount of this material with a suitable structure. As an alternative - an increase in the total number of graphene with a noticeable decrease in its quality. However, thanks to the new technique, scientists are already producing up to a kilogram of excellent quality graphene per day literally from garbage, and this is a very impressive figure. Because thin sheets of carbon atoms are arranged like a wire mesh, graphene is stronger than steel, conducts electricity and heat better than copper, and can ... >>

Infineon NLM0011 NFC Chip for LED Driver Control 28.01.2020

Infineon has introduced two new ICs, NLM0011 and NLM0010, that allow you to control an LED power supply using an analog or PWM signal. The microcircuits implement a wireless NFC interface. The products are focused on creating solutions for lighting control and are compatible with most existing types of low cost analog LED drivers. The NLM0011 integrates CLO (constant lumen output), OTC (operation time counter) and on/off operation counting functions. Thanks to the built-in functionality, lighting control can be done directly, without connecting an additional microcontroller. NLM0010 is a version of NLM0011 without CLO function. The ICs support passive (PWM parameters can be configured via NFC) and active (PWM output is generated according to stored PWM parameters) modes of operation. Applications: Lighting systems; Solutions that use PWM or DC as a control signal ... >>

Photosynthetic engine for artificial cells 28.01.2020

In an effort to create a new type of artificial cell that would mimic living cells, some researchers are focusing on the approach of creating originally artificial cells with living functions, instead of changing the genetic material of living cells. A joint team of specialists from Harvard and Sogang University decided to follow this path, presenting their new development of an artificial cell that can reproduce absolutely all the functions and tasks of a living one - including photosynthesis, reproduction and the formation of a cytoskeleton in the process of its growth. In the process of creating such an artificial cell, experts were able to activate its metabolism through light activity and a special protein structure embedded in it. However, this is only the first step in building truly complex and complex artificial cells with the functions of living things, which will certainly find application in many areas of human science. ... >>

UAVOS drone with record run time 27.01.2020

The Robinson R22 helicopter became the basis for an unmanned aerial vehicle, which UAVOS introduced some time ago. Unlike most rotary wing drones powered by electric motors, this product differs in size and in that it is equipped with a gasoline engine. As a result, the UAVOS drone can lift up to 180 kg (40 kg with a full fuel tank) and fly up to 1020 km. The unmanned helicopter is designed to deliver goods and provide humanitarian assistance. It can stay in the air for up to 6 hours and fly in much more difficult weather conditions than small electric drones. For takeoff and landing, he needs a platform with dimensions of 15 x 15 m. The cruising speed is 160 km / h, the working ceiling is 4200 m. ... >>

Created nanoparticles that reduce brain swelling 27.01.2020

Scientists at Northwestern University in the US have created nanoparticles that reduce brain swelling in traumatic brain injuries. The development will save the lives of patients with serious head injuries. Traumatic brain injuries usually result in massive cell death in certain areas of the brain. The result of these changes can be a deterioration in the work of consciousness and a violation of some physical functions, up to loss of speech, paralysis of the limbs, as well as deterioration of long-term and short-term memory. The massive death of brain cells as a result of a traumatic brain injury is due to the fact that fluid begins to accumulate inside it and edema develops. Currently, the only effective (and extremely risky) treatment for edema is craniotomy. In a new study, scientists have found a way to slow down the development of edema using antibody-coated nanoparticles. Such particles will stop the migration of monocytes by distracting the immune system - when they are introduced into the blood, they ... >>

Universal wireless sensor node STEVAL-MKSBOX1V1 for the Internet of Things 26.01.2020

STMicroelectronics has released a new complete wireless device STEVAL-MKSBOX1V1, which is a set of various sensors, a battery and a wireless BLE interface in a matchbox-sized package. STEVAL-MKSBOX1V1 not only allows you to measure many parameters - temperature, pressure, humidity, position in space, motion and sound, but also perform calculations thanks to the built-in ARM Cortex-M4 microcontroller with DSP and FPU (STM32L4R9) with ultra-low power consumption. To interact with a smartphone, a special ST BLE Sensor application is provided. STEVAL-MKSBOX1V1 (SensorTile.box) is a ready-to-use wearable and wireless IoT platform that will help you build applications based on various sensors. The plastic case houses the SensorTile.box board and battery, while the ST BLE Sensor app is installed on a smartphone and connected via Bluetooth. Own applications based on sensor measurements with parameter setting ... >>

Smart contact lens that moisturizes the eye 26.01.2020

For people with vision problems, the choice is always made only between glasses and lenses. Glasses are visible, which often suffers from aesthetics, the lenses are hidden, but harm the eyes. Wearing any contact materials on the pupils sooner or later causes "dry eye syndrome", blinking frequency decreases, moisture evaporation increases. As a result, corneal wounds, inflammation and discomfort can occur. Led by Professor Matsuhiko Nishizawa, a team from Japan's Tohoku University set out to develop a lens that solves this problem. The prototype device maintains a layer of tear fluid between itself and the eye using a phenomenon known as "electroosmotic flow". A current is applied to the natural tear reservoir under the lower eyelid, and contact with the hydrogel from which the lens is made occurs. This gentle, unobtrusive process draws fluid out of the tear ducts, prompting them to work. As a result, the eye is moisturized. So far, scientists have successfully powered a lens from ... >>

Cookies baked in space for the first time 25.01.2020

During the experiment, the scientists were able to cook cookies in a special oven, which was delivered to the station in November. Different detachments of astronauts tried to cook dishes in space five times, but failed each time. The cookies also failed to bake according to the recipe that was developed for the Earth - the researchers baked them in the oven for 25 minutes at a temperature of 149 ° C, but they turned out raw. Only when they kept the blanks in the oven for two hours, the confection turned out to be ready. At the same time, the astronauts did not try the cookies they had prepared. It was brought back to Earth two weeks later, frozen and placed in a US laboratory refrigerator. Further tests will show if it is safe to eat. Part of the concern stems from the fact that oven manufacturers expected a difference in cooking time in space and on Earth, but it should have been several times less. "We need to explore what is actually driving this difference, but it's definitely to ... >>

Aurora Driver for trucks 25.01.2020

Autonomous driving technology company Aurora plans to integrate its Aurora Driver system with trucks. This was made possible by the development of a new lidar sensor. Although Aurora was founded three years ago, not much is known about it, despite the rather ambitious plans. The company is led by Chris Urmson, who previously led the Google self-driving car project. The company has already raised $690 million in funding, and one of Aurora's investors, LinkedIn co-founder and venture capitalist Reid Hoffman, has dubbed Urmson "the Henry Ford of self-driving cars" because of his work at Google on self-driving vehicles. Aurora has developed the Aurora Driver software and hardware system, which can be installed in various types of vehicles to provide autonomous driving. So far, the system has been integrated into six different types of transport media. ... >>

Commercial graphene super battery 24.01.2020

The American company Real Graphene is working on batteries with improved performance, which, according to company representatives, are almost ready for mass commercial use. The main advantage of the graphene battery is that it charges very quickly. We have heard many times that smartphone manufacturers are planning to use graphene batteries in their smartphones, but so far no company has introduced such devices. The situation may change very soon. Real Graphene CEO Samuel Gong noted that it takes about 3000 minutes to fully charge a 20 mAh graphene battery using a 60-watt charger. This is many times faster than modern batteries of most smartphones. He added that most modern smartphone batteries can withstand 300 to 500 charge cycles without significant performance degradation. And Real Graphene batteries can withstand ... >>

living concrete 24.01.2020

Scientists at the University of Colorado have created living concrete that is teeming with photosynthetic bacteria. They can grow and even regenerate - just like a living organism. The new material is a mixture of gelatin, sand and cyanobacteria. The resulting structure was able to regenerate three times after the researchers tore it apart. The living concrete, which Colorado scientists have made in collaboration with DARPA, initially has a sickly green color that fades as bacteria die off. "It really looks like Frankenstein stuff," joked UC Boulder engineer and project leader Will Srubar. Even when the green tint disappears, the bacteria continue to live for a few more weeks. Under the right conditions, they can be "rejuvenated" and become active again, splicing cracks and other defects within the structure. DARPA is particularly interested in such materials, which are planned to be used for the construction of buildings in remote areas. ... >>

Artificial intelligence instead of office managers 23.01.2020

Artificial intelligence (AI) and new technologies such as virtual personal assistants and chatbots are rapidly being introduced into the workplace. Gartner predicts that by 2024 they will take over 69% of a manager's workload. "The role of the manager will be completely redefined in the next four years," said Helen Poitevin, vice president of research at Gartner. By automating these tasks, they can spend less time managing interactions and more time learning, managing performance and setting goals." In addition, analysts note that AI and other new technologies are making work more accessible for employees with disabilities, which is very important in the face of a shortage of qualified personnel. It is noteworthy that, according to Gartner, organizations actively recruiting people with disabilities ... >>

Ballistic shield made of plastic bags 23.01.2020

The bulletproof shields used by the police certainly save lives, but they are quite heavy and bulky. The origami-inspired Swift Shield offers an alternative to the traditional one as it folds into a lightweight envelope when not needed. The device was developed three years ago by a team from Brigham Young University in Utah and manufactured by the American company ATCS (Advanced Technology Compliant Solutions). The first version of the shield consisted of Kevlar plates that stopped bullets. The new one contains what is described as "ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene materials". The coating of these materials is a waterproof, chemically resistant and durable yet flexible shell made from hypalon. It is a kind of polyethylene. So the shield can easily be called a relative of the package. The folding shield can be easily folded, weighs only 2,3 kg and is more like a hardcover book in dimensions. For any danger ... >>

Created the world's fastest rotating object 22.01.2020

The device was created by a team of scientists from Purdue University (USA). It spins about 500 times faster than a dentist's drill. The rotating object is a silica nanoparticle that - when viewed through an electron microscope - looks like two spheres connected together. To make the silica spin at a record speed, the scientists used the power of light. They first made an object levitate in a vacuum with one laser, and then used another laser to accelerate it. The nanoparticle is not only the fastest rotating object in the world, but also the most sensitive torque sensor known. Rotational moment (also moment of force, torque) is a measure of the force that causes an object to rotate around its axis. The new device is 000-600 times more sensitive than any other previous instrument capable of measuring torque. The device can be used to study special ... >>

Ginkgo longevity secret 22.01.2020

Trees live for a long time, but among them there are absolutely amazing centenarians. For example, ginkgo biloba, or Ginkgo biloba, can live for more than 3000 years - here it is not far from immortality. Obviously, ginkgo has some mechanisms that help resist aging, and researchers from Beijing Forestry University, Yangzhou University and other scientific centers in China and the United States managed to partially decipher these mechanisms. Li Wang and his colleagues studied the structure of 34 ginkgoes ranging in age from 3 to 667 years; wood samples were taken from living and healthy trees. Tree growth rings show the rate at which a tree has grown from year to year, and trees usually slow down over time. However, even after hundreds of years, ginkgo continued to grow in the same way as they grew, and sometimes even faster than before. And neither the size of the leaves, nor the intensity of photosynthesis reactions, nor the quality of the seeds changed with age. The researchers compared the activity of genes in ginkgo leaves and cambium - the so-called sp ... >>

Case for isolating the smartphone from the owner 21.01.2020

Google has developed a new accessory that will help you use your phone less if you're looking to get rid of nomophobia or just spend less time on it. In fact, the new device is an envelope in which the smartphone is sealed. At the same time, numbers are applied to the envelope, with which you can dial phone numbers and answer calls, and on the reverse side there are cutouts for the camera lens. But the problem is that the presented case-envelope is adapted to fit only the Google Pixel 3A phone into it. Moreover, a smartphone in a case will not respond to "buttons" without a special Envelope application. The most interesting thing is that you have to make the envelope yourself. To do this, you need to print a PDF file from the application with the contour of the envelope and numbers, cut it according to the template and fold it correctly, following the instructions. Then, when you're ready to partially ditch your phone, open the Envelope app, slide your Pixel 3A into ... >>

Mathematicians have developed the perfect espresso coffee 21.01.2020

Scientists have created a mathematical model for making espresso, which showed the optimal values ​​​​of parameters that allow you to achieve repeatability of taste, while saving coffee. The key recommendation is to grind the beans to a certain size that is coarser than what is used today in most cases. Espresso is one of the most popular ways to brew coffee. To obtain this drink, hot water under pressure is passed through ground roasted grains. Despite the prevalence of this method, the result of its application often differs from time to time. As a rule, this is attributed to the human factor, although there was no full evidence of this. There are official guidelines for brewing espresso. According to them, the final volume of the drink should be from 25 to 35 milliliters, while water should be supplied under a pressure of 9 bar, at a temperature of 92 to 95 degrees Celsius and for 20-30 seconds, and the required mass of grains for one cup should be found ... >>

Flexible nano-thin touchscreen 20.01.2020

Touch screens of smartphones and displays have firmly entered our lives. It remains to make them even better - brighter, stronger, more flexible, more reliable and cheaper. Now scientists from Australia can suggest improvements on each of the points listed above. A team of Australian scientists from the University of New South Wales, Monash University and the ARC Center of Excellence for Low Energy Electronics Technology (FLEET) published in the journal Nature Electronics the results of research in which they learned how to create the thinnest electrically conductive film, the properties of which allow it to serve as a touch screen. . It is alleged that the film is obtained almost atomic thickness. Several layers of such a film can be used to create flexible touch screens for smartphones or displays, the transparency of which will be higher than traditional touchscreens made from modern indium-tin oxide (ITO) films. Conventional ITO touch screens absorb up to 10% of display backlight light. Offer ... >>

Implementation of the C-V2X vehicular communication system 20.01.2020

The State of Virginia, Audi and Qualcomm announced plans to pilot the deployment of a communication technology for exchanging information between a vehicle and its surroundings - C-V2X. The system is expected to roll out upstate in the third quarter of 2020 to improve road safety to reduce road crashes and fatalities. On average, more than 36 fatal accidents occur in the United States per year. More than 6000 pedestrians die on American roads every year. C-V2X systems use both direct short-range communications in the 5,9 GHz band and long-distance communications via cellular carrier networks. Available chipsets support both types of communications simultaneously in one solution, facilitating the implementation of the technology. Low-latency C-V2X channel capabilities will be used to provide warnings for roadworks and when approaching regulated intersections on highways. Direct communication is carried out in the 20 MHz band (5,905 ... >>

latex gold 19.01.2020

Swiss scientists have managed to develop a form of gold that weighs 5-10 times less than usual. The density of the new metal is 1,7 g/cm3, while that of classical gold is about 15 g/cm3. Researchers have obtained ultralight metal from protein fibers, polymer latex and gold nanocrystals. First, scientists developed a special mixture and created a dispersion that turns salts into a gel. Then the water in it was replaced with alcohol and the gel was placed in a chamber where the alcohol was mixed with carbon dioxide. As a result of the experiment, a homogeneous airgel was formed, which was compacted under the influence of heat to the desired shape. Gold has retained the 18 carat composition (750 fineness). The new material is similar to glass plastic but lighter than aluminum and is suitable for use in watches, jewelry, radiation protection, catalysis and electronics. ... >>

NZXT RGB & Fan Controller 19.01.2020

NZXT announced the release of a device with the descriptive name RGB & Fan Controller, that is, the RGB backlight controller and fans. Access to the capabilities of the device is provided by the NZXT CAM program, which allows you to configure the backlight and fan profiles. The NZXT RGB & Fan Controller has two RGB lighting channels with support for up to 40 individually addressable LEDs each, for a total of 80 addressable LEDs. You can connect LED strips, fan lights, and other system components to the controller. There are three fan control channels. Each of them is designed for a maximum load of 10 watts. The dimensions of the controller are 74 x 15 x 64 mm. In the PC case, the device is attached with a magnet or Velcro. Power is supplied to the SATA connector, and the USB port is used for control. The NZXT RGB & Fan Controller costs 25 euros. It should appear on the European market in early February. ... >>

Blocking printers for unpaid subscription 18.01.2020

The HP Instant Ink branded program involves the replacement of cartridges for all users of HP printers, subject to the timely payment of a monthly subscription fee, the cost of which includes both the cost of ink and the cost of shipping the cartridge to the user. A feature of the program is the payment not for the ink used, but for the number of printed pages. For $5 per month, HP allows the user to print 100 pages per month (the free plan allows you to print no more than 15 pages per month) and you are charged even if you did not print anything for a month - "unused" pages roll over to the next month . An Internet-connected printer sends information to HP about the number and type of documents printed, as well as from which devices the print command was issued. The HP Instant Ink program has been operating since 2013 in many countries around the world, and even allows the use of non-HP cartridges, but subject to ... >>

Slug stats 18.01.2020

British biologists have issued a call: volunteers are urgently needed to monitor the growing population of slugs. The study by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) and Newcastle University will last a year and will only focus on slugs, gastropods that lack an outer shell. To take part in the study, three factors are needed: curiosity, an accessible garden, and a desire to leave the house after dark. Participants of the research project will study different types of slugs and their habitats. They will also count the number of these gastropods and determine what exactly attracts them to the gardens. The last such study was conducted in English gardens back in the 1940s. Then a large number of slugs were found, which belonged to only nine species. Researchers need about 60 volunteers who will be trained to find slugs and collect them carefully. Volunteers will need to go out once a month for half an hour with a torch for night hunting. Any special ... >>

Super strong diamond glass for smartphones 17.01.2020

The American company Akhan Semiconductor has developed ultra-strong diamond glass that can be used to make foldable smartphones. The glass, called Miraj Diamond Glass, is made from nano-diamond materials and is primarily intended for the production of foldable device displays. The manufacturer claims that compared to its counterpart from Corning, diamond glass is six times stronger than Gorilla Glass. The thickness of the material is only 100 nanometers. Among the characteristics of Miraj Diamond Glass, the property of repelling liquids and fats is declared, so the glass does not require additional processing with an oleophobic coating. Akhan Semiconductor clarifies that the new material has already been demonstrated to several smartphone manufacturers, who have fully approved the invention. Corning is also working on a flexible material that is 0,1 millimeters thick and has a bending range of up to five millimeters. ... >>

Sugar changes brain chemistry 17.01.2020

Researchers at Aarhus University in Denmark have studied what happens in the brains of pigs when they drink sugar water. The experiment showed that sugar affects the reward system of the brain in the same way that drug use does. Danish scientists conducted an experiment on pigs. Every day for 12 days they gave seven animals two liters of sugar water. To determine the effects of sugar consumption, the researchers took images of the pigs' brains at the beginning of the experiment, after the first day, and after the 12th day. Within almost two weeks, the animals experienced major changes in the dopamine and opioid systems of the brain. The opioid system, which is associated with feelings of well-being and pleasure, was activated after the very first intake of sugar water. When we experience something meaningful, the brain rewards us with feelings of pleasure, happiness, and well-being. This can happen as a result of natural stimuli - for example, socializing or learning something new. Uch ... >>

The danger of crab sticks 16.01.2020

Scientists conducted a study and came to the conclusion that fish sticks and artificial crab meat are the source of the strongest atmospheric pollution. Specialists from the University of California conducted an analysis of the production process of these products. It turned out that the biggest harm to the environment is caused by container ships, in which they bring the caught fish to the factories: they consume a significant amount of fuel. To save money, the owners use cheap fuel, which releases large amounts of sulfur dioxide and other harmful substances into the atmosphere. Sulfur dioxide is one of the main air pollutants. Environmentalists believe that exceeding the permissible concentration of this gas in the atmosphere leads to respiratory diseases, cancer and heart disease. ... >>

CoolSiC 1200V Silicon Carbide MOSFETs in TO247-3/-4 Package 16.01.2020

Infineon's new 1200V CoolSiC MOSFETs in the TO247-3/-4 package are based on state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies and optimized for high performance and reliability. The advantage of using SiC transistors compared to Si solutions is higher efficiency, which is especially important for power conversion systems. Compared to Si-based IGBTs and MOSFETs, SiC MOSFETs have several advantages: the lowest gate charge and capacitance levels among 1200V switches, no internal diode recovery loss, low temperature-independent switching loss, and no-threshold characteristic. CoolSiC MOSFETs are great for hard and resonant switched topologies such as power factor correction (PFC) circuits, bi-directional topologies, DC/DC converters or DC/AC inverters. Features: Low switching losses; Non-threshold characteristic; wide ... >>

Monitor MSI Optix G32C4 15.01.2020

The gaming-grade Optix G32C4 model, based on Samsung's 31,5-inch VA matrix, has appeared in the MSI family of monitors. The panel has a concave shape (1500R), and the horizontal and vertical viewing angles reach 178 degrees. The resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels - Full HD format. AMD FreeSync technology is responsible for improving image quality in dynamic computer games. It synchronizes the screen refresh rate with the frame rate of the GPU, thereby eliminating visual artifacts such as frame tearing. The monitor has a response time of 1ms and a refresh rate of 165Hz. The brightness is 250 cd/m2, typical and dynamic contrast ratios are 3000:1 and 100:000. The panel claims 000% coverage of the DCI-P1 color space and 95% coverage of the sRGB space. The Anti-Flicker system fights screen flicker, and Less Blue Light technology reduces the intensity of radiation in the blue component ... >>

Birds are becoming more aggressive due to global warming 15.01.2020

Scientists from the University of Groningen have announced an unusual effect of global warming on the behavior of birds. According to them, some species of birds became more cruel and began to kill their relatives. Pied flycatchers started to return to Europe a little earlier due to global warming, which puts them in more conflict with tits during the peak of the breeding season. Now every tenth male pied chick falls prey to tits as a result of this "nesting war". The reason is that the early return of the chickadees began to coincide with the period when the tits lay their eggs. It is noted that earlier, when the breeding seasons did not coincide, tits and pied birds very rarely conflicted with each other. According to scientists, the same situation is developing with other species of birds, which in the end can greatly affect their further survival and evolution. ... >>

Headset Thermaltake RIING Pro RGB 7.1 14.01.2020

Thermaltake has unveiled the RIING Pro RGB 7.1 Gaming Headset. The novelty belongs to the overhead type. The design uses high-quality 50 mm emitters; the claimed frequency range extends from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The device is equipped with an ESS ES9018 DAC digital-to-analogue converter and a SABRE9601K amplifier. The headset allows you to play sound with a bit depth of 24 bits and a sampling rate of 96 kHz. The novelty is able to form a volumetric virtual audio picture of 7.1 format. A control panel is provided on the connecting cable and a microphone mounted on the boom. The headset received a dual-zone multi-color RGB backlight. We are talking about compatibility with the TT RGB PLUS infrastructure, the Razer Chroma system and the Amazon Alexa intelligent voice assistant. The RIING Pro RGB 7.1 Gaming Headset will go on sale in the current quarter. Manufacturer's warranty - two years. ... >>

While playing, the brains of parents and babies are synchronized 14.01.2020

During the game of babies aged 9-15 months and their parents, brain activity is synchronized. This happens in the prefrontal cortex. This is not observed between children and adults who simply sit side by side and read a book aloud, and synchronization itself seems to be at the heart of learning through communication. The ability to communicate is formed in a person even in infancy: at a very early age, a child, for example, learns what will happen when he starts crying or screaming, and then he can use this as a way to get attention from a parent. Of course, this process is accompanied by the formation of strong neural connections, but this process itself has been studied only superficially. Scientists led by Elise Piazza from Princeton University decided to test one key aspect of the formation of neural connections - the synchronization of brain activity during communication. Previously, researchers have already shown that adult brain activity is synchronized during ... >>

Rugged Smartphone Cat S32 13.01.2020

The American company Caterpillar has introduced a new secure smartphone Cat S32. The novelty complies with IP68 certification and the American military standard MIL-STD-810G. This means that the gadget is absolutely not afraid of dust, is able to withstand immersion to a depth of no more than 1 meter for no more than 30 minutes, and also withstand pressure and temperature drops, vibration, shaking and other hardships and hardships. And the Cat S32 will survive a 1,8 meter drop onto a hard surface without any problems. The smartphone received a 5-inch HD + display, a 20 GHz Mediatek Helio A1,8 quad-core processor, 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of permanent memory. The cameras are 5MP in the front and 13MP in the back. The novelty will go on sale at an estimated price of 300 euros. ... >>

Awakening dormant enzymes for artificial photosynthesis 13.01.2020

The ability to recreate the process of photosynthesis in the laboratory is a very tasty morsel for scientists and researchers in the context of modern biological science - if only because it could solve a number of problems associated with the ability to grow something outside of our planet. So researchers from the University of Cambridge have been working on such a project for a long time - and today they presented its first results, which are very promising. And the thing is that they managed to significantly increase the efficiency of natural photosynthesis using a mechanism that had been dormant in plants for a long time. We are talking about increasing the efficiency of natural photosynthesis of plants through the use of a special photoelectrochemical cell of artificial origin, which is attached to the plant photosystem, which consumes the red and blue spectrum of light. Moreover, this attachment is carried out with the help of a special enzyme called ... >>

City of the future from Toyota 12.01.2020

The president of Toyota Motor Corporation announced the company's plans to build a futuristic prototype city. This city, already called Woven City, will be built near Mount Fuji on the territory of the old Toyota manufacturing complex in Higashi-Fuji, an area of ​​​​about 70 hectares, and this area will be filled with futuristic buildings and infrastructure designed to explore the question of how humans and robots can coexist in harmony. At this stage, the Woven City project is still in its early stages, with the start of the first construction work scheduled for 2021. Once completed, this place will become a fully controlled city where people live, work and play in one "big laboratory", while engineers and scientists are free to develop and test in the real world the latest technologies related to artificial intelligence, autonomous movement, maintenance, robotics and ... >>

NASA intern discovers exoplanet 12.01.2020

Wolf Kukier, 17, of Scarsdale, New York, discovered a new exoplanet with two stars 1300 light-years from Earth in the constellation Pictorus on his third day at NASA. The guy made this discovery last summer. He viewed the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (Tess) in orbit last year. So, while studying the intersection of the paths of two stars, Wolf Kukie focused on the TOI 1338 system, where he noticed something in the orbit of these two stars. NASA later spent several weeks testing his observations, and eventually concluded that Kukyo had discovered a planet 6,9 times the size of Earth. It is the 13th planet of its kind to have ever been discovered. “About three days into my internship, I saw a signal from a system called TOI 1338. At first I thought it was a stellar eclipse. But it turned out to be a planet. telescope ... >>

Hyundai S-A1 electric air taxi 11.01.2020

The American service Uber and the Korean automaker Hyundai announced a partnership under the Uber Elevate program, which will result in the development of "flying taxis" Uber Air. At CES 2020, partners demonstrated a full-size concept of such a Hyundai UAM (Urban Air Mobility) device. It is assumed that Hyundai will manufacture and maintain air taxis, while Uber will provide all the necessary support, including air navigation, transportation to takeoff / landing sites, a flight booking application, etc. Dallas, Los Angeles and Melbourne will be the first cities where Uber Air operates, with test flights starting in 2020 and commercial use of the service scheduled for 2023. The Hyundai S-A1 concept belongs to the eVTOL class, that is, it is a fully electric vehicle with vertical takeoff and landing. The model moves at a cruising speed of 290 km / h at altitudes of about 300-600 meters, serving flights at a distance of up to ... >>

plastic gold 11.01.2020

A new form of gold, which weighs 5-10 times less than ordinary metal, was presented by specialists from the ETH laboratory in Switzerland. To create it, scientists used protein fibers and polymer latex, after which thin disks of gold nanocrystals were inserted into it. To begin with, scientists developed a mixture and created a dispersion that turns into a gel with the help of salt. They then replaced the water with alcohol and placed the alcohol gel in a chamber in which high pressure mixed the alcohol with carbon dioxide. As a result, a homogeneous airgel was formed, which condensed under the influence of heat to the shape that the researchers needed, and also retained an 18-fold composition (750 sample). Scientists noted that this gold has the material properties of plastic. According to them, if you drop it, it will sound like plastic. However, it also has the properties of gold, because it can be polished and also processed into the desired shape. Moreover, scientists can even ... >>

Bioelectric stimulation in medicine 10.01.2020

The use of ultrashort pulses of electrical energy is a promising non-thermal, harmless method of inducing regulated cell death in common skin lesions, US scientists have found. Nanopulse stimulation delivers nanosecond pulsed electric fields to cells and tissues. It generates nanometer-wide pores in cells that allow small ions to enter to change the flow of sodium, potassium, and calcium ions in and out of the cell. Nanopulse stimulation can cause cell death in epidermal or dermal lesions, but since it does not affect dermal collagen, it does not cause scarring. Fetal exposure to alcohol can lead to defects in brain and eye morphology as aspects of fetal alcohol disorder. This is also true of the developing tadpole. Specialists used this simulation system to test the use of optogenetics - energy induced by light ... >>

Bacteria that eat dirt and breathe electricity 10.01.2020

Hot water lakes in Yellowstone National Park are home to strange bacteria. They breathe electricity and eat waste that pollutes the environment. They were discovered by a team of scientists from Washington State University. The found microorganisms can solve two of the most important problems of mankind - environmental pollution and the impossibility of restoring energy sources. How? These microorganisms literally feed on particles of toxic substances and, in the process of their digestion, produce electricity. Such a bacterium can absorb pollutants, converting them into less harmful substances and in doing so, produce electricity that can be used for low-power appliances. Collecting these microbes proved to be no easy task. First, a group of scientists overcame a difficult path to four ancient pools of hot water. Upon arrival, they lowered several electrodes into the water to attract little-known bacteria. H ... >>

Interaction of radiation with water 09.01.2020

For the first time, physicists have been able to trace how radiation destroys water molecules. Chemical reactions in nature last very quickly - tens of femtoseconds, quadrillionths of a second. During this time, the atoms in the molecules of the initial substances have time to carry out interaction processes and take their new positions. At the same time, the electrons in them interact even faster - in tens or hundreds of attoseconds, thousandths of a femtosecond. Scientists have been able to start studying these processes with ultrafast lasers and particle accelerators, which can produce ultrashort bursts of X-rays and gamma rays a few femtoseconds long. Physicists at the Argonne National Laboratory have used these devices for the first time to see how radiation interacts with water. Experiments have shown how gamma radiation knocks electrons out of its molecules. "For the first time, we have traced the fastest chemical reaction that can occur in ionized water - the birth of a hydroxyl radical (-OH) ... >>

Quectel L96-M33 miniature multi-system GNSS module with patch antenna 09.01.2020

The new Quectel L96-M33 module is capable of working with the signals of four satellite constellations: GPS L1 1575.42MHz C/A Code, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo, which improves the quality of positioning in urban environments. Thanks to a miniature chip antenna, the module can be successfully used in wearable equipment, where the dimensions of the device are a determining factor. L96-M33 has improved efficiency when receiving weak signals and high sensitivity: -165 dBm in tracking mode and -148 dBm in capture mode. It is possible to connect an external antenna. The receiver uses a built-in auxiliary system to quickly determine the position of AGPS EASY. This technology reduces the time to first detection (TTFF). Additionally, the module stores data on the movement of satellites in its memory and, based on them, makes predictions for up to 3 days, which allows the module to quickly determine the location in low-power conditions. AlwaysLocate technology allows you to adjust the VK time ... >>

New Catalyst for Energy Conversion 08.01.2020

The search for new types and types of chemical catalysts to enhance and improve the chemical properties of various processes, including industrial ones, has long been one of the top priorities for many researchers in the field of catalysts. Specialists from Northwestern University in the USA managed to find a new effective catalyst for improving the storage and conversion of clean energy - in this article, the specialists outlined their search method in detail. The problem of developing and implementing new clean energy technologies that would make it possible to obtain energy from safe and renewable sources is really relevant and is being worked out in detail at the present stage of energy development. In particular, many scientists have long been trying to find a new way to create a more efficient catalyst that can enhance this process and at the same time get rid of many unpleasant aspects associated with the limitation of energy storage in traditional technologies. ... >>

The construction of the main stage of the super-heavy rocket Space Launch System is completed 08.01.2020

NASA and Boeing have completed work on the main part of the new Space Launch System (SLS) super-heavy rocket, which is designed to deliver people and cargo into deep space. The base unit, manufactured at NASA's Michoud plant in New Orleans, is currently on its way to Mississippi, where it will undergo key testing. SLS is an important part of the Artemis program, NASA's initiative to return humans to the moon by 2024. When construction is fully completed, the Space Launch System will be the most powerful rocket in the world. The stage was loaded onto a barge and sent to the NASA space center in Mississippi. There she will pass all the main stages of Green Run testing before the first launch of the mission. The test includes refueling and full load of the four main engines, as during the actual launch. The rocket will not be installed on the launch pad, but on a test bench. This testing is expected to take place this summer, after which the rocket can go to ... >>

Found a trace of the impact of the largest meteorite in history 07.01.2020

American scientists have discovered a crater that was left from the collision of the Earth with the largest meteorite in the history of the planet about 800 thousand years ago. So, according to the publication, it was possible to identify it thanks to black vitreous formations - "tektites". It is located in the south of Laos and covers about 15 kilometers. At the same time, scientists claim that it was not previously found due to the fact that it is located under a young volcanic field. In recent months, this area has been checked using magnetic field measurements and a hidden crater has been discovered. "The large crater from which these tektites originate could not be found for a century. Although for a long time the evidence pointed to the area somewhere in Indonesia," experts say. ... >>

Sensor from any surface 07.01.2020

Sensel introduced a new technology. In fact, it allows you to touch any surface, including smartphones. The demo used a thin film that contains about 25 sensors. By installing sensors under curved glass, you can make the edges of smartphones touchable. The sensors are highly sensitive. It recognizes a range from less than one gram to 5 kg at each contact point, for a total of up to 10 points. Such impressive accuracy allows you to create many different scenarios for the behavior of the interface. The technology distinguishes between when the user simply holds the smartphone in his hands, and when he intentionally squeezes the surface. Sensors recognize the type of capture, which means that such control buttons (volume, power) can be easily switched from the right side to the left. The booth demonstrated, among other things, shooting control on a smartphone. The user can release the shutter, press the "button" halfway to focus, and also ... >>

Worms against aging 06.01.2020

Scientists from the MDI Laboratory, together with scientists from the Buck Institute for Research on Aging and the University of Nanjing, have discovered synergistic cellular mechanisms that increase lifespan by six times in C. elegans nematodes, which are often used as model organisms in aging research. Such a life expectancy in worms corresponds to a human life expectancy of 400-500 years. The study is based on the discovery of two major pathways that drive aging C. elegans, which are popular model organisms in aging research due to their many genes in common with humans, and because of their short lifespan of three to four weeks, allowing researchers to quickly assess the impact of both genetic and environmental factors on life expectancy. The study used organisms with a double mutation: the insulin signaling pathways and TOR complexes were changed. Altering insulin signaling alone gives a 100% increase ... >>

Smartphone with e-ink color screen 06.01.2020

Hisense has introduced its new device - a smartphone with a color display on electronic ink. This is the first smartphone with such a screen (color E Ink screens are already used in e-books, but they have not been used in smartphones before). The production process of E Ink displays for smartphones is ripe for mass production of electronic ink color screens for such gadgets. However, the company claims that the new displays have an improved refresh rate than previous similar screens used on smartphones. At the moment, however, Hisense does not disclose when a serial device with such a display may appear. The first smartphone with an e-ink screen was YotaPhone, introduced in 2012: it received two screens - one regular main display and one e-ink screen on the back panel. ... >>

Polyploidy phenomenon found in insects 05.01.2020

The evolution of living organisms, despite popular belief, nevertheless took place in completely different ways - not only in different species of the same kingdom, but also in different species in principle. Evolutionary biologists from the University of Arizona have presented their new study on the found evidence of polyploidy in insects - which is quite unusual and revolutionary discovery, which will finally understand the differences in the evolutionary process of animals and plants. Evolutionary biology is a separate area of ​​biology, the scope of which primarily covers the study of the mechanisms of genetic development of various living organisms. Even during the last century, several scientists have proven the process of polyploidy - the process of genomic reproduction - in plants, but studies of that time did not allow to finally link it to the animal kingdom. Now, thanks to a special bioinformatic research system, the development of ... >>

Noise isolation from metamaterial 05.01.2020

The technology of a new lightweight soundproofing material, called acoustic metamaterial, is based on the principle of metamaterial. In such composite materials, the properties do not depend on the elements included in its composition, but on an artificially created periodic structure. Nissan engineers combined the plastic film and the lattice structure in such a way that they keep air vibrations under control and do not allow waves with a frequency of 500-1200 Hz to propagate. It is at this frequency that the main share of the noise that is created by the car engine and the road while driving on it falls. The Japanese experts emphasized that modern machines for soundproofing use solid rubber mats, which are 75% heavier than the new acoustic metamaterial, but at the same time have the same soundproofing properties. At the same time, the cost of new items is at the level of rubber noise insulation or may even be lower. According to the developers, in the near future acoustic metama ... >>

plant cement 04.01.2020

German scientists, together with colleagues from Nigeria, created cement from plants. For the production of cement, the researchers used the skin of the cassava plant, which is fired under a special temperature regime. “From the ashes obtained from the burning of plants, we develop a product that is similar in properties to cement. It can be used as a connecting agent instead of classic cement,” says civil engineer Wolfram Schmidt of the Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing. Building materials from rice production waste and other vegetable raw materials have also proven themselves well. This is not only one of the options for recycling organic waste, but also a cost savings, since the use of such materials makes cement production cheaper. In addition, such a building material is more durable and lasts longer. The first cassava concrete building will be built next year. It will be part of the campus of the University of Lagos ... >>